Re: summer camp hints
Mary Lee Foley (mlfoley@EARTHLINK.NET)
Tue, 1 Jun 1999 22:33:01 -0400
Jim Gibson wrote
> This will be my first year attending summer camp with the troop. Two
> years ago, I did Webelos summer camp so I'm familiar with that
> program. My question is this: what should I expect from Boy Scout
> camp and what will be my role as an adult leader?
Plan to relax as much as possible, doing whatever activities you choose
around camp and be available for any boys who need adult assistance.
During my first summer camp experience, I sat in on the First Aid merit
badge class because my skills were rusty. Outside of that class, I made
it known that any boy who had a last-minute schedule conflict between KP
duty and merit badges could politely ask for help and I would probably
step in, but that I would *not* agree if I thought they were
intentionally leaving it for me. Nor would I pitch in unasked - they
would find the job still waiting for them when they returned! The rest
of the time (most of the time, actually) I wandered around camp,
visiting classes, swimming, taking pictures and helping out the
occasional counselor who seemed to have his/her hands full at the
moment.
One year I gave personal swimming lessons to a boy who was petrified of
water over his hips but actually wanted to learn to swim. (We made great
progress - he almost swam the width of the pool on the last day!)
Another year I "learned" leatherworking and basketry while keeping an
eye on a learning disabled kid in those two classes.
But most years, I alternate between relaxing and finding things to do.
Oh, it's a troop tradition that I get up first Monday through Thursday
and lead those who care to the Polar Bear Swim. (Boy, do I enjoy
sleeping in on Friday. <vbg>)
--
Mary Lee Foley
Troop 71
Toledo, Ohio
