Regular Monthly Camping Trips
We camp. We hike. We get dirty. We get up close and personal with nature. There’s no way around it. Our program is largely built around outdoor activities. So, expect to have more laundry after a campout and to hear some interesting stories about wild things. Most boys enjoy being outdoors and chose to participate in Scouting because of this. And, most boys learn best in hands-on situations which the outdoors provides. The outdoors is also the best place for boys to employ the patrol method, which is another one of Scouting’s eight tools.
Participation in campouts is vital for rank advancement, as a large portion of early rank advancement is related to camping skills. Many of our Scouts participate in soccer, football, basketball, baseball, band and other activities which may preclude attending some of our meetings or campouts. Other Scouts may choose to forego a camping trip due to anxiety about the activity (e.g., heights involved in climbing; or fear of water in canoeing or whitewater rafting events). While Scouts are highly encouraged to participate in all meetings and events, we recognize this is unlikely, and Scouts are not penalized for failing to attend.
Nevertheless, it is important for Scouts to attend as many Troop meetings and outings whenever possible, for several reasons. First, participation in campouts is vital for rank advancement as a large portion of early rank advancement is related to camping and Scoutcraft skills. The outdoors provide adventure and opportunities to immediately use what the Scouts are learning. These outings also provide opportunities to work on a variety of merit badges, such as fishing, nature study, camping and hiking. Second, participation in meetings and campouts demonstrates that the Scout is active in the Troop, a requirement for rank advancement. Third, and perhaps more importantly, a significant degree of involvement in Troop activities is essential for your Scout to cement his relationships with other Scouts, particularly those he did not know before joining, and to give him a sense of belonging.
It’s important for parents to know how Boy Scout campouts are run, so here is a brief overview of some of the important points for our campouts:
- The Scouts plan and run the campout, using the patrol method. That means that on occasion some outings won’t run as we adults might expect. That’s okay, as long as the boys learn from the experience.
- The boys are grouped into patrols for each campout. Ideally the patrols for the campout have the same composition as the Troop’s regular patrols, but sometimes campout attendance requires that existing patrols are combined into “ad hoc” campout patrols. The composition of patrols for the campout will be determined by the campout’s Senior Patrol Leader and Scoutmaster at the Monday Troop meeting prior to the campout.
- At the campout, the boys are under the leadership of the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). The SPL reports to the Scoutmaster, or in his absence the ASM in charge of the campout. All campouts are planned by the SPL and PLC with the assistance of the SM or ASM.
- Just like in other Scouting events, each boy reports to his patrol leader (PL); all PLs in turn report to the SPL. All boys should follow this reporting structure during the campout. If a boy has a question about the campout agenda or needs information, he should ask his PL. If the PL does not know, he should ask the SPL. If the SPL does not know, he should ask the SM/ASM. If a Scout asks one of the adult leaders for instructions or permissions the answer given is, “What did your patrol leader tell you when you asked him that question.” They’ll get the hang of it eventually.
- At the campout, the boys will camp, cook, and eat as patrols. Your Scout’s patrol will create a duty roster/menu for the campout and select Scouts to cook and clean. Be sure to ask your son what his role is for the upcoming campout. You don’t want to find out at the last minute he is responsible for buying the food!
- The Scoutmaster or acting SM is the ultimate authority at a campout. Our SM and ASMs are trained in BSA methods, and they know how to run campouts in accordance with BSA policies. Sometimes BSA policies may not be popular, but we are required to adhere to them. Never do anything to undermine the authority of a SM/ASM at a campout. Adults should address their questions to the designated SM/ASM for the event.
- Troop 234 has a long-standing policy that new parents must wait one year from the time their son joins the troop until they can camp with the troop. Your Scout will be well taken care of. After that year, we welcome parents to join us for the campouts, but you are asked to carefully not to fulfill your traditional parent role which may interfere with your Scout engaging with the Troop leadership structure. You are not Mom or Dad. When you camp with the Troop, you are an adult leader. As such we require you to have Youth Protection Training and to act as an adult role model. Please raise concerns quietly with the designated SM/ASM, who can address it within the leadership structure. However, if immediate action is required to address a health or safety issue, and a uniformed leader is not immediately available, you should take such action as is reasonably required by the circumstances.
- Subject to the immediately preceding exception, all significant adult direction should originate from the designated SM/ASM, to the SPL, to the PLs, to the rest of the boys. It confuses the boys – and, more significantly, compromises the integrity of the patrol method – when multiple adults are giving multiple orders or making multiple suggestions to multiple boys. Of course, that’s not to say that there is no communication between adults and boys on a campout. But the communication and approval of instructions and permissions should follow the patrol method.
- The adults are a separate group (lovingly referred to as the “Old Goat” patrol) in a separate, but not distant, part of our designated camping area and eat as a separate “adult” patrol. Adults attending coordinate food and cooking gear for communal adult meals. There will rarely be a reason for an adult to venture into a boys’ patrol campsite other than periodic check-ins by the SM/ASM. The one exception to this will be if something dangerous is imminent or if behavior is becoming un-Scout-like. If you do visit a camping trip, don’t helicopter over your son while he’s hanging out with his friends. There will be disagreements among patrol mates, the food will be overcooked, and tents will occasionally collapse. No problem – as long as it’s safe, the Scouts will be learning.
- All campouts will include an “Interfaith Service” at which prayers may be offered, patriotic or religious songs sung, and inspirational religious or non-religious writings read. All Scouts are required to attend such services. However, while Scouting believes all religious traditions are worthy of respect, and insists that all Scouts be reverent, BSA strictly insists that Interfaith Services not espouse any particular religion.
- Unless otherwise noted, we will meet at the church at 4:30 pm on Friday afternoons on camping weekends and be on the road by 5:00 pm. Please do your best not to be late. If you foresee you will be late, call the SM and let him know. We will return to the church Sunday afternoon at 12:30.
All transportation is provided by adults associated with the Troop, utilizing church and private vehicles. Sometimes we may require transportation assistance beyond what the adults attending the event alone can provide. All adults providing transportation must have taken Youth Protection Training as described above in the section on Training and Child Safety. Please be on time for departures for events so the Troop is not waiting for you.