Bridger-Teton FAQ

Contingent Questions (8)

Is there an emergency contact number for the Bridger-Teton Project?

We have set up an emergency contact number that can be used to contact Bridger-Teton Participants or Staff while they are at the project. This number will be for emergencies only. The number will be active from July 23 until August 2nd.

Given the nature of the ArrowCorp5 Bridger-Teton project, callers should be ready to leave their name, a message, and a call back number. Depending on where the participant or staff member is at the time of the call, it may take several hours to get them the message. If they are at one of the remote project sites, it may take 12 to 24 hours to get them to a telephone where they may return the call.

The Bridger-Teton emergency contact number will be: 507-396-4270
Please do not try to call this number before July 23 or after August 2nd.

When calling, please have ready the person's name, council (not lodge) name, and council number. This will help us contact the person sooner.

Note: While most numbers in the Jackson, WY area have a 307 area code, the phone number we are using for our emergency contact number has a 507 area code. This is not a typo, the correct area code for the number is indeed 507.

Is there any benefit to registering early in the day, say in the morning, versus later in the afternoon?

We expect that the vast majority of participants will arrive in the afternoon, due to plane schedules and driving time. If you come in the morning, you will be less likely to encounter lines and waits (although there may still be peak times that are quite busy, such as when a large group from an airplane flight arrives all at once)

Our contingent will not be traveling together. Are we required to register together at the same time or can we register as each of our carloads arrive in Jackson?

While it makes some things easier to have an entire contingent register at the same time, it is not required. However, if there are any questions about payments due, no contingent members will be able to complete their registration until the fee problems are resolved. This may cause some early arriving members to have to wait until the contingent leader arrives with a check or proof of payment to resolve the issue. Some other issues might also require a contingent leader to resolve (youth/adult tenting issues, etc.). In addition, campsite assignments require the adult contingent leader. If others arrive earlier, they will need to wait for the contingent leader before setting up camp.

If I am unable to attend ArrowCorps⁵ after registering, can I receive a refund?

No. Due to the nature and scope of the project, it is not possible to issue refunds. However, another OA member who meets the ArrowCorps⁵ requirements can take your spot. Just make sure his name is substituted for yours when your contingent arrives on site. Please DO NOT contact the National office concerning this issue; instead contact our registration director send an email to registration@totallytetons.org )

How much will it cost to participate in Bridger-Teton?

The registration fee for ArrowCorps⁵ is $250. A non-refundable $100 deposit per individual is due with the lodge contingent registration. After May 1, 2008, the fee is $300. All participants must register through their local council.

What if our Council wants to attend two different service sites?

Councils can send more than one contingent. Council members not going to a site where their council contingent is attending can also attend other work sites by traveling with another local contingent. Section and region coordinators may work with contingent coordinators to arrange transportation for Arrowmen traveling to any ArrowCorps⁵ site they desire.

Are adults allowed to attend ArrowCorps⁵?

Yes, both youth and adults are strongly encouraged to attend any ArrowCorps⁵ location. This is the best opportunity for adults to have a high adventure program experience. However, every youth and adult must be physically fit to attend.

If this list of FAQ did not answer my question, who do I contact?

You can send your unanswered questions in the form of an e-mail to oa.bridgertetons@gmail.com (the official e-mail address for the Bridger- Teton ArrowCorps⁵ project). You will receive a response as soon as an answer is available.

Camping and Logistics (12)

Will I be able to wash clothes during the week?

No. There will not be a opportunity to wash clothes during the week. Think of a Philmont Trek when planning how much clothing to pack - except remember to think "layers for the potentially large temperature range.

Will the Arrowmen based in Jackson use the high school showers and bathrooms?

No. There will be too many participants for the high school facilities to handle. There will be outdoor showers and porta-potties on site at Jackson High School.

Will it be hot or cold at the Bridger-Teton project?

There was snowfall in at Bridger-Teton in early June. You need to think "layers" when packing for ArrowCorps⁵. It might be 85 degrees in the afternoon and 15 degrees that night.

I have special dietary needs. What should I do?

Breakfast and Lunch will be Philmont Trail meals each day. Each evening meal will be cooked. If you have dietary concerns that are medical in nature, you must note it on your medical form and bring it to the attention of the medical staff at registration when you arrive on site. If your dietary concerns are non-medical in nature, they may not be able to be accommodated due to the scope and nature of the ArrowCorps⁵ project.

How will meals be served?

Breakfast and lunch will be "trail" meals, with both handed out in the morning. Participants will carry the lunch meal with them to eat on trail. Two meals are packed per package, so each pair of people will share one meal package. Each night a hot, freshly cooked dinner will be served. Water will available continuously at camp and will be made accessible at all times during the day on the trail.

Will there be water available for washing hands and brushing teeth?

Yes there will be water for these purposes. Participants should consider having a small bottle of hand sanitizer too.

What will the toilet facilities be like at the Bridger-Teton project sites?

Portable toilets will be at each of the camping locations and project sites. Cat holes may be necessary while working in remote areas. More information and directions will be provided during your training and orientation.

Where will participants be sleeping?

All participants will be sleeping in tents. A jamboree style camp will be located near Jackson High School. All participants will be camping at Jackson on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Participants assigned to the Dutch Joe and Goosewing project sites will depart on Sunday, July 27th and will camp at those sites. You should plan on two persons per tent and plan to bring your own tentage.

Will there be showers?

We will have very limited shower facilities at the Jackson command post. There will be no showers at the remote sites. We are looking for ways to provide showers. We strongly recommend that each participant considers bringing and using a waterless body wash or shampoo such as "No Rinse" to keep you clean and smelling good.

What is the "uniform" for the evening after project work hours?

The Scout activity uniform with ArrowCorps⁵ or other Scout appropriate shirt would be appropriate. Shorts or long pants depending on preference and weather conditions.

When does the official Scout uniform need to be worn during the project?

The Official Scout uniform is to be worn for dinner, and the opening Gathering on Saturday, July 26 and again for the closing dinner and Gathering on Friday, August 1. Contingents will determine appropriate attire for arrival and photos on Saturday July 26, and departure on Saturday, August 2, 2008.

Will food be provided?

Yes, your meals will be provided during the project time period. The first meal provided will be Supper on Saturday, July 26th, and the last meal will be Breakfast on Saturday, August 2nd.

Project Questions (9)

When will I know which project I will be working on?

Contingents will be assigned to projects when they arrive on site. Individuals will be assigned to squads and crews during the same time. Contingent members may be assigned to different crews and squads.

Will council contingents be split between more than one location?

No. All members of a council contingent will be assigned to the same project location (Teton Pass, Goosewing or Dutch Joe).

What is the leadership structure on the trail?

ArrowCorps⁵ will follow the ICS structure. On the trail, individuals will be assigned to a squad of 4-9 Arrowmen. The squad is led by a squad leader and/or an assistant squad leader, both of whom are members of the support staff. Two to Four squads will form a crew, which will be led by a crew leader, who is also a member of the support staff.

What kind of first aid facilities will be available on the trail?

Each project crew will have a first aid kit and we will have trained medical personnel at each project site. Each participant and staff member should have their own personal first aid kit. We will be working in wilderness locations and safety is first and foremost. Each USFS and a number of our OA staff will have radios to reach emergency medical services. As noted on the ArrowCorps⁵ medical form - we are in remote settings and a hospital could be hours away which is why our medical requirements for participants and staff working in the backcountry are so important.

Is there a map of each work site that I can download to become familiar with where I will be working and camping?

Maps of the camping and work sites will be provided as needed on site. We are working with the USFS to determine the best locations for our crews to provide the most effective service to Bridger-Teton.

Who is the IC and who are the Section Chiefs for the Bridger-Teton project?

Here are ICS leaders for Bridger-Teton:

Incident Commander - Dan Segersin
Operations Section Chief - Brian Seeton. Operations are responsible for leading and getting the projects completed. Participants will be organized under the Operations Section
Logistics Section Chief - Ken Davis. Logistics is responsible for feeding, transporting, communications, housing and providing all other support and materials for the participants and the projects.
Plans Section Chief - Andy Martin. Plans are responsible for documenting the plans that are to be executed in accomplishing the BT project goals.
Finance/Administration Section Chief - Bill Lenker. Responsible for all financial matters, trading post operations, registration and promoting the project.

How is the project organized?

The project is being organized under the Incident Command System (ICS) structure. The ICS structure is commonly used to manage events or situations such as forest fires. The use of the ICS allows us to use a structure the USFS is familiar with. The lead volunteer for the project is called the Incident Commander and his key leaders are called Section Chiefs.

How will participants be assigned to the different projects?

The largest number of participants will be assigned to the Teton Pass project. Approximately 300 participants and staff will be assigned to the Goosewing and Dutch Joe fence removal projects. If a contingent would like to request to be assigned to one of the fence removal projects we will try to accommodate that request but we can't guaranty you will get that project. The needs of USFS projects must come first.

What is a JHA?

Have you every seen or heard of a JHA? No, it's not a Jumbo Hot Apple pie baked only at Philmont Scout Ranch. It's a Job Hazard Analysis and it is created and used to keep people safe while performing a job. In this case, a JHA has been written to make sure you are safe while being of service at Bridger-Teton.

Here is how a JHA works: first each job is reviewed step by step and all the steps are written down. Then all the hazards that could happen while doing each step are written down. Last, but certainly not least, it's determined what can be done to make each step as safe as possible. The safety precautions may be as simple as wearing gloves and safety glasses or making sure there is a protective cover on the sharp edges of a bow saw blade when not in use.

When you arrive at Bridger-Teton, you will get to review a JHA for the job you are assigned to perform. This will help you to do the job safely and hopefully keep you from visiting the safety and medical people. A JHA is like a recipe with all the ingredients to make a great apple pie, if you leave out one of the main ingredients like sugar, it could mean a big disaster in taste. Forgetting one of the ingredients to do you job safely could result in missing out on all the fun at Bridger-Teton due to injury. So when you arrive at camp, be sure to learn and follow all the safe steps to make this service project a safe and favorable experience for all of us.

Recreation (3)

What will we be doing after dinner each night?

After a hard work day everyone deserves a little bit of relaxation and play. At each site we will be offering multiple opportunities for fun and fellowship in the evenings. They include, plant identification, film show, mountain man, astronomy, and much more. Each site will have evening activities that everyone can enjoy and take part in. Or, if you want to just gather and talk about Scouting, the OA or what a great place you're in, that will be available too. In addition we will have some athletic recreation options in Jackson. Be sure not to miss out on the sweet stuff after dinners.

I heard there will be a day of recreation. How will that work?

Each participant will have one day where they will be able to participate in a recreational activity. We will offer 5 options that participants can choose from. The recreation options are listed on Recreational Opportunities page on this website.

Can I leave camp during the day or at night with a buddy?

No. Participants and staff must remain at the camp with their contingents for the duration of ArrowCorps⁵. There will be activities scheduled for participants and staff in the evening after returning to camp after working on the trail.

Things to Bring (11)

Will I have access to my vehicle during the week?

No. There is limited parking space at Jackson High School. Due to the large number of vehicles, we have secured off-site parking. Your vehicle will most likely not be located at Jackson High School. You must plan to take everything you need for the week out of your vehicle.

Will my cell phone work at B-T?

Most likely not. Cell phone reception is spotty. There may be some weak reception near the high school, but there will definitely not be cell phone signal in the backcountry. There will be radios on the trail that will be in constant contact with the Jackson base for safety and emergencies.

Will I have power available for a laptop or radio?

No. There will be power access / generators on site at each project for basic support needs only. The use of power for personal electronics will not be allowed. You should plan to be without internet service while at Bridger-Teton.

Will my cell phone work at the Bridger-Teton project area?

No. Cell service is spotty and in some project areas non existent. You should not plan on being able to use your cell phone while participating in ArrowCorps⁵ at Bridger-Teton. Projects will be in constant communication with each other and the base of operations via radio communication.

Is there anything I can not or should not bring?

Do not bring computers or other electronic devices. There will not be power (i.e. electricity) available for participants or support staff for personal use. Also refer to the ArrowCorps⁵ code of conduct.

Will there be a trading post on site at Bridger-Teton?

Yes. The items will be limited to Bridger-Teton project specific items. The full trading post list of items for ArrowCorps⁵ will be available for pre-order on the OA website. (http://tradingpost.oa-bsa.org). Items will be shipped to you prior to ArrowCorps⁵. Due to lack of phone service and limited power, the trading post is planned to only accept CASH or CHECK, NO CREDIT CARDS. There is not an ATM on site.

The ArrowCorps⁵ medical form asks if I have been immunized for hepatitis A and B. Do I need these immunizations?

No. The medical form is simply asking if you have had these immunizations. They are not required for participation in ArrowCorps⁵.

What's the weather like?

Beware of avalanches on the BTNF! That is if you are planning to visit the BTNF during the winter months. Well, so much for the wintry stuff.

Of course, the BTNF-ArrrowCorps5 project is not slated for the winter months, but during the height of the summer months. Staff and participants should expect BTNF's usual summer weather pattern of clear and calm (and possibly chilly with low's in the 40's) in the morning, with clouds, wind, (and warm - high 80's) with possible thunderstorms building up in the afternoon. Forest Supervisor Lesley Williams says the sound of the thunderstorms can be pretty scary, but awesome, especially as the storm system reverberates throughout the mountains. And, you can't forget about the associated lightening concern. Think Philmont Scout Ranch type weather - the weather on the BTNF will be very similar.

So, we suggest you bring that nice warm fleece for the cool mornings and be prepared for the very warm afternoons. If you are interested in knowing more about weather in the BTNF area, please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Riverton, WY web site at http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/.

Is there a restriction to the type of tent I can use?

Due to space limitations and the need to be able to arrange the camp site, please plan to use a standard "2-man tent", and plan to share it with another member of your contingent. Large wall tents and/or family-sized tents are discouraged.

Will shelters be provided? Will I need to bring my own tent?

You will need to bring your own tent. You will be camping in or near U.S. National Forest. So you will need to bring your own tent and everything else you would need to be in the wilderness for a week. See the What to Bring page on this website for the list of what each participant needs to bring.

Will I need to bring my own tools?

No, tools will be provided for you onsite. NOTE: Some personal equipment will be required, including gloves and personal work shoes. See the What to Bring page on this website for the list of what each participant needs to bring.

Transportation (7)

If I am serving as staff can I travel with my council's contingent?

All staff members must arrive by their assigned arrival date to ensure they receive the necessary training and planning. Staff arrival dates are before contingents arrive. If you have special requirements you will need to send the request to your designated section chief to get advance permission. Squad leaders and assistant squad leaders who need to depart with the lodge contingent will be allowed to do so.

Will I be able to use my vehicle during ArrowCorps⁵?

No. Due to an expected large number of vehicles and limited parking, vehicles will be parked and will not be accessible during ArrowCorps⁵. There will be exceptions made on a case-by-case basis (i.e. medical issues, etc.). No personal vehicles will be allowed at either Dutch Joe or the Goosewing project location.

Is there shuttle service from the airport to the ArrowCorps⁵ Bridger-Teton site?

Yes, there will be a shuttle available between the Jackson airport and the project HQ. The cost for this service will be $25 per person round trip. Shuttles will be scheduled based on travel plans are collected from participants and staff. See more details on the Map and Directions page.

Can I arrive early if my travel plans necessitate it?

The Bridger-Tetons staff is working to make reasonable early arrival possible if your travel plans require it. Early arrivals are not encouraged and there will not be food service for early arrivals. If you need to request permission for an early arrival, contact our registration director (send an email to registration@totallytetons.org ).

Can I fly to the Bridger- Tetons ArrowCorps⁵ site?

Yes. There is a small airport in Jackson, WY. Flights into Jackson are very limited. If you plan to fly to Jackson, you will need to book those flights early. Salt Lake City, UT and Idaho Falls, ID airports may provide more options but you will need to arrange transportation from those airports to our Jackson base of operations.

When do lodge contingents need to arrive and when will they leave?

You will need to arrive for contingent check-in between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on Saturday July 26. ArrowCorps⁵ will officially begin with supper on July 26. Contingents will be free to depart after breakfast on Saturday, August 2nd.

Can we ship some of our equipment to the Bridger-Teton project ahead of time so we do not have to carry it with us?

Yes. The US Forest Service office has agreed to accept shipments for people participating in the Bridger-Teton ArrowCorps5 project. Here is the shipping address to use:

Bridger-Teton Service Project - OA
c/o Bridger Teton National Forest
Attn: Lesley Williams (for council name / council number)
25 Rosencrans Lane
Jackson, WY 83001

Make sure to clearly include your council name and council number (not your lodge name or number) in the address so we can find the shipment for you when you arrive.

Plan to have your shipment arrive no later than Wednesday, July 23, so we have time to locate it and make it ready for you. Please also send an email to our project email address (oa.bridgertetons@gmail.com) telling us your council name and number, the shipping company name, and the expected arrival date so we know what shipments to look for.

If a phone number is needed for shipment, please use Lesley's office number: (307) 739-5424. Please use this number only for shipment address purposes, do not call it for general B-T project information.