Summer Camp Trends
Dale Karweik (karweik.1@OSU.EDU)
Fri, 30 Jul 1999 10:48:27 -0400
I agree with Calvin Gray that there is trend toward easier advancement and
over crowding.
The latter is due IMHO because Scouting is becoming more concerned with
money that the program. The more Scouts/ staff member the greater the
profit from summer camp. I doubt there is anything we can do about that.
The last week of Summer Camp at Camp Falling Rock in Simon Kenton Council
Council was cancelled because only three Troops signed up and this did not
justify staffing the camp for that week. That is a money, not a program,
decision. How many of us have gone on a camp out with just a fraction of
the Scouts because we did not want to deny the program for them?
The first issue we can influence. First, adult leaders need to monitor the
classes at summer camp. If every leader just dropped in once or twice at
every class and let the counsellors know that we are watching, the
instruction would improve or could be corrected if it didn't. Second, and
more importantly, we need to support the camp staffs when they say a boy
did not complete the requirements and not ask for exceptions or special
treatment for our boy who came so close. It is the constant pressure from
us leaders that makes the standards slip. Finally, the SM must sign that
he accepts that the work was done and completed at an acceptable standard.
If there is a clear discrepancy, don't sign the card until it can be
resolved and then inform your Council Advancement Committee so that they
can deal with the long term situation at summer camp.
One change that occurred in our Council summer camp several years ago was
that the summer camp staff would not sign advancement for Tenderfoot
through First Class Requirements. They would let the Troop Scouters know
the instruction was complete and then let them test and sign off the
requirements. This was the practice the last year I was SM with the Troop
and was one that I really supported. Let your Council know your feelings -
especially the Advancement Committee and work to make a change if you are
concerned. I really believe that SM's and SA's really do control the
standards in this area and only we can see that it gets better.
Dale Karweik
Troop 417 Scoutmaster Emeritus and ASM
Buckeye District Boy Scout RT Commissioner
Post 214 - Black Sheep OA Dance Team and Construction Crew - Advisor
Always an Eagle - EC430 Frenetic Fox
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