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 have to 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 there may be important information communicated to you for the events of the day.
    • If your group 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 or other living history presentation by reenactors portraying the lives and displaying the gear of military service members from the Revolutionary War through World War II. This program is not available every weekend. Details announced during the Friday Night Leaders Meeting.

ARCHERY:

  • To make reservations during your weekend go to: http://www.friendsoftreasureisland.org/program- options/ Click on: Archery Range Reservations.
  • Archery Secession = 1 hour.  Cost per group = $20.00 range fee plus $5.00 / shooter.  TICS Level 1 Archery Instructor provided.
  • Open Shoot: Cost per participant = $2.00 / 10 arrows.
  • Youth Camp Wide Shoot: Free!  Age groups:
    • 11-14 year old group
    • 15-18 year old group
    • One youth chosen from each group 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:

  • There is no cost to participate.
  • The throwing area is set up across from the archery range just off of 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.  However, any group can participate in the activity regardless of signing up for archery if the throwing area is not in use.

 

CANOE:

  • FTI has 15 Old Town canoes and equipment available for use to canoe near the island.
  • To make reservations during your weekend go to: http://www.friendsoftreasureisland.org/program- options/ Click on: Canoe Reservations.
  • 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 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 in order to conduct any aquatics activity.
  • A qualified/trained adult must act as “lookout” on the TI landing dock.
  • The adult lookout must account for all canoers at the end of the session.
  • Youth paddling the canoe must be swimmers.  A beginner or non-swimmer may ride in center.
  • Adult leaders are responsible to verify paddlers are qualified.
  • All participants must wear a PFD.
  • All participants must wear River Shoes.
  • No participants go south of the dock and must remain within sight of the lookout at all times.

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

SWIMMING:

  • Camping groups must follow their governing body’s policies and procedures (*) and have at minimum one qualified adult present at the activity for supervision in order to conduct any aquatics activity.
  • Swimming is permitted with qualified adult supervision only in the designated swim 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 BSA Guide to Safe Scouting.

 

FISHING WITH TREASURE ISLAND CHARTERS BY FTI:

  • 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 persons per time slot not including the Captain. 
  • Helpful if one adult, 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 bring you up river just a short distance and get you into better fishing waters.
  • Fishing trips are river condition dependent and there is no guarantee to your catch!

 

SCAVENGER HUNT:

  • 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:

  • This self-initiated, multi-point orienteering course is available throughout the day.
  • Permanent orienteering markers 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 are have maps available at camp.

GOODMAN-EDSON MUSEUM: The museum offering the largest collection of historic memorabilia east of the Mississippi River, is located 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 donation with the Director.  All donated items are tax deductible and will have good secure home with FTI.

SCOUTING HERITAGE MERIT BADGE:

  • Counselors 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:

  • Counselors available most weekends however, staff dependent.
  • The badge can be completed in a single weekend.

NATURE – meet at City Hall

  • 9:00 AM – First Class – Native Plants Class – build collection for rank requirements.
    • Can also form prep for Nature MB (#4g) (can add plant and animal walk for Tenderfoot and Second Class requirements as well, staff dependent)
  • 3:00 PM – Forestry MB (# 2 and 8) and Nature MB (#6) field requirements partial qualifying class.
  • Conservation Hours 10:00 AM and or 2:00 PM – must have leader along to supervise the project after direction and kick off.  Designed to support Life Scout 3 service hour requirement and Camping MB.

CONSERVATION PROJECTS: Saturday morning secession: 10:00AM.  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 skilled foresters 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: 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 need.  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: 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: 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: 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: Books for a self-guided tour are available on request in the Ridge Trading Post.  The TICS cannot take groups on tours unless time and work schedule permits.TICS cannot take groups on tours unless time and work schedule permits.

Still have questions? Email CampingProgramOptions@friendsoftreasureisland.org!