Centennial Camporee

Taking part in the camporee program is for registered Webelos and Scouts BSA. The Scoutcraft rotations, relay, and campfire are for registered participants, who sign up through their unit. Everyone else is welcome during the day — Scout families, Troop 1 alumni, and the whole Mendon community — to enjoy the town’s historical and public-safety exhibits, free and with no registration.

Overnight camping is limited to Webelos and Scouts BSA, in keeping with BSA national guidelines.

Current planning estimates around 300 youth and adults participating over the holiday weekend.

Registration is $50 per Scout at the early rate through August 2, 2026, then $55 from August 3 until registration closes on September 25, 2026. Rates are set and payment is processed by Mayflower Council. On site we provide potable water (arrive with about 5 gallons per unit to start), bathrooms, handwashing stations, and first aid. Public day visits to view the historical & public-safety exhibits are free (no registration). View registration details.

Registration and payment are handled through Mayflower Council’s online system. Units register together — sign up your Webelos / Arrow of Light and Scouts BSA members through your unit. Register early: the rate is $50 per Scout through August 2, then $55, and registration closes September 25, 2026. See the Register page for full details and the link.

Yes — a pre-camp information session for unit leaders will be held in September 2026 (date and format to be announced). We’ll cover check-in, the schedule, and safety and emergency procedures, and answer your questions. Watch the homepage updates and the Leader Guide for the confirmed date.

Yes. The Sunday demonstration morning (10:30 AM–12:30 PM) is open to the whole community — free, with no registration: town historical and public-safety exhibits, including Mendon Police K9 demonstrations, Fire Department and National Grid safety displays, the Mendon Historical Society’s Mendon Resolves reenactment, orienteering, and mushroom identification.

The Saturday Scout program — Scoutcraft rotations, the relay, and the evening campfire — is part of the camporee for registered Webelos and Scouts BSA; to take part, even for a single day, sign up through your unit on the Register page.

Day visitors enjoy the exhibits and activities in the designated community zones. The Scout camping areas are kept separate and off-limits to the public — clearly marked and managed by our volunteer corps — so the two areas stay distinct all weekend.

Parking is at 98 Inman Hill Road, Mendon, MA 01756 (follow event signage) — the primary overnight lot. Food is available for purchase on site.

Backpacking troops hike in on Friday night and camp in the designated backpacking area for the full weekend. Space is limited and requires early, special registration — contact us before spots fill.

Final hike-in routes are confirmed with the committee in June 2026. Until then, Henry P. Clough Elementary School, Quisset Road, Daniels Farm, Hop Brook, and other trailheads are suggestions for planning only. Troops should travel light with everything needed for the full weekend (pack-in / pack-out, Leave No Trace).

Contact us to inquire about backpacking availability.

Inman Hill in Mendon, Massachusetts. View the event location map. Primary event and overnight parking is at 98 Inman Hill Road. Henry P. Clough Elementary School and Miscoe Hill Middle School are approved for alternate or backpacking vehicle parking when coordinated with the committee (see Camper Resources).

Campfires and open flames are only allowed in portable fire pits. No ground fires. All fires are subject to approval that weekend by the Mendon Fire Department Chief. In overly dry conditions we may need to run a fireless weekend — the event will go on either way; we're asking Akela and Baloo to deliver us good weather.

Leave No Trace applies throughout the event; camp only in assigned zones. Full rules are on Camper Resources → Event Rules. For exceptions (e.g., ceremonial fires), contact the 1926 Committee in advance.

Yes — from two sources running all weekend:

• Lions Club: Snack bar open Saturday 10:30 AM–2:30 PM. A Sunday breakfast option is also available from the Lions Club.
• Troop 1 Trading Post: Grab-and-go snacks and candy available for purchase all weekend long.

Units are responsible for their own breakfasts and dinners, prepared at their campsites. Keep cold food below 40°F, cook to safe temperatures, and wash hands and surfaces before and after handling food. Store all food and scented items sealed and away from tents so you don’t attract animals, and carry your trash to the marked collection points (Leave No Trace). Bringing special-diet or allergy-safe food? Pack your own — and note allergies at registration.

Camping Essentials

• Tent (with ground cloth/footprint)
• Sleeping bag (rated for 30–40°F — October nights in New England)
• Sleeping pad
• Portable fire pit (ground fires not permitted)

Clothing & Personal Gear

• Scout uniform (Class A for ceremonies; Class B for activities)
• Rain gear (jacket and pants)
• Warm layers (fleece, wool, or synthetic — avoid cotton)
• Sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots
• Hat and gloves (fall mornings can be cold)
• Change of clothes

Food & Water

• Mess kit (plate, bowl, cup, utensils)
• Water bottle (refillable, at least 1 liter)
• Troop meals and cooking supplies for breakfasts and dinners
• Snacks (Lions Club snack bar Saturday + Sunday; Troop 1 Trading Post open all weekend)

Day Pack for Activities

• Small backpack or day pack
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Personal medications
• Notebook and pencil
• Compass (for orienteering station)

Extras

• Flashlight or headlamp (with extra batteries)
• Patches for trading
• Camp chair (optional)
• Camera

What NOT to bring: Firearms, fireworks, alcohol, or anything that violates BSA policy. Leave valuables and unnecessary electronics at home. Ground fires and open flames outside portable fire pits are not permitted.

Backpacking troops: pack light — you carry everything in and out. See registration for backpacker requirements.

The event runs rain or shine — it's a Scout campout! Pack rain gear and expect some New England fall weather. Programming may shift for safety during severe weather; updates go to registered unit leaders at headquarters. See the Emergency Action Plan.

Refunds: cancellation and refund terms are set by Mayflower Council and shown during checkout on the registration site. Registration closes September 25, 2026.

Event cancellation: The camporee runs rain or shine. The 1926 Committee would only cancel the event in extraordinary circumstances — a declared state of emergency, ground conditions too unsafe to park (e.g., severe storm flooding), or an active hurricane threat. If the fire department determines conditions are too dry for safe fires, campfire programming may be adjusted but the event continues. In the event of a full cancellation, registered units will be notified by email.

All participants must have a completed BSA Annual Health and Medical Record (AHMR) Parts A and B on file with their unit leader. Part C (physician signature) is not required for this event (it runs under 72 hours). Unit leaders should bring physical copies of their roster's AHMR forms to check-in — they will not be collected, but may be requested by on-site medical staff.

Staff, volunteers, and anyone not attending with a unit present their own AHMR to the camp health officer at check-in. Medications travel in their original labeled containers; life-threatening medications such as epi-pens and inhalers may be carried by the Scout. At check-in, let the health officer know about any allergies, medical limitations, or life-threatening conditions in your group.

Download the current AHMR form from scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr/. Questions? Email info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org.

Yes — we want every Scout to be part of this centennial. A few things to know about the site:

• Inman Hill has unpaved roads and rolling field terrain — not fully ADA-accessible for unassisted wheelchair use across all areas.
• Accessible drive-up camping is available for participants who need to stay close to a vehicle. Please arrange this in advance with the committee.
• An ADA-compliant portable restroom will be on site.

If your Scout has mobility, sensory, dietary, or other needs, email us at info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org before registering so we can make sure everything is in place. No Scout should be left out.

The event is fully staffed for a safe weekend. On-site support includes:

• A designated medical officer, with at least one nurse on site at all times
• Several volunteers Red Cross and Wilderness First Aid certified, listed on the event roster
• Mendon Fire Department as medical backup; Police and Fire support on site
• Dedicated parking attendants
• 24-hour administrative support at event headquarters

Youth Protection: every unit camps with two registered adult leaders (21+), including a registered female adult for any unit with female youth; all adults hold current Youth Protection Training; there is no one-on-one adult-youth contact; and the buddy system is used at all times. If a Scout is struggling emotionally, HQ staff can help and connect you with support.

For medical emergencies, call 911 first, then report to event headquarters. Emergency contact details specific to the event weekend will be distributed to all registered unit leaders before October 9. See the Emergency Action Plan for full response procedures.

Yes! Patch trading tables will be set up at the camporee. Every registered camper receives a custom centennial camporee patch (included with registration). A special Troop 1 Mendon 100-year patch will also be available. Bring patches from your troop or previous events to trade with Scouts from across the region.

No Scout should be turned away for lack of funds. If registration cost is a barrier for your Scout or unit, email us at info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org — the 1926 Committee handles hardship requests directly and will make it work. All requests are handled confidentially.

Lost and found is managed at event headquarters throughout the weekend. After the event, unclaimed items will be held by the 1926 Committee for two weeks. To claim something, email info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org with a description. After two weeks, unclaimed items will be donated — and any leftover committee funds from the event will be donated to the Mendon Food Pantry.

Email the 1926 Committee at info@mendoncentennialcamporee.org or use the contact form. Administrative support is available 24 hours during the event weekend.