Cache Lake, Canada
July 4th - 13th, 2025
Overview
Troop 888 is planning an expedition to the beautiful council-owned Cache Lake Camp in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.
Activities include boating, fishing, waterskiing, tubing, cabin camping, and more. The scenery and wildlife viewing is worth the trip alone!
The estimated cost per person for the Cache Lake Adventure will vary, depending on how many people participate and what activities you do.
Final cost will not be known until after the trip, since the amount of boat gas burned will not be known until then. With the rise in cost of goods we will collect $500 per attendee as an advance payment and make final adjustments after the trip. That's usually around $100 or so based on previous years.
We are planning for a group size of 25 participants, but the camp can accommodate more, if needed.
Eligibility to Attend
In order to be eligible, a Scout must meet these requirements:
At least 13 years old by 5/1/25 OR At least 12 years old by 5/1/25 and accompanied by parent
AND have attended one long term camp such as Summer Camp
AND have reached First Class Rank
AND have a valid passport
AND have completed an International Travel Consent Form
AND pass a BSA swim test at swimmer level
AND completed Parts A, B and C of the BSA Medical form
Any person (Scout or Adult) who wishes to operate a motor boat at Cache Lake must complete a boater safety education course and have a Boating License issued by a NASBLA authorized organization (IL DNR, US Power Squadron, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, etc.).
Troop 888 will be sponsoring a free course in March 2025. If you cannot attend that, you’ll still have to complete a course on your own.
Important Dates
January 15 Deposits due
March Boater Safety Course at Northminster (free)
April Fishing discussion – what is there, what tackle to bring
July 2nd Food Shopping
July 4th Meet at Northminster for departure @ 8:00am.
Stay at Camp Newman Lodge, Superior, WI for the nightJuly 5th Arrive at Handberg’s Marine, Crane Lake, MN.
Load out boats and head for CanadaJuly 12th Depart Cache Lake for Handberg’s
Stay at Camp Newman Lodge, Superior, WI for the nightJuly 13th Arrive back at Northminster at 5:00 PM
Basic Equipment Checklist
Each scout limited to one duffel and one daypack. Everything MUST pack inside one of those two bags. Duffel must fit inside a large black trash bag (to keep dry on boat ride to camp).
No cell service after we cross the border.
Leaders will have specialized emergency radios.
On Your Body
Scout uniform
Closed-toed shoes and socks
An inexpensive wrist watch
Identification
In Your Daypack
Water bottle
Rain gear (be prepared)
Medicine (if listed on med form)
Non-aerosol bug spray (25% DEET recommended) and sunscreen
Pocket knife
Headlamp (preferred) and/or flashlight
Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush and a hair tie (if applicable)
Spending money
Scout Handbook
In Your Duffel
Sleeping bag, fitted sheet, and pillow
Camp provides mattresses but no sheets, etc.
It will get cool at night.
Fishing tackle (we’ll cover in a meeting in March)
Clothing for a week:
5 Troop t-shirts
10 pairs of sock/underwear
4 pairs of shorts
1 pair of Scout pants or similar
A Coast Guard approved life jacket in good condition that meets your size/ weight requirements. Check with Mrs. Hartman before buying.
Swimsuit (choose one that will cover you in all activities), goggles, and rash guard (recommended)
Washcloth and towel
Biodegradable soap/shampoo
Additional Forms
Camp History
Cache Lake Camp is a Scout camp owned by the W. D. Boyce Council, located in Ontario, Canada. The camp is located 670 miles north of Bloomington, Illinois, approximately 8 miles via water, northeast of Crane Lake, Minnesota. This camping opportunity was started in 1963 – with all of the start-up and annual maintenance work conducted by dedicated volunteers.
Click here to read the history of Cache Lake Camp.