Largest Council-owned Boy Scout camp in the nation (~17,000 acres) Includes Camp Ottari, Camp Powhatan, Claytor Lake Aquatics Base, High Knoll Trail, Fish Camp, New River Adventure, and Mountain Man Outpost

The finest Scout camp I've ever attended. The Staff is well trained and organized. Each Troop's program is their number "1" priority. The facilities are excellent as well. There are many programs for a Troop to choose from, but you have to register early, they're almost booked up for 2001.

This+is+a+review+of+our+trip+to+the+Blue+Ridge+Moutains+Scout+Reservation+%3chttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2ebsa%2dbrmc%2eorg%2f%3e+in+Virginia+during+July%2c+2001%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aWe+also+spent+1+1%2f2+days+touring+Washington+D%2eC%2e+prior+to+camp%2e+Our+group+consisted+of+27+Scouts%2fVenturers+and+13+adults%2e+We+participated+in+the+summer+camp+program+at+Camp+Powhatan+plus+six+high+adventure+programs%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThis+was+my+22nd+trip+to+summer+camp+and+the+11th+different+camp+I%27ve+attended%2e+In+this+evaluation%2c+I%27m+using+the+ratings+outlined+in+the+evaluation+form+provided+by+the+camp%2e%0d%0a++++++++++++++++A+%3d+Excellent%0d%0a++++++++++++++++B+%3d+Above+Average%0d%0a++++++++++++++++C+%3d+Average%0d%0a++++++++++++++++D+%3d+Below+Average%0d%0a++++++++++++++++F+%3d+Unsatisfactory%0d%0a%0d%0aCamp+Powhatan+Programs%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+B%2b%0d%0aWe+had+3+adults+and+3+Scouts%2e+My+wife+and+I+helped+with+a+Cooking+merit+badge+class+which+ran+out+of+propane%2e+The+Camp+Quartermaster+had+none+so+we+donated+a+canister+brought+by+our+troop+so+the+class+could+continue%2e+We+visited+several+program+areas+and+were+impressed+by+most+of+them%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aI+was+especially+impressed+by+the+Brownsea+Island+Program+for+new+Scouts%2e+The+program+was+staffed+entirely+by+Eagle+Scouts%2e+Our+troop+stopped+participating+in+first+year+camper+programs+about+ten+years+ago+because+they+were+not+consistant+and+were+rarely+adequately+staffed%2e+I+brought+back+materials+from+this+program+which+I+plan+to+share+with+my+council%27s+Scout+Executive%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aOne+aspect+of+camp+which+I+found+very+annoying+was+one+troop+which+seemed+to+have+outfitted+many+of+their+Scouts+and+adults+with+2%2dway+radios%2e+Having+these+things+chime+in+during+merit+badge+classes%2c+leaders%27+meetings+and+at+the+dining+hall+was+very+annoying%2e+I+hope+this+isn%27t+something+that+spreads+to+other+camps+as+the+summer+camp+experience+would+be+terrible+if+several+troops+did+something+similar%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aCamp+Powhatan+Staff%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%0d%0aSo+far+as+maturity+and+competence%2c+probably+the+best+staff+I%27ve+seen+at+summer+camps+I%27ve+visited%2e+Staff+members+seemed+to+be+older+than+those+at+other+camps+we%27ve+attended%2e+They+used+humor+to+keep+the+boys+interested+in+the+merit+badge+classes+and%2c+for+the+most+part%2c+seemed+%0d%0avery+competent%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aOur+Camp+Site+%26+Equipment%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+C%0d%0aWe+had+a+nice+campsite+which+we+shared+with+Troop+45+from+Dublin%2c+Virginia%2e+We+really+enjoyed+our+stay+with+the+campers+from+Troop+45%2e+The+tents+were+average%2e+We+had+one+tent+which+leaked+a+good+bit+but+we+put+duct+tape+on+the+holes+and+it+didn%27t+leak+the+next+time+it+rained%2e+The+cots%2fsprings+were+extremely+poor%2e+The+camp+needs+to+either+spend+money+on+new+cots%2fsprings+or+tell+troops+to+bring+their+own+cots%2e+The+shower+house+we+shared+with+several+other+campsites+was+average%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aDining+Hall+%26+Food%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+C%0d%0aThe+huge+Dining+Hall+was+nice+but+having+ten+people+at+each+table+was+crowded+when+adults+and+larger+Scouts+were+seated+at+the+tables%2e+The+food+was+average+compared+to+other+camps+I%27ve+attended%2e+The+scrambled+eggs+were+terrible+and+the+grits+were+bad+too%2e+Everything+else+was+about+the+same+as+I%27ve+seen+at+other+camps+and+high+adventure+bases%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aTrading+Post%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%0d%0aOther+than+the+trading+post+at+Philmont%2c+Camp+Powhatan%27s+is+the+best+I%27ve+seen%2e+My+only+disappointment+was+not+being+able+to+purchase+a+Camp+Powhatan+mug+as+they+were+out+of+these%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aOther+Camp+Powhatan+Buildings%2fFacilities%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+B%0d%0aIf+they+had+kept+the+central+restrooms+supplied+with+toilet+paper+and+towels%2c+this+rating+would+have+been+an+A%2e++%0d%0a%0d%0aPre%2dCamp+Information+and+Ease+of+Arranging+the+Trip%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade+%3d+F%0d%0aThis+trip+was+the+most+difficult+of+the+40+long+term+camping+adventures+I%27ve+arranged%2e+Our+visit+to+the+Blue+Ridge+Mountains+Council%27s+other+camp%2c+Camp+Ottari+in+1997%2c+which+I+arranged+but+didn%27t+attend%2c+was+the+2nd+most+difficult+trip%2e+The+reason+the+trips+are+so+difficult+is+the+way+in+the+council+distributes+the+camp+information%2e+Instead+of+publishing+a+Leaders%27+Guide+%22up+front%22+with+all+the+information+needed%2c+they+mail+it+out+by+program%2e+They+also+kept+changing+the+%22rules%22+after+issuing+the+information%2e+For+example%2c+the+medical+forms+needed+for+medications+were+changed+and+they+required+our+High+Knoll+crew+to+submit+new+program+choices+two+weeks+prior+to+our+departure+for+camp%2e+The+council+needs+to+spend+a+whole+lot+more+%22up+front%22+time+planning+their+summer+program%2c+and+it+would+certainly+be+much+easier+on+their+customers+if+they+published+one+Leaders%27+Guide+with+all+the+information+needed+to+prepare+for+summer+camp+and+the+various+high+adventure+programs%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aCheck+in%2fout+Process+%2d+Arrival+%26+Departure%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+F%0d%0aThis+process+was+very+poor%2e+The+map+from+I%2d81+to+Camp+Powhatan+is+poor+and+needs+to+be+updated+with+correct+distances%2e+Providing+written+directions+would+also+help%2e+We+could+not+get+a+Motorcoach+weighing+20%2b+tons+to+the+entrance+of+Camp+Powhatan+as+the+sign+on+the+road+%0d%0astates+that+12+tons+is+the+weight+limit+for+the+first+bridge%2e+The+camp+needs+to+let+groups+know+this+in+advance%2e+++++%0d%0a%0d%0aThe+check+in+at+Camp+Powhatan+was+a+disaster%2e+All+of+our+equipment%2c+much+of+which+needed+to+accompany+our+high+adventure+campers%2c+was+taken+to+our+campsite+but+we+were+told+it+would+be+at+the+OA+Building+so+that%27s+where+we+went%2e+We+wound+up+finding+the+campsite+and+carrying+the+equipment+for+our+high+adventure+participants+from+our+campsite+to+the+OA+Building+so+they+could+be+transported+to+Camp+Ottari+and+the+Claytor+Lake+Aquatics+Base%2e+This+could+have+been+avoided+with+better+logistical+planning+by+the+camp+administration%2e++Our+guide%2fhost+was+very+young+and+didn%27t+know+what+to+do+with+a+group+of+40+people+who+were+participating+in+seven+different+programs%2e+We+didn%27t+even+get+a+tour+of+the+camp%2e+The+checkout+process+was+better+but+we+still+had+problems+with+the+logistics+with+people+returning+from+the+high+adventure+programs%2e+This+needs+better+coordination%2e++%0d%0a%0d%0aNew+River+Adventure+Program%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+B+by+our+three+adults+who+stated+there+were+safety+concerns+at+the+low+C%2eO%2eP%2eE%2e+Course+and+during+White+Water+Canoeing%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aGrade%3a+A+by+youth+members%2e%0d%0aWe+had+3+adults+and+5+youths+in+this+program+which+is+based+at+Camp+Powhatan%2e+The+youth+especially+enjoyed+it%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aFish+Camp%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%2d%0d%0aThis+program+is+based+at+Camp+Ottari%2e+Other+than+the+assistant+leader+not+being+as+enthusiastic+as+he+could+have+been+%28%22burnt+out%22+after+several+weeks%3f%3f%3f%29%2c+our+1+adult+and+2+Scouts+thought+this+was+an+outstanding+program%2e+All+three+of+them+are+%22serious%22+fishermen+and+they+were+not+disappointed%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aClaytor+Lake+Aquatics+Base%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%2b%0d%0aThis+program+is+based+at+a+leased+facility+on+Claytor+Lake%2e+We+had+2+adults+and+6+youths+in+the+program%2e+They+all+thought+it+was+outstanding%2c+and+I+did+too+after+seeing+the+base+during+the+tour+on+Thursday%2e+If+I%27m+fortunate+enough+to+be+able+to+return%2c+this+is+the+program+in+which+I+want+to+participate%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aSCUBA+Certification%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%2b%0d%0aBased+at+Claytor+lake%2c+we+had+one+17+year+old+Scout%2fVenturer+in+this+program%2e+He+attended+Claytor+Lake+in+1997+and+enjoyed+his+return+immensely%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aMountain+Man+Outpost%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%0d%0aWe+had+5+Scouts+in+this+program+which+is+based+at+Camp+Ottari%2e+They+had+a+blast%21+The+program+was+much+improved+from+1997+when+our+Scouts+assigned+a+D+rating+to+it%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aHigh+Knoll+Trail+Backpacking%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+B%0d%0aWe+had+4+adults+and+5+youth+in+this+program+which+is+based+at+Camp+Ottari%2e+The+youth+were+very+young+but+they+had+an+excellent+time%2e++The+crew+rated+all+of+the+outpost+camps+as+outstanding%2e+They+said+the+latrines+were+terrible+and+that+a+better+job+could+have+been+done+in+organizing+and+planning+the+actual+backpacking+part+of+the+trip%2e+One+suggestion+was+that+the+camp+develop+itineraries%2c+rated+based+upon+hiking+difficulty+similar+to+what+Philmont+does%2c+and+let+crews+select+from+them+prior+to+arrival%2e++%0d%0a%0d%0aFrom+an+overall+standpoint%2c+our+group+of+13+adults+and+27+youths+had+a+great+time%2e+The+weather+was+outstanding+and+returning+to+the+100+degree+days+we%27re+having+in+Texas+makes+me+appreciate+my+stay+at+Camp+Powhatan+even+more%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aThe+Blue+Ridge+Mountains+Scout+Reservation+is+an+excellent+summer+camp+and+high+adventure+base%2c+the+very+best+I%27ve+seen+as+far+as+variety+and+opportunity+to+participate+in+different+programs%2e+The+Blue+Ridge+Mountains+Council+needs+to+put+more+work+into+%22up+front%22+information+and+in+the+arrival+and+departure+logistics+involved+when+troops+take+part+in+several+high+adventure+programs%2e+Even+with+these+%0d%0achallenges%2c+this+was+the+best+summer+camp+I%27ve+attended%2e+Our+PLC+has+already+decided+to+sponsor+a+similar+trip+in+2004%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aYiS%2c%0d%0a%2d%2d%0d%0aCalvin+H%2e+Gray%0d%0aScoutmaster%2c+Troop+405%0d%0aAdvisor%2c+Venturing+Crew+405%0d%0aGeorgetown%2c+Texas%0d%0a

I+must+say%2c+it+is+bad+marketing+on+the+part+of+the+Blue+Ridge+Mountain+Council+to+constantly+change+their+web+addresses+for+their+camps+%28the+link+for+2001+dies+at+the+end+of+camp+and+there+may+be+many+months+before+the+2002+link+is+ready%29%2e++The+council+website+has+very+little+information+on+the+camps+in+the+off+season%2c+and+each+year+the+web+addresses+change%2e++It+makes+it+diffuclt+for+units+%26+sites+like+this+to+keep+a+valid+link+to+their+camps%2e++For+having+some+of+the+finest+camps+East+of+the+Mississippi+their+web+sites+leave+a+lot+to+be+desired%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0a

A+group+of+42+Texans+just+returned+from+a+week+at+Camp+Ottari+which+is+operated+by+the+Blue+Ridge+Moutains+Council+in+Roanoke%2c+Virginia%2e++A+troop+from+Houston+accompanied+our+troop+on+this+trip%2e++Here+is+a+summary+of+what+our+troop+members+thought+about+the+camp%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aFrom+an+overall+standpoint%2c+our+group+thought+the+camp+was+one+of+the+best+we%27ve+attended%2c+possibly+the+very+best%2e++The+camp+offers+an+outstanding+mix+of+high+adventure+and+regular+summer+camp+opportunities%2e++Here+is+how+our+Scouts+and+adults+rated+each+of+the+programs+in+which+we+participated%3a%0d%0a+%0d%0aSUMMER+CAMP+PROGRAM+%2d+We+had+6+boys+and+1+adult+in+the+regular+summer+camp%2e++They+gave+it+a+rating+of+%22A%22+as+the+camp+offered+a+nice+selection+of+merit+badges+and+special+activities%2e++The+camp+site%2c+facilities+and+food+were+as+good+as+other+camps+we%27ve+attended%2e++The+staff+was+excellent+and+our+guys+had+no+problems+with+any+of+the+staff+members%2e++Overall%2c+an+excellent+summer+camp+program%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aNEW+RIVER+ADVENTURE+%2d+This+is+a+high+adventure+activity+consisting+of+COPE%2c+caving%2c+rappelling%2c+mountain+biking%2c+whitewater+canoeing+and+whitewater+rafting%2e+We+had+7+Scouts+and+4+adults+in+this+program%2e++They+rated+it+%22A%2b%22+as+it+was+one+of+the+nicest+high+adventure+activities+in+which+our+troop+has+participated%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aCLAYTER+LAKE+AQUATICS+BASE+%2d+This+program+gave+the+boys+an+opportunity+to+earn+several+aquatics+badges+plus+participate+in+special+water%2dtype+activities%2e++We+had+1+Scout+and+1+adult+in+this+program%2e++They+rated+it+%22A%2b%22+and+had+a+great+time+all+week%2e++The+participants+spent+most+of+the+week+%22in+the+water%22+and+the+program+certainly+delivered%2e++They+were+especially+impressed+by+the+staff+who+made+it+a+high+priority+to+learn+the+names+of+each+participant+by+the+end+of+the+first+day+of+the+program%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aMOUNTAIN+MAN+OUTPOST+PROGRAM+%2d+This+program+promised+a+week+in+the+DEEP+WOODS+living+like+the+Mountain+Men+who+once+inhabited+the+Blue+Ridge+Moutains%2e++Scouts+were+told+they+could+earn+the+Rifle+Shooting+and+Cooking+badges%2e+Basically%2c+the+program+DID+NOT+deliver+as+our+5+Scouts+gave+it+a+%22D%22+rating%2e++This+was+due+to+the+fact+that+the+program+was+understaffed+and+that+one+of+the+staff+members+used+profanity+thoughout+the+week%2c+with+some+of+this+aimed+directly+at+the+boys%2e++Our+Scouts+reported+that+this+guy+%22went+crazy%22+on+one+occasion+when+someone+touched+his+necklace+and+went+off+into+the+moutains+for+several+hours+to+%22purify%22+himself%2e++Our+guys+did+not+complete+or+receive+partials+on+any+of+the+three+merit+badges+promised+so+the+program+didn%27t+deliver+what+it+promised+in+this+area%2e++4+of+our+5+Scouts+had+taken+part+in+a+Philmont+trek+during+June+and+they+reported+that+the+Mountain+Man+Program+was+a+big+let%2ddown+after+Philmont%2e++But+they+said+it+could+have+been+a+nice+program+if+it+had+been+adequately+staffed%2e++They+gave+high+marks+to+the+guy+%22in+charge%22+but+stated+he+just+didn%27t+have+enough+help%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aIn+summary%2c+Camp+Ottari+needs+to+improve+the+Mountain+Man+Outpost+Program%2e++All+the+other+programs+are+of+the+highest+quality+and+we+recommend+these+without+reservation%2e++They+also+offer+a+backpaking+program+%28High+Knoll%29+and+our+campers+heard+good+reports+about+this%2e++Even+with+the+problems+with+the+Mountain+Man+Outpost%2c+we+still+feel+that+Camp+Ottari+offers+one+of+the+VERY+BEST+summer+camp+and+high+adventure+programs+in+which+our+troop+has+participated%2e++None+of+the+camps+in+Texas+offer+such+a+wide+variety+of+programs+so+we%27ll+certainly+return+to+Camp+Ottari+at+some+point+in+the+future%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aYiS%2c%0d%0a%2d%2d%0d%0aCalvin+H%2e+Gray%0d%0aScoutmaster%2c+Troop+405%0d%0aGeorgetown%2c+Texas%0d%0ahttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2etroop405%2eorg%0d%0a%0d%0a

I+have+just+returned+from+the+Blue+Ridge+Mountain+Scout+Reservation%2c+Camp+Ottari%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aI+took+5+Scouts+and+another+leader+down+there+from+western+NY+and+arrived+there+on++8%2d2+for+the+New+River+High+Adventure+program%2e+For+those+that+are+not+familiar+with+this+program+it+is+one+week+of+some+of+the+most+fun+I+have+ever+had+in+Scouting+%2e+We+had+a+whole+day+each+of+COPE%2c+climbing%2frappelling%2c+white+water+canoeing+and+white+water+rafting+on+the+New+river+in+WV%2e+There%0d%0ais+also+a+half+day+of+caving+and+half+day+of+skeet+shooting%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aThe+week+we+were+there+was+the+8th+week+of+campers+and+for+most+of+the+New+River+staff+the+10th+week+they+were+at+camp%2e+I+was+truly+amazed+with+the+enthusiasm+of+the+staff%2e+In+many+camps+I+have+been+to+bye+the+last+week+of+the+summer+many+staff+members+are+just+getting+through+the+week+so+they+can+go+home%2e++Not+so+at+Ottari%2e+At+times+it+was+hard+to+tell+if+the+staff+or+the+Scouts%0d%0awere+having+the+most+fun%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aThe+food+was+good%2e+The+weather+perfect%2e+The+program+outstanding%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aIf+you+are+looking+for+an+experiance+that+will+help+you+keep+the+older+Scouts+interested%2c+you+owe+it+to+the+troop+to++check+them+out%2e+%0d%0a+%0d%0aI+found+them+through+their+ad+in+the+back+of+Scouting+magazine%2e%0d%0a+%0d%0aYIS%0d%0aSteve+Cobb%0d%0aSM+Troop+42%0d%0aOA+Brotherhood%0d%0aIroquois+Trail+Council%0d%0aBoy+Scout+Outdoor+Activities+Chairman%0d%0aWebmaster+Iroquois+Trail+Council%0d%0ahttp%3a%2f%2ffreenet%2ebuffalo%2eedu%2f%7eiroquois%2f%0d%0a

In+this+post%2c+I%27ll+copy+the+format+of+previously+posted+reviews%2e++During+the+week+of+July+14%2d20%2c+2002%2c+our+troop+attended+summer+camp+at+Camp+Powhatan+on+the+Blue+Ridge+Mountain+Scout+Reservation+near+Roanoke%2c+VA%2e++24+boys+and+5%0d%0aadults+attended%2e++This+camp+is+about+350+miles+from+where+we+live+and+this+was+our+first+visit+there%2e++The+main+attraction+of+this+camp+is+the+numerous+programs+that+are+offered%2e++We+had+boys+in+three+of+the+different+programs%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aIn+this+evaluation%2c+I%27ll+use+these+ratings%3a%0d%0a++++++++A+%3d+Excellent%0d%0a++++++++B+%3d+Above+Average%0d%0a++++++++C+%3d+Average%0d%0a++++++++D+%3d+Below+Average%0d%0a++++++++F+%3d+Unsatisfactory%0d%0a%0d%0aPre%2dcamp+information%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade+%3d+B%0d%0aThe+leader%27s+guide+was+pretty+well+done%2e++It+explained+most+things+and+included+lists+of+the+exact+paper+work+the+camp+would+require%2e++The%0d%0aregistrar+at+the+office+was+very+helpful+during+my+three+changes+to+numbers+in+the+various+programs%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a%0d%0aCheck+in%2fout+process%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade+%3d+D%0d%0aOur+assigned+guide+during+check+in+did+not+tell+us+the+things+we+needed+to+know+%28like+the+dining+hall+procedures%2c+how+to+check+items+out+from+the%0d%0aquartermaster%29+and+did+tell+us+things+that+were+incorrect+%28who+need+to+take+their+swimming+test+on+the+first+day%29%2e++We+planned+on+leaving+early+%287%3a00+AM%29+on+Saturday%2c+so+I+made+arrangements+to+check+out+Friday+night%2e++No+one+ever+showed+up+to+do+our+final+inspection+on+Friday+or+Saturday+AM%2e++I+asked+the+program+director+about+this+and+he+said+we+were+to+just+leave%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aOur+Campsite%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade+%3d+D%0d%0aThe+tents+had+some+holes+in+them+that+were+patched+with+duct+tape%2e++Luckily%2c+it+did+not+rain+for+more+that+15+minutes+all+week%2e++We+only+had+one+dining+fly+for+29+people%2c+again+we+were+lucky+it+didn%27t+rain+very+much%2e++The+platforms+for+the+tents+were+in+disrepair%2e++If+we+had+a+rain+filled+week%2c+it+would+have+been+miserable%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aLatrine+and+Shower+Facilities%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade+%3d+D%0d%0aOur+latrine+as+well+as+at+least+two+others+were+overflowing+during+the+week%2e++The+camp+did+send+someone+out+to+pump+them%2c+but+that+should+have+been+done+before+they+began+to+overflow%2e++Our+assigned+shower+facilities+were+in+need+of+maintenance%2e++We+ended+up+showering+at+the+facilities+for+another+troop%2e++Also%2c+shower+houses+were+shared+by+troops%2c+making+cleanliness+tougher+to+manage%2e++There+were+no+dedicated+female+leader+facilities+that+I+saw%2e++The+shower+house+had+sign+to+flip+for+male+or+female+use%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aWater%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade+%3d+F%0d%0aI+put+this+category+in+here+because+the+water+was+terrible%2e++The+water+at+our+camp+site+was+undrinkable+because+it+tasted+so+strongly+of+iron%2e++The+water+at+the+dining+hall+was+filtered+and+was+slightly+better%2c+but+the+dining+hall+staff+was+so+unaccommodating+that+it+was+difficult+to+get+water+there%2e++After+our+third+case+of+dehydration%2c+we+went+to+Wal%2dmart+and%0d%0apurchased+cases+of+bottled+water+for+the+scouts+to+drink%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aCamp+Administration%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade+%3d+B%0d%0aThe+Camp+Director+and+Program+Director+were+mostly+responsive+to+our+concerns%2e++The+staff+was+mostly+well+trained%2e++The+adult+leaders+in+camp+for+the+week+were+constantly+being+asked+to+do+jobs+that+we+felt+were+clearly+the+responsibility+of+the+staff%2e++When+we+declined%2c+becau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his+is+a+program+for+%22serious%22+fisherman+as+our+group+traveled+to+several+streams+%26+lakes+and+learned+how+to+tie+flys%2e++The+program+was+centered+around+fly+fishing%2e++The+only+recommended+improvement+is+to+let+participants+know+that+fly+fishing+is+the+main+program+and+to+provide+a+more+specific+equipment+list+prior+to+the+trip%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aClaytor+Lake+Aquatics+Base%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%0d%0aThis+aquatics+program+is+based+at+a+leased+facility%2e++We+had+4+adults+and+4+Scouts+in+the+program+which+featured+motorboating%2c+sailing%2c+water+skiing%2c+kayaking+and+enjoying+OUTSTANDING+food%2e++They+all+thought+it+was+outstanding%2c+although+adults+need+to+be+prepared+to+rest+quite+a+bit+when+attending+this+camp%2e++Plans+are+to+open+a+new+and+nearby+Camp+Claytor%2c+owned+by+the+Blue+Ridge+Mountains+Council%2c+in+2006+and+move+the+New+River+Adventure+program+to+this+facility+too%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aSCUBA+Certification%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%2b%0d%0aBased+at+Claytor+lake%2c+we+had+one+17+year+old+Eagle+Scout+in+this+program%2e+He+described+the+program+as+%22awesome%22%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aMountain+Man+Outpost%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%0d%0aWe+had+15+Scouts+and+2+adults+in+this+program+which+is+based+at+Camp+Ottari%2e++They+had+a+outstanding+adventure%2e++The+staff+was+very%0d%0aexperienced+and+mature%2e++Participants+cooked+their+food+over+wood+fires+throughout+the+week%2e++The+only+suggested+improvement+was+to+have+more%0d%0afood+and+replace+the+cots+having+metal+frames+with+wooden+%26+canvass+cots%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aHigh+Knoll+Trail+Backpacking%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+B%2b%0d%0aWe+had+3+female+Venturers+and+4+adults+in+this+program+which+is+based+at+Camp+Ottari%2e+The+late+arrival+from+Camp+Powhatan+was+a+significant%0d%0aproblem+in+beginning+their+adventure%2e++Our+crew+members+paid+an+extra+%2450+per+person+and+spent+Monday+whitewater+rafting%2c+an+activity+they+all%0d%0aenjoyed%2e++Their+other+days+were+spent+backpacking+and+participating+in+programs+at++outpost+camps%2e++They+especially+enjoyed+the+black+powder+rifle+and+Indian+camp+programs%2e++The+horseback+and+climbing+%26+rappelling%0d%0aprograms+need+improvements%2e++Overall%2c+the+staff+was+somewhat+immature%2c+especially+compared+to+what+our+crew+members+had+seen+during+visits+to%0d%0aPhilmont%2e++Other+observations%3a+Philmont+food+is+better+than+High+Knoll+food%2c+the+camps+need+bear+cables+%28yes%2c+our+crew+did+see+a+bear%29%2c+maps%0d%0aare+poor%2c+the+latrines+are+terrible+and+the+logistics+upon+return+to+Camp+Ottari+could+be+improved%2e++Nevertheless%2c+a+very+nice+adventure%21%0d%0a%0d%0aVoyageur+Canoeing%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aGrade%3a+A%0d%0aThis+program+is+based+at+Camp+Powhatan%2e++We+had+one+soon+to+be+age+18+Scout+and+one+adult+in+this+program+which+featured+a+50+mile+canoe+trip%2e%0d%0aBoth+son+and+father+have+been+to+Philmont+and+the+Packard+High+Adventure+Base+in+Colorado%2e++The+Scout+used+the+%22awesome%22+description+in%0d%0adescribing+the+canoeing+and+the+food+too%2e++The+adult+said+there+could+have+been+a+little+more+program+%22history%22+provided+but+he+also+enjoyed%0d%0athe+trip+a+great+deal+%0d%0a%0d%0aSummary%0d%0a%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%2d%0d%0aFrom+an+overall+standpoint%2c+our+group+of+57+campers+had+an+excellent+time+at+the+Blue+Ridge+Mountains+Reservation%2e++Other+than+the+first+two%0d%0adays+which+were+a+little+humid%2c+the+weather+was+outstanding+and+returning+to+Texas+has+been+quite+a+shock%2e++I+certainly+miss+that+51+degree+night+we+had+at+Camp+Powhatan+last+week%21++Here+are+my+recommendations+to+improve+an+already+outstanding+experience%3a%0d%0a%0d%0a1%2e+Put+the+leaders%27+guide+on+a+CD%2e%0d%0a2%2e+Improve+the+check%2din+process+%28have+two+or+three+tables+instead+of+one%29%2e%0d%0a3%2e+Improve+the+disbursal+of+High+Knoll+crews+to+Camp+Ottari%2e%0d%0a4%2e+Smaller+merit+badge+class+sizes+%28perhaps+have+several+staff+members+who+could+be+available+to+serve+as+counselors+when+new+class+sessions%0d%0aneed+to+be+formed%29%2e%0d%0a5%2e+More+latrine+facilities+in+the+HQ+and+program+areas+for+youth+members%2e%0d%0a6%2e+Improve+the+food+%28both+quality+and+quantity%29%2e%0d%0a7%2e+Be+sure+to+have+water+at+the+program+areas%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThe+Blue+Ridge+Mountains+Scout+Reservation+is+an+outstanding+summer+camp+and+high+adventure+base%2c+the+very+best+I%27ve+seen+as+far+as+variety+and%0d%0aopportunity+to+participate+in+different+programs%2e++As+stated+earlier%2c+we+have+already+decided+to+sponsor+a+similar+trip+in+2006%2e++If+the+BRMR+was+within+500+miles+of+where+we+live%2c+my+guess+is+that+we+would+go+there+every+year+as+a+Scout+could+do+that+and+never+repeat+a+program%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a%2d%2d%0d%0aCalvin+H%2e+Gray%0d%0aScoutmaster%2c+Troop+405%0d%0aGeorgetown%2c+Texas%0d%0a%0d%0a%0d%0a

Our+troop+%28883+Richmond%2c+VA%29+goes+to+Camp+Powhatan+every+year%2e++This+was+my+first+time+attending+the+summer+camp%2e++I+did+the+New+River+Adventure+with+one+other+ASM+and+4+boys%2e++It+was+High%2fLow+COPE%2c+Climbing%2c+River+Rafting%2c+and+Canoeing%2e++This+was+the+BEST+camp+experience+I+have+ever+had%2e++There+were+almost+NO+bugs%2c+nice+cool+nights%2c+warm+mildly+humid+days+and+great+food%2e++The+staff+was+outstanding+and+the+facilities+fantastic%2e++I+hope+to+bring+my+future+troop+out+here+after+I+move+to+Arizona+in+2006%2e%0d%0a

Troop+55+from+Chesapeake%2c+VA+just+returned+from+Camp+Ottari%2e++Overall+it+was+an+excellent+camping+experience+with+knowledgeable+counselors%28extremely+high+energy+professionals%29+that+went+out+of+their+way+to+accomodate+individual+troop+needs%2e++We+completely+filled+our+scout%27s+schedules+%286+hours%29%2e%2e%2ein+the+future+we%27d+give+the+scouts+at+least+one+hour+off+for+R%26R%2e++Evening+activities+were+plentiful+for+both+scouts+and+leaders%2e++The+last+night+that+we+were+there%2c+they+had+the+best+OA+Tapout+that+I%27ve+ever+seen%2e%2e%2edefinitly+peaked+the+boy%27s+interests+in+OA%2e++The+first+few+days+were+very+hot+and+we+had+a+number+of+dehydration+cases%2e++Recommend+that+they+have+water+at+each+activity+rather+than+expecting+the+boys+to+find+it+on+their+own%2e++They+had+a+first%2drate+program+for+the+first%2dtime+scouts%2e%2e%2eexposed+them+to+most+requirements+through+Second+and+First+Class%2e++Weather+was+great+and+the+bugs+were+few%2e++Definitely+recommend+Ottari+for+anyone+wanting+a+quality+scouting+experience+for+their+troop%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aBrett+Scudder%0d%0aASM%2c+Troop+55%0d%0aChesapeake%2c+VA+++%0d%0a

Just+completed+the+50+mile+Voyager+Trek+with+my+son+and+11+others+from+our+troop%2e+We+had+an+AMAZING+time%2e++Great+training+on+handling+Whitewater+safely%2e++Food+was+mostly+dehydrated%2c+but+hey+it%27s+a+trek%2e++Group+as+a+whole+was+great+and+our+guides+did+their+best+to+make+things+fun+throughout%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThe+only+way+this+trip+could+be+better+would+be+to+improve+evening+activities+planned+after+arriving+in+camp%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aWhitewater+portion+in+West+Virginia+was+alot+of+fun+%2d+and+the+class+5+rapids+were+a+real+blast%2e++Can%27t+think+of+too+many+other+opportunities+like+this+in+scouting%2e++Our+scouts+that+were+at+base+camp+raved+about+the+camp+experience+at+Powhatan%2e++This+camp+is+a+favorite+of+our+troop%27s+and+we%27ll+be+going+again%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aMike+Monahan+ASM%0d%0aTroop+208+%0d%0aSouth+Florida+Council+%0d%0aFort+Lauderdale%2c+Fl+++%0d%0a

Just+completed+the+50+mile+Voyager+Trek+with+my+son+and+11+others+from+our+troop%2e+We+had+an+AMAZING+time%2e++Great+training+on+handling+Whitewater+safely%2e++Food+was+mostly+dehydrated%2c+but+hey+it%27s+a+trek%2e++Group+as+a+whole+was+great+and+our+guides+did+their+best+to+make+things+fun+throughout%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThe+only+way+this+trip+could+be+better+would+be+to+improve+evening+activities+planned+after+arriving+in+camp%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aWhitewater+portion+in+West+Virginia+was+alot+of+fun+%2d+and+the+class+5+rapids+were+a+real+blast%2e++Can%27t+think+of+too+many+other+opportunities+like+this+in+scouting%2e++Our+scouts+that+were+at+base+camp+raved+about+the+camp+experience+at+Powhatan%2e++This+camp+is+a+favorite+of+our+troop%27s+and+we%27ll+be+going+again%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aMike+Monahan+ASM%0d%0aTroop+208+%0d%0aSouth+Florida+Council+%0d%0aFort+Lauderdale%2c+Fl+++%0d%0a

Our+troop+went+to+this+camp+last+year+and+had+a+great+time%2e++One+thing+that+attracted+us+to+this+camp+is+that+they+offer+both+a+regular+summer+camp+along+with+a+high+adventure+camp%2e++But+the+nice+part+is+both+groups+of+scouts+stay+in+the+same+camp%2e++The+high+adventure+program+was+excellent%2e++We+had+a+blast%2e++The+only+negative+is+their+lake+which+is+small+and+not+very+clean%2e++Overall+a+very+nice+camp%2e%0d%0a