Project N.E.S.T. is Ransburg's renowned first-year camper program. Debuted in the summer of 2024, this program received accolades from Scouts, Leaders, and parents. The NEST area, halfway down Hoosier Heritage Ridge, only serves as a home base for your first-year Scouts as they will be exploring all that camp has to offer. On day one, scouts will be assigned into "NEST patrols" with other campers. Accompanied by a staff "NEST Guide", patrols will explore camp, complete activities, and compete with each other in pursuit of learning and advancement. As the most important lesson of NEST is the patrol method, it is important that scouts participate all week long: Project NEST is not an a la carte program.

Project NEST participants will work on rank and merit badge requirements including tools, fire, first aid, nature, knots, aquatics, navigation, and citizenship. At the end of the week, unit leaders will receive a report of all requirements completed by each scout. The exact curriculum changes each summer as we seek to develop the best possible NEST program, please consult the activity schedule or website for the most up-to-date information. 

Project NEST is intended for Scouts who have joined in the past 6 months and are Scout or Tenderfoot ranked with many requirements to work on. Project NEST Scouts are encouraged to take a merit badge in the afternoon (we especially recommend Swimming or Handicraft badges) and leave the 4:00-5:00 slot free for Open Activities. Adult Leaders are always welcome to observe; each troop with a Scout participating in the 5-mile hike is encouraged to provide an adult leader for supervision during that hike. If a scout has just a few requirements to complete, instead of Project NEST they should come to the NEST area's other programming: Open Advancement, no registration required. Bring some friends and pick a skill to work on; our staff love to teach!