Troop 63 from Paris, Kentucky, has just returned from an unforgettable week of adventure, skill-building, and camaraderie at Camp Crooked Creek, held from July 6th to July 12th, 2025. These dedicated scouts immersed themselves in the rich traditions and exciting opportunities that scout camp offers, fostering immense growth and creating lasting memories.
Nestled on the sprawling 1100-acre Harry S. Frazier, Jr. Scout Reservation in Clermont, Kentucky, Camp Crooked Creek provided an ideal setting for young scouts to develop essential outdoor skills, leadership qualities, and a deeper appreciation for the environment. The property itself boasts rolling hills covered with a hardwood forest of oak, hickory, and beech, where it’s not unusual to spot deer, turkey, geese, and ducks on the 70-acre John Barr Lake, which is stocked with bass, bream, and catfish. Throughout the week, scouts and leaders alike enjoyed sightings of local wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and rabbits, adding to the immersive natural experience. The camp, known for its “all-inclusive” fee structure, ensured that families didn’t have to worry about additional merit badge fees, as all necessary program materials, from leatherwork kits to rifle shooting supplies, were covered. This year, Troop 63 was assigned to Campsite 1, strategically located near John Barr Lake and the boating area, where they had the pleasure of sharing their space and experiences with Troop 366 from Denton, Texas, fostering new friendships and inter-troop collaboration. Throughout the entire week, leaders and scouts from Troop 63 had the unique opportunity to interact and build experiences with fellow troops hailing from Texas, Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, truly embodying the spirit of national scouting camaraderie.
A Typical Day at Camp Crooked Creek:
Each day at Camp Crooked Creek followed a structured yet engaging schedule, ensuring a balance of learning, activity, and camaraderie:
- 8:00 AM: The day began with an assembly for the Flag Ceremony, where scouts gathered at the Dining Hall to raise the flags, fostering a sense of patriotism and unity.
- Following Flag Ceremony: Breakfast was served in the Amelia Brown Frazier Dining Hall, providing a hearty start to the day.
- 9:30 AM: Scout Leaders, including Jason McDonald and Jeff Miller, attended daily meetings to coordinate activities and address any troop needs.
- Throughout the Mornings and Afternoons: Scouts plunged into their chosen merit badge sessions and specialized programs, making the most of the camp’s diverse offerings.
- 12:00 PM (Noon): Lunch was served in the dining hall, providing a mid-day break and opportunity to refuel. On Wednesday, a special treat awaited the campers as lunch featured Chick-fil-A, with sandwiches, chips, and cookies as the day’s special. Adding to the excitement, Scoutmaster Jason McDonald had arranged a Coke Float party through the Trading Post, making for a memorable mid-week meal.
- 12:30 PM: Senior Patrol Leaders, like Ethan Scott, gathered for their daily meeting, discussing troop plans and scout progress.
- Afternoon Free Time: The schedule also included dedicated free time, allowing scouts to explore various activities available around the camp, relax, or work on individual projects.
- 5:35 PM: Another Flag Ceremony was held to lower the flags, followed by dinner in the dining hall.
- 7:30 PM: Evenings were filled with open activities and special programs, offering a variety of entertainment and learning opportunities.
- Turn In: The day concluded with “turn in,” signaling the time for scouts to prepare for rest and recharge for the next day’s adventures.
Comprehensive Merit Badge Offerings:
Camp Crooked Creek prides itself on offering a vast array of merit badges and programs, catering to a wide range of interests and skill levels. While Troop 63’s scouts focused on specific badges, here is a comprehensive list of the opportunities available to all campers:
- Aquatics Merit Badges: Canoeing, Kayaking, Lifesaving, Motorboating, Rowing, Small Boat Sailing, Swimming.
- Scoutcraft Merit Badges: Camping, Cooking, Exploration, Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Fishing, Orienteering, Personal Fitness, Pioneering, Safety, Fire Safety, Signs, Signals and Codes, Wilderness Survival.
- Handicraft Merit Badges: Art, Animation, Basketry, Game Design, Leatherwork, Metalwork, Textile, Pulp And Paper, Wood Carving, Woodwork.
- Range and Target Activities Merit Badges: Archery, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting.
- Personal Development Merit Badges: American Cultures, Indian Lore, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Scouting Heritage, Communications, Public Speaking, Entrepreneurship, Salesmanship, Music.
- Nature Merit Badges: Bird Study, Nature, Environmental Science, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forestry, Insect Study, Mammal Study, Oceanography, Reptile & Amphibian Study, Sustainability, Weather.
- STEM Merit Badges: Robotics, Engineering, Electronics (combined program), Nuclear Science and Energy (combined program), Moviemaking and Photography (combined program), Astronomy, Space Exploration, Chemistry, Digital Technology, Game Design.
- Trade Craft Merit Badges: Electricity, Plumbing, Welding, Metalwork, Woodwork.
- Miscellaneous Badges (High Adventure): Climbing, Automotive Maintenance.
Beyond these merit badges, the camp also offered other aquatic opportunities like BSA Mile Swim, BSA Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Scuba BSA, Manatee Plunge, and Instructional Swim. Awards such as Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit could also be earned.
Merit Badge Attainment and Program Highlights (Troop 63 Specific):
Scouts diligently worked on various merit badges, expanding their knowledge and earning recognition for their achievements. The camp offered a comprehensive schedule with sessions available in both mornings and afternoons, allowing scouts to pursue diverse interests.
- Aquatics Adventures: The bustling waterfront area on John Barr Lake provided refreshing opportunities. Scouts engaged in Swimming (requiring familiarity with five strokes), Canoeing, Kayaking, Motorboating, and Rowing, all of which required successfully completing the BSA swimmer test and bringing close-toed water shoes. Beyond merit badges, scouts could challenge themselves with the BSA Mile Swim (for strong swimmers) or try Discover Scuba, an introduction to underwater breathing. Instructional Swim was also available for those looking to improve their skills.
- Outdoor and High Adventure Skills: Beyond traditional scoutcraft, older scouts (aged 13+) tackled the demanding COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) course, designed to build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through initiatives and high ropes elements. The ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) Safety Course provided an exhilarating experience for scouts aged 14 and older, emphasizing safe operation on camp trails after completing a free online eCourse and submitting parental consent forms.
- Shooting Sports: The camp’s dedicated ranges offered opportunities for Archery, Rifle Shooting, and Shotgun Shooting, all popular and requiring maturity and adherence to safety rules.
- STEM and Trade Craft Exploration: The camp offered in-depth programs in STEM, allowing scouts to delve into Robotics, Engineering, and Electronics (a combined program to build a working robot), Nuclear Science and Energy, and Moviemaking and Photography (producing a film with cameras, computers, and drones). Other STEM badges included Astronomy, Space Exploration, Chemistry, Digital Technology, and Game Design. Additionally, the new Trade Craft area introduced scouts to practical skills in Electricity, Plumbing, Welding, Metalwork, and Woodwork.
- Dan Boone First-Year Camper Program: New scouts benefited from the dedicated Dan Boone program at Ribar’s Dan Boone Hill, which provided hands-on instruction and practice for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class rank requirements, covering essential skills like fire building, knots, and first aid. This program is integral to learning to be a good patrol member.
- Team Building and Leadership: Through group challenges, daily responsibilities, and events like the Mafeking Challenge (a patrol competition reenacting Baden Powell’s famous struggle), scouts learned the importance of teamwork, communication, and leadership, strengthening the bonds within Troop 63.
- Evening Programs and Traditions: Each day concluded with memorable evening activities, including flag ceremonies at the Miles Activity Field, campfires at the Campfire Circle, and special events like Ziplining, Mountain Biking, Aquatics Fun Night, Movie Night, and Stargazing. The week also featured the Order of the Arrow Call-Out Ceremony at the Chapel/Amphitheater, Mass & Vespers services, and a lively Family Night on Friday, where families could visit and share a meal in the Amelia Brown Frazier Dining Hall.
The troop adhered to important camp policies, ensuring all required Annual Health and Medical Records (Parts A, B, & C) were submitted to the Health Lodge, which is staffed by a qualified health officer 24 hours a day and has arrangements with a nearby hospital for emergencies. They also diligently followed the buddy system for safety. Meals were served by troops in the beautiful Amelia Brown Frazier Dining Hall, featuring an options bar and salad bar, with special dietary needs accommodated. The Trading Post, located across from the Administration Building and featuring new restrooms, served as a popular spot for campers to stop by for refreshments such as Ale-8-One, sodas, Gatorades, snacks, and essential camping and merit badge supplies. Adult leaders could also relax and access Wi-Fi and computers in the Scout Leaders’ Lounge in the Administration Building. Throughout the entire week, the camp’s various shower houses provided a convenient and essential place for scouts and leaders to clean up and refresh after a long day of activities.
A First-Time Camper’s Experience:
While Troop 63 did not have any first-time campers this year, Camp Crooked Creek is renowned for its comprehensive support for new scouts. The Dan Boone First-Year Camper Program, located at Ribar’s Dan Boone Hill, is specifically designed to give new scouts a strong start toward achieving their First Class Rank. This immersive program focuses on hands-on practice, skills demonstration, and basic Scouting knowledge. Scouts in the Dan Boone program spend their mornings working on rank advancement requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. In the afternoons, they can select a merit badge of their choice and work with the dedicated Dan Boone staff on Aquatics and First Aid rank requirements at the pool. This structured approach helps new scouts develop essential skills in swimming, camping, fire building, knots and lashings, and first aid, all while experiencing the patrol method and leadership under the guidance of well-qualified staff members. First-time campers are encouraged to bring a water bottle, their Scout Handbook, and a bandana or hat to the Dan Boone Hill area.
Troop 63 Attendees and Achievements:
This year, Troop 63 was proudly represented by three dedicated scouts, each making significant strides in their personal development and merit badge achievements. All three scouts – Ethan Scott, Max Hawkins, and Sam Miller – successfully completed their Swimmer’s Test as “swimmers” upon arrival, demonstrating their aquatic proficiency and readiness for water-based activities.
- Ethan Scott, serving as the Senior Patrol Leader, demonstrated exceptional leadership and set a strong example for his fellow scouts. Ethan successfully earned the Metalwork merit badge, where he would have learned about different types of metals, their properties, and techniques for shaping and joining them. His Insect Study badge involved independent observation and photographic evidence of insects, deepening his understanding of the natural world. Furthermore, he tackled the ATV program, a high physical demand activity for scouts aged 14 and older, focusing on safe operation of all-terrain vehicles on camp trails.
- Max Hawkins, the troop’s Quartermaster, ensured that all necessary equipment and supplies were well-managed throughout the week. Having previously attended Camp Crooked Creek in 2024, this marked Max’s second consecutive year at the camp, building upon his prior experiences. Max achieved the Motorboating merit badge, which required successfully completing the BSA swimmer test and understanding safe boating practices. His Environmental Science badge likely involved independent project work and a deeper look into ecological principles. Max also earned the Bird Study merit badge, requiring independent study and observation of various bird species.
- Sam Miller, the Den Chief, actively supported his fellow scouts and contributed to the overall positive atmosphere of the camp. This was Sam’s second year in a row attending Camp Crooked Creek, having also been present in 2024. Sam had a particularly productive week, earning Citizenship in the Nation and Citizenship in the World merit badges, which involve understanding civic duties, government, and global relations. His Wood Carving badge required a Totin’ Chip card and focused on safe and artistic wood shaping. Sam also explored his creative side with the Music merit badge, which involves understanding musical concepts and potentially performing. Finally, he delved into scouting traditions with American Culture and Indian Lore merit badges, learning about the diverse heritage of the United States and Native American cultures.
Leadership and Support:
Guiding Troop 63 through this enriching experience were dedicated adult leaders. Scoutmaster Jason McDonald provided invaluable guidance and leadership throughout the week, ensuring the scouts’ safety and fostering their development. He was ably supported by Jeff Miller, the troop’s Advancement Chair, who played a crucial role in overseeing the scouts’ progress on merit badges and rank advancements. Scoutmaster Jason McDonald also participated in the Scout Leader Rifle Shooting activity, demonstrating his commitment to the camp’s diverse program offerings.
On Wednesday evening, Scout Leaders, including Jason McDonald and Jeff Miller, attended a special Adult Leaders Appreciation Dinner. This event, provided by the Lincoln Heritage Council, served as a heartfelt thank you for the volunteer work, time, and dedication contributed by the scout leaders throughout the year and during their time at camp.
Both Scoutmaster Jason McDonald, Advancement Chair Jeff Miller, Senior Patrol Leader Ethan Scott, and Den Chief Sam Miller arrived at Camp Crooked Creek on Sunday, July 6th, ready to kick off the week’s adventures. Quartermaster Max Hawkins joined the troop on Monday morning, completing the full contingent of Troop 63 for the week.
Their commitment was instrumental in the success of the camp experience. Adult leaders also had opportunities to engage in programs like the Dutch Oven Contest and various supplemental training sessions offered throughout the week.
Scout camp is more than just a summer activity; it’s a transformative experience that helps shape young individuals into responsible, resilient, and resourceful citizens. For Troop 63, the week at Camp Crooked Creek was undoubtedly a highlight of their scouting journey, providing them with invaluable life lessons and a renewed spirit of adventure. We commend Troop 63 for their successful and enriching experience!