What is Camp Tomahawk?
Camp Tomahawk is a 1-week long outdoor day camp (roughly 8:15-4:30p daily) for Cub Scouts. The camp is ENTIRELY run by volunteers and is truly a wonder to behold. The camp draws more than 400 boys each year from the local Packs in and around Anne Arundel county. Camp Tomahawk is by far one of the greatest opportunities for your boy to have fun, learn, and enjoy the company and friendship of his peers within the context of a Scouting environment.
When is Camp Tomahawk?
Camp Tomahawk is held each year for 1 week, the second week in July (the week after the 4th of July week).
Camp Tomahawk Frequently Asked Questions:
- Where is Camp Tomahawk?
- How is Camp Tomahawk organized?
- What activities does Camp Tomahawk offer?
- What is it about the beads?
- How is safety handled?
- How much does the week cost?
- Where can I find more information?
- How can I sign-up my son?
- Does Camp Tomahawk need volunteers?
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A personal note from “Pack-Man”
Where is Camp Tomahawk?
Camp Tomahawk is held at the Anne Arundel County fairgrounds in Crownsville, about 13 minutes from Crofton. (You use the back entrance to the fairgrounds off Crownsville Rd.)
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How is Camp Tomahawk organized?
Camp Tomahawk is sponsored by the Capitol District and run by a very large contingent of volunteer parents. Every Cub Scout Pack that sends boys to camp IS REQUIRED to have volunteers to support this massive undertaking. Setting up and running a day camp for 400 is, as you might imagine, a big task. Roles are well-defined and have been time-tested throughout the years.
At camp, your boy is assigned to a den of boys at his same rank (e.g., Wolf, Bear, Webelos I, II). These dens are not the same as the dens in our Pack, for they may include boys from other Packs in the area. However, the Tomahawk registration team does their very best to make sure that all boys that want to be together in the same den (or are from the same Pack) are placed together. The den is the primary unit for the boys attending Tomahawk. The boys participate in all activities within the den context, traveling to and from activities as a den, eating as a den, and attending events as a den.
Dens are run by Den Leaders, who are (again, here’s a hint) adult volunteers. A Den Leader (and assistants) is responsible for the boys in his/her den for the duration of the day.
All the activities that a den participates in are run by adult volunteers.
The camp is also supported by Boy Scouts who also generously volunteer their time to assist Den Leaders and the various activity leaders throughout the camp.
What do the boys do at Tomahawk?
First of all, camp is outdoors. Rain or shine. Hot or cold (though mostly hot). (There are carefully rehearsed contingency plans for severe weather to keep everyone safe).
Each day at camp is orchestrated like clockwork. The boys start their day in the shade under an erected tarp for their specific den that serves as their den home. This is where they gather and learn about the day’s activities.
Once everyone is gathered, the official camp day begins at 8:30a with an opening ceremony in which all the dens gather together for some opening cheers, announcements, and the raising of the flag.
After the opening, the boys proceed with their den through a schedule of activities, moving from station to station throughout the camp.
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Archery. The camp has a massive archery range. Everyone gets a chance to learn how to shoot, and everyone gets to shoot EVERY DAY! See the Safety section to calm your nerves.
Scout Skills. Topics range from rope tying, to orienteering, to outdoor cooking, to flag ceremonies, to first aid. Each day is different. BB’s. BB rifle shooting at targets. Every boy learns the proper way to shoot, and how to do so safely. Everyone gets to shoot EVERY DAY! Again, see the Safety section.
Crafts. In crafts, the boys design and build something different each day. The activities are planned in advance, typically follow the theme for the year, and all supplies are provided. Games. Games are all outdoors in a field and vary daily. They frequently center around an opportunity to get wet to cool off. The boys love that part.
Nature. Nature topics change daily and vary based on the year’s instructor. The boys take part in scientific experiments and learn about fossils, earth science, animals, plants, and all manner of different scientific properties.
Fishing. Camp Tomahawk has an on-site pond where the boys learn how to fish. The boys get a chance to fish twice during the course of the week. Not everyone catches something, but everyone does have a good time trying.
Special. Each year, the Camp has a different theme and the Special activity is always uniquely designed to be consistent with the theme of the camp. One year the boys built wooden trains for the railroading theme, another year they put on skits for the circus theme. Each year is different. In the middle of the day, each den returns to its “home” under a tarp and eats lunch (which the boy is expected to have brought with him that morning). At the end of the day, there is a closing ceremony with suitable Cub Scout skits, songs, cheers, and the lowering of the flag. The day ends about 4:30p.
On the week’s Thursday evening, there is also a special ceremony and additional activities for Webelos only. Not to be missed if you’re a Webelos.
What do the boys like most about Tomahawk?
These things are at the top of every boy’s list (not necessarily in this order):
- BBs. Boys will be boys.
- Archery. Ditto
- Fishing.
- The Beads! (see below)
They have the time of their lives.
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What is it about the beads?
Beads are the elegant currency of Camp Tomahawk. The camp proactively promotes the concept of positive reinforcement, so every time a boy participates in an activity, does a good turn, tells a good joke, picks up trash, or anything else worthy of note, he gets a bead to put on a chain or shoelace he hangs off his hat. By the end of the first day, the boys get the idea that a long string of beads is a badge of accomplishment and by the second day they are all eager to be the best behaved, most helpful, and most actively participating boys in camp. By the third day, they’re comparing strings of beads like war wounds, and by the end of the week, each boys is proudly bringing home a string of beads they’ll be posting up on their bulletin board for the next decade. The most coveted are the special beads given out under unique circumstances and those ever-so-rare items: the arrowhead given out in archery for a bullseye and the bearclaw given out in BB’s for a bullseye. Instant gratification yields amazing results at Camp Tomahawk.
Den coups are also awarded for participation in the opening and closing ceremony activities. The coups attach to a den flag that the boys in the den have designed themselves and carry proudly from station to station throughout the day.
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Safety
As a sanctioned BSA camp, Tomahawk must adhere to very strict guidelines for operation, sanitation, safety, youth protection, and organization that are set forth by the Boy Scouts of America. Each year, the camp is formally inspected by the Council to approve of its operation. Any deficiencies are immediately remedied to be in compliance with the regulations.
Each station (activity) that the boys go to has strict rules to ensure the safety of the boys and the staff. This is particularly true of the archery and BB ranges which follow Scouting rules for shooting sports safety. All shooting sports instructors are formally trained by BSA. All den leaders and other adult volunteers attend training prior to the week of Tomahawk.
Boys are NEVER allowed to go ANYWHERE alone. Camp Tomahawk strictly follows the Buddy System, so that there are always two scouts together at all times and no adult is allowed to be alone with any individual scout at any time. This protects everyone.
Although it may not seem obvious, the biggest safety concern at Tomahawk is dehydration. It’s July. It’s Maryland. It’s hot. Thankfully, the concept of hydrating yourself regularly is drilled into the boys every minute of every day; fresh drinking water is provided throughout the camp; and there are quartermasters who spend the entire day simply re-supplying water. There are also plenty of opportunities to get wet to keep cool. Sunscreen is also important. As a parent, you are responsible for outfitting your son appropriately.
If there are any injuries or illnesses, there is a full-time nurse on hand at the camp to address anything that may come up (the most common thing being bee stings).
As for sanitation: Tomahawk is held outdoors on the Anne Arundel County fairgrounds. Porta-potties are stationed throughout the camp. The boys are encouraged to wash their hands before eating.
Another item that is of common concern is food allergies. The camp takes these very seriously and makes accommodations to help assure contact with food allergens is avoided.
Camp is, as I mentioned, held rain or shine. However, a severe weather plan is in place at all times to assure the boys get safely to shelter if necessary. All leaders are trained in the severe weather plan.
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Cost
How much does it cost?
The cost is approximately $200 per child, but varies from year to year. By comparison, Tomahawk is a relatively inexpensive week of tremendous fun and learning. More information will be forthcoming. If you want to send your boy and there is financial hardship that might prevent you, please contact the Pack 731 Cubmaster. No boy should miss this opportunity.
Also, since registration fees for children of all-week volunteers is reduced, volunteering is valuable in more ways than one.
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How do I get more information?
The Pack will distribute forms via email and at den meetings for you to sign up as spring approaches. If you have any questions in the meantime, I’ve been volunteering at Camp Tomahawk for years and would be happy to answer any questions you have.
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How do I sign-up my son?
The Pack will distribute forms via email and at den meetings for you to sign up as spring approaches. Note that determining how much of your time you can volunteer to support the camp is an important component of signing up your son. Pack 731 has a Pack Registrar for Camp Tomahawk.
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Volunteering
Planning for Camp Tomahawk begins in January. Again volunteering pays in that registration fees for children of all-week volunteers is reduced.
For every few people we sign up as a Pack, we must have 1 week-long volunteer. Part-time volunteering is also encouraged for there are many opportunities for creative and energetic parents to help out as:
Den Leaders. The Den Leader leads a den of boys throughout the day. This job is typically a week-long commitment but can be successfully split between two people – one taking M-W, the second W-F, overlapping on W. Being a Den Leader or Assistant is a great way to see Tomahawk from your son’s perspective.
Assistant Den Leaders. The Assistant Den Leader helps the Den Leader. It’s amazing how necessary the assistants are.
Camp Staff. The Staff run the camp. There are innumerable opportunities and roles here to support overall leadership of the camp as well as run individual stations (such as archery, scout skills, etc.). Shooting sports training is required and offered for archery and BB’s.
Setup/Teardown. The weekend before camp is spent setting up. This is a large undertaking best accomplished with many hands. There are a trillion things to do. Just show up and someone will hand you a hammer to nail with, a box of items to distribute, or a tarp to set up. Food is provided J. Teardown occurs Friday evening after camp closes.
Boy Scouts are also welcome as Den Aides. This is a wonderful opportunity to earn service hours and help lead young Cub Scouts.
Remember, Camp Tomahawk is only as successful as the people who put their hearts and energies towards making it a great experience for the boys – for our own sons and grandsons. We are fortunate to have one of the best-run and largest camps in the country. Come experience it!
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On a personal note, my own experience:
I have served as a Den Leader at Camp Tomahawk for 5 out of the last 6 years. I have used nearly six weeks of accrued vacation from work to do so. Some would say that was a sacrifice or a waste of good vacation time. I think on the contrary. It was a rare opportunity to do something 100% for the benefit of the future of my sons and the rest of the boys in my assigned den. Sure, I will never forget the sweltering heat, but neither will I forget the incredible fun my den had nor the fact that Boy Scouts have come up to me years later to re-tell the experiences they had and re-sing the songs they learned at Camp Tomahawk. And, to this day I have bead strings on bulletin boards in my house.
Andy Musliner,
Cubmaster aka Pack-Man, Pack 731