tentmaker

I cant imagine a camping trip without a campfire. Even backcountry sites usually have fire rings. On our camping trip for May we even had a fire building competition and let the patrols race. Ghost stories by a gas stove just does capture the spirit to me.

If you cant bring wood with you because of insects I can see that, cut firewood after you get there. We always have our roped off woodcutting area.

How was our summer camp? - Great

This was only my second year going with the boys and we had a great week. Camp Daniel Boone is our council camp and this was our first year back there after going out of council for two years.

Last year we went to Rainey Mountain and I thought it was OK at the time but after going to Daniel Boone I don't care if we ever go back to Rainey Mountain. Food was better, facilities were better, classes were better, fishing was better, staff was friendlier. The only down sides were the cold water in the lake and complete lack of cell phone service.

Troop 158, come on over to NC next year. We had scheduled to go out of council to Woodruff next year (ultimately we will let the boys decide) but I was thrilled with Camp Daniel Boone.

Preparation

1. Go over the packing list a dozen times, make sure the boys have what they need.

2. Go over the merit badge class schedule with each boy. Each boy should have a map of camp and know when he needs to be where and which other boys in the troop will be with him. If merit badges have prerequisites or requirments that should be completed before camp have these done. If mert badges have extra cost (woodcarving kit or arrow kit) have these purchased and ready the first day.

3. Establish buddies before you leave.

4. Take swim test early if the camp will let you.

5. Have a list of activities of opportunity you can do during any down time - games and stories that require no equipment.

6. We brought equipment to make ice cream at the campsite this year. It was a big hit.

7. Reduce free time. Boys always want free time but I find the busier they are the happier.

8. Compete in any competition offered. Our goal is always to compete in every scoutmaster or troop competition available. Usually we have a preliminary troop competition. For example in the archery competition the entire troop went to shoot during free time and the best shooter represented the troop in the camp competition. The same for rifle, aquatics, scoutcraft.

We just got back Saturday. Had a great week at Camp Daniel Boone.

We only had one scout in the equivalent of the FYC program. (called going great at Daniel Boone and TNT at Rainey Mountain). He is only 11 and was still pretty bored by the program. For an 11 year old fresh cross over with just a few months in the troop it is a good idea but if they have been in the troop long enough to take a few camping trips I would skip it.

As far as scouts being lazy that is your decision to advance or not. If they are standing for tenderfoot and can meet all the requirements I would probably let them advance. If they were 1st class sitting for star my answer would be different. Set you expectations based on their experiece and communicate those expextations clearly. Anytime you decline to advance someone you should very clearly state why and what they need to do to advance.

Well we just got back from our week at Camp Daniel Boone.

Brent, you remembered right, that lake was cold. I checked it with a thermometer and got 54 degrees. The weather was cold enough to require jackets at breakfast two mornings. The shock of jumping in that cold lake caused two of our scouts to fail their swim tests on Sunday and both already earned the swimming merit badge (they both passed when they took it again on Monday). I had one in lifesaving that could not finish his 400 meter swim. (that is all he lacked and we can make that up in the community pool).

That being said it was a great week. This was my first week at Camp Daniel Boone and it was much better than Rainey Mountain last week. I would strongly recommend it. Food was great, atmosphere was great, staff was helpfull. We had a lot of out of council troops from florida looking to escape the heat and this was a great place to do it.

We went out of council to Rainey Mountain last year.

It was pretty good. Price was good (2006 price is $210 for out of council) The programs were excellent.

Food was bad. Their new dining facility is great but the way it was run was bad. There seemed to be a power struggle going on between the dining hall manager and the camp director. Very inefficient in getting boys through the line and fed.

Also the camp was considerable overbooked putting a real strain on campsites and showers. The merit badge classes however did not seem crowded. Like I said, the programs were excellent.

This year we go in council to camp Daniel Boone. Next year we will go out of council and are looking at Woodruff, Davey Crockett, and Bob Hardin.