North Carolina Transportation Museum

1 Samuel Spencer Dr

Spencer, N.C. 28159

www.nctransportationmuseum.org

Two nights of camping on our 60-acre historic site

• Hands-on transportation activities facilitated by museum educators to complete the Railroading Merit Badge
• A 25-minute ride around the museum on our historic train
• Experience a ride on the 1924 turntable, the centerpiece of railroad operations at the largest remaining roundhouse in North America
• Museum scavenger hunt
• Free time to explore the museum
• Flag Ceremonies 
• Skit / Talent Show Saturday night
• Troop Banner Contest
• Amateur Radio Operator for Jamboree-on-the-Air

Cost is $30 plus a $5.10 tax and handling fee for a total of $35.10 per participant.*

*At least one responsible adult (leader/parent chaperone) per attending rank (Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelo, and Arrow of Light) is required to purchase and “Adult” registration ticket and must remain with their scout(s) throughout the duration of the event. All other attending adults/children who will not be participating in the scouting event are not required to pay the Cub Scout Transportation Explorer Day event registration fee. Visitors who are not paying the Cub Scout Transportation Explorer Day registration fee will be opting out of the provided lunch and we cannot ensure that additional space within the event classrooms will be available.
Our Cub Scout Transportation Explorer Day event runs simultaneously with our Steam Over Spencer: A Live Steam Model Train Event, therefore any individuals not paying the Cub Scout Transportation Explorer Day fee will be asked to pay the Steam Over Spencer event fee to gain entrance to the Museum. Train Rides can be added for an additional cost. Please see below for the pricing schedule for the weekend.

Friday Schedule:

• 4:00pm – 9:00pm: Check-in and Campsite Set Up  
• 9:15pm – 10:15pm: Cracker Barrel Meeting (Troop/Patrol Leaders)
• 10:15pm: Lights Out

Saturday Schedule:

• 8:00am – 8:30am: Check-In at the Barber Junction Visitor’s Center
• 8:45am – 9:00am: Flag Raising Ceremony 
• 9:10am – 12:20pm:
• AM Groups (A-E): Merit Badge Classes
• PM Groups (F-J): Free Time
• Museum Scavenger Hunt
• Red Springs and Northern Speeders
• JOTA
• Turntable Rides (Specified Times)
• Train Ride (11:45am-12:15pm)
• 12:20pm – 1:20pm: ALL GROUPS – Lunch (Food NOT Provided) 
• 1:30pm-4:40pm:
• AM Groups (A-E): Free Time
• Museum Scavenger Hunt
• Red Springs and Northern Speeders
• JOTA
• Turntable Rides (Specific Times)
• Train Ride (3:00pm-3:30pm)
• PM Groups (F-J): Merit Badge Classes
• 5:15pm – 5:30pm: Merit Badge Official Closing (To The Colors & Retreat)
• 7:00pm – 9:45pm: Skit/Talent Show & Banner Contest Award
• 9:45pm – 10:00pm: Closing of Day (Tattoo & Taps)
• 10:30pm: Lights Out

Sunday Schedule: 

• 8:00am – 11:00am: Campsite Clean Up & Departure (TURN IN SURVEY)

Can Cub Scouts attend?

No. We have a separate event for Cub Scouts planned for March. Please check our website for details.

An exception is Arrow of Light scouts who are associated with a Scouts BSA troop. They may take part in this event with their troop.

What about younger siblings?

No, except for special circumstances. Please contact us for more information.

This event will be held rain or shine. Our activities are indoors and you can still attend them if you choose not to camp.

The Gift Station will be open to all visitors, including scouts, from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday. 

What do we need to bring for the merit badge workshop?

• A printed merit badge worksheet for each scout

http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/worksheets/Railroading.pdf

• A pen or pencil for each scout

What requirements will be taught?

Rail Camp covers everything required to earn the Railroading Merit Badge. Some requirements, such as riding a train, will be covered during your free time. Your troop will rotate through five 30-minute classes:

A Merit Badge Counselor will be on-site for our 2025 Scout’s BSA Aviation Day and 2025 Scout’s BSA Rail Camp. Blue Cards will be provided by the counselor who will be available to sign off on all cards for each merit badge once all classes have been completed and all requirements have been satisfied.

Counselor Information:
Meghan DeLapp
Counselor For Aviation & Railroading Merit Badges
Central North Carolina Council 416

When you check-in at the Barber Junction. Each adult and scout attending receives an event patch.

We do not have any uniform requirements. Most troops wear Class A uniforms, and some wear Class Bs. Dressing appropriately for the weather is most important, since most classes are in unheated buildings.

How do I register?

Register online or your troop can pay by check. Please make checks out to NCTMF. Checks can be mailed to:

N.C. Transportation Museum
411 S. Salisbury Ave.
Spencer, NC 28159
Attn: Meghan DeLapp

Can I register my scout individually?

Yes. However, we would prefer the Scout to attend with their Troop. If they attend individually a parent or guardian must also register and attend with the Scout.

What is the refund policy?

We do not offer refunds or exchanges unless the Scout’s BSA Aviation Day itself is canceled or rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions. 

If the Museum elects to reschedule the Scout’s BSA Aviation Day, an alternative date will be selected and offered. We will offer refunds for 30 days after the alternative date is announced; after that, we cannot give refunds.

Where and when do we check in?

Check-in on Friday evening is at the Barber Junction Visitor’s Center adjacent to the parking lot, from 4 p.m to 9 p.m. If you arrive after check-in has closed, you may check in the following morning from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m.

When do we leave?

Camp sites must be empty and clean by 11 a.m. Sunday morning. However, you can stay and enjoy the site on your own until 5 p.m.

Do we have to camp overnight?

No. You are welcome to attend Saturday’s activities without actually camping on site. You will check in Saturday morning at 8:00 am.

Where do we camp? Do we have to “backpack” our gear in?

Camping is in a grassy field adjacent to our historic buildings. Campsites are first-come-first-serve. The parking lot is close by, but you are welcome to practice packing in and camping from backpacks.

Can we have a campfire?

Yes. We have a limited number of burn barrels available, first-come-first-serve, or you can bring your own fire pit setup as long as it won’t damage the grass. You must provide your own firewood.

What about grills?

Anything that won’t damage the grass is fine.

Can we keep trucks/cars in the campsite?

Not during the camp, but you may bring one vehicle and one trailer into the campsite area during setup and pack up. A trailer can be at your campsite if it is near the road and unhooked from your truck. Parking is very close to the camping area.

Is there access to water or electricity?

There will be a water spigot on the side of the brick restroom building near the camping area. We recommend you bring your own water cooler to keep at your campsite.

Electricity is available in a central location (to fill air mattresses, etc.) but will only be available at campsites to power medical devices. If you need electricity, please contact us after you buy your tickets.

What about food?

We do not have a dining hall and will not be providing food. The schedule allows at least an hour at mealtimes to prepare your own food at camp. We also have a couple restaurants and a Food Lion within a reasonable walk of the museum.

Are there adequate restroom facilities? 

Yes. We have two sets of indoor restrooms within a short walk of the camping area.

What about showers?

We do not have showers available. 

The Banner Contest is designed to build Troop Spirit. The banners should convey N.C. Transportation History. They can be vertical or horizontal and may be staked or suspended at your campsite. They will be judged by how well they represent N.C. Transportation History. There will be a Grand Prize winner with a trophy and runner-ups are awarded certificates. Judging will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday and awards presented at Skit / Talent Show on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

For any questions contact Meghan DeLapp at (980) 305-6298 or email meghan.delapp@dncr.nc.gov or June Hall at (980) 305-6274 or email at june.hall@dncr.nc.gov.