Purpose The purpose of the New Camper Program is two-fold: To acquaint new or first-time campers to Camp Aquehonga, its program areas and offerings. To provide an opportunity for those Scouts, Tenderfoot Scouts and Second Class Scouts to work on selected “outdoor-oriented” requirements with a specialist in that program area.

Timing & Schedule
The New Camper Program (NCP) has two separate and distinct components:

1. Morning Camp Orientation & Activities (and the AQ Distinguished Camper Award)
   Program participants meet daily at 11:00 a.m. in the Scoutcraft area. From here they move to different areas in the camp to become acquainted with the various program opportunities that Camp Aquehonga has to offer. A mixture of fun and learning, some of the activities include making homemade ice cream, playing initiative games at the C.O.P.E. course, a visit to the Archery Range & Obstacle Course followed by a rousing game of soccer on Barta Field, and much more!
   
   Scouts who attend the program each day are eligible to receive the Aquehonga Distinguished Camper Award to be presented at Friday’s Closing Campfire. Award requirements and program booklets are distributed at the beginning of the week and are always available in the Camp Office from the NCP Director or the Program Director. All Scouts who are new to Camp Aquehonga are strongly encouraged to participate in the NCP; its popularity and success in years past was unparalleled!
   
   Download the Requirements for the Aquehonga Distinguished Camper Award
   
   

2. Afternoon & Evening First Class Emphasis
   Designed for Scouts below First Class rank, program sessions are available in the afternoons and evenings at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Here the outdoor camping skills related to the Tenderfoot, Second and First Class ranks will be taught. Scouts need only attend those sessions which they need for their individual rank advancement. Equally as important as the morning program, all Scouts below First Class rank are encouraged to take part in this aspect of the NCP.
   
   Download the First Class Emphasis Schedule
   
   Please note that the New Camper Adventure Program only provides skill instruction. Actual certification of successful completion (i.e., “signing off”) will not take place, and remains the responsibility of a Scout’s unit leader.
   

Last Updated: February 19, 2006
Ten Mile River Scout Camps © 2008 Greater New York Councils, BSA