Troop 69 1 Camping With Troop 69 “How You & Your Son Can Get the Most Out of the Scouting Outdoor Experience”

Troop 69 2 Why Are You Sitting Through This Meeting? Historically – Poor Communication on How to Prepare for Campouts Scouts at This Age Don’t Tend to Get All the Details Back to Their Parents No Vehicle to Bring New Parents Up To Speed For Adult Participation The Typical Troop Will Lose Half the Boys the First Year Lack of Parental Understanding, Support, and/or Involvement An Unprepared Scout May Not Enjoy Camping Too Many Other Distractions The More You are Prepared, The Better You Can Support Your Scout

Troop 69 3 Anatomy of a Troop Campout This Doesn’t Happen by Accident Friday Eve Assemble at AFUMC around 5:30 & Travel to Destination Friday Eve Set Up Camp Saturday Have Fun! Sunday Break Camp Religious Service Return to AFUMC Between 1 & 2 Swimming Cooking Hiking Canoeing Camp Fire White Water Rafting Backpacking Rock Climbing Advancement (Bring Scout Handbook)

Troop 69 4 Patrols Divide by Age Grouping 6 – 10 Scouts per Patrol Year Old Year old year old Plus Year Old Staff Assigned Specific Roles Elected Positions 3 QM – Coordinate Equipment 1 Scribe – Communications & Dues 1 Historian – Record Troop Activities 1 Chaplain Aide – Duty to God 1 Librarian – Maintains Merit Badge Books & Reference Material New Scouts 1 st 6 months only 8 – 10 Scouts per Patrol Troop Guides – Interviewed Position Organize Train Assimilate New Scouts Boy Led Troop Patrol Method: Organized to Develop Leadership Skills

Troop 69 5 Elections Held Semi Annually: March & September Troop Leadership Roles Required for Advancement Leaders Not Always Chosen For Skill Set Junior Leadership Training Classes Scouts Organize & Plan Activities Adults Support Scout Leaders Scouts Plan Outings – August Planning Conference Preparation During Monthly Patrol Leader Council Meetings Organize Individual Trips (Menus, Time Tables, etc.) Scouts Learn by Doing Leadership Teamwork Communication Problem Solving Conflict Resolution Project Management Adults Provide Logistic Support Supervision Transportation Financial Support Organizing the Troop “Don’t Do Anything for a Scout that he can do himself” Robert Baden-Powell

Troop 69 6 Before You Even Think About Camping What To BuyWhat Not To Buy Boy’s Tent  Troop Will Supply for 1 st Year Cheap Mess Kit  Never Used Any Expensive Equipment  Large Lost & Found Big Bulky and Fragile Equipment  Nothing Is Unbreakable Backpacking Backpack, Stove, Water Filter, Etc.  1 st Real Backpacking Trek Is a Long Way Away and Your Son Is Growing Water Bottle, or Two - Nalgene Good Sleeping Bag Sleeping Pad Durable Flashlight Clothing You Will Use Everyday Inexpensive Items Items That Retain Utility When Your Son Grows Spend Wisely – If In Doubt Talk with Other Parents

Troop 69 7 Food Patrol Will Supply All the Food You Need Cooking Equipment Provided by Troop Shelter/Sleep Tent (Smaller is Better – Supplied by Troop for 1 st Year Scouts) Sleeping Bag Air Mattress/Sleeping Pad Pillow Eating Utensils Plate Fork, Knife, Spoon Cup Weather Gear Rain Coat Poncho Comfort Camp Chair (Optional, Can Be a Point of Contention) Basic Camping Gear Boy Scout Handbook Flash Light Pocket Knife ( ONLY After Earning the Totin’Chip Card) Compass Toilet Kit Clothing Change of Clothes Appropriate to Weather Coat/Jacket Hat (Summer and Winter) Closed Toe Shoes – Required Something to Carry It All In Back Pack Not Required Duffel Bag is OK If You Bring It You Have to Carry It! What Do You Need to Pack See Your Boy Scout Book For a Checklist This is Boy Scouts! No: Alcohol Tobacco Guns This is Boy Scouts! No: Alcohol Tobacco Guns

Troop 69 8 Do Ask Your Son About What He Packed Probing & Leading Questions About What He Needs -He Probably Won’t Change His Clothes Anyway! Refer Him to His Scout Handbook Don’t Pack Your Son’s Gear He Needs to Learn What to Pack If He Doesn’t Pack It He Won’t Know It’s There Force You Son to Take a Bunch of Stuff He Doesn't Need – He’ll Have to Carry It Wait to the Last Possible Minute! Packing Do’s & Don’ts Scouts Need to Repack on Their Own Sunday Morning

Troop 69 9 General Arrive at Church With All Gear Ready to Go – 5:30 Eat Before You Arrive Scouts Required to Wear Class A (Field) Uniform Organization Troop Will Assemble & Load Equipment Trailer Contains Troop Gear Some Personal Gear May Fit in Trailer – Plan on Carrying Personal Gear in Cars Friday Night Logistics – Getting There Transportation If You Are a Driver (Personal Car or Church Van) Pass Out Maps Assign Scouts to Vehicles Drive to Camp Out Do Not Caravan Expect Confusion Until Scouts Understand the Drill – Let the SPL Do His Job

Troop Unload Gear SPL will Assign Camp Sites Adult & Scouts Separated Pitch Your Tents Help Set Up Adult Camp Shelter / Dining Fly Kitchen (Patrol Box, Water, Stoves, etc.) Check With Chief’s Patrol Leader When All is Ready Set Up a Comfortable Chair Relax & Enjoy! Friday Night Logistics – Adult Arrival Troop Cracker Barrel Many Camp Outs – Not All Sponsored by Chiefs Patrol Light Food (Cheese, Sausage, Crackers, Chips, etc.) Adults Check With The Chief’s Patrol Leader - Let the Scouts Do It Their Way ANY Parent Welcome to Camp

Troop Immediately Stop Seriously Dangerous Activity FireKnifeFighting WaterEtc. Advise the Scoutmaster of Any Health Issues Direct Corrective Action to the Scoutmaster or Sr Patrol Leader Avoid Initiating Corrective Action – Work Within the Patrol Method Alert Scoutmaster of Any Hazing Incidents – Hazing is NOT Allowed Adult Role On-Site Safety If It’s Not Serious Let the Scouts Manage

Troop Fixing/Managing What is Wrong Let the Scout Leaders Direct Their Troop – They Need Our Support Try to Stick to the Chiefs Patrol Camp Site Avoid Checking Up on Your Son Reinforce the Troop Leadership Send Him to His Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, or Sr Patrol Leader Serious Concerns – See the Scoutmaster, or Chiefs Patrol Leader He is Learning How to Function in the Patrol At Best You are a Distraction You May Undermine His Image in the Patrol If a Scout Comes to You The Most Difficult Job A Parent Has is Letting Go

Troop Wrapping Up … Any Questions? Boy Scout Camping is Fun for the Scouts and The Adults…. Let’s Go Camping!