From Scouting's Grassroots
SCOUTER Asked:
In
the next few weeks, many Scouts, Leaders,and Parents will be attending camp for the first
time. What is your best summer camp tip for them?
You Answered:
(Check
this page often. New Tips will be added as they are received)
Ask Your Camp Question
8/07/99 - MDS
As going into my fifth
summer as a camp staff member one of the most important tips I can give for scouts is to
be prepared to try new things. When doing something new one
finds out the best about themselves and others. Leaders this applies for you also,
since you are at camp, do things you never thought possible. For parents take joy and
pride in your child 's
achievements at camp.
8/07/99 -
JK
The best tip that I can
give to scouters while at camp is to drink lots and lots of water. Dehydration is one of
the biggest problems at camp.
A tip while walking down a narrow path, if you hear rattle snakes rattling, RUN!;)
The most important thing to remember while at camp, is enjoy every minute, because once
you are older, you will love the memories.
8/07/99 -
SM
After many camps spent both in base
camp and in the woods I find that the boys that experience the most and seem to mature the
most are the ones who left their parents back home. Our troop has a high turnout of adults
for summer camp (lured by the low rates for adults) and as a result they boys tend to have
a vacation instead of a learning scout experience. While I strongly encourage all adult
participation in their son's scouting experience, their son will benefit the most if they
spend their time hanging out with the other adults and let their boys become men.
8/07/99 -
BB
Youth Protection suggestions:
(1) Ask your Council if Boys are told specifically, who besides their own Leadership can
help them at camp.
(2) Know your Troops History... ask your Distrect Exective if your Troop has had problems.
(3) Go to Parents Night.. Observe, your son and his surroundings.
(4) Does Troop seem it's Normal Self
(5) Are the Boys all happy?
(6 Tell your son if he is having a problem, go to his Leader, if his Leader is part of the
problem, go outside of Troop to other Leaders. " BUT GET HELP"
(7) Tell your son, that he can call home
8/07/99 -
RG
I can think of three
tips for parents and Scouts:
1) Pack your belongings in some sort of foot locker (like one of the Seward trunks available at either K-Mart or
Wal-Mart). This suggestion holds
especially true if your camp
provides cots. The trunks will usually fit under the cot and will provide protection for the contents from
small forest critters.
2) Pack your daily change of underwear in Ziploc type bags. This will help keep your trunk or backpack neat. It will
also protect your clean clothes from
absorbing the odor given off by
your dirty underwear.
3) Parents if your scout camp schedules a parent's day or night, please don't fulfill any fast food requests from
your scout. I caution against this because
it happened in one of my troops
that one set of parents brought their son a "treat" from MacDonalds. The scout ate
part of the treat as soon as he got
it. If it hadn't been for the off-hand
comment the scout made to one of the other adult leaders we could have had a serious situation. When the
scout didn't like anything on the lunch
menu, he stated that he was going
back to the camp site for lunch. After further questioning, the leader discovered that the scout
intended to eat a hamburger that he hadn't
eaten when his parents brought him
a treat three days earlier.
8/07/99
- TP
The best and
most trite tip is to "make" summer camp FUN. This may seem obvious, but for some
Scouts it is work. As in life, we all know of Scouts who could walk in a field of roses
and only comment on the thorns.
I try to spend a little time with each Scout and say something positive. It is
sometimes difficult when you have 30+ Scouts, but you also have 24 hours. And it is
sometimes hard, but even a "You are behaving better today than yesterday." has
effect.
I try to make sure that the younger Scouts are as busy as they can be, with plenty of
structured free time. By structured free time, I mean free time that is theirs, but that
they think they have earned. When asked for free time, I always ask if some task is
accomplished. Often it is not and the Scout is instructed to finish and then they can have
free time. This does two things, it makes the Scout feel he earns his free time, and after
the second day in camp, I'm no longer asked if they can have free time.
As for the older Scouts, they should know what is expected of them. I assign every
older Scout (13 and above) some duty. I inquire about how they are doing and provide them
some positive comment. They know, from experience, that if they fo their job, they will be
left alone. It sometimes takes a day for them to remember, but most do well.
You will be surprised how receptive and cooperative Scouts are when they hear good
things. But don't expect perfection, just Fun.
7/17/99 -
BH
Try something new!
Take advantage of opportunities to do things you have never done before. For
example, some camps may have a black powder musket that you can take a turn at firing.
You can make camp a real adventure by not hesitating to take part in camp programs.
If I had to pick one essential item it would be bug spray!
7/16/99 -
EV
If you don't quite
complete work on a merit badge, don't be discouraged. Ask your camp staff member for
documentation to verify the work that you did complete. That paper can be given to
the merit badge counsellor you contact to work with you to finish the badge.
7/16/99 -
BG
Don't get discouraged if
it rains and things get damp. Only YOU can dampen your spirits. A smile on
your face might encourage the rest of the Troop to take things lightly.
7/15/99 -
CH
Relax and have a good
time, but do the tasks which are assigned to you with a smile on your face. If they
seem boring, use the time to think about what you are going to do the rest of the day,
what you did yesterday, or the funny skit from last night's campfire. Time will pass
quickly and you can soon be on to the interesting and fun parts of camp. The
important thing to remember about jobs is that everyone does something - that's why none
of us has to do a lot. And, that's why the camp runs smoothly.
7/15/99 -
TG
Cover your Boy Scout
Handbook cover in clear "Contact" (plastic adhesive) paper. It not only
keeps the cover from getting hurt by water, it keeps it from tearing and coming off.
7/14/99 -
SR
Learn and have fun.
7/7/99 - MV
Introduce yourself to at
least one new person each day. If you are sitting beside someone you don't know,
tell him/her your name and ask who they are. This is your opportunity to meet kids
from other schools, other churches, and other towns throughout your Council.
7/7/99 - MB
Have fun!
Participate in everything that you can. Don't miss any opportunity to work and have
fun with the other Scouts. Also, do your share of the chores - and do them
cheerfully. Everyone helps out so that everyone can enjoy camp. Complainers
make it uncomfortable for all.
7/6/99 - TH
Listen closely when the
rules and regulations are explained the first time. You can avoid trouble if you
know what procedures to follow. It's the only way to make sure you will: be where
you are supposed to be, at the time you are supposed to be there, with what you are
supposed to have at that time, and doing what you are supposed to be doing.
7/6/99 - EV
Avoid ticks! Keep a
hat on your head when you are under trees - in camp, hiking, making crafts. This is
one of the best ways to keep ticks off your head and out of your hair. Use a tick
repellant when you will be hiking in tall grass. When hiking a trail, stay to the
center of the path so as not to brush against tick-laden bushes.
6/02/99 -
AG
Pack each change of
underwear in a separate zip-closure plastic bag. That keeps the clean stuff fresh
and the worn stuff from contaminating your clothes. Then, CHANGE your
underwear. You'll feel more comfortable. Those around you will be
happier. And your mother will be proud of you! : )
6/02/99 -
SS
Be prepared--mosquitoes
are numerous this year, from the water. Have your 2nd & 3rd year Scouts talk about
Camp so the new Scouts know what to expect. For our 1st year Scouts, adult leaders
select their merit badges- Emergency Prep, Trail to Eagle, First Aid, etc.
5/29/99
- Ed Henderson, SCOUTER Staff
From the Editor: Eagle Scout "BigEd" Henderson has 17 years experience
as a Scout Leader. In my morning email, I find he has drawn on his experiences as
Scoutmaster bringing Scouts to Camp, as Campmaster welcoming Scouts to Camp, and as a
Scout himself, attending Camp, to give us some great tips for Campers. "A Scout
is helpful" - and no one fulfills that part of the Scout Law more than Ed.
That's why I was not surprised to also find that Ed has offered to respond to any
questions you may have about Scout Camp. Thanks, "BigEd".
"BigEd's"
Tips for Scout Camp Ask "BigEd"
a Camp Question
5/29/99 - MG
Water, water and more water! Many
parents and campers either underestimate or forget altogether the importance of staying
hydrated. ALL CAMPERS, whether adults or children, should keep water bottles filled at all
times. Also, keep a bandana tied to your belt loop. Then when it is sweltering, soak it in
water and wrap around your neck. This often will keep someone from passing out due to heat
exhaustion!
5/29/99 - BK
(1) Ask your Council if Boys are told
specifically, who besides their own Leadership can help them at camp.
(2) Know your Troop's History... ask your District Executive if your Troop has had
problems.
(3) Go to Parents Night. Observe, your son & his surroundings. Does the Troop
seem it's Normal Self? Are the Boys all happy?
(4) Tell your son if he is having a problem, go to his Leader - if his Leader is part of
the problem, go outside of Troop to other Leaders. " BUT GET HELP"
(7) Tell your son that he can call home.
5/28/99 - MDS
Going into my fifth summer as a camp staff member, one of the most important tips I can
give for Scouts is to be prepared to try new things. When doing something new, one finds
out the best about themselves and others.
Leaders, this applies for you also. Since you are at camp, you can try things you
never thought possible.
For parents, take joy and pride in your child's achievements at camp.
5/28/99 -
JK
The best tip that I can give to scouters while at camp is to drink lots and lots of water.
Dehydration is one of the biggest problems at camp.
A tip while walking down a narrow path, if you hear rattle snakes rattling, RUN! ;)
The most important thing to remember while at camp, is enjoy every minute, because once
you are older, you will love the memories.
5/28/99 - RG
I can think of three tips for parents and Scouts:
1) Pack your belongings in some sort of foot locker (if you don't build one, you can buy a
trunk at either K-Mart or Wal-Mart). This suggestion holds especially true if your camp
provides cots. The trunks will usually fit under the cot and will provide protection for
the contents from small forest critters.
2) Pack your daily change of underwear in Ziploc type bags. This will help keep your trunk
or backpack neat. It will also protect your clean clothes from absorbing the odor given
off by your dirty underwear.
3) Parents if your Scout camp schedules a parent's day or night, please don't fulfill any
fast food requests from your Scout. I caution against this because it happened in one of
my troops that one set of parents brought their son a "treat" from MacDonalds.
If it hadn't been for a comment the Scout made to one of the adult leaders we could have
had a serious situation. When the Scout didn't like anything on the lunch menu, and stated
that he was going back to the campsite for lunch, we discovered he intended to eat a
hamburger left from when his parents brought him the treat three days earlier.
5/28/99 - BN
1) Bring Bug Repellent, non-aerosol, a 50/50 mixture of Avon Skin Soft & Water, is the
cheapest way to go.
2) Label everything for a Scout. Expect them to lose some items, but don't scold them
unnecessarily if they do.
3) Don't expect a Scout to write or call home on a regular basis, they are having too much
fun.
4) For a Leader, be patient with the Camp Staff, many of them are Scouts in other units
and trying to do the best job they can. For some it may be their first job.
5) Drink plenty of water, juice, milk. It's going to be hot. I always tell the Scouts in
our unit "If there is something to drink at each meal, DRINK IT!" You will be a
happy camper later on.
6) For a leader, DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Read your "Camp Leaders Guide," Counsel your
Scouts before they get to camp, about what they will take part in.
7) Summer Camp should not be a MERIT BADGE MILL. A Scout should have time to learn, grow,
and have fun. Don't let a Scout overload his schedule.
8)HAVE FUN
5/28/99 -
SC
As a parent - review everything that you Scout is taking to camp. If the troop leaders
said that they need an item, get him one so that he can fully participate in all
activities.
For first year campers, remember a small backpack for the overnight trip.
As a leader - make sure that ALL Scout and ALL parents know the rules and have fully
agreed to the Scout, Camp and Troop rules before they leave home. This will make for a
better experience for everyone.
5/28/99 -
BB
Homesickness: We always bring a lot of new Scouts (15+) to summer camp
each year and homesickness is a fact of life for some new Scouts. The most important thing
to remember is to NOT allow the Scout to call or go home. If he goes home, both the boy
and the troop lose. Homesickness usually surfaces the second or third night after dinner
or lights out.
We stress in our parents/new Scouts summer camp orientation held a month before the start
of camp that we do not allow our boys to call home except in the case of an emergency
(homesickness is not an emergency) and parents are highly encouraged not to come to camp
to pick up their boys. They also are instructed not to take them home Friday night after
parents night at camp. As a result, everyone knows the ground rules concerning our
homesickness policy before camp starts.
When a problem first surfaces, we put an older, summer camp experienced Scout with the
homesick Scout one on one to talk to him, to let him know they experienced the same
feelings and that they survived. They work and talk to him until the problem resolves
itself which usually happens within half hour or so.
We also make sure all our first year Scouts are kept busy during the evenings with cooking
(we patrol cook at summer camp), cleaning, and working on basic Scouting skills. Keeping
the boys busy is the key to avoiding or minimizing this problem. As a Scoutmaster, I am
always available to the boys but I don't let them manipulate me to use the public or any
cell phone to call home just because they are homesick.
Our troop is the largest troop (50+ boys) in our district; we always have the largest
number of new Scouts joining our troop even though we don't actively recruit new members;
we always have the largest contigent (30+) of Scouts and adults (5+) attending camp, so
our homesickness policy obviously works well for us.
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