Rodney Scout Reservation

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Rodney Scout Reservation is located on 900 acres of rolling upland woodlands at the head of the Chesapeake Bay and boasts over a mile of prime bay frontage. It has been in continuous operation since 1923.

Camp History

Rodney is located in Cecil County, Maryland; about 6 miles Southeast of Interstate 95 or Maryland Route 40 off Maryland Route 272 near North East, providing easy access from Baltimore, Washington, Wilmington, and Philadelphia.

It is on the site of an old abandoned iron mining site formerly titled Whiticker Iron. DuPont gave much funding for the fledgling scout camp that has multiple facilities, camp grounds for roughly two dozen troops and many merit badges. Such activities include pottery, archery, sail and power boating, rock climbing, and even Indian lore. Because of the proximity to a large hill most of the runoff can flow through the camp sites, creating veritable rivers and floods. Visitors are advised to bring ground cloths and/or a elevated platform for the site.[1]

Program

Outdoor activities are the most appealing feature of the Scouting program. Rodney’s outdoor summer program is tailored to meet the needs of Boy Scouts.

In the Summer of 2006, Rodney hosted around 3000 Scouts and 600 Leaders during the 8-Week Summer Camp Season, making it one of the largest summers to date.

The Rodney Staff strives to provide a meaningful outdoor program to every scout, leader, and parent that comes to camp. Summer Camp at Rodney attempts to challenge each scout to learn new skills and try new activities that are often unavailable in a non-camp environment. Rodney hopes to develop the leadership and teamwork skills of all scouts, and as such many of our programs outside our individual merit badge offerings are centered around inter-Troop and inter-Patrol competitions and experiences.

Aquatics

With two large waterfront areas and an extensive pool, the Aquatics area at Rodney is one of the top programs in the Nation!!

Boat Yard

Located on Landship Beach, the Boat Yard offers Canoeing MB and Rowing MB, as well as Kayaking BSA. For advanced kayakers, the RSR Kayaking program teaches advanced skills not covered in Kayaking BSA in addition to an end of the week trip to Elk Neck State Park just to the south of Camp. For those who wish to practice their skills or just experience the Chesapeake Bay by boat, Open Boating runs every afternoon and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings.

Pool

On a hot summer day, the Pool is the place to be!! Programs include Swimming MB, Lifesaving MB, Instructional Swim, Snorkeling BSA, 1/4 mile and The Mile Swim, Night Swim, and the popular Polar Bear swim. There is a program for everyone. The BSA Lifeguard program allows for the chance to be a certified Lifeguard. Under the supervision of the Aquatics Director and the Assistant Directors, both adults and scouts over 14 may participate in this physically intensive experience. Upon successful completion of the course, the 3-year certification allows for the program to be taken back to the Troop level for year-round aquatics.

Sailing Base

Experience the thrill of skipping over the waves in a sailboat or try your hand at waterskiing! Small Boat Sailing MB, Waterskiing MB, and Motorboating MB are the center of the program, with Boardsailing BSA and High Performance Sailing rounding out the offerings. The staff runs a Rodney Regatta on Wednesday evenings as well, provided there is wind. Scoutmasters also have the oppourtunity to show off their Waterskiing skills during the Monday Evening Scoutmasters Ski. Be sure to take some time to walk down Fisherman's Road and check out this program; there are not many other that offer the same caliber sailing facility.

Climbing

The recently completed Climbing Wall is one of the most popular programs in camp. Test your strength on any of the four walls. Learn the basics of climbing and repeling, then try you hand at more challenging courses.Climbing MB is offered, as well as Open Climb and the BSA program Climb on Safely.

Mountain Biking

With miles of rigorous trails over tough terrain, the RSR Mountain Biking program is amazing! Time is provided for everyone from the novice to the expert, and scouts may also tackle the Monster Mountain Bike trek. Bring your own bike (and helmet) or use one of the ones that camp provides!

Handicraft

New Craft Lodge

Craft Lodge

Art, Basketry, Fingerprinting, Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Metalwork, Pottery

Barratt Lodge

Woodcarving

Shooting Sports

Archery Range

Rifle Range

Shotgun Range

Brownsea

Scoutcraft

Nature

With a number of diverse locations ranging from the Chesapeake Bay to Bull Mountain, the Rodney Nature Program is top notch. The reservation contains fields, streams, a swamp, and other ecologically diverse habitats which serve as outdoor classrooms for the many merit badges.

Merit Badges Nature MB, Soil and Water MB, Fish and Wildlife MB, Mammel Study MB, Oceanography MB, Space Expolration MB, Astronomy MB, Archaeology MB, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Forestry MB, Weather MB, Insect Study MB, Bird Study MB, Geology MB, and Environmental Science MB.

Other Opportunities Come take a Bayhike with a member of the Nature Staff. Sunrise Seining is a favorite of Brownsea Scouts on Friday Morning. If you are interested in doing a conservation project, there are many opportunites around camp.

Commissioner's Staff

High Adventure Sailing

High Adventure sailing offers 4 days on the open waters of the Cheasepeke Bay completely free of the camp. Scouts Sail on 36-38 foot Hunter Sailing vessels. The program has been running since 1999 and has been a success every year. This program is meant for scouts 13-17 who are first class and can pass the RSR swimming test.

Blackhawk

Dining Services

Trading Post

Campwide Programs

Opening and Closing Campfire, Nightly Flag Retreat Ceremonies, Iron Man, Campwide Games

Campsites

At Rodney, there are three sides of camp: Lenape, Pathfinder, and Wilderness

Lenape

The Lenape side of Camp centers around the Pool and Bridge House, which is the winter camping headquarters.
Choptank - Pavillion w/Electicity and Wall Tents in Summer; Tent Site in Winter Camping Season
Accomac - Winter Cabin w/Kitchen and Wall Tents in Summer; Tent/Cabin Site in Winter Camping Season
Wicomico - Winter Cabin w/Kitchen and Wall Tents in Summer; Tent/Cabin Site in Winter Camping Season
Minquas - Winter Cabin w/Kitchen and Wall Tents in Summer; Tent/Cabin Site in Winter Camping Season
Alapocas - Winter Cabin w/Kitchen and Wall Tents in Summer; Tent/Cabin Site in Winter Camping Season
Shawnee - Largest Winter Cabin w/Kitchen and Wall Tents in Summer; Tent/Cabin Site in Winter Camping Season
Minsi - Winter Cabin w/Kitchen and Wall Tents in Summer; Tent/Cabin Site in Winter Camping Season
Sasquatch - (Summer Brownsea Area); Tent Site in Winter Camping Season

Pathfinder

Beachcomber - Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer, Great View of the Bay, close to the Main Parade Field and the Nature Lodge
Cheekacoo - Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer, Small "chicken coop" for leaders in Summer, great location next to the Main Parade Field
Ranger - Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer, Shady Site
Seahawk - Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer, Shady Site surrounding an open field, Great Location next to Brown Lodge, the Climbing Wall, Scoutcraft, and the Main Parade Field
Shady Grove - Tent Site in Winter, Serves as Scoutcraft Area in Summer
Bayview - Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer, Great View of the Bay, Right next to the Pathfinder Comfort Station, Great Central Location, Always a troop favorite
Pioneer - Leader Cabin, Adirondacks for the scouts, Tent/Adirondack Site in Winter, Great view of the Bay, Great Central Location, Right next to the Pathfinder Comfort Station, Always a troop favorite
Pathfinder Headquarters - Great Full Service Cabin, Great Location, Serves as Staff Housing in Summer
Barratt Lodge - Nice Bunkhouse, Serves as Woodcarving Area in Summer
Brown Lodge - Great Building in Camp, Serves as Meeting Room, Scoutmaster's Lounge, Commissioner's Office, Chaplain's Office, and Staff Lounge in Summer
Pathfinder Waterfront Area (PWA) - Bunkhouse located on the Main Parade Field, Used as Staff Housing in Summer

Wilderness

Frontier - Bunkhouse w/Kitchen, Tent/Cabin Site in Winter Season, Wall Tents in Summer, Nice view of the Bay, Close to the Dining Hall
Susquehannock - Bunkhouse w/Kitchen, Tent/Cabin Site in Winter Season, Wall Tents in Summer, Nice view of the Bay
Cliff Dwellers - Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer, take note: must hike up steep hill to get to site
Wilderness - Cabin w/Kitchen, Serves as Staff Housing in Summer
Whitaker Iron - Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer
Windy Point - Bunkhouse/Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer, Great View of the Bay, Close to Wilderness Comfort Station
Lone Pine - Bunkhouse/Tent Site w/Wall Tents in Summer, OK View of Bay, Close to Wilderness Comfort Station, Closest Site to Sailing Base, Farthest Site from Dining Hall
Fisherman's - Cabin w/Kitchen, Cabin/Tent Site in Winter, Used as Staff Housing in Summer, Great View of Bay

Winter Camping Opportunities

From September to May, Rodney is open for Weekend Camping, staffed by the volunteer Rodney Campmaster Crews. For the most part, all sites are available unless they have already been filled. Some weekends offer programs put forth by Districts in Delmarva Council. Most weekends include a program such as orienteering, cooking, rifle shooting, or many others put on by the Campmaster Crews. [2]

See also

External Links

39°30′43″N 75°59′01″W / 39.5119°N 75.9836°W / 39.5119; -75.9836

References


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