Boy Scouts of America® Mason-Dixon Council

Scouts BSA Resident Camp

For six weeks during the summer months, Scouts and Scouters from the Mason-Dixon Council and several surrounding councils in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, make the hidden gem of Sinoquipe Scout Reservation home. All ages within the Scouts BSA program can find opportunities to excel from the First Year Camper (Lakusin) program to the Sinoquipe Mountain Man high adventure program for Scouts 15 and over. The total number of Scouts attending camp each week has been limited to 225 so that each Scout can benefit more from the smaller class size.

During the summer Scouts are housed in one of Camp Sinoquipe’s 14 campsites, each with running water, a washstand and latrine, which vary in size to accommodate 16 to 60 campers on tent platforms.

2020 Leaders Guide

2019 Appendix: (2020 coming soon) Payment tracking, medication forms, Horsemanship release, pre-camp Swim testing, Health Assessment form A,B & C

2020 Parents Guide

2020 SPL Guide

Every Friday night is family night at Camp Sinoquipe, when parents and family members are invited to join their Scouts for fellowship and fun after 5 p.m. The troops will be cooking in their campsite and if you wish to eat with your troop please make prior arrangements prior to arriving at camp. All visitors are invited to attend the closing Campfire which includes a grand performance by the Potamac Dancers from Venture Crew 2 of Hagerstown, Maryland. They give a great display of Native American dancing in beautiful authentic attire made by the dancers themselves. Guneukitschik Lodge #317, Order of the Arrow (OA) call outs are also conducted at this campfire program.

Program Opportunities

The technology center, the water front, a new rifle range along with shotgun and archery ranges, ecology lodge, Scout craft area, high and low COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) course with a climbing and rappelling tower, provide Scouts with everything they need to earn some of the over 50 merit badges offered at Camp Sinoquipe during the summer months. 

LAKUSIN (to climb higher) is a program designed to take the First Year Camper experience to the next level. The program is designed for new Scouts and those attending a summer camp for the first time. Participants in the program have the opportunity to work on rank skills focusing on the seven core groups – Scout Spirit, Camping and Hiking, First Aid, Handicraft, Nature, Totin’ Chip / Firem’n Chit, and Rope Work – as well as merit badges. 

SINOQUIPE MOUNTAIN MAN, a high adventure program for Scouts 15 and older, tests your skills as Scouts live for a week at a wilderness outpost, tucked away in the mountainous terrain at of Fulton County, Pennsylvania at Camp Sinoquipe. Using the principles of team work and the skills Scouts bring to the experience, the Mountain Man program will teach Scouts new skills, develop leadership skills, and a sense of self-reliance and discipline. With a motivated staff and unique events, the Scout will recognize the program as different than any program they’ve participated in before.

During the week, Scouts will sleep at the Blue Hole outpost in primitive shelters like those used by mountain men across America and prepare meals over a campfire or in Dutch ovens. Scouts expand upon skills provided in a traditional summer camp experience, while having an opportunity to fulfill various lifestyle-based merit badges at outpost. Scouts in the program also participate in tomahawk throwing, black powder shooting, and blacksmithing, among other activities. 

SPECIALTY WEEK takes place during week seven of camp, which focuses on the NYLT program, for those Scouts aspiring to be great leaders in their Troop, and who want to participate in an excellent leadership development course.

Spirit Day

Merit badges break midweek on Wednesday for Spirit Day! On Wednesday Scouts and Scouters will not be attending badges, or sessions of any kind, instead they will have the opportunity to participate in fun and games, which range from field sports, waterfront activities, open ranges, Troop/Patrol competitions and many more. Troops dress in themes, chosen by each individual unit, during Spirit Day. Just about any theme is a valid theme – television show, movie, color, sports team, etc. – however, please avoid inappropriate or questionable concepts. As troops participate in activities throughout the day, Scouts and Scouters earn points. It doesn’t matter how large your troop is, or if you won a game or not, you’ll still be able to win points, and have a chance at winning the Spirit Award. Essentially, if you’re having fun, then you’ll get points! After dinner Camp will hold the annual Metschitshank Shenanigans. This will be a time to get last minute big points for your troop in the way of a skit, song, or cheer. Larger troops will have the opportunity to put on a few extra performances so have plenty of ideas in your head. The Spirit Award will be given to the troop who gains the most points during Spirit Day throughout the various contests and events. The winner of the Spirit Award not only gets bragging rights, but will get their troop number added to the spirit trophy and a secret prize.

Amenities

Camp Sinoquipe offers more than just a great program. Meals are served in an air-conditioned modern Mike Callas Memorial Dining Hall, whose front porch overlooks the camp's ten acre lake. Camp offers three shower houses - north, central and south - for the comfort of campers. If campers forget something, want a souviener, or would like ice cream or slushies to cool down with, camp's well-stocked trading post offers all that, and more. The trading post is located in the Edward and Pauline Anderson Administration Building, which also holds the health lodge, a leaders' lounge with wi-fi, and administrative offices, to help make for a comfortable Scouting experience. 

Campers will also find time to enjoy Camp Sinoquipe's two ga-ga ball pits, 9-hole frisbee golf course, action-archery range, 3-D archery range, mountain boards, mountain biking trail, and non-regulation basketball court. 

2020 Mountain Man Schedule & Availability

Week 1 – June 21^st – 27^th
Week 2 – June 28^th – July 4^th
Week 3 – July 5^th – 11^th
Week 4 – July 12^th – 18^th
Week 5 – July 19^th – 25^th
Week 6 – July 26^th – August 1^st

Mountain Man is booked on a first come, first served basis as space is limited.  The above availability numbers are current.

2020 Camp Schedule & Availability

Week 1 – June 21^st – 27^{th    PLEASE CALL!}
Week 2 – June 28^th – July 4^{th  PLEASE CALL!}
Week 3 – July 5^th – 11^th
Week 4 – July 12^th – 18^{th  PLEASE CALL!}
Week 5 – July 19^th – 25^{th  PLEASE CALL!}
Week 6 – July 26^th – August 1^st