Rob White's Camp from H^&&

We used to have a saying back in Alabama for Rob's week at camp. He must have
felt as if he'd been shot at and missed and sh*& at and hit. I know this
isn't helpful but the following MIGHT be. We had a very similar experience my
first year as a leader at summer camp. We threw two boys out of the troop
(trying to break into the camp store, etc.) and both have since spent time
in juvenile hall. Best move we ever made. We have doubled in size and
number of activities since we threw those two emotionally disturbed kids out.
This is because we now have time to devote to program support for our
boy leaders (which were never trained before, but that is another story).
The following year we had contracts. The boy and his parents signed a
contract stating several things. First: The boy picked which activities
he guaranteed he would participate in. Second: He gave a solemn promise
that he would participate in troop and patrol activities to the best of
his ability unless excused by the SPL, PL, or an adult leader. Third:
The parents gave a written guarantee that they would come and pick the
kid up without question if we called them to do so.

We have had three PERFECT years. The idiots stay at home and the boys
and the leaders have a terrific time. Scouts is not a baby sitting service.
You as an adult leader have the right to have an expectation of having
a good time as well as the boys who are paying to attend. You as an adult
leader set the tone for what is expected at summer camp. You have to demand
participation in the camp and its activities or nothing but trouble will
follow. We make a simple statement. If you do not want to go and participate
in the activities as published in the camp guide. Don't go.

Bob

Robert W. McGwier | n4hy@ccr-p.ida.org: ham radio, scouts,
Center for Communications Research | astronomy, golf (o yea, & math!) ASM
Princeton, N.J. 08520 | Troop 5700, ACM Pack 53, Sanhican #2 WWW
(609)-279-6240(v) (609)-924-3061(f)| I used to be a Buffalo . . . NE III-120

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