Join us at historic Camp Barton for our High Adventure, Specialty and Merit Badge Academy Programs in 2026!

BADGES AT BARTON is a unique short term camping experience which provides opportunities for merit badge achievement, rank advancement, & skill acquisition through a flexible, time efficient, & cost effective "Scout Customized Program". Programs include a mix of Merit Badge offerings, On Demand opportunities, and a wide selection of Weekend-Long High Adventure Specialty Programs.

CAMP BARTON is a historic Scout camp with time honored traditions led by experienced staff with over 7 decades of service to scouting.

What Is A Short Term Camping Porgram? 

It is an opportunity for merit badge advancement within a condensed summer camp experience. Each weekend offers at least 10 hours of instruction. This, combined with pre & post requisite efforts by Scouts, can lead to the completion of merit badges in a time and cost effective manner without compromising quality. Additionally, Scouts can enroll in a variety of both Scouting America and Camp Barton exclusive award /challenge programs during instruction time. These programs, while not affecting advancement, focus on skill development and exposure to the various program areas throughout camp. Scouts are highly encouraged to balance Merit Badge time, and what we refer to On-Demand Programs. There are even opportunities in our On Demand Catalog for Adults! Badges at Barton 2026 will offer approximately 50 Core Badges, which are offered every weekend, and in addition a variety of Academy Badges, which differ from weekend to weekend, depending on demand and instructor availability.

Scouts and Troops/Crews/Ships can utilize a merit badge academy to:

  • Supplement summer resident camp if their schedule is too full.
  • Complete partials obtained earlier in the summer at a resident camp. 
  • Venture into merit badges not commonly offered in a camp setting. 
  • Continue their summer scouting adventures. 

See below for information on what badges are being offered each weekend session. 

What is a Weekend High Adventure/Specialty Program?

Specialty Programs are experience based, challenge focused programs which center around fundamental aspects of Scouting, and various educational & skillset domains. Our High Adventure Programs are again, experience based, skill focused, and challenge oriented for Scouts who are seeking adventure beyond what is typically provided in a general camp program or through merit badge activities. 

The High Adventure/Specialty Programs for 2026 will include:

  • Sidney Winter Trail - Advancement Program Leading to First Class Rank - Download a Weekend Schedule (PDF) - All sessions - download a 2026 Sidney Winter Schedule (PDF)
  • Woodsman - Advanced Outdoor Skills/Backwoods Engineering Program - Sessions TBD
  • "I Dig Camp Barton"- Advanced Archaeology Quest - Sessions TBD
  • Watersports- Waterskiing & Motor Boating Skill Development Program - Unconfirmed for 2026
  • Helmsman - High Adventure Sailing Program - Sessions 1 & 2 (Aug 14-16 & Aug 21-23)
  • Endeavor - Advanced Ecology & Natural Sciences Program - Session TBD
  • Jet Ski - Personal Watercraft (PWC) Program - Unconfirmed for 2026
  • Canoe Excursion to Taughannock - All Sessions

What Does a Weekend Include? 

Each Weekend, aside from its own unique merit badge, specialty, and high adventure offerings, includes a full meal schedule, open program area time, specialized training sessions, on-demand programs, in-camp service projects, formal retreat & colors, vespers service, campfires, and several off-campus adventure opportunities.

When is Badges at Barton happening? 

  • Weekend Session 1 August 14th - 16th
  • Weekend Session 2 August 21st – 23rd
  • Weekend Session 3 August 28th – 30th

How can I register a Scout or Unit for Badges at Barton?

A Scout can attend with a Troop / Ship / Crew or attend individually as a Provisional Camper. Provisional Campers attend camp without their unit, and are placed in a Provisional Troop under camp-provided leadership.

Registration for Badges at Barton 2026 opened on March 5, 2026 - this date is subject to change - continue to check back for current details

  • Go to https://scoutingevent.com/368-badgesatbarton, the BlackPug registration system or use the QR code at right. . 
  • Registration for each weekend closes on the Tuesday before the session. 
  • The system will be updated as more badges are added to the weekend schedules.

Need help with the sign-up system ("BlackPug")? 

Download a Step-by-Step Instruction sheet on how to sign Scouts up for Badges at Barton
MSWord .docx format - Adobe PDF format 

What does Badges at Barton Cost? 

  • Standard Registration Fee - $95 Scouts /Adults 
    • Scouts who attend for a Saturday Only - $80 - No Additional Discounts Apply
  • Additional Fee for Specialty Programs: Additional fees above standard registration apply to the following programs and are assessed to help sustain program equipment, replenish expendable supplies, and ensure that both a quality & safe experience are upheld:
    • Woodsman - no additional fee
    • Sidney Winter Trail - no additional fee
    • "I Dig Camp Barton"- Advanced Archaeology Quest - no additional fee
    • Watersports-Waterskiing & Motor Boating Program - TBD
    • Unit Canoe Excursion to Taughannock State Park - TBD - 1 Unit per Weekend Session, Minimum of 8 Youth Participants Required. 
  • High Adventure Programs
    • Helmsman - no additional fee
    • Endeavor - TBD
    • Jet Ski - Personal Watercraft (PWC) Program - TBD
  • Guest Meals: $20

Discounts and Incentives: 

  • Multiple Session Discount (Merit Badge Academy): Scouts receive a $10 Discount for each additional weekend (after the first at full price)
  • Multiple Session Discount (Specialty or High Adventure Programs): Scouts who attend a weekend long Specialty or High Adventure Program will receive a 2nd Standard Registration for half the regular fee. Note: this does not apply to the Sidney Winter Trail Program
  • CIT Program: Standard Registration Fee for one session is waived for Scouts who register & participate in the Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program (Min. Age 14)
  • Leader Discounts: 
    • Unit Leadership: Registration Fee is waived for One Leader per Unit who registers 10 Scouts for 1 session, plus a discount of 50% off one adult fee for every 5 additional Scouts.
    • Volunteer Staff: Registration Fee is waived in any session for all Adult Leaders who register in full as Volunteer Staff in an agreed capacity before June 15th.
    • Provisional Unit Leadership: Registration Fee is waived for Adult Leaders who volunteer as a Provisional Troop Leader for either of the Camp Barton Provisional Troops during any weekend session so long as it applies to a separate weekend aside from their own troop.
    • Merit Badge Counselor registration fee: Badges at Barton Staff who volunteer as Merit Badge Counselor are not required to pay the Scouting America registration fee of $25.00 for MBC's so long as the volunteer has submitted an Adult Leader Application specifically for Badges at Barton using the Position Code for Adult Camp Staff. If you are newly registering as a Merit Badge Counselor for the program and in addition would like to be part of the Baden-Powell Councils year round Merit Badge Counselor Directory this fee will apply. Please notify the camp administration of your intentions to serve year round at badgesatbarton@campbarton.org so that this may be facilitated and expenditures may be recorded accurately..

2026 Badges at Barton Campership Program

Campership opportunities will be available for Scouts seeking to attend Badges at Barton who qualify for assistance through application and review. You can download a Campership Application here. 

Contact badgesatbarton@campbarton.org  with any questions.

Badges at Barton Downloads

Details will be added to this page as they become available - check back often!

Merit Badge & On Demand Program Offerings in 2026


"Core Merit Badges" which are offered in all of the four sessions - download a listing (PDF)

Handicraft

  • Basketry
  • Leatherwork
  • Painting
  • Pulp & Paper
  • Textiles
  • Woodcarving

Skilled Trades

  • Architecture
  • Automotive Maintenance
  • Cybersecurity
  • Engineering
  • Home Repairs
  • Model Design & Building
  • Woodwork

Aquatics / Waterfront

  • Swimming

  • Canoeing

  • Lifesaving

  • Motorboating

  • Rowing

  • Small Boat Sailing

  • Swimming

  • Kayaking

Target & Range Activities /
Shooting Sports

  • Archery 

  • Rifle Shooting (On Site/Off Site)

  • Shotgun (On Site/Off Site)

Field Sports

  • Personal Fitness
  • Athletics
  • Sports
  • Multi-Sport
  • Golf -*Disc Golf

Outdoor Skills/Scoutcraft

  • American Indian Culture

  • Fishing

  • Geocaching

  • Orienteering

  • Signs, Signals, and Codes

  • Wilderness Survival

Hobbies, Creative Arts, & Self Interest

  • Chess

  • Coin Collecting

  • Collections

  • Game Design

  • Music/Bugling

  • Pets

Ecology/Nature

  • Astronomy

  • Bird Study

  • Environmental Science

  • Forestry

  • Geology

  • Mammal Study/ Nature

  • Oceanography

  • Sustainability

  • Weather

Eagle Required / Trail to Eagle

  • Citizenship in the Community

  • Citizenship in the Nation 

  • Citizenship in the World

  • Communications 

  • Emergency Preparedness

  • First Aid

  • Personal Fitness (in Field Sports department)


Additional "Academy Merit Badges" offered only in select sessions

Weekend Session 1 August 14th - 16th

To be announced

Weekend Session 2 August 21st – 23rd

To be announced

Weekend Session 3 August 28th – 30th

To be announced

Badge list updated March 5, 2026
(New badges will be added to this list as instructors are recruited)

"On Demand" Programs
Camp Barton The Historic "Barton B" Award and Segment Program  Weekend Adult Leader Challenges and Competitions

Scoutmaster Merit Badge
Nap-On-Safely Training
Bartonian Award Program for Volunteerism
Aquatics/Waterfront SA Safe Swim Defense SA Safety Afloat
Paddlecraft Safety 		SA Stand-up Paddleboarding
Snorkeling BSA SA Kayaking Camp Barton Polar Bear Swim Club
Unit Canoe Trip to Taughannock State Park
Throwing Sports Scouting America Tomahawk Throwing
Scouting America Knife Throwing
Field Sports Camp Barton Bouldering Wall Camp Barton Iron Man Award
Outdoor Skills/Scoutcraft SA Complete Angler Award SA Paul Bunyan Award SA Outdoor Ethics Award
Nature/Ecology Paul Kelsey Memorial Nature Trail Arthur L. Bloom Memorial
Frontenac Geological Field Challenge 		"I Dig Camp Barton" Archaeology Workshop
Handicrafts and Skilled Trades Troop Plaque Competition
Underwater Basket Weaving
Target & Range Activities Camp Barton Youth & Adult High Shooter Award

Are you interested in joining the Camp Barton Staff?

  • Health Officer
  • Assistant Waterfront Director 
  • Head Lifeguard 
  • Lifeguard
As with all Camp Barton Staff experiences, we hope to be able to offer luxury accommodations and you are guaranteed to receive gourmet food, lakefront views, free parking, water sports, live music, and friends for life.

Instructions and requirements for Badges at Barton Staff can be downloaded here in PDF Format.
Please download and review these before applying. 

Please note the following: 

Staff Application Forms can be downloaded in PDF format:

If you're not already registered in Scouting, use the following forms to register with the BSA and Baden-Powell Council:   

All staff applications, registration forms and training certificates should be uploaded through the following Google Forms site:

https://forms.gle/MHzpPLDQsUkKj5gG8 

The "Camp Barton Bartonian Award
A SYMBOL OF ADULT VOLUNTEERISM & DEDICATED SERVICE TO CAMP BARTON

The "Bartonian Award" is presented to adult volunteers who serve Camp Barton and support all that the Camp provides to its community. A Bartonian commits their time and actions to any or all of the five categorical methods of service and exemplifies each function of duty. Each category of service is defined by its own time commitment, and its distinguishable functions to camp. Commitment to any one of these is not a light load and there is no road map to each individuals partaking. The Bartonian Patch is a design that pays tribute to the Camp Barton participant patch used in the mid-late 1960’s. Each of the five (5) divisions of service holds its own standard of expectation, and minimal time of service to receive its rocker patch. Rockers are then placed under the Bartonian Patch and proudly displayed on the Scout Class A uniform Lower Left Pocket.

Download a description of the Bartonian Award with requirements of each of the Divisions of Service (PDF)

Questions about Badges at Barton? Send an e-mail to badgesatbarton@campbarton.org

Badges at Barton is being hosted as a joint effort between the Baden-Powell Council and the Camp Barton Staff Alumni Association

- © Copyright 2022-26 CBSAA and Baden-Powell Council

Last update 3/5/26