Boy Scout Camp Program Planning

What kind of program can a Scout expect at camp?  The opportunities are almost endless.  There are so many things to do that planning is necessary in order to meet personal and unit goals.  Program involves excitement, education, productivity, and, without question, FUN!!! Our staff is here to provide you with assistance in providing your troop with the best possible program for your troop.  It's your troop's program, it's your Scouts' program; we're just here to lend some helping hands.

A Good Troop Program Is:

Boy Planned:  Planning the troop’s summer camp program can be part of the growth and learning process of Scouting if the Scouts themselves are involved through the Patrol Leader’s Council.  The PLC, with the guidance from the Scoutmaster, should see that the troop program reflects the individual goals of the various troop members as well as the collective aims of the troop.

Balanced:  Experience has shown that the best program at camp is one that offers a healthy balance between recreation and advancement, free time and structured activity, group events and individual pursuits.  Each Scout should be allowed to enjoy his surroundings, pursue his interests and build friendships.

Individualized:  A successful camp program reflects the different ages, ranks, and skill levels of the troop.  While it is good for the troop to conduct some of its own activities during camp, camp offers your troop the ability to meet individual needs of troop members, often beyond the ability of the troop to do on its own.

Flexible:  Please remember that there are at least a dozen other troops planning a program that involves the staff and facilities at the same time your troop will be using them.  Most of the time the camp’s capacity is great enough to accommodate the overall demand, but sometimes it is necessary for one or more troops to rearrange part of their program to enable the camp to adequately serve all troops.  Please be prepared for this possibility and have enough flexibility built into your troop, patrol and individual plans so that you may accommodate necessary changes.

Not Enough Time

Camp program offerings are very diverse and there are a lot of them.  No Scout could ever come to camp and take part in every activity.  We offer such a large program to make camp more fun, interesting, and exciting, so that Scouts will want to return year after year.

Your troop (or individual members) is not obligated to participate in any of the programs camp offers.  You are also obligated not to take part in all of the programs either.  Scout leaders are often tempted to participate in everything.  It is impossible.  Choose your priorities based on the needs of your troop.

Remember, while you may think that summer camp is the greatest place to earn merit badges and pick up camping skills, sometimes Scouts like to go swimming and play games.  Scouts grow and learn from these activities just as much as they do from learning the square knot or the eye splice.  Remember what it was like when you were a youth?  Help your Scouts balance their program with learning, advancement, personal growth and fun.

Five General Types of Program:

1.     Boy. Camp programs and advancement opportunities are designed to help the Scout meet his personal and advancement goals.  There are Merit Badges, rank requirements, special awards, and program that are just for fun.

2.     Buddy. Scouts should always travel in at least groups of two (groups of four for hiking), so many activities are available which encourage buddy pairs to work and have fun together.

3.     Patrol. Baden-Powell once said that the patrol method was the secret for the success of Scouting.  To strengthen and encourage the patrol method, Camp Rand offers many programs and activities to do just that. Patrol activities are planned and run by the patrol.

4.     Troop. Troop activities are planned and run by the troop's own Patrol Leaders Council.  It is encouraged that each troop PLC meet daily.

5.     Camp Community. Camp offers a chance to work with other troops and to make a contribution to the total camp experience through activities such as camp-wide games, inter-troop campfires, Scout Vespers, outposts, and much more. Camp-wide activities are planned and run by the Camp Senior Patrol Leaders Council.  The CSPLC is made up of the Senior Patrol Leaders from every troop in camp.  The CSPLC meets daily at 8:45 a.m. to plan games, competitions, campfires and other activities involving multiple troops.

Camp Senior Patrol Leaders Council

The Camp Commissioner works with the Senior Patrol Leaders from each of the troops in camp to cover camp-wide issues and plan activities, competitions, and campfires.  The Camp SPL Council meets each morning, Monday – Friday, at 8:45 a.m.

Troop Patrol Leaders Council Responsibilities

The Patrol Method is a very important element to the overall Scouting Program.  Everything about the way Scouting operates in camp comes back to patrols led by Patrol Leaders, troops led by Senior Patrol Leaders, troops conducting planning through Patrol Leaders Council meetings, and camp-wide programs planned through the Camp Senior Patrol Leaders Council.

In order for your troop to have a successful camp experience, your Patrol Leaders Council should be an integral part of your planning before and during Summer Camp.

Your troop will want to schedule time at camp for your Patrol Leaders Council to meet.  Some PLC’s meet daily, some meet every other day – pick a schedule that works best for your PLC and your troop.

The Scoutmaster should meet with the Senior Patrol Leader each morning to go over the day’s activity plan for the troop and for each patrol.  They should meet again each evening to review the events of the day.  Make sure the Senior Patrol Leader understands how to work the plan.  Remember that it’s his troop.  Touch base with him when you feel your counsel is needed.  Help him help the Patrol Leaders keep their Scouts on track.