Mark your calendars! Summer camp dates have been set! Summer camp, by vote of the boys, this year, will be at the Pony Express Council’s Camp Geiger, in Saint Joseph, Missouri, again, this year, July 17-23. Some of the highlights of Camp Geiger include an award-winning NRA Shooting Range for Rifle, Shotgun, and Archery, complete with National Shooting Competitions. Senior campers (think Smokies) will also have the opportunity to throw knives, hatchets, tomahawks, and shoot black powder rifles. Younger campers (think first year Scouts) will have a special program to help them work through Scouting Skills essential to obtaining First Class… Swimming is in a pool – Mile Swim practices on Monday and Tuesday morning, with the Mile Swim, itself, on Wednesday Morning. Meals are served in the camp’s large dining hall, and are fantastic. Mom, don’t be surprised if your Scout comes home looking like he put a few pounds on!
Then, there’s the Tribe of Mic-O-Say… Scouts who are of Advanced rank 
(Star and above), as well as leaders, who have attended at least two summer camp sessions, previously (this will be their third), may qualify for tapping into the Tribe. Membership is granted by the Tribal Council. No troop elections are held. Those who would ordinarily qualify for election into the Order of the Arrow, will still be eligible. NOW is the time to check the Troop 501 Advancement System, to ensure that your information is CORRECT, and Up-To-Date…
The Tribe of Mic-O-Say is the honor camping society of Camp Geiger. Its ceremonies, customs and traditions are based on the folklore of the Native American. The heritage of the Native American is largely religious in nature, and it is not the purpose of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say to copy in any way their philosophy or lifestyle through the use of public or private ceremonies or public appearances. Rather, by blending the spirit and pride of the Native American with the ideals and objectives of the Boy Scouts of America, the Tribe of Mic-O-Say endeavors to prolong the Scouting adventure with a historical theme that has held the attention and captured the imagination of young men and adults alike for many generations.
The purpose of Mic-O-Say is to reinforce the principles of the Scout Oath and Law, and to encourage continued participation in Scouting. Mic-O-Say Membership is conferred upon Scouts who participate in long-term camping on the Camp Geiger Reservation and who best exemplify progress in their leadership skills. Membership is also given adult Scouters who meet specified qualifications. To be eligible for Mic-O-Say membership, a Scout must be an Honor Camper. He must be a seasoned, experienced Camper. He must have proven his leadership ability by his work in his Scouting unit and his community. He must be mature in thought and deed and be capable of understanding obligations as a Tribesman. Each boy is judged on his own merit by the Tribal Council of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Some of the criteria considered are these:
- Is the Scout active in his Scout Unit?
- Has the Scout demonstrated his leadership abilities with younger Scouts?
- Has the Scout held positions of responsibility in the unit?
- Does the Scout live by the Scout Oath and Law?
- Does the Scout set a good example for other Scouts?
- Has the Scout achieved an upper rank?
- Has the Scout completed a grade of schooling which implies an ability to understand his obligation to the Scout Oath and Law?
- Is the Scout a long-term Camper?
With these high standards in mind, Leaders should explain to young, Non-Tribesmen that any boy can become a member of Mic-O-Say at any time–the real qualifications for membership are advancement in Scout Rank, and being a true leader of younger Scouts. Do not tell young Scouts that they must be a certain age or Rank to become a member, for it simply isn’t true. Let every young man attend our Tapping Ceremony with high hopes.
The cost for summer camp, this year, is $262 for Scouts registered by April 1, 2016, and $188 for leaders registered by April 1, 2016.
This is going to be a GREAT summer!!!
Before you know it, July 17 will be here, and it will be time to leave for summer camp… It is going to be a blast… in more ways than one!!! With a multi-million dollar NRA shooting sports complex, and a national NRA shooting competition, there are plenty of activities for shooting enthusiasts! If that weren’t enough, there are plenty of programs for new Scouts, as well as older, more experienced Scouts and leaders. And, then, there’s the Mic-O-Say tapping. To help everyone get excited about camp, we have posted a couple of videos:
A little Mess Hall fun:
Let’s Make A Mess Hall Deal:
Shooting Trap at the Geiger Shooting Complex:
Building the Mic-O-Say Tap-Out Fire (notice how HUGE it is):
Mic-O-Say Tapping:
