ProgramThe Program. Patriot Days offers a variety of events and activities, both competitive and non-competitive. Participation is always optional. You will receive a schedule of events during the week before the Encampment. We strive to arrange a varying schedule to include a variety of educational, entertainment, and athletic elements. Listed below, in no special order, are various parts of the program which we wish to highlight and which you may need to prepare for if you plan to participate. New Activities. We welcome anyone who is interested in setting-up and operating any new skill game, activity, or demonstration. Please contact us as soon as possible at (610) 775-3725 or PatriotDays@aol.com to discuss your ideas and to make arrangements for resources and scheduling, or note your interests on your Registration Form. We also welcome your suggestions for a new event. Give us your thoughts and your campers' thoughts on your Registration Form. We will call you if we need to discuss your ideas. Homestead Tours. All groups are urged to take conducted tours of the Daniel Boone Homestead historical buildings during the Encampment. Talents. If your unit has any special skills they would like to show off during the Encampment, bring this to our attention on the Comments section of your Registration Form. Please indicate whether any special preparation or area is required. All campers are urged to bring musical instruments. Games and Skills. The games and skills portion of the program will be getting under way Saturday morning. We always need help with running activities. Any leaders who have questions or would like to assist in running activities should indicate this in the "Help Section" of the Registration Form or approach us at the Saturday morning Activities sign-up. Send us your ideas for any other games or skills that you would like to introduce to Patriot Days. Volleyball Competition. Please bring your volleyballs. Any adult leaders who would like to help in running the games are welcome; please approach us at the activities sign-up. Teams should register on Friday night at Activities Sign-up next to Encampment Headquarters. Area A on the enclosed map. Volleyball participants will compete for the following awards:
Due to the large number of units involved only one team per unit may participate. Adult leaders may not participate in competition but they may act as coaches. Teams may be as large as you want but only six players are permitted on the court at one time. Substitutions are allowed during service exchanges and at the beginning of each game; you must notify referees of all substitutions. You may replace injured players at any time. Teams must be ready when called and are subject to a ten minute grace period before forfeit. Races. There will be three races:
No prior registration is necessary. Participants should report at 8:30 AM for a 9 AM start. Orienteering Competition. Bring your orienteering skills and compete in a score orienteering event. Teams will consist of no more than 4 campers, one compass, and at least one map You bring the compass. Maps cost $5 and MUST be purchased on Friday night at Activities Sign-up beside the Encampment Headquarters. Teams should pre-register on the Registration Form at the back of this pamphlet. Last minute registration will be accepted only on Friday night at Activities Sign-up. The event will occur rain or shine. Teams should meet at 9:00 A.M. Saturday. FOLLOW THE STREAMERS FROM THE BRIDGE AT THE SOUTH END OF THE PARKING LOT NEAR HEADQUARTERS. Map distribution and instructions will be followed by a mass start. LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED. Young camper teams (8-10 year olds) must be accompanied by an adult. Adult teams may also participate. Cadette, Senior Girl Scout, Boy Scout, and Camp Fire teams may include 2 to 4 members. Pioneering Challenge. How well can your group work as a team? How much do you know about Pioneering? How quickly can you learn? Events will include lashing, knots, firebuilding and wilderness camping. Form a team (male, female, or even a mixed team) and join us in testing those pioneering skills. This is a "for fun" event, so come and try it-you'll like it. Fun & Games. Various games for different age groups. Campers aged 8-10 can test their skills with a round robin program of various games. No prior registration is necessary. First Aid Challenge. Polish up those first aid skills if you plan to compete. Challenge participants should form 4 person rescue teams and come with supplies for the challenge, such as: blanket, triangular bandages, gauze pads, short & medium wood splints. Each team will be given 5 minutes to react, treat and handle the emergency. Three to 5 minutes will be provided if an education explanation (feedback) is needed. The group will then move on to the next scene. We need special volunteers for victims who should be willing to wear costumes, makeup, and to act. This event is unique, in that the person who runs the event, besides being an experienced first-aider, brings an element of reality to the event with her theater experience. Trained first-aiders who would like to help with judging and whose units are not participating in competition should indicate their desire in the "Help Section" of the Registration Form, or approach us at Activities Sign-up on Friday as early as possible. Judges must be certified in First Aid by the American Red Cross or National Safety Council or Basic Life Support or an Emergency Medical Technician. Teams should pre-register on the Registration Form at the back of this pamphlet. Last minute pre-registration changes should be made on Friday night at Activities Sign-up beside the Encampment Headquarters. (Area A on enclosed map). The event will take pace behind the first aid area. (Area E) Campsite Competition. Campsite competition participants will compete for the following:
Co-ed units, unless mostly young campers, will be placed in the girl or boy category based on majority makeup of their registration. No prior registration is necessary. We are planning to inspect all campsites. If you prefer not to compete in campsite competition, an adult leader from your group should communicate your desire to an inspecting official. We assume that all units camp in basically the same manner and we judge accordingly. Units are only penalized when their campsite does not meet generally accepted standards. (We recognize that different standards exist between girl and boy camping and adjustments are made accordingly.) Your campsite may be judged several times during the day on Saturday and in the late evening. We look at how you arrange, present, and organize your campsite. We do the same with your kitchen area. We look at how safety-conscious you are, including preparation for accidents and fires. We look at how you care for your unit equipment. We look at how you care for and organize your personal equipment. We look for cleanliness. At mealtime we look for general punctuality, organization, safety, and cleanliness. Make sure that you identify your campsite and respect your boundaries. We request that you cook at least one of your meals to avoid dependence on concession stands. We plan to randomly inspect one of your Saturday meals. You will lose points if leaders, instead of campers, appear to be preparing the meal. Your campsite may be inspected more than once, by different judges, in each inspection. So expect that different judges may ask you the same question more than once. To ensure that inspection procedures run smoothly, do not hamper the judges' work. Judges have been instructed not to show their score sheets or discuss scoring with the units during the course of inspection; you may study your score sheets after check-out. Read this pamphlet very carefully to be sure that you do not lose points by neglecting Encampment rules and regulations. Gateway Competition. Campsite entrance gateways will be considered for the following awards:
Rope Bridges may not exceed a height of 5 feet at their highest point.
Gateway judges are looking for originality and good workmanship. We feel that it is important that gateways are homemade and constructed as much as possible by your campers; it is their gateway. Please remember that a standard-sized campsite measures 50' X 50.' Your gateway, including guidelines, should not extend beyond the boundaries of one campsite, regardless whether your campsite extends longer than 50.' The size of your gateway is not a consideration in judging. All gateways should be constructed in a safe manner. If your gateway is designed for climbing or similar activity, operation of such activities must be strictly supervised at all times by an adult leader. We reserve the right to restrict such use if we deem it necessary. Patriot Days Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. Cooking Contest. Join us for this year’s fun food cooking contest. Henry was an internationally known actor, activist, singer, and songwriter. Your entry must be representative of some aspect of Henry’s career. Appetizers, main courses, and/or desserts may be entered. Judges will look for a combination of presentation, preparation, and taste. Follow these directions:
No prior registration is necessary. Use your imagination and HAVE FUN ! Campfire. Those who wish to be part of the campfire program should appear at Saturday morning Activities sign-up; or better yet, let us know on your application. We screen skits to avoid repeating skits that we see every year. Use your imagination and be sure to practice. Just remember: all presentations must be in good taste and are limited to 5 minutes. Singers and guitar players are greatly appreciated for campfire. We encourage your short stories or poems (P.A. system is available). Please have your group dress appropriately for campfire. Bring your unit flag for display at the Campfire. Dance. A dance is held after the Saturday evening campfire on the macadamed area near Headquarters. No costumes or face painting are permitted at the dance. We appreciate as many adult chaperones at the dance as possible. Movies. Bring along some popcorn. There will be movies Friday night and again Saturday night running in concurrence with the dance (at a different location from the dance). |