Fire Mountain: Programs

Click here for Summer Camp Merit Badge Sign up (on BSA council website)

New Program - Fire Mountain Boarding

Mountain boarding is an exciting program for older Scouts at Fire Mountain Scout Camp. Not a skateboard, not a snowboard, a mountain board is a 36" deck with steer-able wheels and a hand brake. Off road, fast and rugged, for adrenaline junkies looking for fun and excitement at a mile a minute. Promotional fliers are available here.

Camp Registration Form

Camp Leaders' Guide

Planning on attending a Mt. Baker Council Camp? The Camp Leader's Guide will take you through the planning process for a successful summer camp week! Download Camp Leaders' Guide 2007 (4.5 MB).

Promotional Video

The Fire Mountain Promotional Video is available at the Mt. Baker Council Office in Everett, or if you are outside the Mt. Baker Council area, you can request one by sending an e-mail to dave(AT)firemtn.org (remove obvious spam protection). You can also download the video in Windows Media Player format here: Promo Video (4.8 MGs) (LARGE FILE)

Boy Scout Camp at Fire Mountain

Information may be slightly out of date, please consult Camp Leader Guide for most current program offerings

Nestled in the forest of scenic Walker Valley, Fire Mountain Scout Camp is home to some of the finest program opportunities in the Scouting program. The Patrol is the focus of the Fire Mountain program, as all staff and programs are geared towards teaching the patrol method and strengthening the members of each patrol. Our friendly and enthusiastic staff is National Camp School certified and is anxious to make your visit the best camping experience you will ever have!

As a staff, our goal is to help provide one of the most memorable events in the lives of your Scouts. At Fire Mountain, your Scouts can spend their days hiking, swimming, exploring, shooting, boating, building crafts, mastering Scout skills, and experiencing. There will be plenty of opportunities to work on rank advancement and merit badges. Your Patrols and Troop will leave camp stronger than ever, as the focus of the camp experience is the strengthening the Patrol. They will get to know the Scouts, Venturers and adults who comprise the Fire Mountain Staff as well as Scouts from other areas. But most importantly, they will have fun and learn something about themselves.

Archery

Some of the finest Archery instruction takes place on the Fire Mountain Archery Range. The mobile archery rounds and covered shooting positions provide an excellent place for 16 people to shoot to their hearts' content. The spacious range compliments our excellent instructors' teaching abilities, providing a great program for Scouts both young and old. Each week there are special shoots, competitions, merit badge classes, one-on-one instruction, as well as just good old fashioned fun. The range provides covered instructional areas near the range and easy access to the Shotgun and 22 Range. Merit Badges offered here: Archery.

Shotgun & Black Powder Range

The Range features muzzle loading black powder rifles, as well as modern shotguns, two skeet throwers, conventional targets, and 'the bell'. Tomahawk throwing is a fun part of the program for Scouts of all ages. A veteran Scouter, who heads our entire Shooting Sports Program, Gary Falkner, staffs our range. Gary is an expert marksman as well as an excellent instructor. Merit Badges offered here include: Shotgun Shooting (black powder option), Rifle Shooting (black powder option), Shotgun Shooting (modern option).

Small-bore Rifle Range

The Gene White Range is the focus of many Scouts' attention through the summer camp experience. Here Scouts learn the importance of safety as well as the excitement of target shooting. Our range features 16 shooting positions and .22 caliber rifles. Scouts can earn the learn to shoot, merit badge, qualify for an NRA Marksman Rank, or join the Dime Club. Merit Badges offered here: Rifle Shooting.

Aquatics

Lake Challenge provides a great place for Scouts to get together with their buddies and have a great time on the water. Neighboring Big Lake offers Scouts opportunities to learn the art of waterskiing. Our Aquatic program at Fire Mountain has many layers. Our skilled staff members can teach Scouts and leaders to swim, Scouts can complete the swimming requirements for advancement in the Tenderfoot-First Class Ranks, or earn a merit badge. Snorkeling BSA certification provides a great chance for Scouts to dawn the mask and snorkel and search for the hidden treasures of Lake Challenge. BSA Lifeguard is a challenging course that is very labor and time-intensive, but prepares Scouts and adult leaders to be the aquatic leaders for their units, allowing safer, and more exciting water activities on Scout outings throughout the year. There are several very exciting events that take place during the week including (but never limited to) the Polar Bear Dip (often including Aquatic and other Staff Members taking a dip in Full Scout Uniform), and the Scout Leader Splash on Friday. Troops or Patrols can sign up with the Aquatic Staff to run their own troop boat, often under their own trained leadership. Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat training is offered to unit leaders weekly.

The Fire Mountain Boating program has become one of excellence over the last few years with the help of many boat acquisitions. The ever-famous canoe races and patrol canoe polo are often held during the week. Tour the scenic lake challenge and enjoy the beauty and fun of boating in a rowboat, canoe, sea canoe, paddleboat, kayak (13+), motorboat (13+), or sailboat (13+). Boardsailing BSA (13+) offers a great challenge for the older Scout when qualified staff is available.

Merit Badge offered here are: Swimming, Lifesaving, Rowing, Canoeing, Motorboating, Small Boat Sailing (13+), .

Ecology Conservation

Camas Lodge is the heart of The High-Tech Productions.com Nature, Science and Technology Center at Fire Mountain and is one of the busiest areas of camp. Located on a hill above beaver swamp, the environment creates a wonderful teaching ground for Scouts and leaders. Scouts are taught using creative teaching techniques that make the environmental studies exciting. Scouts can take nature hikes, perform nature experiments, and earn many nature Merit Badges.

Scouts can learn all about the wonders of space, view NASA videos, and even launch model rockets into the atmosphere. Those interested in geology and archeology will not have to go far to see, and touch all kinds of geological wonders, including a wide variety of rocks and fossils.

Merit Badges offered here include: Environmental Science, Nature, Astronomy, Fishing, Mammal Study, Fish & Wildlife Study, Soil & Water Conservation, Weather, Space Exploration, Computers, World Conservation Award.

Crafts

A wonderful area with a majestic view of Lake Challenge where Scouts young and old can enjoy the craftsmanship of their own two hands. Scouts can learn to weave baskets, work with leather, carve wood, make concrete stepping stones that can be added to the permanent walk way into the craft area, and enjoy friends and company great staff. Tie-dying and Stepping stone creation are frequently evening & Patrol program highlights. Merit Badges offered here include: Basketry, Leatherwork, Woodcarving, Art.

Outdoor Skills

Among the cedar trees of Fire Mountain one will find the opportunity to enjoy their creative thinking as they learn to survive in the wild, construct monkey bridges, build various pioneering projects and camp gadgets, and cook their own meals over hot coals. Scouts can view and construct a model campsite, learn to tie a slew of knots, and lashings from our knotty staff members. Scouts can learn to orienteer and try their abilities at a highly developed orienteering course that may challenge them. The Fire Mountain Orienteering course was developed and built by Cascade Orienteering Club of Seattle, and offers a wide variety of courses that will fit into any skill level. Merit Badges offered here include: Pioneering, Orienteering, Wilderness Survival, Camping, Fishing, Fly-fishing.

First Aid

To compliment our excellent Emergency First Aid Response, and Health lodge, the First Aid Merit Badge is taught by one of our many First Responders. We employ several American Red Cross trained Emergency Responders, one of those certified and qualified staff members will enlighten your scouts mind in the world of First Aid. Scouts learn the art of bandaging, packaging, transporting and seeking help. Scouts learn how to administer the Heimlick Maneuver, Chest trusts, Rescue Breathing and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. These skills could save your life, or the life of your family, friends and Scout troop. Merit Badge offered here is: First Aid.

Mountain Biking

The wooded areas of historic Cultus Mountain are home to the Fire Mountain Biking Adventure Program. Scouts' skills are tested to the max as they attempt trails that weave up and down the mountain slopes. Scouts build confidence within themselves as they push the envelope in search of new limits. Our Biking team will lead Scouts 13 and older and adults through rigorous trails, obstacle courses, and maintenance and safety instruction. Merit Badge offered here: Cycling (partial only) (13+)

Vocational Area

Make a tin cup for your mother, bend steel, or shape a bowl. These are just a few of the exciting things you can do at Metal Mountain. Under the watchful eye of our Metalmountain Staff, you will have the opportunity to create all kinds of things from metal. Programs include tinsmithing, rod iron work, soldering, and much more!

Merit Badges offered: Metalwork.

Golf

Imagine coming to camp, honing up on your golf skills at the 'Kit Carson driving field,' chipping golf balls into the Lake Challenge, putting your way to success, and trucking off later in the week to the Overlook Golf Course for a couple of rounds of golf before lunch. You don't have to imagine any longer. Fire Mountain is one of the few Scout Camps around that can offer the Golf Merit Badge. We have some clubs available, however you may want to bring your own so you can show your best swing to your merit badge counselor. Merit Badge offered: Golf (13+, previous experience required).

Climbing

Imagine yourself atop the beautiful 36 foot Fire Mountain Climbing Tower. Whether to earn the merit badge, learn to climb, or just for fun, a great time will be had by all at the Climbing Tower in the heart of "Downtown Fire Mountain." Our tower sports a rappelling wall, four hand-hold routes (including two overhangs), and a durango stone 'natural' side. Around the outside of the tower, Scouts of all ages can practice their bouldering skills. Merit Badge offered: Climbing (13+)

Pathfinders

If a boy has a positive camp experience, he is more likely to stay involved in the Scouting program. The longer a Scout remains in the Scouting program, the better opportunity there is for him to adopt the Scouting principles into his life. So often we see scouts who come to camp for the first time, when there is not a program structured just for him. The Pathfinder's program is a fun and exciting week-long event in which scouts set a goal to build a balista (catapult) to launch water balloons at their Scout Leaders. Throughout the week Scouts learn, practice, and play games with the many skills that are required to be able to build the balista.

Scouts learn knife and axe safety to prepare them to cut poles for the balista. They learn the first aid necessary to treat any injuries that may be caused by obtaining the poles or getting hit by water balloons, they play games and participate in relays that reinforce what they have learned. They learn knots and play games with the knots they learn, they learn to lash and finally on the last day of their participation, they lash together the balista, and launch water balloons at the Pathfinders Director, other staff members, their unit leaders who came to watch the festivities and anyone else who will stand in their way! Many requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class are learned and practiced, and Scouts go away, knowing they worked together to accomplished a goal.

John Colter Award

The John Colter Award offered at Fire Mountain is patterned after the life experiences of the famous mountain man John Colter.

As a trapper, John Colter was the first white man to travel through much of the central Rockies. In 1807 and 1808 he roamed, explored and trapped through much of the area that is now Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons.

In the summer of 1808, a party of Blackfoot Indians captured Colter and his partner. The Indians "pin-cushioned" the other man, but decided to give Colter a chance. The indians took his clothing and gave him a head start. His route took him through cactus and thorns, which turned his feed to bloody stumps. Due to his great courage, stamina, and endurance Colter kept his lead and the Indians soon fell behind. When he felt his lungs were about to burst, he noticed one brave had gained on him. Colter turned suddenly and bested the brave with his own weapons. After six miles, he reached the Madison River. There he dived into the water and hid with only his nose above the water. He lay motionless between two logs all day while the Indians searched for him. When the Indians gave up, Colter swam downstream. He struggled for seven days, eating berries and roots until finally he collapsed two hundred miles later at the gates of Fort Manuel.

Scouts who are 13 years or older may attempt to earn the highly coveted John Colter Award. The program is intense and greatly challenges the mind and body.