When and Where

Grand Rapids North, Grand Valley and Rush Creek Councils are pleased to host the 2025 Regional Conference on Saturday, November 8, 2025.  The GVRC Campground, where the All Michigan Camporee was held, will host this training conference for counselors.  Whether you are new to this ministry, or have years of experience, there will be great learning opportunities for you at this event.

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This year's theme is "Stand Firm," and our theme verse is I Corinthians 16:13-14.  In addition to equipping you in your cadet ministry with a variety of interesting workshops, the conference will focus on International Camporee, so you can prepare yourself for Kamp Longview in July, 2026.

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Conference registration costs $30 per person, which covers the cost of the conference, a continenal breakfast and a lunch of pulled pork with all the trimmings.  Overnight accommodations are available upon request, at no additional cost.

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Click Here to Register Online

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Schedule

• ​7:30-8:30 Registration & Continental Breakfast

• 8:30-9:15 Opening/Keynote: Dick Broene

• 9:25-10:20 Workshop Session 1

• 10:35-11:30 Workshop Session 2

• 11:30am-12:15pm Lunch

• 12:15-1:10 Workshop Session 3

• 1:25-2:20 Workshop Session 4

• 2:30-3:00 Closing

 

Click Here to Register Online

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Workshops - Choose One per Session

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Session 1 (9:25-10:20)

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1. Counselor Certification - 2 hour - This workshop will fully certify you as a Cadet Counselor, which is required to attend the next International Camporee.

2. Dutch Oven Cooking- Cooking in a stove is hard to do when you are camping alone in the woods. However, a dutch oven makes it possible. Come to this workshop to learn how from David Hoppe.

3. Knots and Lashing Merit Badge - This workshop will run through the merit badge requirements, with an emphasis on the lashing skills needed to survive at International Camporee.
4. Easy One Night Craft Ideas - Few counselors can show you more crafts for all ages than Dan Dennis!  Sign up for this workshop and Dan will give you several ideas for "make your own" crafts for various age groups.
5. Game Processing - Hunting season is upon us!  If you get a deer, wouldn't it be great to butcher it yourself?  At this workshop, Gerrit Sterk will show a video with instructions on processing your deer, then lead a discussion where others can share their tips and tricks.
6. How to Recruit and Retain Counselors - Believe it or not, this is a problem that every cadet club has to deal with from year to year. If this is something you and your club struggle with, then this workshop is for you! Together, we will brainstorm and learn some ideas to get men to volunteer to be counselors and then keep them for longer than a year.

7. International Camporee Ready-Set-Go: You are planning to attend Kamp Longview in July, 2026, now what?  Don Van Der Klok will walk you through a checklist of items you must consider to ensure you are completely ready to hit the ground running on Wednesday, July 15.  From gear list recommendations and tips, to shelter building prep, to effectively communicating with your co counselor and cadre cadets, this workshop will provide the critical details from counselors who have "been there, done that."

8. First Aid: Are you and your cadets ready for Snow Derby?  In this workshop, you'll learn how to train your boys to participate in the "Cliff Rescue" station.  From responding to an injured person, to employing splints and dealing with bleeding wounds, you'll be prepared.

 

 

Session 2 (10:35-11:30)

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1. Counselor Certification - 2nd hour

2. Head Counselor Certification​ - This one-hour workshop will certify you as a Head Counselor. This is strongly recommended for anyone who is or will be leading a cadet club.

3. Introduction to ICC Structure Building - Learn how to build an International Camporee structure, using materials similar to what will be provided at Kamp Longview in Alberta, July 2026.  From preparing a site to lashing the poles to getting it weathertight, you'll leave knowing the basics of making a home for your cadre at International Camporee.

4. Simple, Affordable Cadet Games - Come and play games cadets love, which do not take much in the way of preparation, equipment or budget!
5. Camp Cooking Merit Badge - This workshop will give you hands on experience cooking over an open fire and a gas stove.  Perfect skills to get ready for International Camporee.
6. Genealogy Merit Badge - Craig Bruins can show you how to look up your family tree with free online tools at this workshop.  You will be amazed at how easy it is to find out details about your forefathers! 
7. Paracord Braiding - Braiding can be an important skill if used properly. Come to this workshop where an experienced counselor will teach you how to use paracord and braiding to make something useful.
8. Bonding with Boys: The Goal of Cadeting states that "The primary emphasis in cadeting is the relationship that develops between the counselor and each boy…" If that is really our primary emphasis, we should each endeavor to become experts at it. But too often, we simply put in our time teaching badges and Bible lessons, without knowing whether or not we're really connecting. Come to this workshop and learn how best to really build bonds with the young men God has put under your charge.
    

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Session 3 (12:15-1:10)

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1. Jr Counselor Certification - 2 hour - This workshop will fully certify a Cadet to be a Jr Counselor using the Leadership Guidetrail booklet. You must be certified in order to go to the International Camporee as a Jr Counselor.  Tom Dykema

2. Archery ** Limit 10 ** - Do you want to “stretch” your knowledge about shooting bows and arrows? Join us at our archery range to learn more about archery and the appropriate safety skills. (Paul DeVos)

3. Riflery** Limit 10 ** - Do you know the correct safety commands and firing rules at a firing range? Join us at our shooting range to learn more about these and have fun shooting some guns. (Dave DeGraaf)

4. Advanced ICC Structure Building - Hey, you can live in a basic structure, but how would you like to live well?  A vanilla structure will be transformed to have doors, a luggage platform, and any other hacks suggested by counselors experienced in building structures at International Camporee.​

5. Welding - The very first thing noted in the Welding merit badge is this, “WARNING: Welding is very dangerous and should not be attempted without the careful supervision of an adult who is skilled in the art of welding.” Welding truly is a form of art, and we are lucky to have men in our council who are certified welders. Join them at this workshop to learn the basics of welding and maybe even try your hand at welding something yourself.

6. Axemanship and Firebuilding - Both of these merit badges are needed to certify for International Camporee, and this workshop will show you how teach both badges to your cadets.​​​

7. Raising the Flag - Randy Ten Brink will teach you how to call out the commands for properly raising and lowering the flag.  When do we present arms?  When do we order them?  Register for this workshop and find out!

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Session 4 (1:25-2:20)

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1. Jr Counselor Certification - 2nd hour

2. Archery ** Limit 10 ** - Do you want to “stretch” your knowledge about shooting bows and arrows? Join us at our archery range to learn more about archery and the appropriate safety skills.

3. Riflery** Limit 10 ** - Do you know the correct safety commands and firing rules at a firing range? Join us at our shooting range to learn more about these and have fun shooting some guns.

4. Hiking - Did you know there are walking/hiking trails here at the GVRC campground? Spend some time walking a trail or two while following the campground's nature trail booklet, trying your hand at the animal track hunt, as well as learning about the various badges that can be accomplished out here in the woods!

5. ICC Prep for 1st Time Counselors​ -  If you have never been to Cadet International Camporee, and have any interest in going to Kamp Longview in July, 2026, come to this workshop  Don VanDerKlok and Paul De Windt will inform you of everything you need to know to prepare for your first camporee as counselors or junior counselors.

6. Get Your Cadre Box - You need a fully stocked cadre box at International Camporee.  Bill Hovinga will show you how to build one, and how to stock it so it meets size and weight requirements.

7. Life and Death DGW Merit Badge - All of us experience the joys of new life and the pain of losing a loved one to death. Even as adults, these experiences can cause emotions that are difficult to handle. What does God’s Word teach us about this back-and-forth cycle we experience during our own lives? In this workshop, we will learn how to teach Cadets ways to journey through the cycle of life and death with a deep foundation in God’s Word and His love for us.​

 

Click Here to Register Online

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