xj-boonie

8 hours ago, Sniktaw said:

In NM we are on stay at home orders until there is a vaccine.

Restaurants are still not allowed sit down service, and masks in public are mandatory.

I cannot imagine our governor welcoming visitors from out of state.

Also, all big announcements are made at the last minute. Church services were cancelled the day before Easter. Restaurants were under the impression that they might be able to open on Friday, until the governor's news conference at 4:00 on Wednesday.

Forget planning and preparation.

Well that makes no sense - it could take years to make a vaccine, and there is no evidence that a vaccine will ever be effective.

1 hour ago, TimB said:

And we lost one adult. Down to 6 scouts and 2 adults. Worried now about what happens if anyone gets a fever on the trail - or in the two weeks before the trek. How will Philmont pre-screen or handle those possibilities? I hear that on the 15th, we will get more information on specifics of Philmont's plan. 

wouldn't you treat a fever on the trail in the same way you would 6 months ago?  A fever in an of itself is just one symptom and could be a number of things.  There is a lot that can go wrong on the trail... heat exhaustion, altitude sickness, lost adult, axe to the leg, not eating enough and collapsing (thankfully these were not all on the same trip!).

The 2-4 weeks before the trip are nerve wracking - what if someone get's hurt or sick?  Last year we had a scout break his arm 4 weeks before Sea Base, which meant he couldn't go at all (and a bummer for him being his last chance).  We were lucky to find a scout at the last minute that could fill in for him.

Our NT trek is still on (June 27-July 4) out of Ely, and both crews are still going.  As we had paid everything except airfare, we paid that also (and got a great discount on southwest!).  A few adults are worried about the air travel, but it beats 16 hours in the car just to Minneapolis.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I'm not worried about the air travel or NT.  The BWCA is one of the most isolated places I've been and rarely see anyone when I'm out there.  The crew's are already small sized, and i have no problems sharing a tent with the other adults in my crew, or riding in a van with the other scouts.

I for one would have liked to been out and moving around and just get it over with, if I'm in the small percentage that gets it and actually gets sick, so it would be over and done.  It's a risk, all high adventure is.

12 minutes ago, 69RoadRunner said:

I can certainly understand your situation since you've committed the funds.  We were just about to do that when everything shut down and we've been in a holding pattern since.

I just don't see how the HA camps can expect to operate this summer.  Still no WFA classes.  People can't get physicals. Financial situations for many people will make it a challenge, too.  It's not just the virus risk, it's all the other aspects that will vary greatly troop to troop.

I hope we have the option of a refund.  We've paid for Sea Base next year, so we can't just push it off a year.

For Northern Tier (and Sea Base, not sure about Summit but it's not exactly wilderness), the staff that stays with you is WFA trained, and our WFA training is in June.

Additionally, my physical is next week and isn't virtual, so that's also positive.

Our Troop is sending 2 crews to Northern Tier, Ely, at the end of June, and I'm hoping it's still on as we've put deposits on most everything and final payments for Blue Sky and Southwest are coming up this week and next.  We are moving forward hopeful that it will happen, and it seems positive given the news coming out of the Mayo Clinic and that BWCAW is opening up for permits on May 5th.

Our Troop is also collecting money for summer camp, so we've got a lot of hopeful people.

Mike

But can't the female adult tent with her own son?

since they require non-waterproof boots, I'm looking at getting a pair of the Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid Mesh Hiking Boots from REI with my coupon. Anyone have any experience with them in the BWCAW?

Thanks!

Taking 2 crews to Sea Base - how do you all organize the paperwork for efficient check in?

Thanks,

Mike

Yep - read about that and that 16oz per person is too much for most it seems.

Some specific questions:

1. Field Uniform (Class A) or activity uniform (Class C) for Flags and arrival?
2. Scout t-shirt (either troop or sea-base, etc.) on the afternoon in Key West, or not?
3. Best dive booties for those that don't have any and might not use them again?
4. What have you done to encourage scouts and advisors to "unplug"?
5. Worth it to bring own dry bag  or just use one provided?

Thanks!
Mike

Troop 1998

Hi, our Troop is sending 2 crews to Sea Base in July 2019, Keys Adventure, and it's the first time our Troop has gone to Sea Base.  We've booked air fare and Blue Sky Adventures (easy button).  Any tips, hints, do's or don'ts?

Thanks!

Mike

2 hours ago, Eagledad said:

With all do respect, there is absolutely no reason for adults to "ensure they (scouts) get to the program area" and "make themselves (adult leaders) available to assist (camp staff). One is just an excuse for the other. 

The primary mission for the troop is growth of your scouts. If you are uncomfortable letting your young adult scouts find their way in an area that doesn't get any safer than a Scout camp, then we can have a discussion about that subject. There is no safer place for your youngest scouts to grow and mature than the environment of summer camp. It is a safe place for them to make bad decisions.

If your troop feels the need to supply volunteers to the camp, then they need to approach the camp director first when they arrive at camp. The adults need to leave for those program areas before the scouts and come back after. The scouts just need to be walking around camp with scouts. 

We typically had about a dozen adults attend camp with us. The only direction they were given is stay away from the scouts and enjoy themselves. If they wanted to help at programs, they could, but not along side their sons or scouts. They could fish, hike, sail and canoe, but not around the scouts until free time. Then if dad and and son wanted a little dad and son time, they could do it during free time. But the adults knew summer camp is where the scouts get intense patrol method experiences and we would rather give as much of that experience as we could. Which is why our troop typically puts the adults in a different campsite. Not far, the giggling new scouts still kept me up at night. Usually just across the road, but the intent is clear. 

Our experience every year is that the parents of new scouts tell us their sons came back a different person. In a very good way. I'm pleading, don't miss this opportunity to let these young men stretch their confidence and maturity by letting them make their own decisions at summer camp. If they get lost, they and their buddy will learn to ask for help. If they aren't in the mood to go to an uninteresting program, they and their buddy will learn from the consequences of their decision. But the adults must be prepared that the scouts had the best time of their lives because they chose something different from the adults.

As you watch these boys grow to make adult decisions, you will grow to love this scouting stuff.

Barry

Barry,

With all due respect, this is a request from the camp, as stated in their Brownsea Program letter: "We ask that every Troop with Brownsea Scouts designate a Leader to participate in the
program with those Scouts throughout the week."

I appreciate your concern, but having been to camp a time or two, the scouts are perfectly fine with finding their way around and are usually better at it than us old timers.  Occasionally they need to look at the map the first day, but they seem to remember where everything is from the opening tour better than we do.

And while we don't put the adults in a different site (the camp doesn't have that capacity/availability), we have typically had the adult tent(s) as separated as possible.

I think you all who are shouting "do not let new scouters near first year campers" need to chill out. (and aren't cub scout leaders also scouters?)  While I understand that cub scouts and scouting usa are different, I don't think one can make the general statement.  It's better to decide on a person by person basis.

What this adult is going to be doing is exactly what @69RoadRunner says - herding cats and be a general assistant.

That's a good idea.  I think he is the Packleader (still is - kinda dual roles right now).

I'll talk with the Scoutmaster and see what he thinks.

Thanks for all the quick replies!

The camp requires everyone to have taken the new YPT, so I'll be making sure of that.

Of the 8, I know that 5 of us (myself included) know our role and let the scouts do their stuff. I've been to summer camp with 2 of them before, and after the first day, the Scouts are typically with their buddies getting to classes and such, while we wonder talking to staff, taking photos of the scouts in class, getting some nap time in, doing some service, etc.

1 adult just transferred over from Cubs and has offered to assist with the new scout program (the camp asks each troop with scouts in the new scout program to volunteer one adult), so he'll be gone from the campsite most of the day with them.

1 adult sigs up for a lot but usually doesn't show up, so I'm not sure how he is in camp.

And the last adult is the very definition of a helicopter parent, micro-manger, but was the first one to sign up.  Also not an ASM but a committee member.  I've had talks with the Scoutmaster but not sure what will happen. If this adult does come with, someone's job wil be to keep them busy and away from the scouts! LOL.

Hi!  This will be my third year coordinating and attending summer camp with my Troop (though I took last year off to go to Philmont!).  The previous years, we had a smaller group attend (9 + 2 adults in 2015, and 15 + 4 adults in 2016).  This summer we are at 30 scouts, and 8 adults, and still have a couple spots open.

My question - is this too many adults? I think 6 of the 8 are fully trained ASMs, one will complete his IOLS at camp, and the last one is a committee member.

Thanks,

Mike

Hi.  Been involved with scouting for 8 years as an adult (my son from cubs to Life scout now), and all through cubs to boy scouts to Eagle & OA myself as a youth.  Currently an assistant scoutmaster helping out with summer camps and high adventure camps.  I really enjoy camping and backpacking and am getting into Hammocking.