Summer Camp: A Rite of Passage and a Turning Point for Scouts (cont.)
For Cub Scouts, Summer Camp introduces the outdoor experience, provides a safe environment in which to encounter wildlife and plants, outdoor experiences like waterfront activities, climbing and shooting sports, crafts and outdoor skills, and of course working in teams. They form friendships on a deeper level and get to know one another by spending time together, un-plugged and disconnected from their normal online connections. Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts can have a deeper experience as they prepare to transition to the more independent Scouting America experience in a troop. Of course, Scouts attending camp with their troop have a full range of outdoor experiences, camping in tents, building fires, preparing meals or sharing the dining hall experience, and sharing their thoughts and concerns with tent-buddies and friends as they form bonds on a deeper level. All Scouts can advance in rank and work toward their advancement goals and many advancement activities can only be accomplished in a camp setting.
How do parents prepare their Scouts for camp, and how should they prepare themselves for the experience? At the Cub Scout level, camp is a family affair. Parents are encouraged to attend with their youth, but must take a step back to allow their young Scouts to experience the outdoor program with a bit of independence, to negotiate disagreements with fellow Scouts, and to undertake unfamiliar challenges. There is plenty of support from the camp staff and your Pack’s leadership, most of whom have been through all of this before. At this level, young Scouts can explore and have fun, make friends, and experience Scouting more fully, knowing that a parent is nearby or within reach by phone through an adult leader. Older Scouts are more independent and make choices among the activities and features of the camp program. Parents are welcome to attend camp so long as they are registered in Scouting and have been fully trained on youth protection. Scouts camp in tents separately from parents and with fellow Scouts within a couple of years of age from one another as part of our youth protection guidelines. Adult leaders are close by and pay attention to their Scouts as an added measure of safety, and camp staff are specially trained to work with our youth. Homesickness is not uncommon at various levels, but rest assured that our leadership has dealt with it before and your Scout will survive the experience. This is a time for more independence and parents should refrain from trying to talk with their youth by phone while they are in camp. In most cases, phones are put away and Scouts are discouraged from using them during summer camp.
Scouts should “be prepared” for camp, and a few essentials should be in their gear. Clothing should be appropriate to the weather. A Scout uniform is required for flag ceremonies at the conclusion of the day and for other occasions, but casual clothing is useful for most of the time. Footwear is especially important. No open toed shoes or sandals are permitted except in the shower to prevent injury. A good hiking boot or walking shoe is helpful, preferably broken in prior to camp. A change of footwear like a change of clothing is helpful. Clean socks and underwear daily are essential to good hygiene, remember a Scout is clean! You do not need a full change of clothing every day although a fresh shirt helps! Rain gear, a hat, sunglasses are a must as is a swimsuit and towel. Every Scout should have a water bottle and a pocket knife if trained to use one. They should carry their Tote-N-Chip or Whittling Chip card with them. Soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, insect spray and sunblock are also important. Please note that aerosol cans and sprays are not allowed in camp. A sleeping bag or blankets are necessary and a sheet to line the bag, pillow, and if tent camping a sleeping pad or cot are nice additions. A flashlight is an essential item and a personal first aid kit can be helpful. Finally, bringing the Scout’s handbook can provide instruction and a place to record the advancement completed on the outing. All camps provide an adult leader’s guide online and you can certainly search for your camp’s guide for more detailed information including schedules, activity descriptions, etc.
Every camp has a trading post or camp store and Scouts should bring along some money for necessities and treats. Camps sell special t-shirts and other clothing as well as supplies for some advancement work, snacks and treats including popcorn, ice cream, candy bars and other snacks. Most camps feature the “slushie”, a frozen ice slurry with flavoring added. Special cups are usually available for purchase with a slushie and can be refilled for a discounted price. Most Scouts will find it necessary to have at least one slushie a day and wear a colored tongue to prove it!
Every camp has a trained health officer on site with a health lodge for any needs including administration of medication, first aid, etc. Camp staff is specially trained and the directors of the waterfront, shooting sports area, climbing, outdoor adventures and other program areas are nationally trained and certified through what is known as National Camp School. All camps are inspected prior to the camp season and once in session by National Camp Accreditation (NCAP) personnel to assure they meet national standards for safety, facilities condition, program and operations. Emergency procedures are set in place and staff are prepared in the event of any sort of emergency situation.
In most situations, the camp provides food in a dining hall setting. Meals are developed by nutritionists and provide ample food. Special attention is paid to dietary needs and you should alert the camp to any special needs, allergies or other food restrictions in advance so they can prepare to meet your Scout’s needs. In some cases, units may prepare a meal or two in camp with food provided by the camp. Your unit’s leadership will be prepared for this and they work closely with the camp staff to assure a successful meal preparation.
Summer camp is indeed a rite of passage, an essential Scouting experience and a setting in which Scouting comes to life. It is also a turning point in many ways. For Cub Scouts, it opens the world of nature in a new and special way. For Scouts who have recently “crossed over” into a troop, it can cement the decision to continue in Scouting. All too many new Scouts who do not attend summer camp fail to persist in Scouting over time as they miss out on the life lessons, independence and self-reliance that comes from the camp experience and fail to form friendships with fellow Scouts on a deeper level. Older Scouts are in the position to share what they have learned with younger Scouts, and through the merit badge program and other camp experiences explore career options and develop interests that will carry them though life. Encouraging your youth to attend camp, to participate fully is essentially the capstone experience to the Scouting year. Financial resources are available to help families afford camp through the unit and Council. Of course, many Scouts can earn their own way to camp through the Council product sales of popcorn and coffee or unit sales such as Christmas wreathes and candy bars, brat stands and other fundraising activities. So, please help them get to camp, and if your unit is not camping as a unit, provisional opportunities are available so they can join with other Scouts in camp.
As always, I thank you for your commitment to Scouting, for the faith and trust you place in your leaders and units every day throughout the year. I’m looking forward to seeing you down the trail and perhaps greeting you and your youth in camp. I know you will find the experience transformative there just as I know your youth will find themselves each in their own way.
Paul Shrode
psshrode@aol.com