2025 Rainbow Scout Reservation Program Guide

A LETTER FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Scouts and Scouters,

In its 57th year of bringing the Scouting community together,

Rainbow Scout Reservation is returning to “Rewind in ‘25” to continue our longstanding tradition of excellence in outdoor fun, personal growth, and commitment to Scouting’s values.


As we take a look through the decades of pop culture and RSR, we invite you to participate in a variety of all new themed programs along side our classic lineup.


In my now six years as a staff member I have pined for the opportunity to serve as program director at what I will personally affirm is the finest camp in our program. In your time with us, you have the opportunity to leave a changed person. This is because RSR consistently holds a balance of timeless traditions with innovative programs. In the coming year, you are returning to a camp where you can count on a warm meal made with care, a boisterous campfire that is chaotic in all the right ways, and a staff that caters to the needs of each individual scout. Beyond that, you will receive the camp experience in new ways with an expanded Handicraft program to set the groundwork for real life trades, an aquatics area that will take you beyond the waterfront to our properties most scenic views, and a Scoutcraft area that will fuse the skills of the backcountry with the vision of summits not yet mounted.


Camp is where Scouting lives. This summer, we invite you to embrace all that Scouting has to offer at Rainbow Scout Reservation. Come make yourself at home.


Yours in Scouting,

Kyle R. Land

Program Director | Rainbow Scout Reservation

SILAS REA

Camp Director

(815) 942-4450 ext 915

silas.rea@scouting.org

KYLE LAND

Program Director

landrkyle@gmail .com

CATHERINE ARCHER

Camp Commissioner

catherinearcher26@gmail .com

Black mountain with flag on top, signifying achievement.

Camp Calendar

Program Guide

Overview

March 2025

@ 2:00 PM

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Program Updates & Procedures

May 2025

@ 7:00 PM

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Program Highlights

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FIRST YEAR CAMPER PROGRAM

  • Your introduction to Scouts BSA and Summer Camp!
  • Patrol method based and Scout Skill activities all morning
  • Introductions to the wider camp program, including hands-on programming in COPE, the range, Handicraft, and more!
  • Hikes and overnight outpost!
  • The opportunity to earn First Aid, Swimming, & Fingerprinting merit badges.
Mountains and trees in black silhouette.

CHALLENGING OUTDOOR PERSONAL EXPIRENCE

  • Experience climbing, leadership and team building activities, and push your limits!
  • Gain valuable experience to bring back to your unit
  • Activities are open to Scouts and Scouters
  • Earn the Climbing Merit Badge
  • Open activities like Zipline and Flying Squirrel
  • Please wear comfortable athletic shoes or boots (no Crocs) and nonathletic pants/shorts.
Target symbol. Black circle inside a white circle with crosshairs.
  • Hosting rifle, shotgun, and archery at one of the finest ranges in the Midwest.
  • New Awards: Top Shot and Range & Target Sports Award. Earn a special patch and your name on a plaque.
  • Costs for ammo are subject to change prior to camp.
  • Ear/eye protection are required and available for purchase at the trading post for Open Range.
Black and white illustration of a horse saddle on a white background.

At Rocking L Ranch

  • Saddle up and learn how to ride hands-on!
  • Earn the Horsemanship Merit Badge!
  • Transportation to RLR must be on a unit level

A GUARDIAN MUST SIGN WAIVER BEFORE ATTENDING:

See attached at the end of the Program Guide

Black backpack icon with map pointer, indicating travel or journey.
  • Rainbow Voyagers

-Experience RSR on the backside with 3 glistening lakes, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, hiking and more! Campers can choose 1 or more themed adventures to experience a bit of each of the Four National High Adventure. Basic Scout skills essential to trek success will be taught and most equipment provided.

-Adults may be requested to volunteer to staff the overnight portion.  

  • Stand Up Paddle boarding
  • Snorkeling
Black and white teepee with white entrance.
  • Time Warp Tuesday
  • OA Day
  • Lu-Out post
  • Wilderness Survival/Astronomy outpost
  • etc

New in 2025 – More Coming in 2026!

Camp just got a whole lot cooler with:
Two people in scout uniforms holding a dark tarp, with trees and sunlight in the background.

Themed Nightly Program

Time-Warp Tuesday & Lu-Out Post

Four people walking through a sunlit forest, holding what appear to be equipment.

Rainbow Voyagers

Adventure treks across new parts of camp for older scouts including 3 lakes for kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing & more

Group of friends having a picnic

Family Fridays & Camp Cup

Classics return

Woman and boy in forest looking at open book; both wear cameras.

Expanded Adult Program

New challenges, projects, and fun learning opportunities

RSR 2025 Morning Merit Badge Schedule

AREAS 9 AM 10 AM 11 AM
Aquatics Swimming | Kayaking | Canoeing Kayaking Lifesaving | Kayaking | Canoeing
COPE/Climbing COPE Challenging Outdoor Personal Experiences Challenging Outdoor Personal Experiences Challenging Outdoor Personal Experiences
Ecology & Conservation Geology | Mining Soil & Water Conservation | Plant Science Environmental Science
Handicraft Traffic Safety | Auto Maintenance | Welding | Leatherwork Welding | Pottery Metalwork | Woodworking
Pathfinders First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program
Scoutcraft Search & Rescue | First Aid Emergency Preparedness | Signs, Signals & Codes Geocaching | Communications | Public Speaking | Camping | Pioneering
Range & Target Archery | Shotgun Shooting Archery Archery | Rifle Shooting
STEAM Chemistry | Electricity | Game Design Moviemaking | Photography | Inventing | Nuclear Science Robotics | Theater | Model Design & Building
Trading Post American Business Personal Management Entrepreneurship | Salesmanship

Monday Program

AREAS 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM
Aquatics Rowing | Open Waterslide & Swimming @ Waterfront Rowing | Open Waterslide & Swimming @ Waterfront Rowing | Open Waterslide & Swimming @ Waterfront
COPE/Climbing Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2 Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2 Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2
Ecology & Conservation Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop Leave No Trace Awareness Workshop
Handicraft Home Repairs- Day 1* | Plumbing- Day 1* | Pulp and Paper Home Repairs- Day 1* | Plumbing- Day 1* | Pulp and Paper Home Repairs- Day 1* | Plumbing- Day 1* | Pulp and Paper
Pathfinders First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program
Rainbow Voyagers Conservation Session | Outpost Shakedown- "Sea Base" Conservation Session | Outpost Shakedown- "Sea Base" Conservation Session | Outpost Shakedown- "Sea Base"
Scoutcraft Exploration - Day 1* | Paul Bunyan Award - Day 1* Exploration - Day 1* | Paul Bunyan Award - Day 1* Exploration - Day 1* | Paul Bunyan Award - Day 1*
Range & Target Sports Rifle Shooting- Day 1*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 1*+ | Archery- Day 1* | Archery Open Shoot Rifle Shooting- Day 1*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 1*+ | Archery- Day 1* | Archery Open Shoot Rifle Shooting- Day 1*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 1*+ | Archery- Day 1* | Archery Open Shoot
STEAM Chess Session 1 - Day 1* | Music/Bugling | Engineering- Day 1* Chess Session 1 - Day 1* | Music/Bugling | Engineering- Day 1* Chess Session 1 - Day 1* | Music/Bugling | Engineering- Day 1*
Off-Camp Property Horsemanship Session 1 @ Rocking L Ranch Horsemanship Session 1 @ Rocking L Ranch Horsemanship Session 1 @ Rocking L Ranch

Tuesday Program

AREAS 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM
Aquatics Stand Up Paddleboard @ Aqua Blue | Open Swimming @ Waterfront Stand Up Paddleboard @ Aqua Blue | Open Swimming @ Waterfront Stand Up Paddleboard @ Aqua Blue | Open Swimming @ Waterfront
COPE/Climbing Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2 Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2 Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2
Ecology & Conservation Nature Nature Nature
Handicraft Home Repairs- Day 2* | Plumbing- Day 2* | Fire Safety Home Repairs- Day 2* | Plumbing- Day 2* | Fire Safety Home Repairs- Day 2* | Plumbing- Day 2* | Fire Safety
Pathfinders First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program
Rainbow Voyagers Trail Refurbishment (Lost Paths @ RSR) | Outpost Shakedown- "Philmont" Trail Refurbishment (Lost Paths @ RSR) | Outpost Shakedown- "Philmont" Trail Refurbishment (Lost Paths @ RSR) | Outpost Shakedown- "Philmont"
Scoutcraft Exploration - Day 1* | Paul Bunyan Award - Day 1* Exploration - Day 1* | Paul Bunyan Award - Day 1* Exploration - Day 1* | Paul Bunyan Award - Day 1*
Range & Target Sports Rifle Shooting- Day 2*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 2*+ | Archery- Day 2* | Archery Open Shoot Rifle Shooting- Day 2*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 2*+ | Archery- Day 2* | Archery Open Shoot Rifle Shooting- Day 2*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 2*+ | Archery- Day 2* | Archery Open Shoot
STEAM Chess Session 1 - Day 2* | Music/Bugling | Engineering- Day 2* Chess Session 1 - Day 2* | Music/Bugling | Engineering- Day 2* Chess Session 1 - Day 2* | Music/Bugling | Engineering- Day 2*
Off-Camp Property Horsemanship Session 2 @ Rocking L Ranch Horsemanship Session 2 @ Rocking L Ranch Horsemanship Session 2 @ Rocking L Ranch

Wednesday Program

AREAS 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM
Aquatics BSA Snorkeling @ Aqua Blue | Open Boating @ Waterfront BSA Snorkeling @ Aqua Blue | Open Boating @ Waterfront BSA Snorkeling @ Aqua Blue | Open Boating @ Waterfront
COPE/Climbing Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2 Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2 Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2
Ecology & Conservation Fishing – Day 1* Fishing – Day 1* Fishing – Day 1*
Handicraft Home Repairs- Day 3* | Plumbing- Day 3* | Fingerprinting | Woodcarving Home Repairs- Day 3* | Plumbing- Day 3* | Fingerprinting | Woodcarving Home Repairs- Day 3* | Plumbing- Day 3* | Fingerprinting | Woodcarving
Pathfinders First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program
Rainbow Voyagers Conservation Session | "Other" Awards Information Session Conservation Session | "Other" Awards Information Session Conservation Session | "Other" Awards Information Session
Scoutcraft Disc Golf Disc Golf Disc Golf
Range & Target Sports Rifle Shooting- Day 3*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 3*+ | Archery- Day 3* | Archery Open Shoot Rifle Shooting- Day 3*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 3*+ | Archery- Day 3* | Archery Open Shoot Rifle Shooting- Day 3*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 3*+ | Archery- Day 3* | Archery Open Shoot
STEAM Chess Session 2 - Day 1* | Music/Bugling | Painting- Day 1* | Space Exploration - Day 1* Chess Session 2 - Day 1* | Music/Bugling | Painting- Day 1* | Space Exploration - Day 1* Chess Session 2 - Day 1* | Music/Bugling | Painting- Day 1* | Space Exploration - Day 1*
Off-Camp Property Horsemanship Session 3 @ Rocking L Ranch Horsemanship Session 3 @ Rocking L Ranch Horsemanship Session 3 @ Rocking L Ranch

Thursday Program

AREAS 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM
Aquatics Water Activities/Sports @ Waterfront | Adult Open Boating/Slide @ Waterfront Water Activities/Sports @ Waterfront | Adult Open Boating/Slide @ Waterfront Water Activities/Sports @ Waterfront | Adult Open Boating/Slide @ Waterfront
COPE/Climbing Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2 Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2 Climbing Session 1 | Climbing Session 2
Ecology & Conservation Fishing – Day 2* Fishing – Day 2* Fishing – Day 2*
Handicraft Home Repairs- Day 4* | Plumbing- Day 4* | Safety | Woodcarving Home Repairs- Day 4* | Plumbing- Day 4* | Safety | Woodcarving Home Repairs- Day 4* | Plumbing- Day 4* | Safety | Woodcarving
Pathfinders First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program First Year Camper Program
Rainbow Voyagers Trail Refurbishment (the Names Behind the Signs) | Outpost Shakedown- "Northern Tier" Trail Refurbishment (the Names Behind the Signs) | Outpost Shakedown- "Northern Tier" Trail Refurbishment (the Names Behind the Signs) | Outpost Shakedown- "Northern Tier"
Scoutcraft Wilderness Survival / Astronomy Wilderness Survival / Astronomy Wilderness Survival / Astronomy
Range & Target Sports Rifle Shooting- Day 4*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 4*+ | Archery- Day 4* | Archery Open Shoot Rifle Shooting- Day 4*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 4*+ | Archery- Day 4* | Archery Open Shoot Rifle Shooting- Day 4*+ | Rifle Shooting- Day 4*+ | Archery- Day 4* | Archery Open Shoot
STEAM Chess Session 2 - Day 2* | Painting- Day 2* | Space Exploration - Day 2* Chess Session 2 - Day 2* | Painting- Day 2* | Space Exploration - Day 2* Chess Session 2 - Day 2* | Painting- Day 2* | Space Exploration - Day 2*
Off-Camp Property Horsemanship Session 4 @ Rocking L Ranch Horsemanship Session 4 @ Rocking L Ranch Horsemanship Session 4 @ Rocking L Ranch

Flexible schedules for every explorer.

Black silhouette of mountains and pine trees.
Black fleur-de-lis on a white background.
North directional symbol, black arrow pointing upwards within a circle.

Prerequisites & Activity Fees

Aquatics

Must have earned Swimming MB, pass 2b to continue; 16b; Requires BSA Swim Test

0

4b

0

Ecology / Conservation

Pathfinders

2b(1), 2b(2)

0

Must pass BSA Swim Test

0

Handicraft

5

$10

7

$10

12; Long pants & closed-toe shoes

0

1a–1d, 2a–2b, 3b, 4

0

7a; Long pants & closed-toe shoes

0

1b, 7

$10

4; Long pants & closed-toe shoes

0

Must have Totin’ Chip

0

Completion depends on project availability

0

7

0

Rainbow Voyagers

Outposts

Bring trek gear (backpacking tent, sleeping bag, etc.); Gear limited

0

Scoutcraft

4c, 5b, 6a, 6b

0

8c, 8d, 9a–9c

0

5, 7, 8

0

A1, A2, C2, C4

0

2b(1), 2b(2)

0

Range & Target

1; Bring workbook

$15

1; Bring workbook; Eye protection

$30 + $3.5

1; Bring workbook; Eye protection

$45 + $3.50

STEAM

6; Prior practice may help

0

7, 8a, 8b

0

8

0

1

0

Trading Post

Outside Camp Property

Long pants & closed-toe shoes; Held at Rocking L Ranch, 1075 Gore Rd, Morris, IL 60450

$50

Prerequisites & Activity Fees

Aquatics Lifesaving Must have earned the Swimming merit badge, and must pass 2b to continue on with merit badge; 16b
Rowing 4b
Ecology/Conservation Environmental Science 6
Fishing 10
Pathfinders First Aid 2b(1), 2b(2)
Swimming Must pass the BSA Swim Test
Handicraft Leatherworking $10 fee for materials, 5
Pottery $10 fee for materials, 7
Automotive Maintenance Long pants & closed toe shoes, 12
Safety 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 3b, 4
Welding Long pants & closed toe shoes, 7a
Plumbing $10 fee for materials, 1b, 7
Metalwork Long pants & closed toe shoes, 4
Woodcarving Have earned the Totin Chit
Pulp & Paper 7
Home Repairs Completion of badge is dependent on availability of projects
Woodworking 7
Rainbow Voyagers Outposts Please come prepared with gear that may be applicable to a trek, such as backpacking tents, sleeping bags, etc. Gear availability is limited.
Scoutcraft Astronomy 4c, 5b, 6a, 6b
Camping 8c, 8d, 9a, 9b, 9c
Communications 5, 7, 8
Disc Golf A1, A2, C2, C4
Emergency Preparedness 1, 3a, 3b
First Aid 2b(1), 2b(2)
Search & Rescue 6a
Range and Target Activities Archery 1 (bring workbook), $15 fee, includes arrow kit
Rifle 1 (bring workbook), $30 fee, $3.50 for eye protection, may require extra rounds
Shotgun 1 (bring workbook), $45fee, $3.50 for eye protection, may require extra rounds
STEAM Bugling 6, prior bugling practice may affect completion
Electricity 7, 8a, 8b
Game Design 8
Inventing 8
Theater 1
Trading Post American Business 5
Entrepreneurship 3
Personal Management 1, 2, 8
Salesmanship 5, 6, 7
Outside Camp Property Horsemanship $50, long pants and closed toe shoes
Address: 1075 Gore Rd, Morris Il 60450
Note: Camp does not provide means of travel to get to Rocking L Ranch

Adult Leader Schedule

Time Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat
06.00 Fishing
07.00 Commissioner Coffee Commissioner Coffee Commissioner Coffee Commissioner Coffee Commissioner Coffee Commissioner Coffee
09.30 Leader Meeting Leader Meeting Leader Meeting Leader Meeting Leader Meeting Check-out
10.00 IOLS/Pinch Pot Painting IOLS Cook-Off Golf Classic
11.00 IOLS IOLS/The OA and Your Unit Cook-Off Golf Classic
01.00 Shooting Sports Safety Talk IOLS/Safe Swim Defense IOLS/ Advanced Opportunities in The OA
02.00 Climb on Safety IOLS/Transforming Youth Leadership IOLS Commissioner's Chat
03.00 Pinch Pot Making IOLS/Paracord Bracelet Making IOLS Woggle Making
04.00 IOLS/Embracing and Leading Change IOLS Advancement Training/Q&A
07.00 Scoutmaster Shoot/IOLS hike Sunset Hike
08.00 Sash n' Splash Sunset Hike *Schedule Subject to Change *Schedule Subject to Change

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    2025 Camper Testimonials

    "Good meals, quality food, and plenty of it!"

    Map of Rainbow Scout Reservation with camp features and trails.

    Nature's Symphony

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    Rainbow Scout Reservation Map

    Golf flag in the hole. Black flag on a white background.

    921 S State Street, Lockport, Il 60441

    120 acres of adventure, all just minutes from Chicagoland—and only a short walk from anywhere in camp. Big Camp, Small Walks.

    Equine Release And Waiver Of Liability, Assumption Of Risk & Indemnity Agreement