Program
Scouts attend Massawepie in one of two programs. Please use use the links in this list to jump to more complete descriptions found below.

Camp Pioneer
offers traditional Summer Camp programs plus all of the unique outdoor opportunities of Massawepie's Adirondack setting.

Adirondack High Adventure Treks
This is where groups of older Boy Scouts (age 13+), Venturers, Varsity Scouts, and Girl Scouts can experience the woods and waterways of the Adirondacks Scouts typically attend Massawepie with their own troops or Venture crews. This feature of Boy Scout camping means that, unlike most private summer camps, Scouts camp at Massawepie with their friends and under the supervision of familiar adult volunteer leaders. To find out when your unit is planning to camp at Massawepie, ask your Scoutmaster or advisor. For more information, click on "Registration" in the navigation bar at the left.

Camp Pioneer
Our Camp Pioneer summer camp provides lots of opportunities for summer fun and Scout advancement for Boy Scouts. Here are just some of Camp Pioneer's program areas and features:

BarkEater: a unique honor camper program begun in 2005, is available only at Massawepie. Each year through 2009, a new BarkEater level will be added, until there are five levels of recognition with five distinct ceremonies and totems. The BarkEater program is designed to enrich the summer camp experience by introducing Massawepie and Adirondack history and lore, and by promoting environmental awareness and advancement, while reinforcing the aims and ideals of Scouting. 2005 BarkEaters returning in 2006 will be eligible to earn the new 2nd year BarkEater level. At the end of the week, the successful 2nd year BarkEater candidates will trade their first year totem (received in 2005) for the special 2nd year totem. Scouts and Scouters new to Massawepie in 2006 will be able to work on the first year BarkEater recognition.

Climbing/Rappelling: Camp Pioneer offers two climbing walls, with a specially trained staff providing instruction and ensuring safety. Climbing Merit Badge sessions are offered, along with open climbing times.

C.O.P.E./Ropes Course: C.O.P.E. is a national program of the Boy Scouts of America, and stands for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. Camp Pioneer's C.O.P.E. area offers activities designed to allow Scouts and groups develop teamwork, communication, trust, leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-esteem. Trained staff facilitators offer activities suitable for different abilities and needs. These include initiative games that are open to all Scouts, and low and high course elements for Scouts age 14 or older. Skills learned at C.O.P.E. will apply to Scouting and also transfer to other areas of life.

ECON: The Ecology/Conservation area offers many merit badges: Astronomy, Bird Study, Environmental Science, Fish & Wildlife, Fishing, Forestry, Insect Study, Mammals, Nature, Reptile & Amphibian Study, Soil & Water Conservation, and Weather! The ECON staff can also arrange troop nature hikes, and can suggest troop conservation projects.

Handicraft: The Handicraft staff offers merit badges in Basketry, Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Space Exploration, and Woodcarving. They are also glad to help with personal projects and troop plaques which can be mounted in the Pioneer dining hall.

Merit Badges: Camp Pioneer offers counselors for approximately 40 merit badges. Our schedule is flexible, so that a Scout who misses a class due to a trail overnight or some other activity can "make up" the work at another time and still finish the badge. Some badges can be completed relatively quickly, while others take more time. Some merit badges have requirements that can't be done at camp. To complete the merit badge at camp in those cases, Scouts are encouraged to do those requirements before camp, and bring a signed partial form to camp with them.

Mountain Fox: This program for older Scouts or Venture crew members (must be at least 14 years old or entering the 9th grade) provides day-time High Adventure experiences, while returning the participants to their unit site most nights to help provide leadership for the younger Scouts. The participants plan a schedule that may include canoeing, mountain biking, ropes course and zip line, climbing and rappelling, and/or white water rafting.

This program is limited to 20 participants per week, and an additional fee does apply to cover the extra transportation and program expenses. Participants must be in good physical condition and pass the swimmer's test.

Order of the Arrow: O.A. activities available at camp include a unit election (if held earlier in the year by the unit), a Calling Out ceremony at the Monday camp-wide campfire, a pre-Ordeal ceremony Tuesday night, an Ordeal, an Ordeal ceremony Wednesday night, Brotherhood questioning, and a Thursday Brotherhood ceremony.

Scoutcraft: The Scoutcraft area offers merit badge instruction for: Backpacking, Camping, First Aid, Hiking, Indian Lore, Orienteering, Pioneering, and Wilderness Survival. The staff will also offer Paul Bunyan Axman and troop and individual skills instruction as needed. Shooting Sports: Camp Pioneer has three carefully supervised ranges: Archery, Rifle (.22), and Shotgun/Black Powder. As part of our primary program, which is teaching Scouts to shoot safely, the related merit badges are offered (Archery, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting). These ranges are also very popular with the Scouts during open program times.

Sports/Mountain Bike: This area offers Athletics, Cycling, Personal Fitness, and Sports merit badges. The staff will provide opportunities for individual or troop mountain bike rides on a large network of dirt roads and hardened trails within and around Massawepie. Want to hold a troop soccer tournament? Check out the supply of available sports equipment and fields!

Star Village: This week-long program teaches methods and practices of troop leadership and how to continue advancing. Scouts learn how to approach merit badge work by working on portions of Communication merit badge. (This badge is offered only to Star Village participants.) This program is designed for Scouts who are currently First Class, and will also include participation in a camp service project.

Trip & Trail: Massawepie arguably offers the best outing opportunities of any Scout camp east of the Mississippi River. We have 3769 acres, with 20 miles of trails, 16 outpost camps, and 8 canoeable lakes and ponds. And that's only within Massawepie - around us we have the 6 million acre Adirondack Park. Be sure to plan a troop day hike or overnight camp! We'll be glad to help with advice, equipment, food, and maps. Remember, our flexible program will allow Scouts to "catch up" on any merit badge classes they may miss.

Along the way,plan a visit to the unique Massawepie Mire, the largest peatland bog in the Adirondacks. This bog, which we are protecting in partnership with the Adirondack Nature Conservancy, contains unique wildlife and plants such as the carnivorous sundew and pitcher plants. New York State regulations require at least one qualified trip leader on any trip away from the main Camp Pioneer. A trip leader is an adult leader over 21 who has current CPR and Red Cross Responding to Emergencies certification or the equivalent.

Also, if your trip will involve boating or swimming, one adult will need current Lifeguard (BSA, YMCA, or Red Cross) and CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification. Plan ahead - contact the Red Cross or Otetiana Council Servicenter, for first aid and lifeguard training opportunities. The Boy Scouts of America also requires a second leader for two-deep leadership. (For more details on trip leadership regulations, see the For Leaders page.)

TrailBlazers: In the TrailBlazer Program, first year campers get started right at camp while working on requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. TrailBlazers will also experience special activities like climbing the "wall" and hiking the "trail"!

Waterfront: Massawepie's waterfront, on a mile-long private lake, is simply the best! Along with merit badges in Canoeing, Lifesaving, Rowing, Sailing, and Swimming, the waterfront offers swim instruction and opportunities to earn the Mile Swim, BSA Lifeguard, and Snorkeling BSA badges. There are times for free swim and open boating, too, including the (very) early-morning Polar Bear Swim! In addition, a new feature will be available this upcoming summer - kayaks!

Adult programs: We offer Scouter training courses such as Fast Start, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, and BSA Lifeguard. Scouters at camp can have fun, too! Try our Fishing Derby, Bocce and Horseshoe Tournaments, Rifle Tournament, or Scouter's Merit Badge.

Adirondack High Adventure Treks
The Massawepie Adirondack High Adventure Treks offer week-long high adventure for groups of older (13+) Boy Scouts, Venturers, Varsity Scouts, or Girl Scouts. A staff Voyageur, trained by the Boy Scouts of America's National Camping School, accompanies your group of up to 11 participants (including at least one adult leader).

Treks may involve backpacking, canoeing, or a combination. We'll help you plan the perfect itinerary in the 6 million acre Adirondack Park. You can pick a Trek that has been designed by our staff - or our staff can help you design your own unique itinerary. For details about treks (such as common itineraries, group size, requirements, and costs) please see our Adirondack Trek Brochure online.