Great Lakes Council (Boy Scouts of America)

For the Australian local government area, see Great Lakes Council.

Great Lakes Council
Owner	Boy Scouts of America
Headquarters	Detroit, Michigan
Country	United States
Coordinates	42°20′50″N 83°04′58″W / 42.34722°N 83.08278°W / 42.34722; -83.08278
Founded	2009
Website http://www.glcscouting.org/
Scouting portal

Great Lakes Council serves Scouts in southeast Michigan.

On August 4, 2009 the Detroit Area Council and the Clinton Valley Council voted to merge into a new council serving Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. The new Council was officially started on October 1, 2009. on November 10, 2009, after a month long contest, the new name Great Lakes Council was selected to represent the new council.

Great Lakes Council serves scouts in Southeast Michigan

Organization

• Huron District
• Lakeshore District
• Macomb District
• Michigami District
• Motor City District
• Northridge District
• North Trails District
• Pontiac-Manito District
• Ojibwa District
• Ottawa District
• Sunset District
• Three Rivers District

Camps

D-bar-A Scout Ranch

D-bar-A Scout Ranch
Location	Lapeer, Michigan
Founded	1950
Website http://www.glcscouting.org/camping/index.html

D-bar-A Scout Ranch (Formally known as D-A Scout Ranch) is a Boy Scout ranch located in Metamora, Michigan. D-bar-A Scout Ranch is one of four camps owned by the Great Lakes Council.

Geography

D-bar-A Scout Ranch is approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of Detroit just south of Lapeer, Michigan located on the southern border of Lapeer County. The camp measures approximately 1,700 acres (7 km²) of wilderness. The Flint River runs through the northeast side of camp through the camporee field.

History

Originally opened in 1950, D-bar-A Scout Ranch was opened and operated for a full year before conducting its first summer camp program, since then D-bar-A-Scout Ranch has been providing quality Scouting experiences for Scouts from Southeast Michigan and around the Midwest.

In 2007, Great Lakes Council announced its "Go Green" campaign. This project started at D-bar-A and will continue into the rest of the council's projects. They will no longer be using disposables in the dining facilities, among other earth saving projects.

Campsites

D-bar-A Scout Ranch has 28 heated cabins and 13 tent sites, each including a flagpole, fire ring, and latrine.

The cabin sites are : Arrowhead, Beaver Creek, Chippewa, Christoph, Clearwater, Dan Beard, Draper, Eagles Nest, Fair Oaks, Forest Edge, Frischkorn, High Point, Hill Top, Hunters Creek, Indianwood, Jack Lord, James E. West, Johnstone, Lakeview, Lang, Little Prairie, Meadows, Oakridge, Rawhide, Shady Oaks, Tall Timbers, Trout Lake and Williams.

The tent sites are: Aspen Grove, Cow Camp, Eastwood, Forester, Grandview, Hawthorne Hill, Highland, Migisi, Ribble House, Riverside, Skyline, Treasure Oaks, Wispering Trees and Brookside.

Lockwood Lake is the largest of the three lakes on the property along with Trout Lake and Beaver Lake and it is used by the Scouts for all of their aquatic activities. Although cabins exist in the Lockwood Lake region, the Scouts often shelter in tents, except for winter events. Facilities also exist for shooting sports, ecology conservation, and aquatics.

The Jack Lord area is used primarily for Boy Scouting and Cub Scouting summer camp activities including swimming, canoeing, archery, BB guns, rifle & shotgun, nature & conservancy education, crafts, climbing & bouldering, horseback riding and Suttler's Trading Company (trading post). A number of cabins, and tent sites are located in this area, as well as a new shower house and the James Hay pavilion and dining hall. The Jack Lord fire bowl hosts special events, skits and the end-of-camp bonfire. Starting in 2009 and to completed in 2010, Migisi Opawgan, one of the Great Lakes Council Order of the Arrow lodges, will be building a new fire bowl, that will sit right on Lockwood Lake.

Summer camp

Merit badges

During the week-long programs, each of the various activity areas offers instruction in various merit badges, as well as other certifications. Please check with official Great Lakes Council sources for the most up to date information regarding its current merit badge schedule.^[1]

Activity Area	Merit Badges
Aquatics	Canoeing, Lifesaving*, Motorboating, Rowing, Small Boat Sailing, Swimming*, (Certifications) BSA Lifeguard, Mile and 2 Mile Swim
Outdoor Adventure	Backpacking, Camping*, Cooking, Cycling*, Hiking*, Indian Lore, Orienteering, Pioneering, Sports, Wilderness Survival, Climbing, Fly-fishing
Ecology and Conservation	Astronomy, Bird Study, Environmental Science*, Fish and Wildlife Management, Fishing, Forestry, Geology, Mammal Study, Nature, Oceanography, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Soil and Water Conservation, Weather
Shooting Sports	Archery, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting
Crafts	Art, Basketry, Leatherwork, Woodcarving, Music, Composite Materials
Eagle's Corner	Citizenship in the Community*, Citizenship in the Nation*, Citizenship in the World*, Communications*, Fingerprinting
M*A*S*H 949	First Aid, Medicine, Public Health, Safety
Wall Street	Business American Business, Entrepreneurship, Salesmanship
Silver Spur Corral	Horsemanship, Veterinary Medicine

* indicates an Eagle-required merit badge

Programs and activities

Horseback riding is availible throughout the year. During the Summer rides leave from the Silver Spur Corral and during the rest of the year they leave from the barns near the main entrance.

Flag Ceremonies take place before breakfast and before dinner every day of the week, allowing Scouts and leaders to experience a demonstration of respect of the flag of the United States, as well as any other flags being flown on the flag pole. Staff or troops are asked to do a skit or interactive song before the ceremony starts. This usually occurs 10 to 30 minutes before the ceremony if indeed a troop arrives for the ceremony that far in advance. During the ceremony, the majority of the staff lines up in front of the Jack Lord administration building facing the Hay Pavilion. The "A Team" lines up in two ranks perpendicular to the staff, facing the flag pole. The units visiting the camp line up by unit on the north side of the flag pole facing the Jack Lord administration building parking lot and flag pole. Following the raising of the flag, the units and staff are given the order to stand "at ease," and the Program Director makes his way to the units for various announcements. On the first day of camp, this is to welcome everyone to camp. On the last day of camp, he steps forward to thank the units for attending camp and provide other relevant information. The flags usually flown include the United States flag and the D-bar-A Scout Ranch flag.

Western day is a ranch traditional festivity held every Wednesday evening in the Jack Lord Field area. There are cooking demos, corral rides, horse drawn wagon rides, branding, religious awards display, & Order of the Arrow display. Other activities include the BB gun range, bull wrangling, and tug-o-war. Campers and guests at Western Day decide who is the next D-bar-A Scout Ranch Iron Chef, in an Iron Chef-like event.

Silent Swim is an aquatic obstacle course held at Lockwood Lake. During the Teddy Bear Swim, Scouts and Scouters swim in the lake at 6:30am, much earlier than is normally permitted. A fishing derby takes place on Tuesday evening.

The Pedro Trail is seven miles long with two optional loops that bring the total length to ten miles. Upon completion, trail medals and patches may be purchased at Suttler’s Trading Company.

Flu-flu archery demonstrations are held at the archery range, demonstrating the use of Flu-Flu Arrows to hit moving targets.

During the Explosion of the Arts, Scouts bring their stories, poems, instruments, and voice to the crafts area. They will be able to share a poem, play an instrument, or tie-dye shirts. On Tuesdays, Scouts travel down the camp road to the Martorona Pavilion for art and craft explosion.

The competition for the Longhorn Award lasts the duration of the week-long summer camp. It is awarded to the unit judged to have the most spirit. Carrying unit flags, displaying patrol flags, giving the patrol yell, singing songs, and engaging in other demonstrations of enthusiasm all contribute to a troop's chances for success.

Marsh Madness is part of the Eco/Con merit badges, where Scouts investigate the bio-system of the marshes in camp. This event usually leads to all involved being covered in muck from the bottom of the marsh. Originally called the "Swamp Tromp," the name was changed when it was determined that the camp did not have swamps, but rather marshes. Eco/Con LIVE is an outdoor activity that takes place Sunday evenings at the Carl Piel Chapel, immediately following the Vesper service. The Eco/Con Staff shows various reptiles and their abilities.

Vespers is a service held on Sunday evening at the Carl Piel Chapel or Hay Pavilion in case of inclement weather. This consists of a non-denominational Christian Scripture service. Many Scouts and staff attend vespers.

On Monday, a movie is played for Scouts and Scoutmasters to enjoy. New releases have not been the theme of Monday Movie Night in recent years, and the camp usually chooses one movie and repeats that movie for the entire course of the summer.

The Friday Camp Wide Activity is a Friday tradition. Down at Lockwood, activities such canoe pull, watermelon scramble, and various other water based fun. The entire event is not complete until the Lockwood Regatta is held, where units build a raft out of material found only at camp. One of the riders on the raft, must be at least 18, and be in full complete uniform.

Following the closing flag retreat, troops process out to the Jack Lord Fire bowl for the celebratory closing campfire. This closes the week at camp, and troops break camp and return home the following morning.

Other Porgrams

Yucca Trail

The Yucca Trail is a horsebackriding program that takes scouts for four days and three nights of riding. During the course of this program scouts will be able to earn the horsemanship merit badge while exploring much of the unseen areas of the camp. Each scout is assigned one horse to ride for the trip. In addition to riding the scouts learn to take care of their horses including taking shifts at night to feed and look after the animals.

Ranch Hand

The Ranch Hand program is a week long program where scouts can work along side the camp's wrangler staff and learn about how a ranch operates. During the week scouts can earn the Horsemanship, Veterinary Medicine, and Farm Mechanics merit badges. In addition to the merit badges the scouts learn about how to use a forge to shape metal as well as otherskills that are usefull in running a ranch. At the end of the week the scouts particeipate in a cattle drive.

Edward N. Cole Canoe Base

Edward N. Cole Canoe Base
Founded	1964
Website http://www.glcscouting.org

Edward N. Cole Canoe Base is a Boy Scout Camp and Canoe Base for the Great Lakes Council in Ogemaw County, Michigan. Edward N. Cole Canoe Base is the second of four pieces of property owned by the Great lakes Council.

Cole has been a Nationally Accredited “A” Rated summer camp facility since 1980,^[2] and its staff continues a tradition and commitment to service and excellence, in fact it boasts one of the highest unit return rates in the nation.^[2]

Geography

View of Bosco Lake from the top of the Rifle Range hill

Cole is approximately 170 miles (270 km) north of Detroit just outside of West Branch, Michigan located on the southern border of Ogemaw County. The camp measures approximately 1,480 acres (6 km²). The Rifle River runs through the main part of the camp and provides an excellent opportunity for units to canoe and tube down the river. The majority of the camp structures, campsites, and program areas are condensed into the northeast portion of the property, leaving the remainder as wilderness on the west side of the Rifle River (with the exception of the Shotgun Range). After crossing the foot bridge over the Rifle River Scouts have miles of uninterrupted trails and wilderness to explore and hike. The general terrain of the camp is flat, with only a few hills as one descends into the river valley.

History

Originally purchased in 1964,^[2] Edward N. Cole Canoe Base was opened and operated under the name of the Rifle River Scout Canoe Base until 1977 when the name was changed to reflect the dedication of Edward N. Cole to Scouting in the Detroit Area.

The first summer camp was held in 1968 at the Rifle River Scout Canoe Base, and has since operated a first rate summer camp experience for young men and women looking to experience all that Scouting and the Great Lakes Council has to offer. Since its name change in 1977 Edward N. Cole Canoe Base has been colloquially referred to as Cole Canoe Base or Cole by its many visitors, and simply The Base by its dedicated staff.

Year	Events
1964	Purchased from Bob and Wilma Foresman
1967	Purchased two 40-acre (0.16 km2) parcels from Consumers Power Company
1968	Purchased river frontage at base camp from Consumers Power Company. Built five campsites: Deer Run, Lucky Portage, Silver Creek, Broken Paddle, and Maple Flats
1969	First summer camp at what was then called Rifle River Scout Canoe Base
1974	Shop built
1975	Ranger's house built
1976	Suspension bridge erected across the Rifle River and shower building built by Bolivian Peace Corps Training Units. Bosco Lake developed and filled by Army Corps of Engineers
1977	Camp renamed Edward N. Cole Canoe Base by funds donated by Edward Nicholas Cole, President of General Motors Corp and Detroit Area Council President in 1962. Service building and Bosco Lake completed.
1978	Tenth anniversary of Cole Canoe Base
1979	Health lodge and rifle range built
1979	Memorial flag pole at service building dedicated
1980	Nationally accredited "A" Rated Camp for the first time, and has been so every year since
1983	First full service season of summer camp, also first 100% national inspection. Pavilion built and dedicated by Troop 191, DAC Thunderbird District
1985	Front entrance built and dedicated to Ken Poulson
1986	Purchased 640 acres (2.6 km2) from the Greenwood Sportsman Club by the Martins and Slaviks
1987	Dedication of the Don and Olive Martin Wilderness property
1987	Dedication of the Joseph F. Slavik and Stephen F Slavik, Sr. Wilderness property
1988	Twentieth anniversary of Cole Canoe Base
1992	Claycomb Ecology and Conservation (Eco-Con) Pavilion opened and dedicated in July
1993	Eco-Con learning center opened and vehicle storage building built
1994	New Broken Paddle Campsite opened. New shotgun range opened. Rifle range pavilion built and archery range remodeled
1995	Otto F. Kamman shotgun range built and dedicated
1996	Big pavilion addition, new trading post and new crafts pavilion built. Waterfront Borich flagpole dedication. Bosco lake boating area pavilion built
1997	Cosgro campfire arena dedicated. Lucky Portage, Aspen, Deer Run and Broken Paddle campsites adopted. Michael Wearn Chapel opened and dedicated. New latrines in Broken Paddle and High Banks
1998	Thirtieth anniversary of Cole Canoe Base. Electrical power to Eco-Con and second Eco-Con learning center opened. Deer Run, Maple Flats, and Silver Creek campsites adopted. New gateway built, Rifle River campsite enlarged and adopted. Archery pavilion built. Sporting clays event added at the Otto F. Kamman Shotgun Facility
1999	Electrical power to Eco-Con, Rifle Range, and Cosgro Campfire Arena. Rifle Range rebuilt and expanded
2000	New shower building built and opened. New latrines in Rapids, Archery/Rifle River and North Landing
2001	New Latrine built in Aspen. Two new campsites developed south of Silver Creek
2002	New outpost campsite, Whispering Pines developed west of the Rifle River. OKPIK cold weather camp developed. New latrine at Deadwood/Deadwood Oaks; Deadwood adopted.
2003	Kamman Administration Center remodeled and dedicated. New latrine in Maple Flats. Crafts and Outdoor Skills pavilions expanded. Bouldering Wall built in Climbing Area. Flagpole added to Rifle Range. Jacket and Paddle Building rebuilt
2004	Main Pavilion expanded and dedicated to John Dumas. Cosgro Campfire Arena expanded. New latrine at Lucky Portage. In September, the vehicle storage building burns down and is rebuilt
2005	Climbing Wall constructed in the climbing/bouldering area during August. Main span of swimming dock replaced. Interior of Kamman Center refurbished. Old refrigeration unit removed and a larger one is built onto the Kamman Center. Rapids campsite adopted. Archery range rebuilt and dedicated to the late Frank DeDene, a lifelong lover and volunteer of Cole Canoe Base. New pavilion at Deadwood built and donated by Troop 1736.
2006	First arm of swimming dock replaced. Overhang added to Rifle Range. Aspen campsite expanded to the east. Deer Run and White Pines latrines torn down and rebuilt.
2007	Aquatics latrine torn down and rebuilt. New kayak storage racks built. New pavilion in Aspen built by Troop 86. Last leg of swimming dock replaced. Bathrooms in the Kamman Center gutted and refurbished. CCB is the first high adventure camp to host a National Camp School.
2008	Fortieth Anniversary of Cole Canoe Base. New Bridgeview latrine built. Silver Creek campsite expanded. Trading Post expanded in memory of Dawn Chutorash. Fortieth Anniversary gateway built.
2009	Trading Post expansion completed.
2010	Pavilion at White Pines Campsite built. Fooseball court built. Electronic bulletin board installed in Dumas pavilion. High Powered Rifle Range Opens for Troop Shoots.
2011	First year camper pavilion built. Cosgro Productions area expanded. High Banks campsite expanded. Memorial bricks installed in Celebration Square.

Campsites and facilities

Cole Canoe Base has 16 campsites, each including a flagpole, fire ring, and latrine. The campsites are: Aspen, Bridgeview, Broken Paddle, Buckhorn, Deadwood, Deadwood Oaks, Deer Run, High Banks, Island Rapids, Lucky Portage, Maple Flats, Maple Highlands, Rapids, Rifle River, Silver Creek and White Pines.

Cole also has one cabin available year round. The White Pines cabin located on the west side of the Rifle River is available for units to rent year round. However, during the summer months the cabin is utilized by the permanent adult staff members as their summer residence. The White Pines cabin also houses the additional rotating staff members that come up throughout the summer to volunteer their time.

A second structure located on the far northwest end of the property is the camp director’s residence. Though this structure has no official name, the staff jokingly refers to it as "The White House". The White House houses many of the camp's archives, valuable animal mounts, and of course functions as a residence for the Camp Director and other executives visiting Cole all year round.

Summer camp

The first week of June marks the end of the spring camping season, with the annual Mix-Fix. The majority of the staff arrives the second week in June to begin “Staff Week”, and the unofficial start of summer camp. This week provides the staff an opportunity to prepare Cole for the summer camp season, but also provides the time necessary to provide the mandatory staff training time. Though the vast majority of the summer camp setup occurs during this week time frame, several of the dedicated staff members make trips throughout the fall, winter and spring to help maintain the property, and develop new programs and ideas.

The Cole summer program has several parts. The traditional summer camp program provided by all Scout camps around the country that includes merit badges, nightly program opportunities, first year camper experience, and other age appropriate activities to keep all age levels of Scouts and Scouters interested in the Scouting movement.

In addition to its traditional summer camp experience that Cole provides it also has several unique programs not offered at every camp. Making use of the Rifle River and Cole’s 132 canoes, Cole Canoe Base offers a variety of river trips to its many visitors.

Utilizing the Rifle River Cole offers 1 Day, 2 Day, 3 Day, and the 4 day 50 miler. Each trip can be scheduled to fit each unit's individual needs and requests. In addition to the 132 canoes Cole has available to units, it also maintains 16 open top river kayaks and 100 tubes for units to use on the river.

In the recent years Cole’s High Adventure Staff has branched out to make more High Adventure opportunities available to its units and visitors. Cole started by expanding to the Au Sable River. Cole now also offers a 4 day 75 miler on the Au Sable River to the units that visit Cole. Both the Rifle River and Au Sable canoe trips can be scheduled after arrival at summer camp.

The newest addition to the river programs available is the Fox-Manistique 100 miler. Taking place over 5 days in the beautiful woods and waters of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula units will canoe and explore all that nature has to offer. Due to permits and other arrangements made with local and state offices units must register for this high adventure activity at least 2 months in advance prior to their arrival at summer camp. Contact the Great Lakes Council office for more information.

In addition to the river programs, Cole also offers several other High Adventure activities both in camp and out. These include SCUBA, Pictured Rocks 50 Mile Hike, Climbing, Rappelling, Bouldering, Isle Royal 50 Mile Hike, Trail Boss, and River Ranger.

Merit badges

During the week-long programs, each of the various activity areas offers instruction in various merit badges, as well as other certifications. Please check with official Great Lakes Council sources for the most up to date information regarding its current merit badge schedule.^[1]

Activity Area	Merit Badges
Aquatics	Canoeing, Lifesaving*, Motorboating, Rowing, Small Boat Sailing, Swimming*, Watersports, Whitewater, (Certifications) BSA Lifeguard, Mile and 2 Mile Swim, Snorkeling BSA, SCUBA BSA
Outdoor Skills	Athletics, Backpacking, Camping*, Cooking, Cycling*, Emergency Preparedness*, Hiking*, Indian Lore, Orienteering, Personal Fitness*, Pioneering, Safety, Sports, Wilderness Survival
Ecology and Conservation	Astronomy, Bird Study, Energy, Environmental Science*, Fish and Wildlife Management, Fishing, Fly-fishing, Forestry, Geology, Insect Study, Mammal Study, Nature, Oceanography, Plant Science, Pulp and Paper, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Space Exploration, Soil and Water Conservation, Weather
Shooting Sports	Archery, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting
Crafts	Art, Basketry, Leatherwork, Woodcarving, Music, Composite Materials
Cosgro Productions	Cinematography, Photography, Graphic Arts, Journalism, Public Speaking, Theater
Other	Bugling, Citizenship in the Community*, Citizenship in the Nation*, Citizenship in the World*, Climbing, Communications*, Fingerprinting and Crime Prevention, Fire Safety, First Aid*, Law, Medicine, Personal Management*, Salesmanship

*indicates an Eagle-required merit badge

Programs and activities

A picture from a flag retreat of "The A Team" folding the flags after the final lowering the flags. This was taken in June of 2006

Flags

Taking place the first and last night of the week, the Cole flag retreat allows Scouts and leaders to experience a respectful retreat of the flag of the United States, as well as any other flags being flown on the J. Chutorash flag pole. Upon arrival during staff week, a special team, the color guard, is formed with the sole responsibility of conducting the flag ceremonies. This team, referred to as the "A Team", consists of 8 to 10 staff members, a number which varies depending on the number of flags being flown, plus the “barker,” whose job it is to give facing commands.

During the ceremony, the majority of the staff lines up single file in front of the administration building facing the parking lot. The "A Team" lines up in two ranks perpendicular to the staff, facing the flag pole. The units visiting the camp line up by unit in the parking lot facing the administration building and flag pole.

The “Barker” asks for each campsite to report individually. Each unit present responds accordingly, often in a manner unique to that group or representing national identities present in the unit, before the “Barker” moves on to ask the staff to report. Immediately following the staff's report, the spoken command, "lower the colors", orders the "A Team" to move forward to the flag pole and begin the retreat of the flags. Before the flags begin to descend the pole, the order is given to "salute," at which time a 10 gauge black powder cannon blast is fired. After the flags are removed from the pole, they are ceremoniously folded in the traditional manner, which varies for each flag, before being presented to the senior camp leadership, who are lined up on the porch of the administration building, with the American Flag being presented to the Camp Director.

The units and staff are given the order to stand "at ease," and the Camp Director makes his way to the units for various announcements. On the first day of camp, this is to pray grace for the upcoming meal. On the last day of camp, he steps forward to thank the units for attending camp and provide other relevant information. This is then followed by announcements and awards from various program areas within the camp. The flags usually flown include the United States flag, the Michigan state flag, the Great Lakes Council Flag and the Cole Canoe Base Flag. If a troop comes to CCB from out-of-state, their state flag will normally be flown as well. Additionally, if someone attending camp or a staff member is from a foreign country, that nation's flag will also be flown, with the tradition being that the "A Team" will present the flag to the foreign Scout in that Scout's native language.

Beast Feast

The Beast Feast is a traditional festivity held every Monday evening in the Outdoor Skills program area. Every troop brings in a dish for everyone to try out. There are cooking awards in several areas, and the staff themselves prepare all kinds of different foods, from pigeon to cookie dough to salmon.

Crafts on Fire

Crafts on Fire was introduced to Cole Canoe Base during Summer Camp 2004 by then Crafts Director Andy Linn. Immediately after Beast Feast on Monday, Scouts travel down the camp road to the Crafts Pavilion for art and craft activities by candlelight.

Leave No Trace

The Leave No Trace Wilderness Excursion is an activity introduced in 2009 by Eco/Con Director Corey Brewer. It takes place directly after the Beast Feast and Crafts on Fire on Monday evenings. Interested Scouts who attend the Leave No Trace Training Program on Monday afternoon hike over to the other side of the river with Eco/Con staff for an overnight stay at one of the wilderness sites located there. At this site, they have the opportunity to put Leave No Trace fundamentals into practice while exploring the wilderness of Cole Canoe Base.

Vespers

Vespers is a service held on Sunday and Tuesday evening at the Michael Wearn Memorial Chapel or John Dumas Pavilion in case of inclement weather. This consists of a non-denominational Christian Scripture service, as a parallel to the Catholic Liturgy of the Word, followed by a homily, or sermon, and the Lord's Prayer. Following this, Catholic attendees may stay for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, thus completing a full Mass. The camp is able to offer this because the chaplain is a Roman Catholic priest; however, if he is not able to be in camp for a week, another minister will be invited to preach and this setup may differ. Many Scouts and staff attend both services.

Eco/Con Live

Eco/Con Live! is an outdoor activity that takes place Wednesday evenings at the Claycomb Ecology Conservation Center. The Eco/Con Staff show various animals of the wild, and in the past there has been a falconer with his/her falcons. Today, the event takes more the form of a showcase, with Eco/Con staff running various activities connected to Eco/Con.

L.O.S.T.

L.O.S.T. (Legendary Outdoor Skills Tournament)is an event also on Wednesday at Outdoor Skills that is subjected to Orienteering. An orienteering course is built within the area and Scouts are given a variety of different team-building tasks. This was also introduced in 2006 by then Outdoor Skills Director Tyler Colman.

Scuba & Snorkeling

B.S.A. Scuba and Snorkeling Awards are obtainable at the Bosco Lake Aquatics Area, or these activities can be completed just for fun. Experienced swimmers receive several days of lessons before heading out into the lake to view several sunken treasures, including a sailboat, a canoe, a kayak, and a payphone sign complete with a phone.

Movie Night

Movie Night is an event that also falls on Wednesday. A movie is played for Scouts and Scoutmasters to enjoy. This program developed as part of a plan to host a campwide program in the event of a rainout Thursday night. Due to its popularity it was moved to a regular camp event in the summer of 2002.

Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Festival

The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Festival is a Thursday tradition. Down at Bosco Lake, activities such as a tomahawk throw and crosscut sawing competition occur. In previous years, a root beer chug has been included in the lumberjack events, until it was brought back in 2009 for Scoutmasters only. The Ice Cream Social happens immediately following the Lumberjack Festival. This event takes place at the Wm. Kamman Administration Center. Scouts are able to choose from vanilla, chocolate, blue canoe (blue moon), and SuperGus ice cream. The "Scoutmaster Special", a includes each flavor with a blue cherry on top.

View of one of the weekly campfires from the opposite side of Bosco Lake

Evan "Tex" Peck standing in front of one of the campfires held each week during the summer camp season.

River Rat Rodeo

The River Rat Rodeo is a Friday festivity that happens during midday. Troops compete in water activities such as war canoes, canoe races, and rump bumps.

Closing Flags and Fire Bowl

Following the closing flag retreat, troops process out to the Cosgro Campfire Area for the celebratory closing campfire. Most viewers agree that this is one of the most spectacular closing campfires offered at any camp, and to many it seems that it only improves each year. After performances including skits, songs, and jokes by the staff and campers, new Eagle Scouts are honored for their achievements. All Eagle Scouts in attendance are recognized as well. Also, a John Wayne rendition of the history of the song 'Taps' is played, followed by 'Taps' done by bugle. Scouts and staff who serve in the military are often given special mention for their patriotism, and a moment of reflective silence to gave thanks for the nation of the United States is observed. The campfire is closed with a photo slideshow remembering the week at camp and a fireworks display. This closes the week at camp, and troops break camp and return home the following morning.

Camp Agawam

Camp Agawam is a 131-acre (0.5 km²) camp located in northern Oakland County, Michigan. Camp Agawam is a Boy Scout Camp and is the third of four pieces of property owned by the Great lakes Council. It was purchased in 1918 as Camp Pontiac and renamed in 1938. Camp Agawam features 9 camp sites, 3 lodges and 2 lakes. In 2009, Chippewa 29 received a National OA Grant and will redo the docks on one of the 2 lakes. There is a living history themed campsite called Fort Pontiac. Fort Pontiac was created by the Chief Pontiac Trail Committee (CPT) as a resource for scout units to conduct primitive skills training. It includes a blacksmith shoppe, carpentry shoppe and brick oven that may be used by units that have a leader who has taken the FORT Skills training conducted by the CPT. The CPT also conducts living history themed weekends during which the CPT committee members are in attendance in period clothing representing 1775. During these times the CPT fort staff are demonstrating period crafts and providing hands on activities to those in camp.

Lost Lake Scout Reservation

Lost Lake Scout Reservation (LLSR) is a 2,385-acre (10 km²) camp located in Freeman Township, Clare County in Northern Michigan. LLSR s a Boy Scout Camp and is the fourth of four pieces of property owned by the Great lakes Council. It was purchased for $350,000 in 1964. Lost Lake features very popular week long summer camp. Scouts from around the United States can attend this camp. The camp has three lakes, the largest is 66-acre (270,000 m²) Lost Lake. The site is also the home of Bennett's Lodge, formerly a retreat owned by Ford Motor Company executive Harry Bennett.

Order of the Arrow

The council is served by two Order of the Arrow lodges: Chippewa Lodge 29, which serves the northern portion of the council, and Migisi Opawgan Lodge 162, which serves the southern portion of the council. The council is one of three councils in the country that is home to two Order of the Arrow Lodges, with them being the Greater Saint Louis Area Council, and the Greater New York Councils operate one lodge in each of its five boroughs.

May 2011 will mark the end of Migisi Opawgan Lodge and Chippewa Lodge with the council merger of Clinton Valley Council and Detroit Area Council. Chippewa Lodge 29 and Migisi Opawgan Lodge 162 will reunite to form a new Noquet Lodge. Noquet is translated to mean, Bear Claw. The total member will reach near 2500 members making it the largest lodge in the State of Michigan.

Chippewa Lodge

• Chippewa Lodge, the first lodge in Michigan, was founded in 1938.
• In 2003, the lodge opened up the Chippy Trail, a ten mile (16 km) loop that goes through Lost Lake's back forty.
• One of the most unique characteristics of Chippewa Lodge is that they have not changed their lodge flap except for the addition of the Fleur de Lis.
• Brad Lichota, member of Chippewa lodge 29, elected as 2010 Order of the Arrow National Chief at the 2009 national planning meeting.
• Website: http://chippewa29.glcscouting.org/home.php

Migisi Opawgan Lodge

A little more than two weeks after the application was signed, charter members were initiated. They were William Hooper, William Knapp, Richard Nelson, Ernest Peterkin, and Andrew Watson of Camp Brady; and Hector Gordon, Robert Mounteer, and Robert Rutherford of Howell.

The Brady induction, at Waterford Hill Farm, was officiated by Chippewa Lodge 29 of Pontiac about two weeks prior to the Howell ceremony. Munhacke Lodge 88 of Ann Arbor inducted the first Howell group in Camp Newkirk on July 13, 1939.

Once started, groups from both camps continued the ordeal and induction weekly. By summer's end 50 Brady men and over 20 Howell men were in the Arrow.

At the April 15, 1941 Executive Board Meeting, Andy Watson, the lodges first lodge chief, reported on his research for a Lodge name. Mi-Gi-Si (Eagle) and O-Paw-Gan (Peace-Pipe) Both were accepted into both the Totem and Name Mi-Gi-Si O-Paw-Gan.

Noquet Lodge

While the first official Noquet Lodge event is not until the fall of 2011, the new lodge officers will be elected at a special joint session of both lodges. The Lodge Officer elections will be held at Camp Agawam on May 7th.

See also

• Scouting in Michigan

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Chutorash, Gus (2007). "CCB-Summer-Camp-Leaders-Manual". Detroit Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. http://www.bsadetroit.org/summer-camp/summer-camp-bs-camp-d-bar-a.shtm. Retrieved 2007-06-20. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} http://www.bsadetroit.org/camping/camping-ccb-timeline.shtm