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Boy Scout Badges

Webelos, Tigers, Bears and Wolves

 

Lower Caving Release Form Upper Caving Release Form Climbing Release Form Boy Scout Reservation Form Webelos Reservation Form

Please Note:  All caving and merit badge programs are a 6 scout minimum. 

Classes will not be set up until 6 paid reservations are received.

WARNING

The BSA Insurance, which protects the Scout Leader, Scouts and Host Activity Provider is not valid without a Tour Permit.   (Please refer to The Guide to Safe Scouting, A Unit Leader's Guide, for current policies and procedures to safe activities.)  Therefore, if a group arrives without its Tour Permit, we cannot provide service and our No-Refund Policy will apply.

Also, please note that the waivers for Climbing, Lower Caving and Upper Caving must have the mutual consent of the parents and be signed by a parent of the scout for the scout to participate in the activity.

Boy Scout SpelunkingClimbing and RappellingBoy Scout GeologyBoy Scout ForestryWebelos Upper CavingWebelos Geology PinWebelos Forest\NaturalistTigers\Bears\Wolves
  

The Climbing and Rappelling Merit Badge

Each class has a limited number of slots for participants and adult signups may be bumped at the last minute to make way for scouts.  Programs begin at 9:15 AM and conclude at about 1:30 PM.  Release forms are required for this activity and must be signed by both the participant and their parents or guardian. Please see above for the Climbing Release Form.    

                                    Cost: participants $43 each, observers $9 each. 

The Following Requirements Must be completed before Arrival at Laurel Caverns

  • All Scouts MUST Read "The Climbing Merit Badge Book"

  • Complete requirement # 1 - First Aid and CPR

  • Complete requirement # 7a-e - Knots for Climbing and Rappelling. Scouts may be tested on the spot on their knots.

  • * Important!  Please bring signed blue card filled out for the Climbing Merit Badge.*

This program begins promptly at 9:15 AM with a two hour review, in the classroom, of the knowledge requirements.  Lunch is on your own, or with special arrangements made at time of reservation, after the scouts are finished with the actual climbing and rappelling requirements and have completed the merit badge.  Scouts must complete three rappels and three climbs in order to earn the Merit Badge.  Our staff does not issue Partials.

All instructors in the Climbing and Rappelling program are certified by the Boy Scouts of America as "Climbing Instructors" and follow the Boy Scout guidelines and requirements for High Adventure programming.  All equipment is supplied by Laurel Caverns and no experience is necessary.  Proper dress involves jeans, long sleeve shirt and shoes with a good climbing tread.  Do Not wear baggy loose fitting clothing, and long hair must be able to be secured tightly under the climbing helmet.  This is a very safe program but as with all High Adventure activities failure to follow instructions can result in serious injuries and horseplay will not be tolerated.

 Please Note: Due to high demand and limited capacity for this High Adventure activity,  reservation cancellations must be made at least two weeks prior to the reserve date to qualify for refund.   Adults do not participate in the Climbing Merit Badge, and Scouts that already have the merit badge do not participate in the Climbing Merit Badge.  A rappelling and climbing session can be scheduled before arriving to accommodate these people in your group.

 

 

Reservations can be made 12 months a year.

Tent Camping

The Laurel Caverns campground sits in the middle of our 435 acres geological park and it is exclusively reserved for scouts.  Amenities include modern restrooms with coin showers, picnic tables and fireplace rims.  Cost: $5.00 per person per night.

Tour permits are required for scout groups camping in our campground.  Because Laurel Caverns campground is for scouts only, anyone not covered by the tour permit is not permitted to camp.

Tour permits only cover scouts and registered leaders; BSA insurance does not cover siblings or other adults.

If you wish to camp with siblings, please check the links at our website for the family campground in our area.

Please keep in mind:

(1)  Lunch is not included in any of Laurel Caverns programs but arrangements can be made one week prior to your visit by calling 724-438-3003.  (2) Plan well ahead.  You do not have a reservation until we have full payment in advance and you have a written confirmation.

Please be advised that our morning programs must stay to a strict time schedule in order for our instructors to meet their afternoon programs and for the scouts who are enrolled in afternoon programs to be ready for their class.

In the climbing merit badge the lunch break varies according to the instructor's plan. In all other morning programs, the lunch break is taken from noon until 12:30 P.M. and there is not enough time for a group to return to the campground for lunch. Campers must bring their lunches with them in the morning or an adult may prepare them at the campsite and bring them down to our Visitor's Center at noon. We also have a group lunch program that is available for your convenience. For $6.50 with prior reservations, we will provide our hoagie lunch at the appropriate time.

Thank you for cooperating with this very important policy.