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Merit Badge Sessions
Experiencing camp through merit badges is the core of the summer camp program for Boy Scouts. Merit badge sessions are offered by the program staff throughout each day, mostly during six scheduled session times. A few merit badges have some sessions in the early morning, such as fishing, and in the evening, such as astronomy. Scouts may take field trips while working on Animal Science, Communications, Citizenship in the Nation, Fire Safety and Indian Lore. Some merit badges and programs require Scouts to attend two or three sessions each day.
The Program Guide will be available by April 2012 with details on merit badges, the schedule, and other programs available.
Scouts will be able to complete many merit badges at camp. Some merit badges have requirements that should be completed prior to camp, and some requirements may only be completed outside of camp. Scouts must demonstrate completion of each requirement before it is approved by a counselor. Requirement details will be listed in the Program Guide.
Merit badges and programs are run through various program areas at Slippery Falls Scout Ranch. This is to ensure qualified instruction by knowledgeable counselors and a great experience by Scouts in each area.
Aquatics
This area is located on Lake Payne in the central part of the ranch. All aquatics merit badge sessions are held at the waterfront. Scouts will enjoy a swimming dock, canoes, sailboats, row boats, motor boats, kayaks, snorkeling, and jumping off of a tower onto the blob. The blob is a kind of giant, inflatable trampoline that launches Scouts into the lake.
Ecology & Conservation
Summer camp is an outdoor setting, and there is no better place to study birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians. Scouts can also enjoy fishing on the lake and on Pennington Creek. We also offer Nature and Environmental Science merit badges.
Western Heritage
The Oklahoma Centennial Commission funded construction of a Ranch House and Bunk House that serves as the headquarters for this area along with the barn. Horsemanship, animal science, welding, metalworking and leatherworking are some of the activities Scouts will enjoy under the shade of the oak trees. The wranglers host the Cowboy Campfire each week and teach Dutch oven cooking. Bring your cowboy hat, your boots and jeans, and enjoy our great western tradition!
Chickasaw Nation Indian Village
Construction is complete on the new Council House and the three Summer Houses! Counselors put a Chickasaw twist on the handicraft merit badges such as basketry, pottery, and textiles. Scouts can also learn about art and Indian Lore and will also visit the Chickasaw Museum in Tishomingo.
Outdoor Skills
Living outside is the specialty of the counselors in this area. Campers will learn and experience map & compass, first aid, camping, pioneering, and woods tools in a variety of merit badge sessions. For Scouts who want something more extreme, wilderness survival offers an outpost to test their wits in the rugged wilds of camp.
Shooting Sports
Boy Scouts may choose to shoot 20-gauge shotguns, madern .22 rifles, muzzle-loading rifles, and bows and arrows. Venturers may shoot pistols. The range safety officers and instructors will provide all the equipment and instruction campers need to earn the various shooting sports merit badges.
Project COPE, Climbing & Rappelling
Slippery Falls Scout Ranch has an indoor climbing wall, numerous natural rock sites, and a climbing tower. Scouts can attend the climbing merit badge sessions or climb during the twilight activities. Project C.O.P.E. stands for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. Scouts or Venturers will experience problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership on low and high ropes courses. Scouts must be 13 years of age to participate in these programs.
Planned Merit Badges for 2012:
Animal Science
Archaeology
Archery
Art
Astronomy
Basketry
Bird Study
Bugling
Camping*
Canoeing
Citizenship in the Nation*
Citizenship in the World*
Climbing
Communications*
Cooking
Emergency Preparedness*
Environmental Science*
Farm Mechanics
Fire Safety
First Aid*
Fish & Wildlife Management
Fishing
Fly Fishing
Forestry
Geology
Horsemanship
Indian Lore
Insect Study
Kayaking
Leatherwork
Lifesaving*
Mammal Study
Metalworking
Motorboating
Nature
Orienteering
Photography
Pioneering
Pottery
Reptile & Amphibian Study
Rifle (.22 caliber)
Rifle (muzzle-loading)
Rowing
Sculpture
Shotgun
Small Boat Sailing
Soil & Water Conservation
Space Exploration
Swimming*
Textiles
Veterinary Medicine
Weather
Welding
Wilderness Survival
Woodcarving
* Required for Eagle Scout rank
Other youth programs:
BSA Lifeguard
Dutch Oven Cooking
Eagle Trail
Kayaking BSA
Mile Swim
Mountain Biking *
Paul Bunyan
Pistol Shooting ^
Project COPE
Snorkeling BSA
Swim Instruction
OUTPOST
* Twilight program
^ Only for Venturers
