H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation is located in the hills of Southern Missouri on Truman Lake. The reservation consists of 4,200 acres of hardwood timber and has three camps, Lone Star, Sawmill and Piercing Arrow. Each camp has it's own dining hall, swimming pool, nature lodge, craft lodge, scoutcraft lodge and general council ring. The camp sessions at Bartle run a full ten days. The primary honor-camper organization is the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. The camps share a common waterfront. The merit badge offerings are quite extensive and the Ranger Outpost program insures that different program and experiences can be had even with repeated attendance.

This camp had 10,000 boy scouts, leaders, and webleos last summer (2000). With the delegation of the webelos to camp naish (kansas), the camp will have around 8500 people this summer (2001). There are 6- 10 day sessions. As far as micosay goes. I've heard of OA lodges with 200 active members. At just one ceremony we can have 1500 people packed into our council ring. The council has a mailing list of 15,000 members (out of 70,000 total) and over half of those are in the ceremonies each summer. We're adding 1300 new tribesmen each summer. The council has a 6% eagle scout turnout (2000 numbers), mostly because of the camp and micosay. I seem to remember that the camp and the council has been numbered among the best camps in the nation, somewhere in the top 10. One other thing. The camp draw is done, and camp is at capacity on the first day of the draw. www.hoac-bsa.org

What+an+awesome+camping+experience%2e++So+much+fun%21++There+are+three+subcamps%3a+Piercing+Arrow%2c+Lonestar%2c+and+Sawmill%2e+Each+runs+seperately+with+its+own+dining+hall%2c+pool%2c+program%2c+etc%2e++Piercing+Arrow+is+definitely+the+best%21%0d%0a

There+are+a+few+drawbacks+to+Bartle%2e++The+council%2c+in+its+infinite+wisdom%2c+decided+to+tell+Jimmy+Bartle+Taylor%2c+the+daughter+of+H%2e+Roe+Bartle%2c+that+she+could+no+longer+have+a+summer+cabin+at+the+camp+in+the+mid+1990%27s+despite+the+fact+that+she+spends+time+there+each+summer+as+an+honored+guest+of+the+camp+and+all+of+its+youth%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThe+three+trading+posts+are+poorly+organized+and+ran%2c+the+council+makes+sure+that+Scott%27s+store+in+Iconium+gets+plenty+of+business+because+the+%28largly+empty%29+Trading+Posts+do+not+meet+the+needs+of+campers%2e++Camp+Naish+had+a+far+better+Trading+Post+this+summer+%282001%29+than+Bartle+did+and+it+is+the+ugly+stepchild+of+HOAC%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThe+camp%27s+dusty+roads+are+jammed+with+high+speed+Johnson+County+drivers+who+overrun+camp+and+turn+it+into+a+giant+picnic+each+Sunday%2e%0d%0a

Bartle+Reservation+is+not+a+typical+scout+camp+it+is+two+to+three+times+the+scout+camp+of+any+other%2e+The+staff+cares+about+each+and+every+scout+and+leader+as+well%2e+The+learning+experiences+at+Bartle+are+beyond+compare%2e+I+speak+of+this+with+over+thirty+years+in+scouting+and+working+on+staff+at+Bartle+as+well+as+many+other+camps+I+am+also+the+shooting+sports+director+for+a+council+in+Arkansas+and+I+know+that+my+son+will+soon+walk+the+trails+of+Bartle.++The+ten+day+camping+program+is+easier+for+the+scouts+to+learn+and+earn+more.

+Just+a+note+about+Jimmy+Bartle%2e+She+has+been+given+a+place+to+stay+and+has+been+a+very+active+visitor+to+camp+the+last+few+years%2e+The+cabin+she+was+staying+in+wasn%27t+suitable+for+someone+who+had+trouble+getting+around%2c+is+what+I+heard%2e+I+do+agree+about+the+trading+posts+and+the+Johnson+County+drivers+though%2e+They+had+reorganized+the+trading+posts+recently%2c+so+we+will+see+this+summer%2e+It+is+still+the+best+program+going+though%21++Naish+would+do+better+if+they+could+get+their+Arrowman+to+be+as+dedicated+as+Mic%2dO%2dSay+Tribesman+are+%28and+get+their+money%29%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a

If+you+have+trouble+retaining+your+scouts+once+the+fumes+%28gas+%26+Per%29start+hitting%2c+then+this+is+the+camp+to+see%2e+Plan+on+contacting+the+Heart+of+America+Council+to+attend+the+camp+draw+for+2003%2e+It+should+occur+in+October%2e+Help+your+Troop+to+attain+more+Eagle+Scouts%2e%0d%0a

Speaking+as+a+dedicated+Arrowman+and+a+Tribesman+and+attending+14+years+at+Bartle%2c+4+as+a+youth+in+the+60%27s+and+the+last+ten+years+as+an+adult+seeing+the+old+and+the+new%2e+I+have+to+say+that+Bartle+is+one+of+the+best+camps+I+have+attended+as+a+youth+and+as+an+adult%2e+I+am+a+Professional+Parent+and+this+year+I+had+20+scouts+14+of+them+were+Foster+Children+go+to+camp%2e+The+staff+bent+over+backwards+to+help+us+have+a+successful+session%2e+The+new+trading+post+are+great%2e+Hats+off+to+the+Sawmill+Staff%2e+As+for+Scotts+General+Store%2e+That+is+a+must%2c+Bartle+would+not+be+the+same+without+the+peach+floats%2e+%0d%0a

The+H+Roe+Bartle+Scout+Reservation+is+among+the+finest+scout+camps+in+the+US%2e+Each+summer+we+have+more+than+10%2c000+campers+stay+during+6+10%2dday+long+sessions%2e+For+the+past+several+years+I+have+served+on+staff+as+both+a+merit+badge+instructor+and+counselor%2e+The+staff+works+very+hard+to+ensure+that+every+scout+has+fun%2c+and%2c+most+of+the+time%2c+the+leaders+too%2e+The+reason+I+most+frequently+associate+with+Bartle%27s+success+is+the+development+of+an+honor+camping+program+called+the+Tribe+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay%2e+There+is+simply+no+other+program+like+it%3b+H+Roe+Bartle%2c+grandson+of+a+US+Senator+%28VA%29+and+former+Kansas+City+mayor%2c+developed+a+program+to+keep+older+scouts+involved+with+their+troops+until+they+become+adults%2e+As+a+boy+raised+in+Scouting%2c+I+can+assure+absolutely+everyone+that+Mic%2dO%2dSay+has+kept+me+active+in+Scouting+for+at+least+ten+years%2e+I+cannot+emphasize+enough+how+great+of+a+camp+Bartle+is+and+I+recommend+it+to+absolutely+everyone%2e%0d%0a

H%2e+Roe+Bartle+Scout+Reservation+is+THE+BEST+Summer+Camp+Expierence+I+have+ever+gone+through%21++The+Tribe+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay+is+much+better+than+the+Order+of+the+Arrow+National+Program%21++Camp+Lone+Star+is+the+best+Sub+Camp%21+%0d%0a

Comments+from+a+Grandparent+that+went+to+vistor+day%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aAs+a+total+experience+I+think+the+H+Roe+Bartle+Scout+Reservation+is+a+good+thing+for+a+Boy+Scout%2e++As+with+everything+there+are+good+things+and+also+some+not+so+good%2e++I+don%27t+want+to+dwell+on+the+bad+but+there+are+a+few+things+that+I+feel+need+improvement%2e++%0d%0a%0d%0a1%29+The+trading+post+to+me+needs+improvement%2e++Very+poorly+arranged+which+makes+it+hard+to+move+people+through+in+a+orderly+manner%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a2%29+There+seems+to+be+a+greater+concern+on+the+upkeep+of+the+Tribe+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay+area+at+the+cost+of+the+other+areas+of+this+camp%2e++The+roads+in+the+Mic%2dO%2dSay+area+had+new+gravel+while+the+other+areas+were+mainly+dust+and+rock%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a3%29The+camp+as+a+whole+could+use+a+good+overhaul+in+how+to+install+signs%2e++As+a+first+timer+we+got+lost+trying+to+find+our+grandson%27s+camp%2e++I+would+recommend+a+sign+be+installed+at+the+entrance+of+each+area+with+each+troop%27s+number+listed%2e+Knowing+that+this+changes+from+week+to+week+I+would+suggest+that+each+troop+be+responsible+for+installing+their+troop+number+on+this+sign+and+the+removal+at+the+end+of+their+stay%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0a4%29+While+they+claim+to+have+great+concerns+for+each+scout+my+grandson+had+to+sleep+on+a+cot+that+was+torn+when+he+got+there%2e++And+when+it+was+brought+to+the+attention+of+the+leadership+they+said+there+were+no+spares%2e++I+don%27t+think+for+the+money+that+was+paid+for+this+outing+the+very+least+would+be+that+a+scout+wouldn%27t+have+to+sleep+on+a+torn+cot%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aIn+closing+again+I+repeat+by+in+large+I+was+impressed+with+H+Roe+Bartle+Scout+Reservation%2e+It+is+far+better+than+anything+we+had+when+I+was+in+scouting%2e%0d%0a

The+Bartle+camping+experience+is+unlike+any+other%21+Much+of+the+camp%27s+success+can+be+attributed+to+the+hundreds+of+dedicated+scouts+and+scouters+who+staff+the+three+camps+on+the+reservation+%28Camp+Sawmill%2c+Camp+Lone+Star%2c+and+Camp+Piercing+Arrow%29%2e+Another+very+special+part+of+camp+is+the+Tribe+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay%2e+Created+in+the+late+1920s+by+former+Kansas+City+Mayor+H%2e+Roe+Bartle%2c+it+has+been+a+guiding+force+for+the+camp+and+council%2e++In+its+75th+year%2c+the+tribe+has+grown+in+both+numbers+and+strength%2e+The+tribe+was+honored+to+have+Chief+Scout+Executive+Roy+Williams+visit+the+camp+last+summer+%282003%29%2e+It+was+at+a+Mic%2dO%2dSay+ceremonial+that+he+was+named+a+chieftan+in+the+tribe%2e+Other+chiefs+of+our+tribe+include+Jere+Ratcliffe+and+David+Ross%2e+Ratcliffe+served+the+Heart+of+America+Council+as+Scout+Executive+before+being+appointed+as+Chief+Scout+Executive%2e+David+Ross+also+served+our+council+as+Scout+Executive+until+being+named+Asst%2e+Chief+Scout+Executive+to+Roy+Williams%2e+The+strong+leadership+of+our+council+and+tribe+has+impacted+the+program+in+the+Heart+of+America+Council+unbelievably%2e%0d%0a

The+Tribe+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay+is+a+great+program+intended+to+help+youth+develop+scouting+values%2c+while+being+led+by+adults%2e++The+Order+of+the+Arrow+is+intended+to+help+youth+develop+scouting+values%2c+while+being+led+by+youth%2e++As+an+active+member+of+both+I+would+ask+that+posters+to+this+site+please+stop+comparing+Mic%2dO%2dSay+to+OA%2e++They+have+the+same+goal+and+should+work+together+while+maintaining+seperate+identities%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a%0d%0a

I+just+got+back+2+days+ago+from+the+75th+anniversary+of+Mic%2do%2dSay+at+Bartle+and+I+once+again+have+fallen+in+love+with+this+place%2e++This+will+be+my+7th+year+of+camping+there+and+have+managed+to+stay+at+least+one+session+in+each+of+the+three+camps%2e++The+memories+I+have+from+the+past+6+years+with+my+friends+are+amazing%2e++The+experiences+gained+from+Bartle+don%27t+just+stop+at+Bartle%2c+they+have+shaped+all+that+scouting+has+been+for+me%2c+which+is+something+that+is+far+from+small%2e++The+past+few+years+have+given+the+camp+many+new+improvements+as+well%2e++The+trading+posts+commonly+mentioned+here+have+been+redone+and+expanded+and+are+never+a+problem+to+get+into+during+camp%2e+I+would+say+that+anyone+can+benefit+from+attending+this+camp%2e++No+matter+what+age+you+are+there+is+some+way+for+you+to+learn+and+grow%2e++Ah%2c+first+session+started+today+and+I+attend+second+session%2e++Once+again+I%27m+looking+foward+to+the+best+year+of+camp+ever%2e%0d%0a

The+H%2e+Roe+Bartle+Scout+Reservation+is+the+BEST+Period+Summer+Camp+in+BSA%21%21%21++The+roads+going+onto+camp+have+been+PAVED+As+well+as+a+BRAND+NEW+ENTRANCE+GATE+THAT+HAS+BEEN+PUT+IN%21%21%21++New+Gravel+has+been+laid+down+in+a+3+sub+camps%2e++Of+all+the+camps+LONE+STAR+IS+THE+BEST%21%21%21++%0d%0a

Tall+weeds+and+an+unkept+property+that+looks+neglected%2c+a+non+youth+led+organization+that+still+gets+into+grey+areas+on+hazing%2c+Supply+Division+infested+camp+trading+posts%2c+no+Order+of+the+Arrow%2c+and+almost+non+existant+signage+to+camp%2e++H%2e+Roe+Bartle+does+have+its+problems%2e++I+was+frankly+shocked+at+the+conditions+of+camp+when+they+hosted+the+last+National+Camp+School+in+May+of+2007%2e++Camp+Nash+is+a+much+better+choice%2e%0d%0a

The+H%2e+Roe+Bartle+Scout+Reservation%2c+originally+built+by+it%27s+namesake%2c+H%2e+Roe+Bartle+who+was+the+Scout+Executive+and+The+Mayor+of+Kansas+City%2c+Missouri%2c+has+been+home+to+many+thousands+of+Scouts+and+Scouters%2c+as+well+as+it%92s+honor+camping+program%2c+the+Tribe+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay%2c+since+1929%2e+The+Camp+will+hold+over+1500+Scouts+in+three+camps+each+session%2e+There+are+six+9+day+sessions+each+summer%2c+and+there+is+a+%22draw%22+each+Fall+for+campsites%2c+as+all+sessions+fill+up+quickly+each+year%2e+With+staff%2c+the+reservation+will+serve+around+10%2c000+youth+and+adults+each+summer%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aOur+Troop+%28Troop+261+%2d+Parkville%2c+MO%29+just+got+back+and+all+40%2b+boys%2c+and+over+20+adults+who+went+all+had+an+incredible+time%2e+Lonestar+is+the+camp+of+preference+for+the+Scouts%2c+who+choose+and+run+the+program+at+camp%2e+They+stayed+in+the+%22Kickapoo%22+campsite+this+year%2e+Everyday+is+packed+full+of+activities+including+an+extensive+Merit+Badge+program%2c+Olympic+size+swimming+pools%2c+lakefront+program+%28Canoeing%2c+sail+boating%2c+waterskiing%2c+etc%2e%29+and%2c+of+course%2c+the+Tribe+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay+%28which+again%2c+H%2e+Roe+Bartle+started%29+with+all+of+the+preparations%2c+testing%2c+honors%2c+and+ceremonies%2c+it%27s+a+very+impressive+program+that+emphasizes+Scouting+and+family+values%2c+and+patriotism+to+the+Scouts%2e+A+testament+to+the+quality+of+this+program+is+the+highest+percentage+of+Eagle+Scouts+in+the+nation+the+program+supports+%286%25+here+where+it%27s+only+2%25+nationally%29%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aHaving+visited%2c+stayed%2c+and+staffed+many+Scout+Camps+around+the+country%2c+I+can+highly+recommend+this+camp+as+%22One+of+the+Best%22%2e+The+program+and+volunteers+really+make+the+program%2c+and+the+facilities+are+top+notch%2e+%0d%0a%0d%0aNow%2c+if+they+could+only+do+something+about+the+weather%2e%2e%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a

BARTLE+IS+THE+BOMB%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2eOR+OSECOLA+AS+MANY+OF+KNOW+IT%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2eTHE+ORIGINAL+NAME+FOR+THE+CAMP%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2eTHE+BEST+MEMORIES+OF+TMY+CHILDHOOD+ARE+AT+BARTLE%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2eAGAIN+IT+IS+THE+BOMB%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2eWARRIOR+LONE+DASHING+MUSTANG%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%2e%0d%0a

I+went+to+Camp+Bartle+for+the+first+time+in+2013+as+a+part%2dtime+adult+staying+for+the+first+3+nights+%26+going+home+on+Family+Day%2e+This+was+my+impression+of+my+time+there%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aIt+is+a+huge+camp+with+3+sub%2dcamps%2e+Most+Merit+Badges+are+offered+at+all+3+sub%2dcamps%2c+but+some+are+only+offered+at+one+of+them%2e+Scouts+must+use+the+bus+system+or+walk+between+the+Sub%2dCamps+to+get+to+the+Waterfront+or+the+MBs+that+are+only+offered+in+one+place%2e+While+Bartle+has+all+the+Waterfront+MBs%2c+Scouts+must+have+both+the+Swimming+and+Lifesaving+MBs+to+get+in+the+%22lottery%22+for+the+limited+spaces+in+those+MBs%2e+Thus%2c+older+Scouts+comprise+the+majority+of+those+taking+those+MBs%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aSince+the+camp+is+10+days+long%2c+there+is+an+adequate+mix+of+Merit+Badge+time+and+free+time+available+for+the+Troops+to+hone+their+leadership%2e+There+are+2+MB+periods+in+the+morning+and+2+in+the+afternoon%2e+There+are+6+days+of+these+and+MBs+either+last+3+or+6+days+depending+on+the+difficulty+of+the+MB+and+its+requirements%2e+The+other+4+days+are+arrival%2c+departure%2c+family%2c+%26+make%2dup+day+which+is+the+day+before+camp+ends%2e+Scouts+have+an+extra+day+to+go+back+to+those+MBs+where+they+need+to+finish+off+requirements%2e+Depending+on+the+MBs+chosen+%2c+it+is+quite+easy+to+earn+between+4%2d6+MBs+at+the+camp%2e+From+what+I+saw+of+observing+classes%2c+the+staff+held+the+Scouts+to+the+standard%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aNew+Scouts+can+use+one+of+their+MB+periods+to+take+%22Trail+to+First+Class%22+to+hone+their+T%2d2%2d1+skills%2e+TTFC+lasts+7+days+and+each+day+concentrates+on+a+different+aspect%3a+First+Aid%2c+Knots%2c+Map+%26+Campass%2c+etc%2e+Scouts+can+attend+all+the+sessions+or+just+the+sessions+they+need+to+meet+their+next+rank%2c+but+all+of+the+T%2d2%2d1+requirements+for+that+subject+are+done+at+the+same+time%2e+The+staff%2c+however%2c+DOES+NOT+sign+off+in+the+Scout%27s+Handbook%2e+The+Scout+must+return+to+their+Troop+and+demonstrate+they+can+do+the+skill+and+have+a+Troop+Leader+%28or+Designated+Scouts%29+sign+off+on+the+requirements+to+receive+credit%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aMic%2dO%2dSay+is+important+at+Bartle+and+there+are+several+evening+ceremonies+that+the+Scouts+attend%2e+The+mystique+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay+is+probably+what+draws+the+older+Scouts+to+continue+to+return+to+Bartle%2e+Sometimes%2c+however%2c+it+appeared+to+me+that+the+Scouts+were+supporting+the+Mic%2dO%2dSay+program+instead+of+the+Mic%2dO%2dSay+program+was+supporting+the+Scouting+program%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aOverall%2c+I+would+give+Bartle+an+8+on+a+1%2d10+Scale%2e+I+am+a+tough+grader+though+and+last+year+being+my+first+Boy+Scout+Camp+in+about+40%2b+years%2c+I+will+do+not+have+other+experiences+for+comparison%2e%0d%0a

I+have+been+to+a+number+of+camps+over+the+years%2c+and+had+always+heard+so+much+about+how+great+Bartle+was+from+scouts+and+scouters%2e++I+really+expected+for+the+place+to+be+the+greatest+camp+on+earth%2c+a+magical+place+almost+like+a+BSA+version+of+Disney+Land+or+something%2e+++I+can+honestly+say+it+is+mostly+hype+after+having+camped+there+last+year+with+my+son%27s+troop%2e++Don%27t+get+me+wrong%2c+it+is+a+Huge+camp%2c+with+all+sorts+of+stuff+to+do%2c+but+there+are+some+obvious+deficiencies%2e++%0d%0a%0d%0a+One+universal+complaint+I+heard+from+scouts+is+the+Food+sucks%2e++I+will+be+more+honest%2c+it+was+honestly+just+very+bland%2e+It+reminded+me+of+hospital+food%2c+but+without+the+variety+that+you+might+find+in+the+hospital%2e++It+won%27t+kill+you%2c+but+if+we+were+basing+Bartle+on+food+alone%2c+it+would+score+very+poorly%2e++It+doesn%27t+surprise+me+that+the+little+store+outside+of+camp+does+so+well%2c+personally%2c+I+found+BBQ+sauce+was+a+necessary+topping+for+pretty+much+everything%2c+and+if+I+had+cared+to+try%2c+it+might+have+even+helped+the+pudding+stuff+they+put+on+the+table%2c+which+the+scouts+warned+me+was+a+sure+fire+way+to+end+up+with+diarrhea%2e++The+taste+was+enough+to+not+make+me+test+it%2c+it+was+flavorless%2e++Ok%2c+I+don%27t+really+care+about+the+food%2c+but+when+yours+spending+as+much+money+as+I+did+for+this+camp%2c+even+McDonalds+would+have+been+better%2e++ON+the+plus+side%2c+I+didn%27t+eat+enough+to+really+need+to+use+the+out+houses%2c+which+brings+me+to+my+next+point%2e%0d%0a%0d%0a+Another+issue%2c+most+camps+don%27t+have+flush+toilets+in+abundance%2c+but+Bartle+had+the+unique+feature+of+having+only+1+toilet+%28I+flush+toilet%2c+and+one+toilet+only%29+in+the+subcamp+we+stayed+in+for+ALL+adult+males%2e++Yes+they+have+outhouses+in+every+camp%2c+but+there+were+no+toilets+in+the+dining+hall%2c+in+fact%2c+you+couldn%27t+wash+your+hands+in+the+dining+hall%2e++I+didn%27t+check%2c+but+figure+they+probably+had+two+in+the+women%27s+section%2e++All+these+were+located+in+the+one+and+only+place+to+take+a+shower+in+the+entire+camp+%28which+is+quite+large%29+and+that+was+the+swimming+pool%2e++Pretty+much+like+the+camps+I+went+to+back+in+the+70s%2e++One+of+the+biggest+complaints+from+my+scout+was+they+simply+have+too+much+free+time+every+day%2e++Most+camps+have+a+one+week+session+that+I+have+found+in+my+research%2c+and+in+that+one+week+it+is+pretty+standard+for+each+scout+to+easily+achieve+6+merit+badges%2c+but+at+Bartle+a+scout+will+have+over+3+hours+of+free+time+%28which+is+seldom+used+constructively%29%2c+and+will+probably+only+get+4%2d6+merit+badges+if+they+are+lucky%2e++Every+resource+from+the+council+seems+to+go+into+building+their+Mic+o+say+program%2c+they+have+a+wonderfully+huge+Lone+Bear+Council+ring%2c+with+all+sorts+of+lights+and+sound+system%2c+and+a+great+trading+post+for+tribesman+only%2c+but+the+rest+of+the+camp+feels+like+it+needs+a+good+cleaning+and+repainting%2e++The+tents+were+also+in+really+poor+shape%2c+the+stands+for+the+most+part+look+like+they+dated+back+the+50s%2c+with+the+exception+of+a+few+new+ones+which+were+VERY+Nice%2c+they+sagged%2c+and+had+some+sort+of+brace+the+tent+was+tied+too%2c+that+mostly+had+bent+over+the+years+causing+the+tents+to+sag+even+more%2e++%0d%0a%0d%0aOK%2c+now+that+I+have+busted+their+chops%2c+on+the+plus+side%2c+they+have+wonderful+new+pavilions+in+every+camp%2c+built+from+what+I+understand+was+FEMA+matching+grants+or+such%2c+after+a+terrible+incident+up+near+Council+Bluffs+where+a+tornado+killed+a+number+of+scouts+at+a+camp%2e++They+also+have+a+fantastic+swimming+pool+in+every+one+of+the+three+subcamps%2e++The+trails+in+camp+were+well+maintained+as+were+the+roads%2e++Parking+is+limited%2c+but+adequate%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aI+would+say+the+strongest+draw+of+Bartle+is+the+Mic%2do%2dsay+program%2c+which+seems+to+approach+a+near+cult+like+status+among+the+scouts+in+the+council%2e++On+the+advise+of+another+scouter%2c+I+went+up+to+Camp+Geiger+up+near+St+Joseph+Mo%2c+after+we+went+to+camp+there%2c+and+found+that+their+version+of+Mic%2do%2dsay+seems+to+be+much+more+colorful+and+vibrant+as+the+costumes+worn+at+Bartle+were+all+pretty+much+just+a+pair+of+shorts%2c+shoes%2c+a+loin+cloth+and+a+headband+with+a+feather+or+two+and+a+colored+poppom+that+is+colored+according+to+the+rank+of+the+person+wearing+it%2e++At+Camp+Geiger%2c+there+were+all+dressed+out+in+colorful+native+american+costumes+with+facepaint%2c+feather+bustles%2c+beadwork+and+lots+of+leather%2e++I+don%27t+know+if+any+of+that+makes+a+difference%2c+but+it+sure+is+impressive+when+you+see+it%2e++%0d%0a%0d%0aAll+told%2c+I+would+say+Bartle+is+probably+a+good+camp%2c+that+needs+to+spend+more+money+on+the+facilities%2c+food+and+program%2e++It+isn%27t+the+worst+camp+I+have+ever+been+too%2c+but+it+definitely+isn%27t+the+best+I+have+spent+time+in%2e++I+can%27t+say+I+am+a+fan+of+the+whole+10+day+thing%2c+as+I+don%27t+want+to+spend+10+days+there+ever+again%2e++However%2c+for+those+people+who+love+it%2c+and+they+really+do+love+the+place%2c+I+wish+you+all+the+best+and+many+happy+camping+days+ahead%2c+but+do+ask+them+to+spruce+up+the+place+a+bit%2c+there+is+far+more+potential+in+this+camp+than+you+may+realize%2c+but+the+current+management+is+pretty+much+sitting+on+their+Mic%2do%2dsay+laurels+and+figuring+that+will+keep+them+going+forever%2e++They+owe+the+scouts+more+than+that%2e+%0d%0a

My+son+completed+his+6th+straight+summer+camping+with+his+troop+at+Camp+Bartle%2c+but+it+was+his+first+time+at+Sawmill+instead+of+Piercing+Arrow%2e+This+was+good+as+he+was+closer+to+the+waterfront%2c+which+was+the+only+merit+badges+he+had+not+already+earned%2e+He+was+there+with+two+other+6%2dyear+campers+due+to+Mic%2dO%2dSay+where+he+received+his+elevation+to+Fire+Builder%2e+It+appears+the+Waterfront+had+some+excellent+instructors+as+he+drove+a+boat+and+went+water+skiing+for+the+first+time%2e+While+he+earned+his+Motorboating+MB+in+the+single+1%2f2+designated%2c+he+had+to+return+for+a+2nd+day+for+Water+Sports%2e+While+he+got+up+easily+on+the+first+day%2c+he+failed+to+meet+one+of+the+requirements%2e+It+was+great+they+were+holding+the+campers+to+the+standards+for+their+MBs%2e+My+son+will+probably+not+return+to+Bartle+next+year+for+his+final+camp+for+2+reasons%2e+First%2c+he+would+have+too+much+time+on+his+hands+and+do+not+see+paying+entire+camp+fee+for+his+Mic%2dO%2dSay+elevation%2e+Second%2c+he+wants+to+staff+at+Camp+Naish%2c+our+council%27s+other+camp%2e+Primarily%2c+because+he+has+been+selected+as+an+SPL+for+a+World+Jamboree+contingent+and+Bartle+staffers+must+work+all+sessions%2e+Naish+is+more+lenient+in+letting+staffers+off+for+events+such+as+Naish%2e+If+he+does+well%2c+he+still+should+earn+his+elevation%2e+Bartle+offers+a+lot+for+both+young+and+older+Scouts%2e+New+toilets+are+going+into+most+campsites%2e+Unlike+other+posters%2c+I+think+some+%22free%22+time+is+great+and+Scouts+can+earn+4%2d8+MBs+depending+on+whether+they+select+3+or+6%2dday+ones%2e+With+over+7%2c500+Boy+Scouts+attending+each+summer%2c+they+must+be+doing+something+right%2e%0d%0a

I+read+all+the+previous+comments+and+it+astounds+me+how+the+uninformed+love+to+berate+that+which+they+do+not+understand%2e++For+the+naysayers+of+Mic%2dO%2dSay%2c+I+tell+you+none+of+the+Tribal+grounds+on+the+H%2e+Roe+Bartle+Scout+Reservation+receive+ANY+funding+from+the+local+council%2e++They+are+maintained+by+Tribesmen+for+Tribesmen+with+ALL+funding+coming+from+Tribesmen%2e++The+Heart+of+America+Council+has+the+largest+Order+of+the+Arrow+%282016%2f17+numbers%29+Lodge+in+the+country+resident+at+the+other+council+camp+%2d+The+Theodore+Naish+Scout+Reservation%2e++This+is+the+result+of+a+merger+of+two+former+councils%2e++The+genius+of+H%2e+Roe+Bartle+and+the+Mic%2dO%2dSay+program+still+brings+Scout+Executives+from+all+over+the+country+to+this+great+Reservation+every+summer+to+better+understand+why+Mic%2dO%2dSay+still+thrives+while+the+council+has+the+largest+OA+Lodge+in+the+nation%2e++Very+few+Scout+camps+are+the+size+of+HRB+and+therefore+do+not+require+as+much+maintenance+so+like+our+national+highway+system+and+bridges%2c+there+is+always+something+renewed+while+other+parts+are+put+on+hold+until+funding+is+appropriated%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThose+that+complain+about+camp+food+have+never+tried+to+cook+hot+meals+for+nearly+2500+people+at+a+time%2c+three+times+a+day%2e++You+don%27t+go+to+summer+camp+for+the+cuisine%2e++It+is+what+it+is+%2d+sustenance%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aFor+those+who+visit+during+a+summer+session+or+during+National+Camp+School+and+find+lots+to+complain+about%2c+think+of+the+disservice+you+are+doing+to+those+who+read+your+comments+when+this+is+the+only+camp+they+have+a+chance+to+attend%2e++Your+comments+are+not+Scout%2dlike+and+do+not+adhere+to+the+Scout+Oath+and+Law%2e++It+is+easy+to+look+for+the+negative%2c+try+being+positive%2e++Your+life+will+be+much+brighter%2e%0d%0a

After+returning+to+Scouting+after+about+a+40%2dyear+hiatus+with+my+1st+grade+son%2c+he+is+now+a+rising+senior%2e+I+attended+Bartle+for+a+full+session+for+the+first+time%2e+As+the+previous+poster+said%2c+Mic%2dO%2dSay+and+Camp+Bartle+have+completely+separate+funding+streams+so+upgrades+to+Mic%2dO%2dSay+area+are+not+funded+by+the+council%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aThe+food+in+2019+wasn%27t+the+best%2c+but+it+was+better+than+previous+years+when+I+was+a+part%2dtimer%2e+I+think+they+had+a+new+vendor+cooking%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aAs+an+honorary+warrior+selectee%2c+I+was+exposed+to+the+Mic%2dO%2dSay+program+and+understand+more+about+what+makes+it+attractive+to+the+Scouts%2e+Mic%2dO%2dSay+is+probably+the+reason+that+Bartle+%28and+the+council%29+have+one+of+the+highest+return+rates+in+the+country+for+older+Scouts%2e+Many+Scouts+were+there+for+their+4th%2c+5th%2c+6th%2c+and+even+7th+year+of+camping+with+their+troop%2e+Something+that+probably+does+not+happen+at+many+other+camps%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aFor+the+most+part%2c+the+Scouts+like+some+free+time+and+the+schedule+is+conducive+to+this+with+free+time+after+lunch+and+before+dinner%2e+During+lunch+and+dinner%2c+many+units+participate+in+Outposts+such+as+Dinner+with+Snakes+%28good+one+for+young+Scouts%29%2c+Shooting+Clays+%28Shotgun+Shooting%29%2c+Top+Shot%2c+or+Canoeing%2e+This+gives+the+Scouts+a+chance+to+do+these+things+before+taking+them+for+a+merit+badge+the+next+year%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aSeveral+evenings+are+taken+up+with+Mic%2dO%2dSay+campfires+or+other+scheduled+activities%2e+There+are+some+free+nights+%26+on+one+of+these+our+troop%27s+tradition+is+to+take+a+hike+to+Iconium+to+get+their+famous+Peach+Nehi+Float%2e+For+new+Scouts+that+missed+our+March+5%2dmile+hike%2c+this+is+a+chance+to+get+this+hike+in+on+their+way+to+1st+Class%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aBartle+offers+well+over+50+merit+badges+including+every+water+related+merit+badge+except+Whitewater%2e+There+is+enough+to+keep+most+Scouts+busy+for+5+or+6+years+or+they+can+turn+their+focus+to+non%2dmerit+badge+activities+such+as+Advanced+Sailing+%28if+they+have+the+Small%2dBoat+Sailing+MB%29%2c+COPE%2c+or+STEM+activities%2e%0d%0a%0d%0aWe+were+there+in+late+June%2fearly+July+%26+the+weather+could+not+have+been+better+for+that+time+of+the+year%2e+We+never+got+to+Heat+Alert+3+and+only+the+Heat+Alert+2+twice%2e+There%27s+enough+shade+to+make+it+bearable%2e+I+didn%27t+bring+a+battery%2dpowered+fan+for+my+tent+as+most+other+adults+did%2c+but+I+still+slept+fine+every+night%2e+One+night%2c+I+even+had+to+slip+INSIDE+of+my+sleeping+bag+but+most+nights+I+just+laid+on+it+with+a+poncho+liner+over+me+sometime+in+the+wee+morning+hours%2e%0d%0a