Aquatics

Camp Mattatuck is home to one of the most unique waterfront facilities in the country. Since we are fortunate enough to have a lake completely to ourselves, we have split the waterfront in half, with the swimming and boating areas on opposite ends of our lake, Lake Kenosha. This gives us effective use of the area and allows our staff to teach a variety of merit badges. This includes merit badges such as swimming (Eagle required) or whitewater. A full list of offered merit badges can be found in the 2007 Summer Program Guide.

At our swimming side of the waterfront, Scouts are instructed in the safe and proper swimming techniques. Lifesaving, snorkeling, diving and water polo are also popular activities along with the Snorkeling BSA and Lifeguard BSA programs. Additionally, sailboats are available for swimmers after a short orientation. Every morning campers come down to the swimming side for a half hour of instructional swimming where they will work on physical fitness or improving their swimming strokes. In the afternoon, merit badges are taught between 1:00 and 4:00 and then immediately followed by and hour of open swimming. In the evening we offer troop water polo as well as a dive competition on Thursday nights on our two diving boards.

On the boating side rowboats, canoes, funyaks, sandpipers and kayaks are very popular and attract large daily crowds. There’s a ton to do at the waterfront, whether it’s learning how to use a sliding-seat row boat, or mastering the J-stroke, there is always something new to experience. In the morning, troops can come for instructional boating, which is then followed by instructional swimming. At boating, campers can learn to effectively use rowboats, canoes, or kayaks. After lunch, merit badges are taught from 1:00 – 4:00 and then followed by an hour of open boating. In the evening, there is open boating from 6:45 – 7:30 which is followed by troop boating between 7:30 – 8:00.

Remember Scoutmasters, this isn’t just for youths; there’s lots of great things for you to do at the waterfront too!