Objective
To eagerly search for what is over there. To catalog, photograph, record and discover the natural & archeological history of Wah-Tut-Ca Scout Reservation.

Program Description
This program is the annual field study for an ongoing multi-year project to investigate the unique natural features of Wah-Tut-Ca and the Northwood Area Land Management Cooperative. This area is over 3,000 acres in the transitional zone between the Merrimack and Lamprey River watersheds.  We identify and photograph plants and animals, search for underground springs and work on real archeological sites.  It is run as a real scientific research laboratory guided by real scientists.  If you are considering science as a career this is an outstanding opportunity.

2013 Projects:

IDENTIFICATION:  Digital photography, hand held, submersible and aerial are used to photograph plants and animals. In 2013 we will focus on raptures- birds of prey that live and nest on the reservation.

THE WAH-TUT-CA EVENT:  10,000 years ago glaciers terra-formed Wah-Tut-Ca. This event created the cliffs and the rocky soil and hills of WTCSR. This project examines how that processed worked. Focus is to examine the length of time it took. We will examine geological evidence if the process occurred slowly over thousands of years, or to test the theory that a catastrophic event such as an earthquake caused the Wah-Tut-Ca Event.

THE SWAIN FARM:  In 2012 the Biosphere team discovered part of the Swain Farm was under Northwood Lake. Using our remote operated submarine we plan to look under the lake to find and map Swain farm activities.

THE STANDING STONE:  Work will continue on the Standing Stone- a granite monument that may have been placed by pre-Columbian American Indians. Other sites thought to be Native American in origin will also be examined. This work will include examinations of other stone works on Blake’s Hill.

SURFACE HYDROLOGY: In 2013 the Biosphere team will return to Hosmer A., one of NH’s largest and most significant vernal pools. Focus will be on nocturnal observations- LATE NIGHT A HOSMER A. Also under examination will be the Sagamore Brook, examining water quality and variations.

Eligibility
•            All Scouts and Scout Leaders Can Participate

Although it is not the focus of the week, many merit badge requirements will be covered during the week. As allowed by the program, additional time will be given to work on additional merit badge requirements

Schedule

Biosphere is a data-driven program. Each day we set out on a set of objectives. At night the team meets to share the results and plans the next days activities on the basis of the information collected.

Tools to accomplish goals
•            Outstanding Scientists, Research Associates and Research Fellows.
•            Advanced Laboratory and imaging equipment that no other Scout Camp has.

Objective:
To provide a safe, fun climbing program that exceeds the typical summer camp experience, through quality, certified instruction from experienced individuals, at natural and artificial rock faces.

Program Description:
            Cliffhanger is an extreme climbing program geared towards adventure and pushing your limits both physically and mentally. Throughout the week, higher, harder, and more technical routes will be presented to participants as they are ready to face their next challenge. Our highly trained and certified staff will encourage participants to learn new skills and techniques and apply them at their own pace.
Cliffhanger will start the week off at Wah-tut-Ca at the Helix and bouldering wall to refresh climbing and belaying skills, evaluate the group’s skill level, and build the team work that will be needed for the rest of the week. Cliffhanger will then move on to some off-site climbing locations to take advantage of advanced climbs at rock gyms and on natural rock faces. The last night of the week is usually spent on exploring and camping on Cliff Island. All participants can expect serious climbing, eating and sleeping from the point they put their gear in a tent, until the closing campfire Friday night.
            From bouldering walls to natural rock faces, and ascending to repelling, participation in this program will give a new perspective as you look down at all of your friends and out at the amazing views of New Hampshire.  Climb On!
*Off-site climbing adventures are subject to availability of facilities/sites to be used*

Goals:

• Provide a safe and fun experience to scouts.
• Increase scouts understanding of climbing technique, safety and opportunities.
• Challenge even experienced climbers with new and difficult projects.
• Allow opportunities for scouts to work on and or complete climbing merit badge.

Eligibility:
            Scouts ages 13 or older.

Merit Badge Incorporation:

• Although it is not the focus of the week, merit badge requirements can be accomplished
• With all of the climbing, it will be a breeze to complete your three climbs, three rappels, and 6 belays.
• Safety requirements and procedures will be covered prior to even leaving the ground.
• Our highly trained staff can do additional requirements at almost anytime.
• Additional time may be worked out as needed at the discretion of the Climbing Director and/or Program Director

Schedule
The Cliffhanger schedule will vary depending on the weather and the skill level of the participants. There are many great locations to climb in southern New Hampshire and the program will be tailored to challenge every participant. Expect 1-2 days of climbing in camp, one or more trips to local rock gyms, multiple excursions to natural rock faces, and an overnight out of camp at the end of the week.
Tools to Accomplish Goals:

• Certified, well-trained, and knowledgeable staff able to provide high quality instruction and support to climbers.
• External resources including, rock gyms, natural rock faces, and specialized equipment.

Objective:
            To provide a fun, intensive program oriented around aquatic activities.
Goals:

• Create a safe a challenging experience for each participant.
• Learn new skills and improve existing ones.
• Teach new topics and techniques beyond the usual camp experience.

Program Description:
Aquatics Extreme is an intensive aquatics-based program. Participants will take part in all of the typical Aquatics II activities (water park including the crag and trampoline, skiing, tubing and wakeboarding behind our ski boat the Red Zeppelin, canoe and kayak trips across Northwood Lake, and team games and competitions), but will also get to experience SCUBA diving, spend extended time in our 28’ whale boat, the Craig Ryder, and take part in several out of camp trips to local rivers and the sea coast.
There are so many activities available that they can’t all be done in one week so participants will be able to “choose their own adventure” to design they program that they want once they get to camp.
The program will be run by our National Camp School trained Aquatics Directors and our highly trained Aquatics Staff.
Eligibility:
            Scouts who are age 13 and above and have their Swimming Merit Badge.
Merit Badge Incorporation:

• While merit badges are not the focus of Aquatics Extreme, there typically is time during the week for some merit badge instruction.
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Tools to Accomplish Goals:

• Well-trained and experienced staff able to provide instruction and guidance to all participants.
• Large variety of Aquatics related equipment
• Off site locations offering challenges and opportunities not available at Wah-Tut-Ca

Objective

To provide a safe shooting sports program that goes beyond the usual summer camp experience through quality instruction and a variety of competitions

Program Description

Loosely based on the History Channel hit show, “Top Shot,” Top Shot: Wah-Tut-Ca is an extension of our regular shooting sports programs. Top Shot will use a high level of instruction combined with team competition to create a fun, safe environment for scouts to further their experiences with shooting sports.  Activities will include target and field archery, .22 rifles, trap or skeet shooting, and primitive marksmanship skills such using tomahawk, atl’ atl’, and slingshots.  Several out of camp trips are planned to take advantage of nearby facilities that will augment the program.
On the first day Top Shot participants will be divided into even teams and will spend the rest of the week in combination of instruction, practice, and competitions intended to teach new skills and hone existing ones. A wide variety of challenging competitions have been devised and the winners will earn points for their team. The final competition will call upon many of the skills learned during the week to earn the last few points to put one team over the top. The team with the most points at the end of the week will be named Wah-Tut-Ca’s Top Shot.
As with any shooting sports program, safety is our number one concern at Top Shot. All activities will be run in accordance with BSA guidelines and will be overseen by our National Camp School and National Rifle Association trained instructors and Range Safety Officers. None of the competitions will be based on speed, and will instead focus on accuracy, skill development, teamwork and safe handling procedures.

Goals

• Provide a safe and fun experience to participants
• Increase participants knowledge of shooting sports as a whole, as well as individual firearms, bows, and other like equipment with a focus on safety
• Allow opportunity to work on the Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting, and Archery merit badges

Eligibility

• Scouts ages 13 and older

Merit Badge incorporation

• Although it is not the focus of the week, many merit badge requirements will be covered during the week. As allowed by the program, additional time will be given to work on additional merit badge requirements

Schedule

• As with the Top Shot TV program, the day’s activities and competitions will not be known to the participants ahead of time. Any parents or leaders who would like more information on the schedule, activities, or competitions can contact info@ycc.org.

Tools to accomplish goals

• Well trained and knowledgeable staff to provide proper supervision and instruction to shooters
• External resources, such as private ranges and equipment, as necessary
•  “Experts” for professional instruction (aka police officers, sportsman’s club officials, etc.)