The photograph at left and the following information is from the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch Leaders Guide (2004 Edition):

The Ben Delatour Scout Ranch is located approximately 42 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado; and seven miles east of the village of Red Feather Lakes. At an elevation of 7,500 plus feet, the Scout Ranch occupies part of the most scenic and picturesque mountain country of the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado.

Scouts can enjoy the many wonders of wildlife, wildflowers, majestic mountain peaks, beautiful forests, and the Elkhorn Valley. Whether it is hiking the 10 or 15 mile loop of the Gregg Boundary Trail, climbing the trail to Monster Mountain, visiting the Halliday grave site via the Cateye Trail, or trout fishing in the Elkhorn Creek, the Scout Ranch provides countless adventures waiting for Scouts and adult leaders alike.

The Scout Ranch came into being in 1959, when the Longs Peak Council, with a generous gift from Ben Delatour of Fort Collins, purchased the Pinecroft Ranch from George Weaver. Over the last 40 or so years numerous acres have been added, and today it totals over 3,000.

Scout’s Name

Troop 1188 - Camp Jeffrey

Ben Delatour Scout Ranch

2331 County Road 68C

At check-in all Scouts and adult leaders will participate in a medical recheck with the Scout Ranch Health personnel. A current Longs Peak Council Health and Medical Record (both the health history and medical examination sides!) signed by a Medical Doctor must be submitted by every youth and adult staying in camp 72 hours or longer. Those staying less than 72 hours need to submit the health history portion (this includes adult leaders!). Because of State of Colorado Human Services Department regulations, only the Longs Peak Council approved form will be accepted. The national BSA Forms 2 and 3 are not acceptable. A copy of this form is available in the Special Forms Section.

Colorado State Law requires that all medical examinations must be dated within the past 24 months! No exceptions! Also, the law requires that the Longs Peak Council keep all medical forms! Please make photocopies before arriving at camp!

This system has several advantages. First, a Scout can potentially earn a Merit Badge on his first day at camp. Second, a Scout’s time tends to be used more efficiently. Third, an ambitious Scout can realistically earn several Merit Badges in a single week at camp. This block scheduling system makes pre-planning of a Scout’s week necessary before coming to camp.

Unlike virtually all other scout camp climbing programs, Pancake Base Camp utilizes the genuine rock formations of BDSR, instead of artificial climbing towers, to instruct participants in three different programs:

· Bouldering – Designed for Scouts ages 11-12, this program teaches basic climbing technique by allowing younger participants to learn essentials on short, un-roped climbs.

· Climbing Merit Badge – For Scouts age 13 and over only. This difficult Merit Badge teaches climbing, rappelling, and belaying essentials in a safe, fun environment.

· Advanced Climbing – For Scouts age 13 and over who have earned the Climbing Merit Badge. This two-day, intensive climbing experience allows older scouts to practice their skills on the numerous granite walls of Ben Delatour Scout Ranch.

Climbing courses may cause conflicts with other Badge work, rafting trips, trail rides, and meal service. Scouts who miss a session will not be allowed to continue in the course. Scouts may not sign-up for both Climbing Merit Badge and Advanced Climbing during their week at camp.

The First Class Challenge Program is designed to help first year campers learn the skills necessary to earn the First Class Rank. Unlike other BDSR programs, the First Class Challenge isn’t strictly scheduled into periods. Instead, it is an open program area that runs in the morning. Scouts may participate as their schedule allows, working with staff on a personal basis.

The First Class Challenge Program runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 11:40. This allows younger Scouts to still schedule and earn several Merit Badges through the week, giving them the opportunity to achieve a maximum amount of advancement while at BDSR. Scouts participating in the First Class Challenge should bring their Boy Scout Handbook to class.

The Homestead Program offers Archeology, Fishing, Fly-Fishing, Indian Lore, and Wilderness Survival Merit Badges and is a unique enrichment of the BDSR camping experience.

Although the Archeology Merit Badge requires a great deal of off-camp work, an unofficial archeological dig has been set up at the site of the old Miller Cabin at the Homestead site, giving Scouts the opportunity to participate in a “dig” while at camp. As Scouts earning the Badge must be capable of understanding complex concepts, Archeology Merit Badge is recommended for Scouts age 13 or over.

The Fishing and Fly Fishing Merit Badges requires Scouts to catch two fish. One must be released, while the other is cleaned and cooked. Camp Jeffrey Scouts may take their catch to Camp Coffin and use the facilities there to cook it. Weaver Lake is stocked annually to provide opportunities for Scouts to fish on the Ranch. Please see the Fishing section in the Extracurricular Opportunities section for more information about fishing on camp and in the state of Colorado.

BDSR serves as a wonderful laboratory for exploring and studying the great outdoors. The Nature Department is located at the Magnuson Nature Center. Astronomy, Environmental Science, Fish & Wildlife Management, Forestry, Geology, Mammal Study, Soil & Water Conservation, Space Exploration, and Weather Merit Badges are offered at this location in scheduled Merit Badge classes.

The Space Exploration Merit Badge requires the purchase of two rocket engine tickets from the Trading Post, which will be redeemed by the Nature Staff. Scouts should not bring their own rockets to camp.

Traditional Scouting skills are the trademarks of the Scoutcraft Departments, where the Camping, Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Orienteering, and Pioneering Merit Badges are offered.

Campers may not bring their own firearms or ammunition to camp. The Shooting Sports Department offers Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting Merit Badges. In addition, recreational Open Shooting is scheduled for each area.

Both Shotgun Shooting and Rifle Shooting take a great deal of practice to qualify. A Scout interested in earning one of these Badges should schedule at least three open shooting periods to qualify. While open shooting times are open to anybody who would like to test their skill, priority is given to those Scouts attempting to qualify for their Merit Badges. All required eye and ear protection for shooting is provided by the camp.

Shotgun shooting costs $1.00 for three shots. Shotgun tickets, redeemable at the shooting ranges, must be purchased at a Trading Post. All rifle shooting is free. As Shotgun Shooting requires good upper body strength and fine motor skills, it is recommended for Scouts age 13 and over.