Summer Camp

Nope. Current AOL patrol advisor and Cubmaster here, good personal friends with last year's AOL patrol advisor who got the pleasure of flying by their seat of their pants when the program dropped so late. Last year, when we had virtually no notice, the AOL patrol advisor hustled to get every AOL a camping experience even though they couldn't make it to the regular campouts due to scheduling conflicts. One late joiner camped out in another leader's back yard, but they camped. That was our idea of their best. This year, we have several opportunities to cook with camping equipment scheduled (not just campouts) and three campout opportunities we're providing before crossover - not counting all the troops that are courting them by inviting them to campouts. We divided and conquered at the first den meeting - I went over how the AOL year is different and what it's preparing them for with the Cubs, and the former AOL patrol advisor did the same thing for the parents. We would not accept not camping at all as anyone's best either, that would be doing them a rotten "favor".

Cool.   My main point was to increase attendance by not marketing the side quest as advancement, but instead market it as a fun time to play like a Patrol kickball game. The advancement just hitches along for the ride. Even if no advancement happens, it builds patrol identity and cohesion.

I showed him the Black Pearl Patrol Patch.  The guys all liked it.

Hype him up that there are some cool options for patrol patches with that name!

That's kind of what we did.  We covered 12 Second Class requirements on that hike.  First aid discussions while walking.  Demonstrations during rest stops.  I'm offering orienteering next month.  A large portion of the troop is off on Monday the 10th while their parents have to work.  Trying to get a contingent together to hit our council camp to give the young ones something to do.  Signing off a First Class requirement helps.