Another tough question for the group

This past weekend our District ran a SMF session. I acted as Scoutmaster
for the activity. During an open Q&A session we had, as our first question,
the following:

"What can a Summercamp leader do to insure that a Scout is bathing
properly and is checking themselves for ticks (Delaware is one of the worst
places for lyme disease.)"

Adults are not allowed in the Scout's shower. The shower stalls are open
with several heads. Up to four kids at a time are supposed to shower. Some
kids don't want to share the shower, they're at the age where they're shy.
Some will even wear their bathing suit the entire week if you let them.

The only answers we could come up with were, threaten to send them to the
nurse for a tick inspection, have a long talk about hygiene with the parents
prior to leaving, and for the leader (SM or SPL) stand outside the shower to
monitor against horseplay/hazing. We also suggested they have mirrors
available for the boys to inspect themselves more easily. The mirrors are
to help avoid needing the "buddy system" to inspect those hard to see areas
of the body.

Any thoughts on how this is handled elsewhere? Needless to say, our 30
minute session was spent on this one issue.

YIS,
Ron Raab-Long

Two Bays District, Dover, Delaware DelMarVa Council
District Recognition Dinner Chairman Used to be a Bobwhite, NE-VI-35
Boy Scout Training Coordinator Problem Captain, Delaware OM
E-Mail: raablong@voicenet.com CC, Troop 903

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