Camp Hi-SierraFriends of

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On the way back from a trip to the Emigrant Wilderness, I visited Camp on Tuesday to see some surprising and wonderful improvements to Camp for this year. Read on to learn about the new shower building, new merit badge sign-up process, returning staff heroes, the return of the sailing program, our site updates, and even the beginning of the end for latrines!

Shower Building

The new shower building is completed and operational! This $250,000 project updated the old camper shower building (between Miwok and Chippewa campsites) with a new facility featuring individual shower stalls - no more waiting for the correct hours or finding the correct side of the building for your age/sex! Pictures should be coming soon.

Merit Badge Sign-up Process

The merit badge sign-up process has also changed dramatically - most Scouts are now signed up for merit badges online using a system based on Camp Chawanakee's popular online sign-up system. This has eliminated the need for a Sunday evening Program Midway (the end of a VERY long run for that program event) and helped make Sunday afternoon check-in much more relaxed: Troops now visit only the &quot;essential&quot; check-in spots during the afternoon tour (Health Lodge, Dining Hall, Waterfront, Rifle Range, etc.) and then get settled in. After dinner, program tours are conducted to show troops the main program areas in the Camp valley.

Returning Staff

Many returning staff continue to make Camp an enthusiastic and zany place -

Location

One of two campsites (see: Apache campsite ) located opposite of porcupine creek, Nez Perce sites lower on the hill above the Nature Cabin.

Why?

Pros

• Large site
• Short walk to the dining hall
• Quick access to the rifle range and campfire circle
• Acoustics are great - you can be heard all around camp

Cons

• Acoustics are great - you can be heard all around camp
• Somewhat isolated from other sites

Pronunciation

Often incorrectly pronounced the same way as a similarly named Native American Tribe. The correct pronunciation is actually: "Nəz `Pēr-s"

Links to online maps showing Camp Hi-Sierra's location (easy to look up directions):

(Note: please do NOT use any of the addresses or intersections noted within these links to attempt to contact Camp; our official mail address usually does not display the correct location on electronic maps, so alternatives may be used below. Camp's official mailing address is: 29211 Hwy 108, Long Barn, CA 95335; though directing your online map tools to "Cold Springs, CA" will often get you better results.)

For an easily printable map of Camp Hi-Sierra, you may download the attached file, an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.

The Nature Merit Badge is offered in our Nature Area. As with all Merit Badges, Scouts may sign up for this badge at the Program Midway.

Requirements

Nature Requirements on USScouts.org

Pre-requisite Requirements

The following requirements should be completed before attending Camp Hi-Sierra:

• 4 (a, d, e[1], or f)

Requirements Not Offered at Camp

Location

The Nature/Ecology Program Area operates out of the Nature Lodge, on the East bank of the North Fork Tuolomne River, across the road from the Foxfire area.

Nature/Ecology Programs

Difficulty Level 1 is our easiest level of activity.

Merit Badges

Merit Badges ranked as Level 1 are relatively easy for most Scouts to complete. They make an excellent choice for first-year Scouts and those still working on the Trail to First Class. These are also good choices for Scouts who are focusing on something difficult as their primary activity during the week but want just a little more.

Other Programs

Difficulty Level 2 is our intermediate level of activity.

Merit Badges

Merit Badges ranked as Level 2 are somewhat challenging badges. They are appropriate for second-year Scouts as well as many older Scouts and some first-year Scouts, if they have prior experience in the activity.

Other Programs

When non-Merit-Badge programs are ranked as Level 2, we mean they are rather challenging activities for individuals with little prior experience in the area, and engaging activities for those with some experience. Challenge yourself! Try something new!