Re: Money @ camp for Leaders
Jim Peterson (kupete@KUHUB.CC.UKANS.EDU)
Wed, 9 Jun 1999 08:24:08 -0600
Hi Folks,
I had written to Ginny privately about this topic but since I disagree with
most of what's been posted in response, guess I'd better post my comments
here on the list.
First of all, the issue of what the troop is responsible for supplying at
camp should be discussed before the event happens. In most cases, the
troop has a library of merit badge books and other written material that
they take to camp that the boys can draw from. But I've never been to camp
yet that boys didn't have to change schedules or that for one reason or
another, additional merit badge books, rock guides, sign language books,
etc, didn't need to be purchased. The idea that we could take 60 boys and
12 leaders to camp and not need to make purchases at camp is pretty silly.
In addition, we've had cases of a cot or tent being damaged or a part-time
leader forgetting to pay for meals. At our camp, when it comes time to
check out of camp, you don't get your completed merit badge cards until
those damages and fees have been paid.....right there....on the spot.
The whole idea that as camp scoutmaster, you should have to have spare cash
from the family budget to take to camp for the troop really frosts my
lilly! There are PLENTY of excellent and qualified scouters who are not in
a position to take on this fiscal responsibility. The idea of
disqualifying them from camp scoutmastership because of their family
finances is truly disheartening to me and pretty much against what I
understand of scouting spirit.
The camp scoutmaster has plenty to worry about without wondering if he's
gonna have to fork out a hundred bucks to put a new alternator in the troop
bus or that he's not in a position to buy the troop ice cream when it gets
hot and sticky. It has been my experience in attending summercamp for nine
years now both twice as a CSM and also as a troop leader, that there can be
some pretty unexpected expenses incurred. I would urge troops to take this
worry off the CSMs shoulders.
Now I'm not endorsing the practice of a carte blanche wad of dough for the
camp leadership. Of course, receipts should be kept and there should be an
accounting to the troop treasurer for every cent. But the TROOP is taking
the boys to camp, not the leader.....and the troop should front the
expenses incurred.
Ginny asked how much the troop should send to camp. I can tell you that we
take a contingent of about 70-75 folks to camp for nine nights and we take
around $300 in cash AND the troop checkbook. We usually come back with $200
of the cash but that has not always been the case.
BLUE SKIES!, Any day above ground is a good day!
Jim Peterson
BS RT Comm, Pelathe Dist
Heart of America Council Eagle Class of 1963
ASM, T-55, Lawrence, Kansas Brotherhood, Tamegonit Lodge
email: kupete@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu Mic-O-Say: HW "Shieldmaker"
