
Camp Cody, regarded by Scouts and Scouters as “The Best Backwoods Camp in the Sierra”, is an off-the-grid Scout camp owned and operated by Troop 1. Scouts can earn merit badges, explore the outdoors, and learn leadership and teamwork skills in an incredible setting at 7250′. With no roads into camp and no electricity, Camp Cody provides an authentic week of backwoods camping that Scouts have enjoyed for over 85 years.
The camp is led by an older Scout called the Junior Camp Director, who works with a team of a dozen other older Scouts called Junior Officers, and together they collectively deliver the camp’s daily program. While adult staff members are always present to teach merit badge classes and ensure safety, it is the Scouts who have the chance to lead and be led, regardless of age. It’s a memorable Scouting experience that’s safe, fun, and unlike any other camp in the Golden Empire Council.
See you this summer!
Camp Cody Basic Info
Cody 2023 Brochure (for Scouts and adults) |
Cody 2023 Staff Manual (for JOs and Adult Staff) |
Training Requirements (For JOs and Adult Staff) |
Camp Fees & Late Fees (see Step 5: Submit Payment) |
Merit Badge Class Schedule |
Questions? Contact:
Mike Quillici Senior Camp Director 530-304-7456 |
John Cargile Program Director 530-304-8992 |
Register for Camp Cody 2023 – Cody Timeline
Date | Registration Milestones / Camp Dates |
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March 23, 2023 |
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May 8 |
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May 9 |
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June 16 |
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June 17 |
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June 24 |
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June 25 |
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July 8-9 |
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July 10-14 |
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July 15-21 |
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July 22-30 |
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July 23 |
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July 29 |
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July 30, 2023 |
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Register for Camp Cody in Five Easy Steps
STEP 2: Complete the Electronic Application
Camp Cody is full. Please contact Mike Quillici or Ed Cargile with questions.
STEP 3 (Scouts Only): Fill Out Shooting Sports Release
Download, complete, and submit completed Shooting Sports Release. NOTE: Please complete even if your Scout is not authorized to participate in Shooting Sports Activities (i.e. Archery, Rifle Shooting, Shotgun Shooting, Tomahawk Throwing).
Shooting Sports Release Form: Open Form in New Tab | Download Form
- Please name the file as follows: last name, first name - SSR.pdf
- Example: Quillici, Michael - SSR.pdf
- Submit Form Here
STEP 4: Fill Out BSA Medical Forms A, B, and C
Medical forms were due June 16, 2023. Forms turned in after June 16 may not be accepted due to the amount of processing required. Forms CANNOT be turned in on the first day of camp.
Please name the file as follows: last name, first name - Medical.pdf
Example: Quillici, Michael – Medical.pdf
***Along with your medical form, please submit a copy of your medical insurance card (front and back!)***
STEP 5: Submit Payment
Fees |
Price |
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Scout |
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Scout - Additional Fees | Additional fees for shooting sports merit badges to offset a portion of the cost of ammunition and targets
Rifle - $15 |
Adult |
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Family Day Dinner - $5 per visitor. Payment not required for registered Scouts and Adults. (Include these fees with your camp registration fees.)
Checks may be made payable to Camp Cody – Troop 1 and mailed to:
Mark Quillici – Camp Cody
5210 H Street
Sacramento, California 95819
Please indicate the individuals(s) for whom the payment was made and any additional fees included in the “Memo” section.
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Merit Badges at Camp Cody (2023)
How to Sign Up and Prepare for Merit Badges at Camp Cody:
- Read the merit badge policies below.
- Look at the 2023 MB class schedule and find classes you’d like to take for merit badge periods 1-4 (and 5, if you want). Only one class per period. Make note of which badges you want to take and when you want to take them.
- Fill out your merit badge choices in the online Cody Application.
- After signing up, get a list of requirements, list of pre-camp work, and merit badge workbooks. You will need to buy or rent the book separately.
- Do merit badge pre-work BEFORE camp so you can earn that badge at Cody!
Step 1: Merit Badge Policies
- All Scouts except Junior Officers (JOs) must take at least four merit badges unless excused by their Scoutmaster (note: double period classes count as two merit badges for scheduling purposes).
- All JOs must take one merit badge unless excused by the Senior Camp Director.
- Scouts are encouraged to select one or two additional merit badges they would like to take should we be unable to schedule them into their preferred choices.
- Cody Pioneers (first-year Scouts) are pre-assigned to Swimming, Leatherwork and Trail to First Class (TTFC) First Aid unless excused by their Scoutmaster.
Step 2: Check the 2023 Class Schedule
IMPORTANT – Please review the merit badge class schedule to avoid requesting merit badge classes that are scheduled for the same times.
Class Schedule Key:
- 1/3 each period means the class is for Cody Pioneers only. As Cody Pioneers must take the Leatherwork, Swimming and TTFC First Aid classes, we split them in to three groups to balance the classes each period.
- Blacked out means no class can be scheduled that period.
- max ## means the class has set a cap on the number of scouts in a class.
- double period means that the class takes up two periods.
- Note: Orienteering and Wilderness is a combined class and scouts can earn both merit badges.
Step 3: Sign Up for Merit Badges in Cody Application
Click here to go to the camp sign-up section
Step 4: Merit Badge Requirements, Pre-Camp Work, and Workbooks
The merit badge and workbook links below take you to the most current official requirements. (A HUGE thank you to Mr. Johnson for compiling this information in one place!)
If you click on the “yes” link for a listed merit badge, it will take you to a separate PDF document that provides some guidance on ways to successfully accomplish the necessary work with the flag ‘PRE-CAMP’ and bold type text recommendations.
Please note: some MBs have 30 day observation/recording periods so the MB cannot be completed in camp if the Scout has not done those requirements in advance.
Requirements asking the Scout to “explain” or “discuss” may be completed with a written document or an oral presentation. The Scout may choose to create an outline (cryptic notes) to aid the Scout when giving a verbal explanation to the merit badge counselor. One rule that does apply is just like school: “No name on written work given to counselor – no credit.” 😊
Camp Cody Merit Badge Requirements, Pre-Work, and Workbooks
Step 5: Do Your Merit Badge Pre-Work – We’ll See You at Cody!
Cody Overnight Hikes
Driving directions from Sacramento to Cody | Overnight Hikes – Latitude and Longitude
1. Each map has its destination name highlighted and is followed by its associated latitude and longitude in decimal degrees.
2. If a driver uses a navigation app on their mobile phone or GPS unit, simply enter the appropriate decimal degrees in the “from-to” section. While the visual and audio directions should match the printed map, it is strongly recommended that both the driver and her/his navigator review the map before leaving the parking lot. Also, note any cautionary driving information regarding road and traffic conditions.
3. Review the printed map for additional navigation remarks that augment the Google Map directions.
4. These individual driving maps include a listing of Camp Cody overnight trek destinations and associated latitude/longitude coordinates.
5. Following the driving directions section is additional information including trail maps, hiking information, and any appropriate cautions hike leaders should take into consideration.
Cody Overnight Hikes Information
Driving Directions & Hiking Maps | Hikes | Which Scouts can participate? |
Caples Creek Trailhead | Caples Creek | All scouts – second year at Cody and above |
Big Meadow Trailhead | Dardanelles Lake, Round Lake |
All scouts – second year at Cody and above |
Lyons Creek Trailhead | Lyons Lake, Sylvia Lake | All scouts – second year at Cody and above |
Wrights Lake Trailhead | Twin Lakes & Island Lake, Grouse / Hemlock / Smith Lakes | All scouts – second year at Cody and above |
Rocky Canyon Trailhead | Pyramid Peak | JOs only |
Cody Meadows | Cody Meadows | All Pioneers (First-year scouts), Pioneer JOs, and Wilderness Survival |
Other Awards at Camp Cody
Outstanding Camper
This bronze medal, inscribed with the year, honors the non-JO Scout who exemplifies superior Scout spirit and character. Factors that are considered include earning merit badges, advancing in rank, earning patrol / individual awards, cleanliness, selflessness, cheerfulness, helpfulness, volunteering, participating in camp activities, and above all, living the Scout Oath and Law. Candidates for Outstanding Camper must keep track of their own point sheets, including signatures and points awarded, and can only use items during the current Camp Cody. JOs and Cody Pioneers are not eligible for this award. Point sheets must be submitted no later than Saturday at noon to the Program Director. Scouts can request a copy of the point system and tally sheet when they get to Camp Cody, or print the one linked below.
Printable Outstanding Camper form (on page 2)
Cody Awards
These awards are unique to Camp Cody and prompt Scouts to advance in rank and earn a variety of merit badges during their seven years at camp. While every Scout receives a Cody Pioneer patch after their first camp week, only a few Scouts have earned Cody Explorer, which requires a Scout to have earned the Eagle rank before or at their final week at Cody. Click on each bar for each Cody Award’s requirements. (Printable Cody Awards checklists)
CODY PIONEER
- Attend Cody Pioneers weekend campout in June
- Attend camp for the first time
- Complete Trail to First Class requirements during Cody Pioneers period
- Camp overnight at Cody Meadows during camp week
CODY OUTPOST
- Earn First Class
- Earn the Swimming merit badge
- Earn one Natural Sciences merit badge
(Astronomy, Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, Geology, Nature, Soil and Water Conservation, or Weather) - Earn one High Adventure merit badge
(Archery, Climbing, Rifle Shooting, or Shotgun Shooting) - Identify five local trees and five constellations
CODY MOUNTAINEER
- Earn Star Scout
- Earn Cody Outpost
- Earn the Camping merit badge
- Earn the Cooking merit badge
- Earn one Aquatics merit badge
(Canoeing, Kayaking, Lifesaving, Rowing, or Small Boat Sailing)
CODY RANGER
- Earn Life Scout
- Earn Cody Mountaineer
- Earn the Pioneering merit badge
- Earn the Wilderness Survival merit badge
- Earn the Orienteering or Signs, Signals, and Codes merit badge
CODY EXPLORER
- Earn Eagle Scout
- Earn Cody Ranger
- Earn a second High Adventure merit badge
(Archery, Climbing, Rifle Shooting, or Shotgun Shooting) - Earn a second Natural Sciences merit badge
(Astronomy, Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, Geology, Nature, Soil and Water Conservation, or Weather) - Earn a second Aquatics merit badge
(Canoeing, Kayaking, Lifesaving, Rowing, or Small Boat Sailing)
Cody Explorer award recipients
Only a small number of Scouts have earned Cody Explorer since 1959 – will you be one of them?
While neither of these is a merit badge, both opportunities demonstrate a Scout’s strong swimming abilities at altitude. Both require extra time outside merit badge classes.
BSA Lifeguard
BSA Lifeguard information and requirements - not a merit badge. Scouts must be at least 15 years old to earn this designation.
*For those intending to earn BSA Lifeguard, contact Mr. Mike Leonard to review qualifications and pre-work. You will need to purchase the Red Cross Lifeguard Manual and read entire manual prior to camp.
Note: You must bring a hard copy of this publication to camp.
To obtain this 300+ page publication, there are a few options:
- Purchase it from the American Red Cross ($32.00)
- Download from the American Red Cross (free, but you must print it)
All BSALG candidates MUST bring a hard copy of this Red Cross Lifeguarding Manual to camp
Mile Swim BSA
Mile Swim information and requirements - not a merit badge
Prerequisites:
- Completion of the Swimming merit badge
- Proper physical fitness and ability level
Be Prepared to do four hours of training swims during camp (one hour per day maximum) under the supervision of a Waterfront staff member before attempting the Mile Swim. This can be earned more than once!
Forms / Resources
Cody Brochure, Cody Staff Guide, & Training Requirements
BSA Medical Form (for Cody 2023) – – – submit in step 4
Cody 2023 Shooting Sports Release – – – submit in step 3
2023 merit badge class schedule
Cody Awards checklist / Outstanding Camper form
Cody Songbook