About Us

The mission of the AdvanceCamp is to support educational opportunities for young men and to provide an effective youth program that: develops personal/mental/emotional fitness, gives opportunities to develop self-reliance, develops a keen respect for the basic rights of others and prepares boys for participating and giving leadership within their community and world.

AdvanceCamp began in 1998 when a scout talked to Steve Hoagland because he had a number of partials of unusual merit badges from summer camps he had attended.  He wanted to finish them but could not find a merit badge counselor for them.  The first camp was held at Contra Costa Fairgrounds in Antioch, then Contra Loma Park in Antioch, then Ambrose Park in Bay Point before returning to the Contra Costa Fairgrounds. In our first year there were about 300 scouts and only about 15 merit badges.

In 2016, AdvanceCamp has grown to almost 2,200 scouts, offering 55 merit badges and 150 counselors. In order to perform all the necessary functions at camp, it took another 200+ volunteers. Total attendance in 2016 was almost 3,000 people.

AdvanceCamp is run by registered volunteer Scouters who serve without compensation.  100% of all funds collected goes towards the program. 

To learn more about Volunteering, click here

While AdvanceCamp offers a camp to get counselors with Boy Scouts to earn merit badges, it is not affiliated with Boy Scouts of America.  We are dedicated to the ideals of scouting and the process and procedures that Boy Scouts have set forth.  We are a registered 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.

Board of Directors

AdvanceCamp is run by registered volunteer Scouters who serve without compensation.  100% of all funds collected goes towards the program.

Executive Director - Steve R. Hoagland - executivedirector@advancecamp.com

AdvanceCamp Founder: 1999

Began scouting: 1965

BSA notables: 

     Assistant Scoutmaster Committee Chair Troop 48, Charter Organization Representative Troop 48,

     District Committee Program Chair- Delta District, Black Diamond DIstrict

     District FOS Chair- Muir District

     Founded AdvanceCamp in 1999 with help from adult volunteers in the Delta District

BSA Awards:

     Eagle Scout Troop 267(1974), District Award of Merit(2003), Silver Beaver(2013),

                                  Outstanding Eagle Award(2013)

                                  Children in Scouting: Son Steven, Eagle Scout(2001)

Vice Chair/Staff Director -Richard Stockand - rmsf@pge.com

Joined AdvanceCamp board: 2011

Began scouting: 1973 Troop 168, Hayward, CA

BSA notables: 

     Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 272 Fremont, CA(1984), Cubmaster and Committee Chair Pack 92 Suisun(2006), District Christmas Tree Recycling Chair

     Cub Olympics co-Chair, District Activities Chair, LEAD Instructor, District Commissioner(2011), Chartered Organization Representative Pack 91 Suisun

     Unit Commissioner for the two on-base scouting units Trabis AFB   

BSA Awards: 

     Arrow of Light, Eagle Scout, Scouters Key, District Award of Merit, William D Boyce New Unit Organanizer, Silver Beaver Recipient

Children in Scouting: 2 Sons, both Eagle Scouts

Finance & Registration Director - Marcia Molina - advancecampregistration@yahoo.com

Logistics Director -Steven A. Hoagland-shoagymaster@yahoo.com

Joined AdvanceCamp board: 1999

Began scouting: 

BSA notables:        

      Eagle Scout 2001   

Board Secretary/Food Services Director - Maria Salazar-Vega Maria.salazar10@yahoo.com

Trailhead Director -Ben Reed - bjreed44@sbcglobal.net

Joined AdvanceCamp board: 2005

Began scouting: 1958 (Cub Scouts), 1961 (Boy Soucts)

BSA notables:            

     Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 48 (2000-2003), Scoutmaster Troop 48 (2002-present)

     Adult Leader at Camp Wolfboro (12 years)

BSA Awards: 

     Scouter of the Year- Black Diamond District (2007)

Children in Scouting: Son, Ben, From Tiger to Life Scout.

Aquatics Director -Mike Long- diveboy01@comcast.net

Joined AdvanceCamp Board: 2013

Began scouting: 2001 Pack 134 El Sobrante

BSA notables:            

     Den Leader Tiger Cub through Webelos Pack 134 (2001-2005), Pack Committee Chair Pack 134   (2003-2005),

     Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 100 (2006-2009, 2012-present), Crew Advisor-Philmont Scout Ranch (2009,2012),

     District Training Team-Herms District (2012-present), District Camporee Chair-Herms (2012-present),

     District Eagle Board of Review Member- Herms (2013-present) 

BSA Awards: 

     District Award of Merit (2013)

Children in Scouting: Son, Michael (Eagle 2012)

Building Coordinators Director -Deborah Long- diveboy01@comcast.net

Joined AdvanceCamp board: 2013

Began scouting: 2001 Pack 134 El Sobrante

BSA notables:            

     Den Leader Tiger Cub through Webelos Pack 134 (2001-2005), Staff MDSC Woodbadge (2009),

      Pack Advancement Chair Pack 134 (2003-2005), Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 100 (2006-present), 

      Philmont Training Center Attendee (2009), Coordinator-Herms District Den Chief Training Team (2009-2012)

                                                       Scoutmaster Troop 623( 2009-2012), Program Chair Herms District  (2011-2013)

                                               BSA Awards: 

                                                                           District Award of Merit (2011), Silver Beaver (2018)

                                                                           Children in Scouting: Son, Michael (Eagle 2012)

A memorial fund has been set up in memory of former Board Member Richard Ball to be used for Eagle projects in Chief Solano District.  Please send a check to:

RICHARD BALL MEMORIAL FUND, 1169 Sentinel Court, Merced, CA 95340-0677

For more information contact AdvanceCamp, Inc.

executivedirector@advancecamp.com