|
|
The Unit Committee supports leadership in camping. Is your Scoutmaster or Cubmaster
responsible for camping equipment, campsite reservations, transportation, camp
leadership, camp finances, parent participation and program? If so, he's doing too much. It is the
responsibility of the Unit Committee to arrange for campsites and
transportation, camp leadership, camp equipment, camp finance, and parent
participation. The job of the
Cubmaster or Scoutmaster is program, and he's happy with it.
|
Whether or not your unit committee has a member with these
various titles, it is important to realize that going to camp is a major
activity, requiring a great deal of planning and coordination. Successful units will spread the workload
around so that it is not an overwhelming burden on any one person or small
group. Additionally, assigning simple tasks
to multiple people is a great way to develop new leaders and personnel resources.
Top flight, trained camp leadership is a prime committee
responsibility. You can arrange things
so that your year-round leaders can camp with the boys this summer or next
weekend. If your Scoutmaster or Cubmaster
can't go to camp, Assistant Scoutmasters, committee members, parents, and
members of the chartered organization are possibilities to fill the leadership
role. Each unit must have at least two
adult leaders (one must be 21 years or older) in camp at all times. Ideally, leaders stay all week, but you may
rotate leaders as long as you maintain two-deep leadership.
Troops. The
Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters meet with and work with the Patrol
Leaders Council to set camp goals and develop the troop’s camp program. The Troop Committee approves and supports
this program.
Promotion.
Scouts don’t just attend camp automatically; the importance of camp
participation must be promoted to the Scouts and their families. A variety of
promotion tools are available.
There are 3 parts to camp costs:
1. The
Simon Kenton Council provides camp facilities and year-round maintenance. The income for this comes from Popcorn Sales,
Friends of Scouting, and United Way Support.
2. The
unit provides transportation to camp, unit equipment, and leadership through
money-earning projects (such as popcorn sales) or funds from the chartered
organization.
3. The
boy and his family provide personal gear, camp physicals and the camp fee,
which provides food and food service, program supplies, program staff, and
other items required to operate summer camp.
A camp savings plan will provide the necessary cash. Camperships are available for needy boys upon
written request to the Council Campership Committee (see form in appendix).
Remember,
stay on the payment schedule!
Early campsite reservation insures your favorite campsite
when your unit wants it. If you have not
yet done so, please reserve your site now!!! A site deposit of $100 is due to
hold your site.
Transportation to camp is best arranged through carpooling
with parents. Everyone should arrive
at camp together between 2:00
p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
On the closing day of your camp session, your unit should be ready for
departure at 10:00 a.m.
Consult the list of suggested items in this book for unit
camping equipment needs. Be sure your
equipment is boy-size. Be sure your equipment can be used year-round. Make sure your equipment supports the way
your unit operates (Boy Scouts camp by patrols). Share your equipment needs
with parents, committee members and the chartered organization - they often
have a way of finding things.
Don't keep camp a secret! Share your plans - and problems
with parents. Remember he’s their son
and they have a right to know (with understanding comes confidence, with
confidence comes enthusiasm). They can't
help if they don't know what needs to be done.
Let them know your plans early.
They have family plans to make, too.
Keep them informed through regular parents' nights, summer camp
information bulletins, and/or a parents' summer camp plan-o-ree. Be sure they
are aware of Family Night at camp.
Plan to meet with the boys and leaders to discuss
advancement opportunities at camp. Help
each boy plan for and prepare for these opportunities. Complete any required paperwork ahead of
time. Encourage boys to complete
preliminary items before camp. Plan appropriate recognition ceremonies for the
onslaught of awards the boys will earn at camp.
A really good job of a unit committee camp promotion means
the majority of (hopefully all) the boys GO TO CAMP!
