Camp Snyder

Seeking Camp Staff: Summer 2020!

December 19, 2019 by NCAC Camping Department

Do you like camping and the outdoors? Did you have a great time at camp? Why not go there for the whole summer?

Be part of an awesome group of people and work at one of the coolest summer jobs you could ever have!

Ready to engage your imagination and lead Cub Scouts into the stars? Apply to work at Camp Snyder! The 2020 Camp Theme, Space, is carried through archery, nature, crafts, swimming, boating, and all camp activities as Cub Scouts and their leaders explore the outdoors.

Want to escape to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for the summer? Apply to work at one of seven Goshen Scout Reservation Camps! Join our energetic and goofy staff at our Webelos Camps – Camp PMI and Camp Ross. Want to teach your favorite Merit Badge? Choose one of our three Scouts BSA/Venturing camps – Camp Bowman, Camp Olmsted, or Camp Marriott. Looking for adventure? Become part of our elite staff at Lenhok’sin High Adventure Base. Want to support camps in retail or in emergency medicine? Our administration camp – Camp Post – might be the place for you.

Staff must be 15 years or older to be an instructor and 16 or older to work at Goshen’s Lenhok’sin High Adventure. Not yet 15? If you’re 14, you can be a Counselor-in-Training at any of our Cub Scout, Webelos, or Scouts BSA/Venturing Resident Camps. We’re also on the lookout for those 18 years of age or older to take on leadership positions.

Have friends or family that love the outdoors, but aren’t in Scouting? Tell them about it! Prior experience with the Boy Scouts of America is not required.

Employment dates are from June 13 to August 4, 2020 for Goshen Camps and June 29 to August 14, 2020 for Camp Snyder.

We’re coming up on hiring season! Apply online and get more information on our website. Visit www.gotogoshen.org/staff for Goshen Camps and www.gotosnyder.org/work for Camp Snyder.

Woodworking Fun at 2019 Webelos and Scout Expo

November 22, 2019 by Dave Schneeman

Michael’s Woodshop Begins Its 2nd Year

At Camp Snyder’s 2019 Webelos & Scout Expo, Michael’s Woodshop officially began its second year of operation and it certainly got off to a great start! Visitors had the opportunity to tour the shop and Webelos, Scouts and siblings (and a few Dads) took the opportunity to get some hands-on woodworking experience by making their own Cell Phone Charging/Viewing Stand. After going through a safety briefing, the Scouts used a template to mark their blanks, went through two drilling & cutting work stations and then performed some light sanding to create a good fit. With a little final sanding, they all walked away with a very cool, handmade cell phone stand that they can use or give as a gift!

This project also served as an exhibition of how the experienced volunteer Shop Stewards in Michael’s Woodshop can tailor projects to meet the needs of your group. For the Webelos & Scout Expo, the project needed to be short in duration and needed to accommodate a wide range of participant ages and skill levels. This was achieved by carefully selecting and modifying a suitable project design and by creating a series of templates and jigs specifically for the event. The end result was a very smooth process that allowed 60 visitors to complete the project during the Expo.

Michael’s Woodshop is a hands-on work space that was designed for use by Scouts of all ages to create and learn. The shop is operated and maintained by a group of volunteer Shop Stewards who are also available to help plan and carry out events. Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities, District events, Eagle Scout projects and many other Scouting activities.

For information about shop capabilities, upcoming events, reserving the shop or to learn more about volunteering, please visit the Camp Snyder website www.gotosnyder.org/ or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.

Wood Shop Fun at Cub Scout Expo

October 22, 2019 by David Schneeman

Over 100 Cub Scouts and siblings visited Michael’s Woodshop during the Cub Scout Expo held at Camp William B. Snyder on October 19. While in the wood shop, they had the opportunity to create their very own golf tee tic tac toe boards. Supervised by a group of volunteer Shop Stewards, the Cub Scouts had a great time working their way through a series of work stations including sawing, marking & drilling and sanding.

Everyone enjoyed this hands-on woodworking project and best of all, they got to leave with a fun game that they created themselves!

Michael’s Woodshop is a great place to hold engaging, hands-on activities for Scouts of all ages. Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities, District events, Eagle Scout projects and other Scouting activities. Our volunteer Shop Stewards are available to help plan and organize your activities and can help tailor projects to meet the age range and size of your group. They also provide training and can attend your event to provide guidance and assistance to carry out a safe and enjoyable activity.

Michael’s Woodshop is operated by a group of volunteer Shop Stewards. There is growing demand for the use of this amazing facility and there is a need for additional volunteers. Teaching and guiding Scouts in this creative environment is an incredibly rewarding experience. Both experienced woodworkers and novices, including older Scouts can become part of the team. To learn more about shop capabilities, planning an event, reserving the shop or volunteering, please visit the Camp Snyder website (www.gotosnyder.org) or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com

Get Wilderness First Aid Certified

January 11, 2019 by The Scouter Digest Staff

NCAC is now offering a Wilderness First Aid Certification course!

Presented by the NCAC Camps, the Outdoor Preparedness Initiative (OPI) offers Wilderness First Aid certification with CPR/AED. OPI aims to prepare Scouts, Scouters, and outdoor enthusiasts for high adventure activities and other outdoor adventures. Certification is provided through the American Red Cross. Courses will be offered at Camp Snyder in Haymarket, VA in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. During the summer, OPI will move to Goshen Scout Reservation in Goshen, VA to offer courses to adult leaders attending one of the six Goshen camps.

When attending national and local high adventure bases, at least one member of the crew needs to be certified in Wilderness First Aid. As always, Scouters are encouraged to check out the information for the high adventure base you are attending to learn more about their specific requirements.

To attend, participants must be at least 14 years old and hold current adult CPR/AED certification. Because CPR/AED certification is required, you’ll need proof of that certification, should you decide to take the course. For those who are not certified and need it to complete the WFA cert, CPR/AED certification is also offered as an option during this course.

To accommodate the needs of those in the NCAC community, several convenient course dates have been established for Camp Snyder.

Course Date
January 25-27, 2019
February 22-24, 2019
March 22-24, 2019
April 26-28, 2019
May 10-12, 2019

More information on the OPI courses offered at Goshen Scout Reservation is coming soon. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Goshen website at www.gotogoshen.org.

OPI will also provide complimentary coffee, tea, and water during the course at Camp Snyder, as well as a continental breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. Unfortunately, at this time they will not be able to accommodate special dietary needs. Participants should make their own plans for dinner and are encouraged, but not required, to bring snacks, especially to share! Participants will be welcome to tent camp on the grounds near the instruction building. Hotels are also available nearby.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Bjorson, OPI Lead Instructor via email at jonathan.bjorson@gmail.com

Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat

January 8, 2019 by The Scouter Digest Staff

BSA’s Guide to Safe Scouting requires any BSA aquatic activity to be supervised by an adult who has completed Safe Swim Defense (for swimming activities) and Safety Afloat (for boating activities). Each of these training courses takes about 45 minutes to complete and are available online at my.scouting.org. These courses are also available in-person at the 2019 NCAC University of Scouting on February 23. The in-person version of the training allows you to ask questions of the experienced trainer. Sign up for these sessions today so you can be prepared to support safe and fun aquatics activities this year.

CPR/AED/First Aid Training

January 7, 2019 by The Scouter Digest Staff

Are you planning on earning the prestigious BSA Lifeguard certification at summer camp this year? If so, please be aware that professional level CPR/AED and First Aid training is a course requirement but not usually done as part of the BSA Lifeguard course at camp. You can complete that requirement ahead of time by enrolling in our American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid courses to be held on April 13 at Fairfax Presbyterian Church. The courses use the blended learning method where you complete knowledge development at your own pace online before the classroom session where you practice the hands-on skills. Minimum age is 15 years old. Register for the course at ncacbsa.org/aquatics.