Scouting Weekend at Red Gate Farm

Scout groups are invited to Red Gate Farm for farm adventure, learning, and advancement. Program offerings include merit badge work, land navigation, and service projects. During their stay, Scouts also learn leadership skills and build on their teamwork abilities.

Program Director
Ben Murray is Red Gate Farm's founder and Farm Director. An Eagle Scout, Ben has been active in scouting for over thirty years. He is a qualified merit badge counselor, avid fan of the outdoors, and believes in the power of leadership and teamwork. Certified to teach secondary school, Ben has been teaching and working with students and scouts for over twenty years.

Courses we have offered:

BSA Animal Science Merit Badge
Focus on poultry, but includes other farm animals. Work includes classroom sessions, practical field work and specific project work outside. Successful completion earns a merit badge.
Animal Science merit badge information and RGF resources

BSA Farm Mechanics Merit Badge - not currently available.
Scouts work on small equipment in the farm shop. Work includes classroom sessions, a short field trip and specific equipment maintenance practicals. Successful completion earns a merit badge.

Land Navigation
Scouts work in groups to train for land navigation. Skills include using topographic maps, compass navigation, basic gps use, 2-way radio communication, teamwork, and pacing and distance measuring. Program culminates with a orienteering course that uses all the learned skills.

Farm Work Projects
Scouts help with current farm work or events under the direction of our farmer-educators. Past work has included building a group campsite area, making maple syrup, helping with the farm's Halloween Party, and construction of a class observation dock at the farm pond. Focus is on practical skills, but also on leadership and teamwork.

Please note that only one course can be offered per visit. For scout groups planning to return to the farm on a regular basis, it is highly recommended to do a rotation of courses to offer different programs for returning scouts. Girl Scout badges are also supported and taught upon request!

Cost of Weekend Program

• $30 per scout
• there is no charge for adults
• there is a minimum fee of $360
• the maximum number of scouts and adults is 48

Lodging
The Farm has a new program building which contains a large community kitchen and large furnished dining hall. The Roost is an adjacent building with 11 bedrooms furnished with bunks for up to 48 guests. Bathrooms and showers are provided as well. Please note: guests should bring their own bedding, pillows and stuffed animals!

Outdoor space for tenting and cooking (stoves only) can also be arranged. Groups may use kitchen equipment which includes pans, limited refrigeration space, cooking gear, plates, cups, eating utensils, etc. Farm meals prepared by our staff are also offered for an additional fee.

Leave no-trace visits
Red Gate Farm is a strong proponent of sustainable camping and living. We provide recycling bins and disposal for plastic and metal containers, plastic bags, and clean cardboard and paper. Additionally, scouts will be able to collect their food compost (no meat or dairy) and add it to the farm's compost pile. The Farm will provide and dispose of one trash bag for general trash and debris. Additional trash should be packed out by the group. In an effort to reduce plastic waste, we ask that groups please do not bring store-bought water. Our tap water is high quality and delicious, and we can even provide your group with loaner water bottles if you need them.

What to bring
In addition to sleeping items listed above, scouts and leaders should dress for work and play outside in all weather. Bring changes of clothing that can get dirty, and wear sneakers or boots for farm activities.

Technology
In keeping with our low-tech policy, we ask that groups restrict their use of smartphones, earphones and other tech to personal time while at the farm. Limited use of smartphones for photographs only during program time is okay. The farm does not have cell phone reception and wifi access is restricted to adults and staff. The farm office and phone is available at any time for use by adults upon request.

Farm products
Visiting groups are welcome to purchase farm products for their group cooking, or for taking home. We usually have maple syrup, honey, pork, lamb and eggs available. A general price sheet is included below. If you are planning to purchase food for your group to use during your stay, please contact the farm ahead of time to ensure we have appropriate supplies and can reserve them for you.

General Weekend Schedule (times are approximate)

Friday

• scout group arrives after 7:30pm
• welcome to the building, short conference with scout leaders and adult leaders and general introductions to group, and short walk/tour of farm area if time allows

Saturday

• farm chores around 7:30am with the farmers, followed by breakfast time
• 9:30am - 12pm Program Block 1, followed by lunch
• 1pm - 4pm Program Block 2 followed by farm chores, dinner, and free time
• 7pm - 8:30pm Evening program

Sunday

• farm chores, followed by packing up, breakfast, and clean-up. Departure around 9:30 - 10am.