Welcome! This section is designed to provide answers to some commonly asked questions relating to the Scouts BSA Summer programming at Emerald Bay. If you have further questions not listed below, please contact us at [email protected]. We have broken this page down into sections for your convenience. Please click one of the links below to jump to your topic of interest.
There are a few pre-requisites required for some merit badges, including some online programming for the SCUBA merit badge, requirements 8, 9A and 9B for the Camping merit badge, and Requirements 4A and 4B of the Energy merit badge. We also ask that each participant taking any Aquatics merit badges have Swimming merit badge completed prior to coming to camp. Safety is our number one priority, and as the ocean can be unpredictable, we want every Scout to Be Prepared.
Download the Merit Badge Prerequisite Form here.
Our Merit Badges and Awards are explained in detail in the Merit Badge Guide. You may also download the Merit Badge Schedule for your Scouts to decide which merit badges they can take during which sessions. This form will help adult leaders when registering the Scouts for merit badges later online. These forms can be found on the Forms and Packets page.
The average Scout earns three to four merit badges during their week. In addition to these merit badges, Scouts will participate in a large variety of troop actvities such as snorkeling, mountain biking, a canoe overnighter, kayaking, and much, much more.
Scouts who are Open Water Certified or are earning their certification while at camp can earn the merit badge at camp. Visit the Scuba section of this FAQ for answers to more Scuba-related questions.
All SCUBA Participants must be 12 years of age or older before the week of camp.
You will be emailed merit badge sign-up information in March. Your unit must already be registered to attend camp before signing up for any merit badges.
The registration owner will be able to make changes to merit badge sign-ups. If you need help with this, please go to the Merit Badge Sign Up Instructions for the steps on how to do this.
Digital copies are available upon request. Please email your request to [email protected] for assistance.
Please email your issue to [email protected]. You will need to provide your name, the Scout’s name, troop number, council, dates the individual attended camp, and the details of the issue.
We offer both week-long and half-day Scuba opportunities at Camp Emerald Bay. Our week long programs are: PADI Open Water Certification and PADI Advanced Open Water Certification. Campers can also participate in SCUBA BSA (Discover Scuba Diving), a half-day dive program for non-certified divers, or in a variety of Discover Local Diving trips for certified divers.
The price of Scuba Certifications include the cost of eLearning, instructor time, and use of all of the gear you need to go SCUBA diving!
SCUBA BSA and Discover Local Diving are now ages 11 and up, however courses are still 12 and up.
Reference the Summer Camp Prices page to view our offerings. Once a registration has been created through Doubleknot, click the “What Are They Doing?” box to select the SCUBA activities. If someone in your unit has already signed up, work through them. Some SCUBA Activities will not be available for sign-ups until the spring.
You can also sign up for SCUBA BSA and Discover Local Diving at the Dive Locker once at camp.
The only BSA programs at Emerald Bay with specific age requirements are BSA Lifeguard (must be 14 years of age or older) and Scuba merit badge (must be 12 years of age or older). We do however have age recommendations for certain merit badges, as they tend to be more difficult either physically or mentally. A complete breakdown of these recommendations is available in our Merit Badge Guide.
Divers who are Open Water Certified can complete the coursework required for the SCUBA Merit Badge while at camp.
Participants must be able to complete the Scuba swim check and must also complete all pre-camp online coursework given by the scuba vendor. Please contact the the scuba vendor with additional questions.
SCUBA Certification program participants often spend time as a group doing some activities that are not Scuba related during the week, but please do not expect to have time to participate in any additional Merit Badges or unit activities. Participants can plan to join the unit for the Parson’s overnight, though they will hike to Parson’s late with a group and can return to camp in a canoe as long as there is room.
Yes. Provisional Scouts are welcome to participate in SCUBA Certification programs.
The official BSA Medical Form is required for all Camp participants- Download here. All SCUBA participants, in addition, also include the Diver Medical Questionnaire
We have five High Adventure Programs during the summer at Emerald Bay:
Rugged Explorers– A rugged island adventure with kayaking, canoeing, biking, snorkeling, hiking, and more! For individuals ages 14+
Rugged Canoers– A canoe trip around Catalina Island while camping on deserted beaches throughout the week. Must be age 14+
If you may be interested in other opportunities to bike, hike, or sail around Catalina Island as a crew, please contact our Camp Director at (310)-510-1795.
Reference what Rugged Programs are being offered during your stay at camp by visiting the Summer Camp Prices page. Then in Doubleknot, click the ““What are they doing?” page to sign up for Rugged Adventure activities. If you need help with this, please go to the Merit Badge Sign Up Instructions for the steps on how to do this.
When a Scout registers for the Rugged Explorers or Rugged Canoers program, he or she will stay in the High Adventure campsite, cooking and eating all meals with the other Rugged participants. They will become their own patrol, focusing on leadership and team building techniques. Don’t expect to see too much of these Scouts while they’re off learning independence and ethical decision making.
If your Scout is in either of the week-long Scuba Programs, he or she will stay in the campsite with the troop, but eat separately in accordance with the class’s dive schedule.
No, but you can earn your 50 miler award and earn advancements on rank and different merit badges that you may be working on.
Please refer to the What to Bring List,
The links have been provided above for each Rugged Adventurer Program. You may find our previous years’ rugged leaders guide on the forms and documents page.
The SPL Program begins on the Thursday before the troop is scheduled to attend camp. These three extra days of training help the SPL not only learn how to effectively lead your unit through camp, but will teach him inumerable useful skills to become an extraordinary leader. Many units have regarded this as the best program offered at Emerald Bay. We pride ourselves on our incredible staff to lead the SPLs through this life-changing experience.
The cost for the SPL program was $200.00 per participant.
The SPL program is not required for each unit, though it is highly recommended. Experience has shown that troops with the most qualified and capable SPLs have the best experiences at Emerald Bay.
We do have a Trail to First Class program. The structured program is offered during sessions one and two, and takes up both sessions. If your Scout would like to work on just a few requirements, they can stop by the Scoutcraft area any time during forth and fifth session for a drop-in program.
Scouts can sign up for the Trail to First Class program at the same time as their merit badge registration. The Scoutmaster will be emailed this information in the Spring.
Our Rangers teach the First Year Program or Trail to First Class. These are the requirements that our trail to first class program covers during the week at camp.
Please note that our staff members only instruct on these requirements, they do not sign off in the scout’s books. The scouts are meant to bring a list of requirements to their leader and demonstrate the skills to be signed off after or at the end of their week at camp.
No. While we teach most of the requirements for the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks, there are some requirements that need to be met at home. Our staff only teaches the skills needed to complete the requirements. They will not sign off the requirements in the Scout Handbooks. Scouts participating in the program will need to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities to their troop leadership in order to meet the requirements.
We offer Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, This Is Scouting, New Scoutmaster Essentials, and Introduction to Outdoor Leadership at Camp Emerald Bay. We also have computers and internet access in the Helm for Leave No Trace, Hazardous Weather, and other online trainings. Please remember that Youth Protection Training is required for all adult leaders prior to attending camp.
There is no need to sign up in advance. Just show up during the scheduled times!
Please refer to the Program Planner for a complete schedule.
Our staff will contact your local council and give them the certification information. They will then update your profile in the Scouting database. We will also provide you with certification cards either at the end of the week or by mail.
In addition to the activities outlined in the Spring Leader Packet, units will be able to sign up for troop kayaking, snorkeling, mountain biking, ultimate frisbee, troop beach cooking, and more.
Please refer to the Activity Sheet for a complete list of activities at Emerald Bay. This is also available in the Spring Leader Packet, which will be posted in the Spring.
Please look for the Special Requests Form on the Forms and Documents Section of the website.
Your SPL will sign up for all the troop activities for your unit on the first evening of camp.
War Canoe is Emerald Bay’s signature overnight experience. Your unit will canoe over to the secluded Parsons Beach on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and participate in a variety of activities throughout the day. This experience will help your troop learn to work together and grow as a unit. You will sleep under a blanket of stars on the beach and return to camp the next morning.
All of our merit badge lesson plans are designed on a four-day schedule, so you will not miss any class. Some classes, like Oceanography merit badge, may require you to attend a makeup session. Please pay close attention to your intructors’ specifications about this on the first day of class.
Adult activities can be found on the Activity Sheet and in the Spring Leader Packet.
Registration links for Summer Camp can be found on the Summer Camp Prices page of our website.
Several factors are included in determining your cost of attendance. Please refer to our pricelist to see the cost for the week you would like to attend.
Yes, you can find the Campership Application form on the Summer Camp Prices page of the website.
While we do offer some priority support to scouts from the WLACC, we do not make our support exclusive to them. Our campership awards are based on need and availability. In the past we have been fortunate enough to fulfill many out-of-council funding requests. However we cannot guarantee support at any time.
We accept campership applications all through the summer but ask that you submit applications prior to making final payment so the award can be applied to your account. If you haven’t heard back from us on the status of your award in two weeks from the date that you submitted the application, please call (818) 933-0130.
The cost of these programs are in addition to the cost of attending camp. For the price schedules and fees associated with these programs, please check out the Summer Camp Prices page of the website
Yes, travel from San Pedro to Camp Emerald Bay is included in your fee.
Yes, please fill out the Reservation Change Request form found on the Summer Camp Prices page of the website.
Refunds are reviewed by the Camping Department on a case-by-case basis. Email evidence of the request to [email protected] along with your request and we will get back to you with in two weeks. Refunds are only sent as checks back to the registration owner and may take up to 8 weeks to arrive.
Registration for our next summer season will open when our current season begins. Please check back on our website at that time for further information.
Typically the Camp Emerald Bay cancellation policy is applicable to those cancelling because of requisite summer school. However, we will evaluate these on a case by case basis. Please send any relevant documentation to [email protected] .
Unfortunately we do not accept payment by Credit or Debit Card. Our accepted methods of payments are Cash, Check, or Electronic Funds Transfer (online check).
The good news is, we take care of all of those arrangements for you. The cost of the trip to the island is included in your fees. Your only responsibility is getting to the USS Iowa parking lot on time.
The boat to camp leaves each Sunday as soon as troops are checked in and loaded up. The terminal is located at: USS Iowa, Berth 87, San Pedro, CA.
You should plan to arrive at the terminal at 6:00 a.m. to ensure proper check-in.
Participants will return to the same location no later than 11:30 am the following Saturday.
Check-in begins at 6:00 a.m.
In order to receive the boarding pass for your group you must present a passenger manifest with the names of all of your participants. Additionally, your entire account must be paid in full. We ask that groups do their best to check in only after their entire group is present. Partially checked-in groups risk leaving participants behind.
If you are flying into LAX or Long Beach, make sure your flight arrives no later than 6:00 am in order to get to the terminal on time. If you would like to fly in the night before, there are plenty of places to stay nearby and make it to the terminal in the morning. When planning your return flight plan on the 11:30 am boat arrival in San Pedro.
Shuttle services are typically the most cost-efficient way to travel from the airport. Super Shuttle has been a reliable provider in the past. You can contact them for reservations at http://www.supershuttle.com/.
The USS Iowa parking lot has plenty of parking available for $20/day.
Traveling to or from camp on days other than Sunday or Saturday requires advanced planning and will require an additional cost.
You will need to purchase a one-way trip to Two-Harbors from San Pedro if you are coming to camp, or a ticket leaving Two Harbors to San Pedro if you are leaving camp. Catalina Express has its schedule here. Once you arrive in Two Harbors, or are ready to leave camp, you must charter a shore boat to the camp through the Two Harbors Harbor Department. They work on a charter system, meaning this is the price that would be paid for either the minimum or maximum number of passengers.
2023 Two Harbors Charter Rates (One Way). Emerald Bay or Howlands Landing
♦1-6 Passengers Maximum – no gear: $108
♦1-6 Passengers Maximum – with gear: $162
♦7-22 Passengers Maximum – no gear: $270
♦7-22 Passengers Maximum – with gear: $325
To schedule a charter please call the Two Harbors Harbor Department at (310) 510.4253.
Your unit will sleep in one of our campsites, containing numerous two-man army style wall tents. Each tent contains two cots and two mattresses. In order to allow every Scout to come to camp, your unit may share a campsite with another troop. We thank you for your cooperation.
Female adult leaders do stay in the same campsite as their unit, as we can make separate accomodations for them. If you let us know one week in advance, we can make the accomodations more efficiently. Feel free to email [email protected] with any campsite concerns or updates.
You are more than welcome to let us know your campsite preference, and we will do our best to accomodate, but we do not take campsite reservations.
Distances vary based on which campsite your unit may have, but most are about a five minute walk from the beach.
We do not have cabins available for campers during the summer season.
All bathrooms have flushable toilets and are separate for adults and youth.
The showers are also separate for adult and youth, and are separated in stalls with shower curtains.
Yes. The cost of camp includes all of your meals while at Camp Emerald Bay.
Troops will have the opportunity to plan a meal menu and cook their own meals during a Unit Get Together. Additionally, units will cook their own meals over a beach campfire during the Parson’s overnight experience. Due to fire hazards, we do not allow units to have fires or cook meals in their campsites.
In addition to a salad bar at most lunches and dinners, each meal provided at Camp Emerald Bay includes a vegetarian alternative.
If notified prior to arrival, Camp Emerald Bay can accommodate many, but not all, allergies and special diets. We routinely serve meals to guests with peanut, gluten, and dairy allergies. For special requests, dietary restrictions or food allergies please fill out the Special Request Form.
We currently do not offer any upgradeable meal options at Camp Emerald Bay.
While units are welcome to bring food to keep in their campsite, we only allow food to be stored in our kitchen under special dietary circumstances and provide no access to the kitchen for cooking personal meals. We also cannot refund or discount a portion of camper fees for guests who bring their own meals.
Scouts will need a mess kit only for their Parson’s Overnight. The Emerald Bay dining hall provides plates, cups, and silverware for all in-camp meals.
Camp Emerald Bay provides meals from Sunday lunch through Saturday breakfast. For troops arriving early, please see the Transportation section of the FAQ.
We can accommodate guests with CPAP machines. Please fill out the Special Request Form before your visit so we can make sure you get a campsite close to an outlet.
Our health lodge has a refrigerator and we are happy to work with you to ensure you have access to your medication.
We ask that your adult leader take responsibility for medication. With so many people in camp we cannot take responsibility for dispensing medication.
During the summer camp is staffed by a physician who is on call 24/7. In the event that a patient needs to be transported to the hospital Baywatch (paramedics) will respond in approximately 15 minutes.
While not fully ADA accessible we are eager to work with you to make sure we can serve your needs. Please email [email protected] to help arrange your visit.
We can generally serve all food allergies, please see the Food section of the FAQ for more details.
Our staff has experience working with a wide variety of special needs campers, including those with ADD, ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, hearing loss, blindness, movement impairments, and those with other needs. We strive to serve every camper and are eager to work with you. Please email [email protected] to help arrange your visit.
During the fall or spring please call or e-mail our camping registrar at 818-933-0130 or [email protected]
During the summer please call or e-mail our camp clerk at 310-510-1795 or [email protected]
Please call 310-510-1795
Please e-mail [email protected] or call 818-933-0130
Western Los Angeles County Council Boy Scouts
Unit C-8
16525 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA 91406
There are two options we recommend:
Our sister camp, Camp Josepho, is only 40 minutes from the dock and is wonderful staging point for your trip to the islan. Visit www.campjosepho.org, or call 818-933-0130.
Many units also stay at the BSA Cabrillo Youth Center in San Pedro. They can be reached at 310-831-1984 or by visiting http://www.cabrilloyouthcamp.org/contactus.html
We recommend www.supershuttle.com
USS Iowa, Berth 87, San Pedro, CA
For USPS:
(Name of person) Troop #, Council, Session #
Camp Emerald Bay, B.S.A.
P.O. Box 5066
Avalon, CA 90704-5066
For U.P.S, DHL, and Fed Ex Air delivery for packages:
(Name of person) Troop #, Council, Session #
Camp Emerald Bay, B.S.A.
1 Cove Road
Avalon, CA 90704-5066
DUE TO PAST PROBLEMS WE RECOMMEND NO PACKAGES BE SENT USING FEDEX GROUND.
Note: Mail sent to Catalina Island by U.S. Postal Service, including Express Mail, takes 1-2 days longer than normal. For faster service please use UPS or FedEx Air