Yes! At FCF we treat boys and men equally. You will need to take the Ranger Leaders training in order to advance in FCF, plus all adults need to have their pastor's permission to attend camps and have a background check on file with the church.

Each level of FCF has a handbook that you can download when you register for the advancement camp.  Advancement requirements are listed there. Additionally, you can purchase the FCF handbook to track and plan your progress.

You enter FCF as a Frontiersmen after completing Frontier Adventure camp. This allows you to become a member and attend all other FCF camps, but all testing for advancement takes place at Frontier Advancement camp.

You need to download the Workbook for the level you'd like to advance TO.

For Frontiersmen to advance to Buckskin, they need to be actively working on thier Adventure Silver medal or E2 Award (men need Trained Leader training), turn in a completed advancement workbook and score enough points on their practical testing during the Frontier Adventure; so come prepared. They also need Company Trapper Trapper's Brigade hours.

Buckskin members typically attend Frontier Adventure camp two or more years before advancing to Wilderness. They too need to downoad the Wilderness Workbook and undergo testing to show their competency before being allowed to move onto the next level. They need Adventure Gold or E3 (men Advanced Training), and Bourgeois Trappers Brigade level to advance to Wilderness.

The final level of graduation is the Wilderness Vigil. Candidates need to be ready physically, mentally and spiritually for this challenge. Details of the adventure are kept secret and are only revealed to candidates as needed, but suffice to say candidates must have a complete outfit, all the necessary Frontiersmen gear and knowledge to survive a night without sleep in the wilderness.

This will take a bit or research. Start by looking at your son’s interests and then research what kinds of trades Frontiersmen had between 1750 and 1850. His outfit will largely depend on his trade. Trades were very specialized in those days, so instead of being a leather maker you’d rather be a saddle maker, for example. Visit the FCF section on this site and click on “persona” and “trades” for more info.

Start off slowly. Shop at Goodwill and other thrift stores for clothing that looks the part and build from there. This is not supposed to cost you much so keep it simple and get stuff that you might trade. Once you have a general idea, you start making your own items or shopping for them online. http://www.nationalfcf.com/Vendors/tabid/1218/Default.aspx

• Complete Junior Training Camp (JTC) and be actively working towards discovery gold eagle or adventure bronze.
• Must be at least 11 years old, and recommended by his outpost leader
• Complete Frontiersmen Adventure Camp

Food is only provided at the Frontier Adventure and Advancement camp. Bring your favorite food and prepare it at camp, and remember: keep it simple!

Yes! Just come as you are and you will be accepted. We have marquees your son can set up to stay in or he can share a lodge with other Young Bucks. Frontiersmen campers are extremely generous and will lend you whatever you need. You are expected to work hard at getting or making your own gear.

NOTE: All gear is provided to you at your first Adventure Camp, after that you need to provide your own.

Frontiersmen were typically nomadic and got by with very little, so you really don’t need much.

• Get yourself a brown canvas tarp at Fleet Farm you can use to make a shelter or small tent. We’ll show you how.
• A small cot is nice to keep you off the cold or wet ground
• Use a modern sleeping bag, cover it with a cheap wool blanket for the primitive look
• Build yourself a wooden box 1’tall x about 2’x about 1’ to store all your gear in. Store your clothes in a satchel
• Cooking gear you need is a cast iron pan that doubles as your plate, eating utensils and a coffee pot for boiling water.
• A good fixed blade knife and sheath
• A throwing knife (has to be single bladed)
• A tomahawk and sheath
• A flint and steel kit, charred cloth and tin (an Altoids tin works well)
• Rope for lashing.
• Lantern and candles

The Old Timers tend to purchase primitive tents with heaters, bring in beds and matrasses but really, all that is not necessary! Rough it, enjoy the adventure!

Download the packet for the level your are working towards.

New Candidates download the Frontiersman Workbook

Frontiersman download the Buckskin Workbook

Buckskinners download the Wilderness Workbook

You need to review your workbook BEFORE camp. You will be asked to turn it in to your Advancment Representitive who will grade it and let you know whether you can advance to the next level.

In general, practice your knife, hawk and fire starting skills. Spend time at home MAKING items for your outfit! This will earn you enough beads to advance.

Registering for any district camp just got a whole lot easier!

• Set up an account for your family. All your camp info and forms are saved in one convenient place!
• Fill out your medical forms once, and you're set. Of course, you can go back and edit your information at any time.
• Enroll in the camps your family members plan to attend and we'll hold a space for you. Pay for events individually or all at once whenever you're ready. (Of course, we require at least partial payment before you're considered registered for camp).
• When you enroll, your Outpost is notified. Contact Doris if you need registration reports emailed to your outpost.
• Leaders, if you're serving on staff at a camp, get with the comp coordinator. He may have a discount code for you.