"Big Ed's" Tips for Camp
by Ed Henderson
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Read and
reread your Summer Camp Leaders Guidebook. Highlight what is new in it. If your camp is
one you go to every year it is still good advise to be very familiar with it as programs
change and every new Camp & Program Director is likely to add new features. Also pay
close attention to your council newsletter and the camp web site as last minute details
are often announced just before camp starts.
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Many
councils have pre camp events or kick off meetings to drum up interest in summer camp.
Some have a 10 day out type sessions for leaders to visit the camp before the toop
arrives. In this information age a few camps even have pre camp chat rooms on the web or
message boards for leaders to get help with their week.
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Make sure
your troop has good two deep leadership in camp at all times. It really is recommended
that at least one leader be in camp the entire week so they will know what is going on
from day to day, and they will know where the scouts are in any given time.
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Make sure
Medical Forms are up to date for the current year, especially if you have scouts returning
to camp. The form can be used for three years but still must be updated each session by a
parent.
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One of the
biggest failings of troops in their week of camp is not understanding the class sign up
and selection process. If your camp is one that offers pre-registration of classes before
the scouts arrive DO IT! Sit each scout down and find out what he wants to take and also
what they need to advance. Have the Troop Librarian get out the Merit Badge books so
scouts can be working on those requirements which need to be done before camp. Camps who
do not pay attention to a camp's class registration procedures are likely to cause chaos,
the scouts will not get the classes they want, or the camp will be forced into having
crowded sessions.
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Make sure
each scout has spending money for the Trading Post and suggest parents give their kids a
phone card so they wont waste a bunch of coins in the Camp Pay Phone. Help the kids save
money by having plenty to drink in the campsite.
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Does the
camp have a promotional video? Get it out in May & have everyone watch it. There is
still time to get more scouts in your troop registered.
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Leaders in
camp can be a great asset. Got a spare carpenter? Put them to work. Make yourself
available to the new scout area director and volunteer to go with the staff on their
overnighter with the new scouts (they will be very thankful). If you know your troop will
be asked to put on a skit, make it a great one by getting your props ready before you even
go to camp.
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