Re: Summer Camp

Scott,

Here's what my son's Troop put out in its March and May Newsletters year
before last:

SUMMER CAMP 1995

Scouts camping at Camp Marriott will live in two-man 9' x 7' canvas wall
tents with cots on a raised wooden platform. Mattresses and bedding are
not supplied. Because Camp Marriott emphasizes the patrol method, it is
not a dining hall camp. Scouts will eat in patrol sites.

Camp Marriott is on the Northeastern Shore of Lake Merriweather and has
some of the best facilities for fun and adventure, as well as, learning
Scout skills. Your week at camp will be fun and exciting. Before you
go, there are some things you should know. But most important, you
should remember the Scout motto:

"BE PREPARED"

GETTING READY FOR
A WEEK AT
CAMP MARRIOT

FIRST TIME CAMPERS

Goshen Scout Camps offers a program promoting the development of Scouting
skills required for rank advancement from Tenderfoot to First Class.
Skills are taught by a senior staff member. The method of instruction is
demonstration followed by time for each Scout to perform the new skill.
At the end of the week the Scoutmaster will be presented with an action
report showing rank requirements the Scout successfully completed.

To prepare for camp, before you leave you should read through the
requirements for the rank you are working on and the parts of the
handbook that are related to the ones you want to complete at camp. If
there are requirements that you can do at home or on Troop campouts, do
them ahead of time. Then you will may be able to complete a rank
advancement at camp. Don't worry about bringing a lot of gear, the camp
has plenty.

Many younger Scouts find they enjoy handicrafts; e.g., leatherwork and
wood carving. Kit are available at the Camp Trading Post. If you are
interested in making something like a wallet or knife holder for your
belt, plan to a little extra money.

OLDER SCOUTS

Older Scouts are expected to provide leadership and be role models while
assisting the Scoutmaster. However, they also will find that Goshen
offers many special activities to challenge their advanced maturity and
physical skills. Opportunities include canoe trips, C.O.P.E. challenge
courses, water tubing, BSA Lifeguard, shotgun shooting, sailing and Eagle
Trail merit badges.

Older Scouts working on merit badges by now probably realize that there
is usually some work that should be done before camp. Now's the time to
get a merit badge booklet for each of the ones you are going to work on
at camp. Read it ahead of time. Some merit badges are going to require
you to do activities for a period of time; e.g., Nature Merit Badge
requirement number five requires a month long project. Other merit
badges also require long term efforts. Read the requirements now and get
started, if a long term effort is needed. Check to see whether you need
to make something and bring it to camp for the Counselor to see.

ALL CAMPERS - MEDICAL FORMS

Make sure that your BSA medical form is filled out completely. It is
very important to note food, animal, and other allergies; prescriptions;
and other conditions. In the event of an emergency, the camp's doctor at
the camp health center will need to know as much as possible, so please
help by making sure that this form is complete. Scouts will not be
permitted to keep medicine in their tents. All medicines will be stored
at the camp dispensary.

WHAT IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT YOUR SON?

If you have a family emergency and need to contact your Scout at camp,
you can call the main camp office at 1-703-997-5140. A staff member
will help you. Be aware that there are few telephones and a lot of
activities going on over a large area. It may take a while for your
Scout to call back.

WRITING TO SCOUTS AT CAMP

You can write to your Scout at Camp Marriot at the following address:

Scouts Name, Troop 856
Camp Marriott
Route 1, Box 86
Goshen Scout Camps
Goshen, Virginia 24439-9539.

In the past mail has usually arrived four to five days after it was
sent. You may find that it is better to send mail a few days before your
Scout leaves, that way he will get mail in the first few days. Everybody
likes to get mail and when its the first time at camp, it helps.

PACKING FOR
SUMMER CAMP
FOR THE FIRST TIME

We all know that parents want to make sure that their Scouts have
everything they could possibly need to make their week at camp fun. I
have seen Scouts struggling under loads that would stagger Hercules.
Parents, please remember that each Scout will have to carry everything he
brings from the bus to his campsite - - and that can get to be a long
haul.

The key words for Scouts are: PACK LIGHT - take only what you want to
carry. If it is heavy, consider a lighter alternative. If you have
questions ask the Senior Patrol Leader, the Scoutmaster or one of the
Assistant Scoutmasters for advice.

Don't bring axes, hatchets, sheath knives, electronic toys, electronic
games, TVs, radios, and anything that you do not want to lose.

In the picture above, can you identify which things you should take to
camp and which things should be left at home?

Some of the things you should bring include:

______ An air or foam cushion for your bed
______ Sleeping bag or blankets
______ Small pillow
______ Complete Uniform
______ Sturdy hiking shoes or sneakers
______ Extra underwear & socks
______ Handkerchiefs
______ Bathing trunks (no cut-offs)
______ Raincoat or poncho
______ T-shirts & shorts
______ Jeans or dungarees
______ Sweater & Jacket
______ Flashlight with spare batteries
______ Canteen
______ Mess kit and eating utensils
______ Pencil & Paper
______ Scout Handbook
______ Spending money ($20.00)
______ Extra money for handicrafts
______ Toothbrush & Paste
______ Washcloth and towels (2)
______ Comb, brush, and mirror
______ Soap and container
______ Sun screen or lotion
______ Insect Repellent
______ Sewing kit
______ Inexpensive camera (optional)
______ Completed Medical Form!!

GETTING TO GOSHEN SCOUT CAMPS

Scouts attending summer camp at Camp Marriot will be riding a chartered
bus from the PRC parking lot in McLean, Virginia to the camp. The bus
will depart at 11:00 on July 8 1995. Parents must drop of their Scouts
no later than 10:30 A.M.!!!!!

To get to PRC take I-495 to Exit 11. Turn on to Route 123 headed into
McLean. At the fourth traffic light turn left onto Lewinsville Road. At
the third traffic light turn left onto Planning Research Corporation
Drive. At the stop sign, turn right and follow the directions of
volunteer Scouts to parking and unloading areas.

Scouts should be picked up at 11:00 A.M. on July 15, 1995. More
information will available concerning Goshen Scout Camps at a June (date
to be determined) parent's meeting.

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
Dep.Dist.Commissioner-Training, G.W.Dist., NCAC, BSA (Virginia)
U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area)
ftp1 or ftp2.scouter.com/usscouts E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org

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