Faith

I can really only reply for myself there, as I was the one that ended up volunteering to do it after asked, since no one else would (and my son was one of the few in there.) I talked one mom into helping me the first day (she's registered and was allowed, we grew up together and I figured if anyone would lend a hand, it would be her.) She was supposed to be over snacks but we did not need 4 people over that. The second mom that helped me was assisting in crafts but since her babysitter bailed on her Wednesday on, she said she'd help out since the 'majority' coming now would be her kids (both of these instances occurred after my original post.) I'd love for us to be able to hire someone to watch them so we could focus solely on other areas but I doubt I'll ever see that happen.

Out of the almost 40 scouts that came and went during our camp, at our highest amount, we had 6 tots (and 3 were all from the same parent who ended up over there with us Wednesday on.) I was told they were insured as Sasha stated, that was good enough for me. All the parents had to turn in health forms on the tots (along with scouts and ourselves if we were volunteers) and it was evaluated with us by the appropriate person beforehand. Maybe this is why the tots have to be on scene at camp as well (how do you prove someone's house is safe enough if they are insured through the BSA but they are being kept at a non-BSA related area?) Our tot lot area was inspected on inspection day. I had to show our first aid kit, answer questions, show all the correct documentation on the area (what to do if this, that, etc.) and show what we had for them set up. While I know there are much better methods to this, for us, it worked.

I work from home, moved to town a little over a year ago and have yet to go to anyone for child care services that I am comfortable with. My youngest doesn't get out much but is very interested in scouting due to his older brother. Since they allow sisters to form their own den during camp (another can of worms I'm sure), they allow the tots to come and while not participating with the scouts directly, to see what's going on and have fun with others their age (maybe fellow future scouts )

This benefited me, as a volunteer, immensely. Not having a regular sitter/care provider for my son but being very much involved in camp and scouting in general (den leader, made quite a bit of stuff for camp itself - awards, decorations, targets, etc., volunteered for tot lot, have been certified for first aid and CPR among other things) and wanting to be there to lend a hand (and being needed as someone certified in the above with as few volunteers as we had this year) - this allowed me to participate as needed, be there as I wanted to be and not have to put myself out finding someone to watch him late in the afternoon (we had twilight camp, not in the middle of the day as some do.) The same applied to a few other volunteers - all the kids there did belong to volunteers. I know this may not be the way scouting has been in the past (and may never be in some places) but I am new to scouting and really appreciate this.

My husband was also allowed to attend thanks to us being able to bring our youngest and he ended up being half of the two people able to run the bb gun range. Since he was #4 out of the only 4 people who went through the appropriate training, we were able to have two people there and two in archery so both were available during camp.

We were both approached and asked to be volunteers for camp - they did not have enough people in all the appropriate areas like they had in the years past. We used some of our vacation days at work to go out of town and take all the appropriate training programs/earn certifications/etc. to be able to volunteer and ensure there was enough people everywhere to let camp continue. We took off early from work each of the five days as well so we were able to be at camp, (me working mostly night shift and my husband not getting in til after dark), which put us out of more money but again, I did not once complain or think twice about backing out because of that (and not complaining now - even when I see the paychecks this week!)

I know a lot more was posted in this thread, I didn't get a chance to read it all (long day, sorry if I've been redundant.) I hope I am not a 'helicopter parent' (gotta look that one up now) but I did enjoy my time there and as I was needed as a den walker after one didn't show up that worked out well since we had others in tot lot by that time. I don't expect reimbursement for being a volunteer, however, if I have to put myself out financially, repeatedly, for the sake of being a volunteer, I'd have to quit volunteering. I had no problem using my own money for when it was needed during the last year in our den (even if some said I shouldn't have - if I didn't, it wouldn't have happened) but I won't cause us financial problems if I have to do that, miss work, then turn around and pay $150 for a sitter for a couple of hours throughout 5 days on top of it. I love to volunteer, sure thing. I'll pay for things when an issue arises or money is needed. But if there's an option to save me a little bit of money while helping ensure our camp happens, yes, I will take part in that (and I respect those who believe this is not the place but personally I am thankful for it. That's just me

When it was raining we were ALL in one big room (main room of elk's lodge.) If I'd have set a tv/dvd up, we had scouts a couple feet away who would probably watch/etc. And the days it didn't rain we were outdoors (and the tots were pretty content with the non-electronics out there at least.) It was definitely 'fun' trying to plan 5 days worth for them + the rain + help out with the regular stuff (and I ended up den walking as well and bouncing back and forth at the end.) Definitely got my exercise!

Hey, hey, irony, no irony - after 3 days of moody kids, I was tempting fate with that one for a couple little smiles They loved it (and since they didn't get to play in any shape or form of rain) it worked. I too remember going out in the rain and playing all day. The only time I was called in is if mom saw lightning. I understand most of the rules we abide by, though, including these (even if they don't always work for everyone.)

Hope your wife and son (and the other scouts) can go out soon, I wouldn't wish that on anyone. It was rough (although at least they have a movie, we couldn't even do that!)

I considered a tv and movies while we were stuck inside but they said no electronics, lol. We finally got to go outside Thursday and Friday so we set up a sprinkler, tiny pool and a bubble station. Another mom helped out and taught them duck duck goose, hide and seek, etc. (Some knew them already but they still had a great time.)

Pouring again today. No lightning or bad winds yet but was told to be prepared to be inside...

If I could I gladly would! I won't lie, its helped our grass a LOT this year, lol, but enough is enough! Any other week but this one. Hope today was as good for y'all as yesterday!

This is the our district's day camp but out of all the packs that make up our district, only our pack had people sign up (the others aren't nearly as active in any of the events we plan as a district.) All the other day camps through our council are either full, cancelled, past the late registration date or the registration end date is before my next check: http://www.coastalcarolinabsa.org/OpenRosters/ViewOrgPageLink.aspx?LinkKey=30615&orgkey=1991

As for the rain, high winds and lightning accompanied the rain. One of those storm cells came through here last night and then again this afternoon. Thought it was gone this morning but apparently there was another. I'm no weather person but the husband was keeping up with it. From what I was told a lot of damage happened to the tents that went up yesterday and signs that we didn't get down last night. The elk's lodge that charters us had a member's event today so we couldn't go in there to wait it out (that's where we were last night since it wasn't occupied.) Gotta get out there tomorrow after work and work on getting everything straightened for tomorrow night (hoping that was the last of it.)

Sasha, thank you so much for the ideas! I have a feeling that's how they see this one as well.

Well, won't be trying those out today. They cancelled camp about 10 minutes before the rain quit

Thanks Jasper! I saw a TON of sidewalk chalk in one of the art bins last night we can use. We're out in a big field (good ways away from the elks lodge that's our charter) so I might have to do the cardboard idea out there (but I know we have some in storage.) I also have a good bit of boxes left over from the archery targets we made! Our tot lot grew last night so we now have 4 boys and 2 girls

Well then, I'll definitely be looking for some backups for sure now. Got rained out yesterday. So almost all of the crafts I had planned we ended up going through yesterday with still 4 days to go! Little ones were looking so forward to the tiny pool we had set up and ball games we planned to play with them and then out of no where the bottom fell out. Hopefully today we can get outside and make up for yesterday's awful weather!

OK' date=' they shot at the watermelons and pinatas and they absolutely loved it today. The DE had to come video it. They thought it was the best.[/quote']

 

I am so jealous. Yesterday was our first day of camp and it POURED rain ;__; We were stuck inside the whole time (we still did rotations but of course it wasn't the same.) Hope y'all's camp goes well for the rest of the days too!

While making the archery and bb gun targets for our own summer camp (my husband is the range master this year), I ran into this same issue. A friend of mine drew 'mad science' themes on some used 'yard ads' (we were hanging mason jar tops from them for them to shoot at.) Not thinking about BSA rules, she drew a mad scientist on the top (not where they shoot but obviously a bb could hit up there.) When my CM saw that, she about crawled under my porch. It was stressed repeatedly at the next meeting, no people, no animals - whatsoever. On anything that involves 'aiming and shooting.' Another guy made a valid point that some of our scouts wouldn't even bother aiming at the jar lids but the scientist himself. So now those boards will be decoration and we made two more with abstract science images. So knowing this (and depending on how your group is), I'd steer clear any animals/humans. I realize humans are 'worse' to use but you really don't want to get it all set up to be told later on nope, re-do.

@ KDD, that made my morning, lol.

All you can do, hope that helps y'all out in the long run!

We do a radio spot and ask for donations of old Scout uniforms we we do Scouting for food. You'd be surprised how many bits and pieces of Uniforms turn up in the Scouting for food bags. By doing that we are able to keep a uniform bank in the Scout Closet for boys in need. It also comes in handy in a pinch when a boy has forgotten part of his uniform for an event or troop meeting; we just seend them into the closet for a "loaner" so everyone is properly uniformed for whatever we happen to be doing.

That is an awesome idea and sounds like it works out quite well.

Thanks for the input y'all

I know both directors attended NCS training. They put me with another parent from my den to watch the tot lot (we have to be together at all times with them, both of us are 25 and I'm a registered den leader.) I went to a training session last week for camp where we went over all the rules, descriptions of each area, leaders for each, various 'events' that could occur (health, weather, etc.), had our health forms evaluated and got some other materials for camp. However, when tot lot was 'briefed', it was just that. Who would be over it, how many kids and I was given bins from storage with various things in them. She told me before training they'd have an area for the tots and we were to come up with activities/crafts to do with them each day (which I recently picked out.) I wasn't given any specifics as to what to do crafts wise but since the youngest kid in tot lot is my son, I know what is and isn't age appropriate and went from there. I was posting this mainly because of curiosity, to see if there were any ideas I could incorporate as backups.

As for the older sisters, we don't have any girl scout troops in our town but we have someone come in who is over the sisters at the camp while they form their own den and participate along side their brothers and fellow scouts (I was told there was training involved in that position as well, I never inquired more on it but thought it was great they did that as there are 6-7 older sisters I believe.)

We have quite a few boy scouts as junior staff members but none wanted to be over tot lot. Neither did any of the adults asked until she got to me, lol. I said I'd help no matter where it was needed.

Curious to know what everyone's summer camp does to accommodate (if anything) for the younger siblings of the cub scouts attending day/twilight camp. Since we had absolutely no volunteers for our 'tot lot' - I will end up being there during camp tending to the 4 siblings tagging along with their older brothers. I have some crafts and activities lined up, just wanted to know what others do for the 3-5 year olds.

I definitely show my newbie status when reading this as I had no idea some packs actually issued these and let the scouts swap them out yearly vs. purchasing them. All of our scouts are to acquire their uniform on their time at the local scout shop (a little over an hour or so away), online, etc.I was told they would help donate to those who could not afford them but not the entire group. I plan on making a shadow box later on (well, that's the idea anyways) so I have no problem purchasing the items each year. I definitely agree to point it out in detail at the beginning (even if some forget, at least you put it out there.) I'd hope clarifying would either persuade them to purchase their own if they wanted to keep it or know early on about turning it over (if not, ask them to cover the cost when it comes time.)

If you are looking for a Sci-fi type theme' date=' you could always look up the 501st Legion. They are a world wide screen accurate Star Wars costume group. They love doing stuff like that for kids.[/quote']

 

Nice! My son would have been our biggest fan (huge Star Wars fan) but I'm not even sure if they'd have let us use something character related. So many rules I ran into, it was very disheartening after setting out so many times what could be done, lol.

If you are looking for a Sci-fi type theme' date=' you could always look up the 501st Legion. They are a world wide screen accurate Star Wars costume group. They love doing stuff like that for kids.[/quote']

 

Nice! My son would have been our biggest fan (huge Star Wars fan) but I'm not even sure if they'd have let us use something character related. So many rules I ran into, it was very disheartening after setting out so many times what could be done, lol.

I understand both sides of this and it made me really think on what my husband and I did earlier this year. My son got 10% of his popcorn sales late last year. That money went towards his re-charter in February, the Boys' Life magazine & his father and I signing up as den leader and asst. den leader. I had just lost my job two weeks before Christmas and our den had no leader a few weeks after that. Since then (when I found a job in late February), I have put quite a bit of my money into the den (as I did before I was ever leader and lost my job) and covered all my son's camp deals, new uniform, etc. I was told they only earn money for that account through popcorn sales and it could only be used for re-charter or camp. Since it covered us for a year, it was a no brainer that I'd cover camp for him (and his brother in the tot lot.) I don't know if this is frowned upon or not but considering the circumstances (and that we'll be covered every other thing), hopefully for us it balances out. I look at it as though if we hadn't of stepped up and couldn't have volunteered, he wouldn't have a den to be in right now. (Yes I realize this is a bit off the topic at the top but some other posts hinted around at this.)

Our pack is actually recruiting right now (or did a few weeks ago) to try and draw in members for summer camp, our water event in July and to start in with our pack meets in the fall (right now what we do over the summer counts as the rank they 'entered' at the beginning of June.) Definitely follow the advice given here, reach out to your local council (or if you know even more specifically where a local pack is chartered), see what you can find out and let us know how it goes! Wish you and your son the best of luck and hope he enjoys it.

@ packsaddle, hahaha, I didn't even realize I worded it that way when I typed it. My mom is the queen of coming up with these off the wall phrases - no one knows where they came from or what they mean half the time. I made fun of her my whole life and now it seems I've adopted most of them as my own. I know I've heard of the phrase 'hid under a rock' when talking about someone being embarassed - this is our version. Apparently this somehow embarassed her (maybe she realized she never clarified or thought I'd be upset and refuse to continue or something) but her face turned a bright shade of red when she saw those particular ones and looked like she was struggling to get the words out that we couldn't use those. Of course I completely understood so all was well (and she joined us back on the top of the porch.)

Skeptic - sometimes when I log in, my name still doesn't show off the bat. I click on a forum area and bam, I'm there. Still can't send PMs even when I'm logged in :\

Gonna try my hand at posting a photo. Got these targets done, finally. I suggested SO many things and SO many ideas got shot down. So we went very, very simple. Ignore the two scientists in the bb gun set, those will be decorations, the rest (8) will be bb gun targets. As for the boxes, We're gonna set it up as a pyramid, a big, medium, small stacked (5 of those total.)