2017 USS Yorktown Big Trip

USS Yorktown - December 1-3, 2017

Sign-up Deadlines
Sign-up by: October 8th
(sign-up Oct. 9-15th if space is available for additional family members)
Money due by: October 15th

Our annual "big trip" is to the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, in Point Pleasant, SC!!! As the website claims, "Kids sleep in the bunks where the sailors slept, eat in the CPO mess, hop in the cockpit of a real fighter jet as they learn about aviation; in short, let their imaginations run wild!" Because we are limited to 130 on-board guests, we will be taking 1 scout and 1 adult per family on a first come, first serve basis (with Scouts having priority over other siblings). Once we determine space availability then we will open up for additional family members on October 9th. Please note, if you would like to go but do not wish to stay on the ship, you can elect to stay in a local hotel - but, your fee will be the same; you will be allowed to join the Pack for meals, day trips and re-entry to the ship. You may also choose to buy day passes separately. (See below).

The Pack will meet at location to be announced at a specific time before boarding the ship as a group. "Paid visitors" (people staying in hotels, but remaining part of "the group") can still elect to join the Pack for meals and nighttime festivities, but must be off the ship by a pre-determined time.

For those individuals staying on the ship, in addition to the items listed under "General Information", please remember to bring your full Class A and Class B uniforms!

To stay on the ship, you must be at least 6 years old. The cost for scouts will be $40.00 and family members will be $85.00 a head. The last day to sign up for this event, via the Pack’s website, will be October 15th. The last day money will be able to be paid will be 10/15/2017.

As stated previously, we will be taking 1 scout per adult on a first come, first serve basis. Sign up by October 8th. If there are space, we will open sign up for additional family members and siblings starting October 9th. However, if you sign up and then determine that you will not be able to attend, please inform Patrick Wise as soon as possible so that another family may take your place.

General Information

The program is open to organized youth groups: scouts, church, school, YMCA, etc.
Meals are served "Navy" fashion in the Chief Petty Officers’; Mess.
No carry-on food or drinks will be allowed. A snack bar and vending machines are available in addition to scheduled meals.
All campers are assigned specific berthing quarters and are requested to respect the privacy of other campers by not entering any other berthing quarters. The berthing quarters are heated and air-conditioned. Due to the volume of campers onboard, we cannot guarantee a specific berthing area to any group. We will make every effort to assign your group to an area that will adequately accommodate it. **PLEASE NOTE-DUE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF OUR BERTHING COMPARTMENTS AND THE NATURE OF OUR PROGRAM; THERE ARE NO MULTI-GENDER CAMPING AREAS. MALES MUST CAMP IN THE AREAS ASSIGNED FOR THEIR MALE CAMPERS AND FEMALES MUST CAMP IN THE AREAS ASSIGNED TO THEIR FEMALE CAMPERS-NO EXCEPTIONS.
Because of the fire code and as stated in a letter received from the State Fire Marshal’s office,"It is required that all persons sleeping onboard participate in a fire drill and physically traverse the escape route"...prior to the first night of their visit. To meet these requirements, all campers and adults must be onboard by 9:00 p.m., with no exceptions. We regret that those individuals who cannot meet these requirements may not camp onboard.
You are responsible for your own transportation to all events.
When coordinating your troop’s visit, please note that you must adhere to our set program schedule. If you would like to visit other area attractions, you should do so prior to arrival or after departure from Patriots Point.
Each person must bring a sleeping bag, pillow, soap, towel, and all other necessary personal effects. Insect repellent is advisable.
Patriots Point Camp Safety policy restricts campers to ages six and above. A parent or responsible adult must accompany campers 6-10. Campers 11-17 must have a group adult leader and one chaperone per every 10 campers. Female leaders must be responsible for female participants and male leaders for male participants.
Patriots Point has 24-hour security.
Due to other activities (banquets, ceremonies) taking place, it is quite possible that your group will be asked to stay clear of an area.

Options: Staying Off Ship

Some family members (or scouts) may elect to stay at a nearby hotel and join the scout activities during the day.
There are to options for doing this:
1) Be a "Camper": To join the pack in all meals and activities, including the excursion trip (tentatively a visit to Fort Sumter), each person must pay the full price for the camping package. You will have access to the ship all day and night. You will be able to join the Pack for all activities and meals. For this option, pay full package price to the pack.
2) Be a "Public Visitor": You may board the ship on Saturday from 9am to 6:30pm by paying the a la carte ticket prices on site. $22 for age 12+, $14 for age 6-11, Free for 6 and under. Meals and the excursion to Ft. Sumter are not included in the ticket price and would have to arranged individually. You will not have access to the ship during breakfast with the Pack. You will have access during lunch; there is a snack bar on board. For this option, pay no money to the pack. Buy tickets onsite. Patriot's Point

In either case, hotel reservations are the responsibility of the family.

Sample Schedule... our trip might look something like this...

FRIDAY
TBD: Arrive and board ship as one group.
8:00 PM Movie in ship’s theater.
9:45 PM MANDATORY FIRE DRILL-COMPLETE COOPERATION IS EXPECTED.
10:55 PM Tattoo.
11:00 PM Taps

SATURDAY
7:00 AM Reveille.
7:50 AM Meal Call A– assemble by troop in front of large US Flag. Scout Duty Officer to coordinate.
8:00 AM Shipstore opens in the Pavilion at the head of the pier.
8:25 AM Meal Call B– assemble by troop in front of large US Flag. Scout Duty Officer to coordinate.
9:00 AM Vietnam Era U.S. Naval Support Base and Cold War Memorial open to the public. Snack Bar opens.
9:00 AM Oceanography program scheduled for the following troops: (Meet staff outside theater @ 8:55 AM)
10:00 AM Palmetto Park opens. Admission paper required.
10:00 AM Fort Sumter Boat departs with these troops: (Boarding begins @ 9:30 AM)
5:30 PM Meal Call A– assemble by troop in front of large US Flag. Scout Duty Officer to coordinate.

5:30 PM Meal Call A– assemble by troop in front of large US Flag. Scout Duty Officer to coordinate.
6:00 PM Meal Call B– assemble by troop in front of large US Flag. Scout Duty Officer to coordinate.
7:10 PM Aviation Videos in ship’s theater-“Blue Angels.”
7:25 PM Historic Trails Program begins in ship’s theater.
9:00 PM Movie in ship’s theater.
9:45 PM MANDATORY FIRE DRILL-COMPLETE COOPERATION IS EXPECTED.
10:55 PM Tattoo.
11:00 PM Taps

SUNDAY
6:00 AM Reveille.
6:50 AM Meal Call A– assemble by troop in front of large US Flag. Scout Duty Officer to coordinate.
7:15 AM Meal Call B– assemble by troop in front of large US Flag. Scout Duty Officer to coordinate.
8:00 AM Shipstore opens in the Pavilion at the head of the pier.
9:00 AM Vietnam Era U.S. Naval Support Base and Cold War Memorial open to the public. Snack Bar opens.
10:00 AM Palmetto Park opens. Admission paper required.

More Information