Information For All Troops
This is a troop event, not a family event. All attendees must be registered with either Trail Life or American Heritage Girls (depending on the weekend they take part in).
Adults are asked to volunteer for a variety of positions including manning the stations during the night. See the Adult Volunteer Information page for more details.
Everyone is expected to be quiet during the night event and to avoid walking through campsites. People are sleeping (non-participating youth & adults). (Obviously, it’ll be difficult to avoid at night, but try to avoid walking through campsites.)
Rules and Guidelines: All troop should review the Camp Aiken Rules with their youth to ensure that the rules are followed. This includes the rule of a 3-person buddy system.
Payment for the event can be made via PayPal, check (mailed or hand delivered) or cash (hand delivered). We would prefer for payment to be made prior to the event but you can pay on arrival.
Troops are responsible for maintaining 2-deep leadership throughout the weekend at their campsite.
Troops are responsible for providing FOOD and LODGING. The event fee covers the cost of the campground, supplies for the event, an event patch for every participating youth and adult.
Troops are expected to treat the property with respect and to assist in keeping the common areas clean. Don’t use or play with Night Ops equipment. Do not clog the toilets, throw trash where it doesn’t belong, etc.
If you have questions or concerns, you should contact Beth Wright, the event coordinator, via the contact form on this website or via the information you may otherwise have.
Weekend Schedule
This is the general schedule that is subject to change.
Friday
Troops may start arriving in the afternoon. You must let us know when you are arriving.
All patrols must check-in at the Command Tent to get their event packet, patrol number, provide their patrol name and other essential information. Patrols must complete their maps before they are cleared to begin the event.
(8:00 pm) All patrols and adults should plan on gathering in the general area of the command tent by 8:00 PM (unless otherwise noted) so that we can get started.
(9pm roughly) Adult volunteers are sent out first after receiving instructions.
(10pm roughly) Final instructions are given to patrols before being sent out.
Note: patrols who have not completed the map requirement are held back until they have finished the map. Their time does not start until they finish the map.
Saturday
(3am) The last patrols return to the command tent to check-out before heading to bed.
(11am) – Award/Debriefing ceremony at the bonfire pit. Patrols must be present to win.
(12/noon) Departure
Additional events may be added as they become available. We are open to volunteers organizing service projects or other events on Saturday afternoon.
Troops can stay the weekend or they can leave after the award ceremony.
For health & safety, no one may leave the camp until 7am Saturday morning.
In order to win awards, patrols must stay for the award/debriefing ceremony.
Sunday
All troops should be packed up and out by noon.
Campsite, Facilities & Bathrooms
Your troop will be assigned to a campsite based on the information you provide us concerning how many individual are coming and whether you prefer hammock camping, tent camping or a mix.
Bathrooms:
- Porta-johns/Port-a-potties are located near all campsites; these can be used by anyone.
- The Gym has bathrooms for adult men/women (depending on the weekend) and bathrooms and showers for youth.
- The Gym Apartment and Leadership Lodge is off limits (except to Night Ops Advance Staff Members).
Gym:
- Treat the property with respect. Don’t break things. Clean up after yourself and others. Leave it better than you found it.