Podcast Episode (00:26:23): Listen on Apple Podcasts This edition of the Scoutmaster Podcast I share ten things that will help make your summer camp stay this year a success and answer an email question about the patrol leader’s council. All this and your messages in the mailbag! Visit our YouTube Channel! |
Summer camp advice for Scouters from a former camp director. When I was a camp director the Scouts were never really a significant challenge. My biggest challenges often came from the ‘adult’ leaders who accompany the Scouts to camp. Don’t over-do it and make yourself into a time bomb. When hot tired, hungry, and thirsty get cool, rested, fed, and hydrated. I tend to be cranky if I don’t look after myself (years of observation prove that many of my fellow leaders may share the same problem)....
What are your expectations for summer camp merit badges? To most of us and to nearly all of our Scouts the central feature of the week at camp is earning merit badges. But what if it wasn’t? What if Scouts exchanged earning summer camp merit badges for learning and doing the things that actually interest them, the kind of things that Scouts do, instead ? Want to take your patrol on an overnight hike in some remote part of camp?...
If you are headed off to camp this summer it’s likely you will be working with one or more homesick Scouts. Understanding, preventing and treating homesickness ought to be approached like administering first aid for any other illness or injury. Homesickness is not imaginary, it’s not an indication of weakness or lack of character, it’s not a symptom of bad parenting or bad leadership and, thankfully, it’s reasonably easy to prevent....
Your son returns from Scout summer camp more capable and mature than the boy you knew one short week ago. Outside the normal support structure of his family, away from the solitary distractions of modernity, a Scout must take care of himself and cooperate with his peers. He does all this in a supportive environment that permits failure without compromising safety. He’ll be challenged to expand his abilities, to accept and offer help, and to function cooperatively in everyday tasks....
It’s a great privilege to be a guest of the Scouts while we are at summer camp for the week. Here’s what our average day looks like: Time Scouts Adults [6:45] AM Awakened by the SPL and PL’s. Flag is raised and all Scouts go to polar bear swim as a group. I used to get up and go to Polar Bear swim years ago (like 15 or so) but I think it’s important for the Scouts to do this on their own....
When a Scout arrives at summer camp with our troop he deposits all of his money in the troop bank. He’s been told to bring his money in one dollar bills to keep things simple. The troop scribe collects all the money and records deposits in a small notebook. The cash and the notebook go into a metal strongbox that is locked with a padlock and placed in an inconspicuous place (usually under a tent platform) and the padlock key, on a lanyard, is placed in another inconspicuous spot....
Adult Leader Summer Camp Equipment List Stuff Personal Gear Tools/etc. First Aid Kit Pillow Hammer Paper Towels Hanging Kit(4) Pliers TP Shower Sandals Nails Hanging Light(1) Hangers(5) Tarp D Batteries Coffee Cup/Mug Rope AA Batteries Water Bottle String Liquid Hand Soap Notepad Duct Tape Hose Pencil/Pen Shovel Broom Knife Saw Clothespins(2) Snacks Tacks Clorox Wipes Books(6) Staple Gun Clear Shelf Paper(3) Clock Work Gloves Deck Cards Sewing Kit Magic Marker Troop Flag Matches Sharpie Marker US Flag Camera State Flag Seasonings(7) Flag Stands 1 Gallon Zip Loc Cash Box Hat Trash Bags Fishing Gear Chair Mirror Glasses Rug/Mat Notes:...
Summer camp is a big part of most Troop annual programs. A week of opportunity awaits and what follows is some advice on how to make the best of it. Preparing Scouts for camp is relatively simple, preparing adults is somewhat more difficult and important. Without wishing to sound like a broken record most difficulties in Scouting arise from adults who misunderstand their role. Simply put the role of adults at camp is not any different than their year-round responsibilities; to enable the Scouts to plan, prepare and lead their own program....
If you are fortunate enough to spend a week at summer camp as a Scoutmaster here are a few ideas from a former camp director that will make your stay a good one. Any camp director will tell you that the biggest difficulties of any summer season come not from the scouts or their staff but from the ‘adult’ leaders who accompany the scouts to camp. Don’t over-do it and make yourself into a time bomb....
Night falls on the first day at summer camp; the big opening campfire is over, the troop has returned to the campsite, the Scouts are preparing for taps. Just after we end the Patrol Leader’s Council a young scout, at camp for his first time, is wandering around the edge of a pool of lantern light. I know exactly why he is there; he and his brethren have been there for twenty plus years – he is one of my homesick Scouts....