Camping Program Options

FTI PROGRAM:

We offer a mini-summer camp program during your weekend. In fact, there is so much to do and see you must plan your activities to reduce scheduling conflicts.

MORNING AND EVENING COLORS:

  • Morning Colors:
  • Saturday morning at TBA.
  • Please arrive on time to participate.
  • Attendance is highly encouraged as we communicate essential information to you for the events of the day.
  • If your unit would like to volunteer for color guard, please see the Program Director or Camp Director at the Friday evening leaders meeting.
  • Evening Colors:
  • Saturday evening at TBA.
  • Please arrive on time to participate.
  • Attendance is highly encouraged.
  • If your group would like to volunteer for color guard, please see the Program Director or Camp Director at the Friday evening leaders meeting or during the day on Saturday.

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) Program: We try to get SMEs to come to TI and do informative and interactive presentations. If you are lucky enough to be camping when this program is available, you may have the chance to experience a Lenape. This program is not available every weekend. Details announced during the Friday Night Leaders Meeting.

ARCHERY: TICS RUN PROGRAM – Level 1 Archery Instructor provided.

  • Make reservations: Archery Reservations
  • Archery Secession, 1 hour. Cost per unit, $20.00 range fee plus $5.00/shooter.
  • Open Shoot: Cost per participant = $2.00 / 10 arrows.
  • Youth Camp Wide Shoot: Free! Age groups: 11–14-year-olds and 15–18-year-olds.
  • One youth chosen from each unit for each age bracket.
  • Winners receive TI Archer Award patches.
  • Adult Camp Wide Shoot: Cost per participant, $5.00
  • All fees must be paid on the island by cash, check, or credit card.
  • Archers earning a bullseye 🎯 receive an “I shot the Bull with Hank & Frank” patch.

Additional special archery programs include:

  • Ace Archer: Awarded to the best of the best youth archer(s) during a camping weekend as part of a camp-wide shooting session.
  • Black Border Bullseye: Available for purchase at the Trading Post by those youth who have shot a bullseye and a score of 25 points or more (5 arrows) on a single target.
  • Gold Border Bullseye: Also available for purchase at the Trading Post by those youth who have scored 40 points or more (5 arrows) on a single target.
  • I Shot the Bull with Hank & Frank: Awarded to adult archers who hit the bullseye during a camping weekend as part of a camp-wide shooting session.

AX/KNIFE THROWING: UNIT RUN PROGRAM

  • There is no cost to participate.
  • The throwing area is set up across from the archery range just off the parade field.
  • Requires a unit adult to sign out Axes/Knives from the archery range and supervise the activity.
  • Runs concurrently with a group’s archery secession, as a large group may not be able to get all their members shooting at the same time.
  • Any group can participate in the activity regardless of signing up for archery if the throwing area is not in use.

CANOE: UNIT RUN PROGRAM

  • FTI has 15 Old Town canoes and equipment available for use.
  • Make reservations: Canoe Around TI!
  • Canoe Rental is $10.00 per/hour per/canoe. Groups must schedule canoeing in advance, so we reserve enough for use.
  • All rental fees must be paid on the island by cash, check, or credit card.
  • Canoe rentals are subject to weather and river conditions and will be decided on the day of the rental.
  • Canoes are stored in the back of the Dining Hall and taken through the Boat House area to the river.

CANOE SAFETY:

  • Camping groups must follow their governing body’s policies and procedures (*) and have at minimum one qualified adult present at the activity for supervision to conduct any aquatics activity.
  • A qualified/trained adult must act as “lookout” either as a canoe participant or at canoe launch and landing area.
  • The adult lookout must account for all canoers at the end of the session.
  • Adult leaders are responsible for verifying paddlers who are qualified.
  • Youth paddling the canoe must be swimmers.
  • Non-swimmers must be in a canoe with a proficient adult paddler.
  • All participants must wear an appropriately sized PFD and river shoes.
  • All participants must stay north of the TI landing dock and must always remain within sight of the lookout.

(*) Scouting America units must follow the Guide to Safe Scouting; Cub Scouts are not eligible for canoeing on moving water such as the Delaware River.

SWIMMING: UNIT RUN PROGRAM

  • Camping groups must follow their governing body’s policies and procedures (*) and have at minimum one qualified adult present at the activity for supervision to conduct any aquatics activity.
  • Swimming is permitted with qualified adult supervision only in the designated swimming area near the TI docks.
  • NO BARE FEET! RIVER SHOES MUST BE WORN (ANY TYPE OF CLOSED TOE FOOTWEAR). NO EXCEPTIONS.

(*) Scouting America units must follow the Guide to Safe Scouting.

FISHING WITH TREASURE ISLAND CHARTERS BY FTI: TICS RUN PROGRAM

  • Climb aboard the barge for a one-hour fishing excursion with our qualified Captain and fishing guide.
  • Available on Saturdays-8:00-9:00 am and 9:00-10:00 am.
  • Sign up will be at Friday night leaders meeting or immediately after morning colors on Saturday.
  • Cost is $5/youth.
  • 12 people per time slot, Captain not included.
  • Helpful if one adult, at no charge, comes aboard to help and provide 2-deep leadership.
  • You can bring your own fishing poles/tackle or use one of ours.
  • We will take you up the river just a short distance and get you into better fishing waters.
  • Fishing trips are river conditions dependent and there is no guarantee to catch fish!

SCAVENGER HUNT: SCOUT

  • Have fun exploring the island while on a camp wide scavenger hunt.
  • Get a taste of the island’s history, meet the staff, and maybe complete some rank requirements.
  • Complete any 10 of the 14 finds, post to Instagram #friendsoftreasureisland, have a staff member validate your finds, and win a prize!
  • You will be recognized at the Saturday night campfire.
  • Scavenger Hunt instructions can be picked up at the Ridge Trading Post.

ORIENTEERING COURSE PROGRAM: SCOUT

  • This self-initiated, multi-point orienteering course is available throughout the day.
  • Permanent orienteering markers are located on prominent landmarks as well as off-trail.
  • Bring their own compass but we may have some loaner compasses if needed.
  • Please pick up maps with instructions from the TICS at the Pavilion on the Parade Ground.
  • We have maps available at camp.

GOODMAN-EDSON MUSEUM: The museum offers the largest collection of historic memorabilia east of the Mississippi River, is in Unami Lodge. It holds a plethora of “treasures” from patches to long forgotten items used on TI. Open during the hours shown in the Treasure Island Camp Program Schedule (above), youth can take advantage of this opportunity to meet our Museum Director to see and hear about our vast collection. If you’d like to donate any memorabilia to the museum, bring it with you and discuss your donations with the Director. All donated items are tax deductible and will have good secure home with FTI.

SCOUTING HERITAGE MERIT BADGE: TICS RUN PROGRAM

  • Counselors are available most weekends, however, staff dependent.
  • The badge cannot be completed in a single weekend, but our counselors can work with youth virtually to complete the requirements.
  • You are welcome to come up for the day any time during one of our scheduled camping weekends to complete the badge.

FINGERPRINTING MERIT BADGE: TICS RUN PROGRAM

  • Counselors are available most weekends, however, staff dependent.
  • The badge can be completed in camp.

NATURE: TICS RUN PROGRAM

  • Meet at City Hall at 9:00 AM –Second Class Wildlife Identification or 10:00 AM – First Class – identify /show evidence of 10 native plants.
  • Conservation Hours 11:00 AM and or 2:00 PM – must have leader along to supervise the project after direction and kick off.

CONSERVATION PROJECTS: TICS RUN PROGRAM

Saturday morning secession: 11:00AM. Saturday afternoon secession: 2:00 PM. Details provided at the Friday night leaders meeting. See Nature program. The FTI Camp Staff conducts service projects safely with adult oversight. Please coordinate with the TICS to fill your Scouts rank requirements needs.  Our staff work with your youth to explain and teach about why the project is important, so the project is much more than just work. Materials and tools are on site unless we put out a request for special tools. Boots for conservation projects a MUST. Bring work gloves and all the energy you can muster.

SERVICE PROJECTS: TICS RUN PROGRAM

Saturday morning secession: 8:30AM – 11:30AM. Saturday afternoon secession: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM. Details provided at the Friday night leaders meeting. The FTI Camp Staff conducts service projects safely with adult oversight. We have project opportunities that suit all ages and skill levels. You determine how many hours you want to put into the project. Please coordinate with the TICS and we will work with you to fill your needs. Materials and tools are on site unless we put out a request for special tools. Boots for service projects a MUST. Bring work gloves and all the energy you can muster.

GAGA Pit: SCOUT

Gaga is a fast paced, high-energy sport played in an octagonal pit. The more players the better! Dubbed a kinder gentler version of dodge ball, the game is played with a soft foam ball, and combines the skills of dodging, striking, running, and jumping, while trying to hit opponents with a ball below the knees. Players need to keep moving to avoid getting hit by the ball. Fun and easy, everyone gets a serious workout.

SATURDAY NIGHT FUN CAMPFIRE: TICS RUN PROGRAM

A camp wide campfire is held every Saturday evening. Attendance and participation are highly recommended.  This is the icing on the cake for your weekend. The campfire is an experience you will never forget with skits and songs from campers and staff.  Fun, fellowship, and an all-out good time. Held rain or shine! If rain, the location is the Dining Hall.

SUNDAY MORNING POLAR PEEPER PLUNGE: TICS RUN PROGRAM

Join the Treasure Island Camp Staff in a new Sunday morning tradition! Come to the beach by the TI docks at 6:30am on Sunday morning to enjoy a quick dip in the cool refreshing waters of the mighty Delaware. All participants will receive a Polar Peeper Plunge souvenir.

SELF-GUIDED TOUR: UNIT RUN PROGRAM or SCOUT

Books for a self-guided tour are available on request in the Ridge Trading Post.

Still have questions? Email CampingProgramOptions@friendsoftreasureisland.org!