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Paperwork Chase Just Before Camp...


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Sorry if this is a bit of a rant, but I'm quickly losing patience in the final three weeks leading up to our departure for summer camp. I've been hammering everyone to remember to turn in the annual BSA health form for months. The usual response--when I get a response--is, 'didn't we do that last year?' It's called 'annual' for a reason, folks.

 

SERENITY NOW!

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Just completed the BSA Health Form, DoT Medical Card, and YPT. The problem with the YPT was, is that our library limits internet time to 15 minutes. Was able to get it done in under 8...thus, do understand the frustration ... and the cost in time, money and those unforseen road blocks. Hang in there, and keep their feet to the fire....

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Doesn't help when Kaiser informs the mom of one of your scouts that they do not need one since they gave him one last year. They continue to think the old rule is in effect for some reason. Hopefully she got it straight with them after I sent her all the links that apply.

 

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I can sympathize with you! I'm going through the same thing, but doubled, with a High Adventure trip AND summer camp. With medical forms and 4 separate liability forms it is a pain. And so are the parents:

 

"Do I REALLY have to fill these out?"

"Will last year's form do?"

"My doctor's appointment is the day before we leave"

"Does the doctor actually have to sign it?"

 

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

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I want to make this strictly a boy scout/family responsibility!

 

Boy Scout shows up for campout/activity/summer camp and brings along a current medical. So for summer camp, I never touch his medical or his prescriptions, he hands all directly to camp nurse. No current medical, he's sent home - a life lesson taught in other youth organizations. After activity and where legally allowed, his med form is returned to him otherwise he has other copies at home for next activity. His meds, if any, are returned at last dosage.

 

PITA is a dish best shared. :(

 

My $0.01 for being grumpy

 

P.S. I'm not going around to camp counselors and collect MB cards either. Scout responsibility.

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In our Troop no form no get on bus. Parents get to drive them the 500 miles and check them in. We just chalk it it up to "National and Camp by-laws". The last few stragglers usually make it.

 

We have tried everything. Shaming lists, threats, having notaries at meetings, etc, We did leave one boy behind whose parents finally got the paperwork done, drove the boy to a rest stop rendezvous (250 miles) and did the handoff,

 

We do have one adult as the Tropp "medicine man" (with regalia) who does all the meds for the boys at camp.

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I send out an email 60 days, 30 days, and then a 15 days to camp. We then meet 1 week prior to camp. The scouts go through their gear, forms, and then pack and lock the trailer. No last minute surprises.

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I want to make this strictly a boy scout/family responsibility! Boy Scout shows up for campout/activity/summer camp and brings along a current medical. So for summer camp' date=' I never touch his medical or his prescriptions, he hands all directly to camp nurse. No current medical, he's sent home - a life lesson taught in other youth organizations. After activity and where legally allowed, his med form is returned to him otherwise he has other copies at home for next activity. His meds, if any, are returned at last dosage. PITA is a dish best shared. :( My $0.01 for being grumpy P.S. I'm not going around to camp counselors and collect MB cards either. Scout responsibility.[/quote'] You think you are grumpy? Who is going to be grumpy when there is a line 350+ long at the health lodge as the camp nurse checks each individual boys form on Sunday afternoon? They current system is a PITA but so are the alternatives unless the BSA pull its IT head out of its #%Â¥ and goes digital.
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You think you are grumpy? Who is going to be grumpy when there is a line 350+ long at the health lodge as the camp nurse checks each individual boys form on Sunday afternoon? They current system is a PITA but so are the alternatives unless the BSA pull its IT head out of its #%Â¥ and goes digital.

 

?? Back in the 60's in the camps I attended, you brought your own medical (BTW good for 3 years and shorter) to camp. You gathered with your unit or provisional and awaited your turn for swim test, medical check, etc. When it was your turn, a friendly camp counselor escorted you to that destination. The SM/ASM was just another camper as far as the check-in went. No medical, the camp called (no cellphones back then) parents to pick you up. Late arrivals were handled last, but did not hold up their unit check-in. I remembered getting my hand stamped, no bracelet. Bottom line every camper (scout, adult) was in the same boat - responsible for their own check-in. Individual responsibility, growing boys into men, what a concept.

 

The only time I remember a SM managing medicals was a Council trip to Philmont. If you didn't have a medical, you did not get on the bus to Cimarron.

 

Another $0.01

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