Here’s a Scouter’s summer camp schedule:

It’s a great privilege to be a guest of the Scouts while we are at Scout summer camp for the week.

While at camp I put myself and the other adults of guests and observers. We define our area in the campsite (not the choice, prominent most comfortable area- give that to your SPL) and stay in it. We don’t follow our Scouts around camp and with rare exception don’t lead them around camp. We don’t shadow their choices of merit badge or their progress.  We seize every opportunity to let the Scouts do things independently.

If you think of the experience as visiting a drive-through wild animal park you’ll begin to approach the whole thing with the right attitude. At the park  you have to stay in the car; sometimes the animals come right up to the car and you can feed them but you have to stay in the car.

Our mission at summer camp is to keep out of the way and observe. We are watching for:

1. Safety, basic cleanliness and health issues.
2. Overall happiness and inclusion of every Scout.

I take advantage of several key opportunities at developing and strengthening youth leadership and patrols:

1. Daily patrol logs and PLC meetings strengthen the idea of how patrols relate to the PLC and Troop – how the concerns of Scouts are part of the planning process.
2. Observing the SPL and discussing things over each meal (not for the whole meal – give him some breathing room!) helps establish the mentoring relationship.
3. Practicing observation from a distance, keeping quiet, and letting many things resolve themselves without stepping in.
4. Patrol areas in the campsite, patrol activities and responsibilities; everything works together to give the patrol leader a great deal of practical experience.
5. I work hard to strengthen the idea that the Scouts are leading themselves – that they have actual responsibilities that matter, that we will not lead for them.
6. It’s an excellent opportunity to establish the role of adults for those who have recently signed on as leaders.
7. Take advantage of the opportunity to observe other troops and see how they do things

There are opportunities to cross the observer’s line into a game or activity once in a while; we don’t want to miss out on all the fun – but crossing into the Scout side of things requires that they invite us to do so.

Camp is a great place; it can be the most important week in a patrol and troop’s year.

A Scouter’s Summer Camp Schedule

Taking Scouts caving is a popular, adventurous and exciting activity, but it’s not something to approach casually. The National Speleological Society, A volunteer organization dedicated to the study, exploration, and conservation of caves has made it clear that untrained, unprepared cave explorers endanger themselves and cause irreversible damage to fragile cave environments. Access to wild caves is appropriately limited, but there are commercial caves that offer adventurous ‘wet’ tours in addition to their more tame walkthroughs.

Allen Maddox chairs the the National Speleological Society Youth Group Liaison Committee and serves as the Regional Coordinator for the Mid-Appalachian Region. Allen is also an advisor for a Venture Crew that focuses on caving. Allen’s blog; YOU Cave (youth opportunities underground), with a terrific set of resources for any troop or crew with an interest in caving.

While a cave may seem like a cold, dark and hostile, it is in reality a fragile environment.
A formation one cubic centimeter, roughly the size of 4 pennies stacked on each other, took about 100 years to form.
A common Small Brown Bat can consume 10,000 mosquitoes size insects each night. Insects that can decimate a farmer’s cops or carry diseases that are infectious to humans. Yet each mating pair has only one puppy each year.
We can read about these and other caving related biology, geology, and historical facts in books, but to give youth the opportunity to explore, touch, see and study the earth from the inside out is a very unique experience that helps to build an appreciation to the importance of caves.

When youth explore caves they learn about where they fit in within their environment. They learn their importance in being good stewards for the earth.

When youth explore caves together they become a member of a non-competitive team. They learn to work together and help each other through physical and mental challenges. They learn basic problem solving and leadership skills. They learn to depend on other people and to be dependable themselves. They learn about new possibilities for themselves.

Here are two key provisions of taking Scouts caving from the BSA Caving Policy (PDF file of the policy available here)

All caving, other than simple novice activities, should be limited to adults and young people 14 and older—“Simple novice activities” means commercially operated cave excursions.

One cave trip leader must be qualified through caving experience and must be thoroughly versed in all established safety practices, conservation measures, and courtesy to cave owners.

If you’re interested in taking Scouts caving start with Allen’s blog, it’s a great resource for learning about how to set up a caving adventure

Taking Scouts Caving

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!

Scoutmaster Podcast 175 – Summer Camp

Click to view slideshow.

This page of the July 1953 edition of Boy’s Life describing how to build a wanigan and a tumpline was posted at Paddle Making.

The Wanigan – Storage for Canoeing and Camping

I’ve set up a patrol system survey to see how the patrol system is used in other troops, ( there aren’t any ‘right’ answers).

If you have a few minutes I would appreciate your participation!

Patrol System Survey

Here’s some summer camp advice from a former camp director to anyone  fortunate enough to spend a week at summer camp as a Scouter. Your camp director’s biggest difficulties aren’t caused by Scouts or their staff but by ‘adult’ leaders who accompany the Scouts to camp.

• Don’t over-do it and make yourself into a time bomb.
  If you are 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).
• Camp staff members are totally dedicated to making your stay worthwhile.
  Younger staffers are learning and growing just like your Scouts – be considerate and supportive of them.
• Never berate, criticize, argue with or yell at a staff member, youth leader or fellow adult leader in the presence of Scouts.
  No matter how much you think they deserve it. A quiet talk at an appropriate distance will usually solve the problem (and the problem may turn out to be yours).
• Don’t “pull rank”.
  You are a Scoutmaster, not a general or an admiral, so there really isn’t any rank to pull is there? Most people instantly respect your position just don’t make a big deal out of it. Don’t ask for special privileges or try to impress staff members with your self importance.
• Join in the program and encourage your Scouts to join in too.
  Even if the program, in your humble opinion, isn’t all that good. A lively audience does more than anything to enliven and energize a performer.
• Participate in ceremonies, traditions and practices of the camp even if they are unfamiliar to you.
  Camps and camp staffs are proud of their traditions; imposing your way of doing things on their program is a rude as imposing your way of doing things in someone else’s home.
• Carefully monitor any inter-troop rivalries that may develop.
  Scout aged boys are hyper-competitive and often need to be reminded about fairness, courtesy and sportsmanship. Set the tone of gentlemanly competition and require it of your Scouts.
• Give your youth leaders all the responsibility for success.
  See that they understand what needs to be done, how and why and then observe from a great distance. Check in with them every evening, ask lots of questions and put your oar in only when it is asked or it is matter of safety.
• Be proud of your Scouts, encourage them, congratulate them, admire them. Don’t try to be one of them.
  When the rare opportunity to join in at the boy level presents itself jump in, but don’t interfere with their fun.
• Be as patient with your shortcomings as you are with those of your Scouts.
  Don’t sacrifice the perfectly good on the altar of perfection.

Summer Camp Advice

Marbles Camp Axe
Great fit and finish for a very good price. The marbles is a bit larger than most camp hatchets or axes and it’s a quality product.

Available from Conoho Creek Outfitters
available at Amazon
Sarge Boy Scout Knife
Well made pocket knife with a classic, utilitarian design.

Available from Conoho Creek Outfitters
available at Amazon

Marbles Back Pocket Dual-Grit Tool Sharpener
Great tool for maintaining axes, hatchets and pocket knives this coarse and fine grit carborundum stone should be in anyones camping tool kit.

Available from Conoho Creek Outfitters
Available from Amazon

Marbles Camp Axe Review (and more!)