Cub Scout Day Camp
Mary Ann Albin (MALBIN%EAGLE@THAIGUM.DIR.TEXAS.GOV)
Thu, 27 Jan 1994 12:58:00 -0600
My son always enjoyed Cub Scout Day Camp, and I was usually a
staff volunteer for at least one session each summer. When our
Council began a Cub overnight program, he transferred loyalties
and wouldn't even consider Day Camp. (He is now in 7th grade.)
Capitol Area Council (Austin, Texas) put on a good program, so
you might want to ask them about it.
There was one problem I faced as a staff person (usually the
Nature Instructor). Things may have changed, but when the camps
first began, they ran 5 or 6 week-long sessions each summer at
rotating locations around the city. Because of the low costs,
this program was often used as the boy's summer child care. He
would be dropped off each week at the different location. By the
third week, that boy had done everything TWICE, and there is
nothing harder to deal with than a few bored boys who, then, pull
the other boys along in their distracting activities. So, if you
have more than one week of camp, you might want to try different
activities/curriculum at some of them. This will help preserve
the sanity of your staff people.
Our Council may have dealt with this issue. I think the camps
have rotating themes, but it has been about 5 years since we went
to one. So I am not sure.
PS: I am not passing judgement on people who do this with their
kids, saying it is good or bad. It is just a fact that needs to
be addressed when designing curriculum.
Mary Ann Albin
Troop 140
Wells Branch, TX
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
