Camp Cody

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

Back to Top

Register for Camp Cody 2023 – Cody Timeline

Jump to Registration Area

Date	Registration Milestones / Camp Dates
March 23, 2023	Registration Opens Standard registration fees for Scouts and Adults
May 8	Last day for Scholarship request (please see Scoutmaster Chris Tileston or Registrar Terry Weisser) Last day to submit Special Dietary Restrictions (indicate on application Adult Staff (ALL adults attending Camp Cody): Training Certifications Due – JO Staff training due later, TBD – please see Mr. Quillici
May 9	Late registration fees for Scouts and Adults
June 16	Last day to submit completed Medical Form Parts A, B, C. All fields on medical forms must be completed or forms will be sent back. Please do not attach vaccination records in lieu of completing the immunization sections on B2. Please note that Part C must be completed by a licensed medical provider. Medical forms submitted after this day may not be accepted due to the amount of processing time required. Scouts and adults without fully completed medical forms may not attend camp.
June 17	Very late registration fees for Scouts and Adults
June 24	Last day to request a refund
June 25	Registration Closes
July 8-9	Work Weekend – All are welcome!
July 10-14	Crew Week – All registered Scouts ages 14 to 20 are welcome – contact Kathi Thweatt for more information
July 15-21	Work Week – Older Scouts and Adults by invitation
July 22-30	Camp Week – Registered Scouts and Adults
July 23	Alumni Day
July 29	Family Day-all are welcome!
July 30, 2023	Departure Day- Help pack camp – all are welcome!

Back to Top

Register for Camp Cody in Five Easy Steps

Back to Top

Merit Badges at Camp Cody (2023)

How to Sign Up and Prepare for Merit Badges at Camp Cody:

1. Read the merit badge policies below.
2. 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.
3. Fill out your merit badge choices in the online Cody Application.
4. 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.
5. 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.” 😊

Step 5: Do Your Merit Badge Pre-Work – We’ll See You at Cody!

Back to Top

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

Back to Top

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)

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 Explorer award recipients
Only a small number of Scouts have earned Cody Explorer since 1959 – will you be one of them?

Back to Top

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.

• Camp Cody Mile Swim records

Back to Top

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

Back to Top

List of Junior Camp Directors (JCDs)

Back to Top