Detroit Area Council

Detroit Area Council serves Scouts in southeast Michigan.

Districts

*Huron District
*Lakeshore District
*Michigami District
*Motorcity District
*North Trails District
*Northridge District
*Sunset District
*Three Rivers District

http://www.dacbsa.org/districts.htm

Order of the Arrow

* [http://www.migisi.org/ Migisi Opawagan Lodge 162]

Camps

D-A Scout Ranch

D-A Scout Ranch (Also known as D-bar-A) is a Boy Scout reservation located in Metamora, Michigan.

Since 1950, D-bar-A-Scout Ranch has been providing quality scouting experiences for Scouts from Southeast Michigan and around the Midwest. Located a little over an hour's drive north of Detroit, the ranch boasts over convert|1700|acre|km2|0 of wilderness. 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 Boy Scouts often shelter in tents (except for winter events.) Facilities also exist for shooting sports, conservancy (aka eco-con), and aquatics.

The Trout Lake area is used primarily for Cub Scout activities including swimming, canoeing, archery, BB guns, nature and conservancy education, and crafts. A number of cabins are located in this area, as well as two shower-houses and the dining hall. An amphitheater hosts special events, skits and the end-of-camp bonfire.

In 2007, Detroit Area Council announced its "Go Green" campaign. This project is starting 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.

Cole Canoe Base

Edward N. Cole Canoe Base is a Boy Scout Camp and Canoe Base for the Detroit Area Council in Ogemaw County, Michigan. Edward N. Cole Canoe Base is one of two pieces of property owned by the Detroit Area Council.

Cole has been a Nationally Accredited “A” Rated summer camp facility since 1980 [http://www.dacbsa.org/cc_camp/camping-home-page.htm] ] , and its staff continues a tradition and commitment to service and excellence, in fact it boast one of the highest unit return rates in the nation.

Geography

Cole is approximately 170 miles north of Detroit just outside of West Branch, Michigan located on the southern border of Ogemaw County. The camp measures approximately 1480 acres or about 2.3 square miles. 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. 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 you descend into the river valley.

History

Originally purchased in 1964, 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 Detroit Area 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.

Campsites

Cole Canoe Base has 16 campsites, each including a flagpole, fire ring, and latrine.The following are the campsites:

* 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
* White Pines

Cabins and living quarters

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 camps archives, valuable animal mounts, and of course functions as a residence for the Camp Director and other executives visiting Cole all year round.

ummer program

Starting the second week of July every summer the spring camp programs end and the new summer camp season begins. The majority of the staff arrives the second week in June to begin “Staff Week.” Staff 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 timeframe 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 Detroit Area Council office for more information.

Currently in development is a 7 day 125-150 mile canoe trip to challenge even the most seasoned canoeist.

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 offered

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 Detroit Area Council sources for the most up to date information regarding its current merit badge schedule.cite web | last=Chutorash | first=Gus | title=CCB-Summer-Camp-Leaders-Manual | url=http://www.dacbsa.org/cc_camp/Boy%20Scout%20Camping/Summer%20Camp/Forms/07-CCB-Leader-Manual.pdf | publisher=Detroit Area Council, Boy Scouts of America | year=2007 | accessdate=2007-06-20] .* indicates an Eagle-required merit badge

Opening and closing flag retreats

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.

Flags normally flown

* flag
* state flag
* Detroit Area Council Flag
* 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 2006. Immediately after Beast Feast on Monday, scouts travel down the camp road to the Crafts Pavilion for art and craft activities by candlelight.

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 EcoCon Staff show various animals of the wild, and in the past there has been a falconer with his/her falcons.

L.O.S.T.

L.O.S.T. 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.

cuba and snorkeling

Scuba and snorkeling certifications 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.

Ice Cream Social

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 grandest one of them all is the "Scoutmaster Special", a mountain full of every flavor of ice cream and every offered topping with a cherry on top.

River Rat Rodeo

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

Closing campfire

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. 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.

Geocaches

The Adventure Bhoys geocache squad hid six geocaches on the Cole grounds on June 27, 2007:
*Cache-ing Eco-Con: 44deg 10.505 N 084 deg 04.224W
*Mad Skills Cache: 44 deg 10.622N 084 deg 04.196W
*What is a Scout Cache: 44 deg 10.583 N 084 deg 04.060
*Island Overlook
*Sticks and Strings
*Log Wagon

References

ee also

* Scouting in Michigan

External links

* [http://www.dacbsa.org Detroit Area Council]
* [http://www.dacbsa.org/cc_camp/camping-home-page.htm D-A Scout Ranch webpage]