Pack 297 Camping Guide

Camping Guidelines 1. All boys must be accompanied by an adult. If a parent is unable to attend, the parent must arrange for a responsible adult. 2. Boys and Leaders should plan to bring their Scout shirt (without neckerchief or slide) and hat for flag raising and lowering ceremonies. Pack T-shirts are encouraged if the boys have them. 3. Outdoor tent camping is permitted although the parent or responsible adult must remain with the child 4. The boys and men sleep on mattresses in a common ‘loft’ area and bunks in the ‘out buildings’ in the camp areas. A limited number of separate rooms are available for female campers. All are welcome to sleep in the main floor open area. 5. When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian. (This is official Boy Scout Youth Protection policy.) 6. The loft and bedrooms are for sleeping, play is not allowed.

7. The lodge must be cleaned and inspected prior to final checkout. Please plan to remain Sunday morning to assist with cleanup.

8.

If a parent or child must leave camp for an activity, please notify the camp coordinator or other adult prior to leaving. If a parent must leave and wishes to have their Cub Scout remain, they must arrange for a responsible adult. Sibling attendance is encouraged; however a parent MUST be on camp premises at all time. Siblings cannot stay overnight unless a parent/guardian is present

(this is a liability issue). 9. Our goal is to have the camping trip filled with Pack-oriented fun and activities. Personal electronic devices (Nintendo DS, iPods, etc) and Smart Phones are strongly discouraged. This includes adults. 10. Personal vehicles must remain in the parking lot near the administration building. Cars may be brought to the lodge for loading and unloading. This is a Texas Township fire regulation and can result in a ticket. 11. A ‘lights out’ time will be designated. All boys are expected to respect this time. (This is usually 10 pm. Adults may stay up, although sleeping area lights must remain off and voices must remain low) 12. No alcoholic beverages or narcotics are allowed on council property. No fireworks or firearms are allowed.

13. In accordance with the Michigan Crossroads Council, smoking is only allowed in personal vehicles with the windows up and out of sight of any youth campers. 14. A Scout must have earned his Whittling Chip to carry a knife, Bear Scout and above only. The Scout should notify a leader if he intends to use a pocket knife. 15. No swimming or boating without a lifeguard on duty. These activities are allowed only as part of a BSA/Rota Kiwan organized activity. No exceptions! 16. Anything placed into the campfire, stays in the campfire. An adult will take the role of fire marshal and enforce fire safety rules (see Fire Safety for more) 17. Campers will use the “buddy system” and let an adult know if they are leaving the pack camp area.

Camp Packing List Essentials Class A Uniform (without neckerchief and slide) Frisbee (with name on it) Sleeping Bag/Blanket Pillow Rain Coat Warm Coat Sweatshirt or Fleece 2 Long Sleeve Shirts Underwear (to last 3 days) 3 pairs of Socks (more on wet weekends) Pajamas Toothbrush Tooth Paste Water Bottle/Canteen Handbook for Advancement Flash Light Work Gloves for Service Project Footwear appropriate for the season Snack item to add to “Garbage Bag or Community Snack” (No nuts or peanut butter please) Good Attitude Good Weather 

What to Leave Home Nintendo DS Bad Moods

Sony PSP

iPod

Remote Controlled Fart Machine

Toys

Available Activities at Camp Normal Activities Fall/Spring -

Ga Ga

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Human Foosball

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Hiking

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Outdoor Advancement opportunities

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Camp Service Project

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Whittling (for boys with Whittling Chip)

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Bouldering with proper supervision

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Songs

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Skits

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Campfire

Winter – All of the above plus -

Sledding

Rainy Day Activities -

Indoor Advancement opportunities (Examples: Geography, Communicating, Map & Compass or Chess Belt Loop)

-

Board Games

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Crafts

Fire Safety On most camping outings weather permitting we will generally have a campfire and our rules around the campfire are in accordance with the Firem’n Chit Boy Scout award with additional rules appropriate for our scouts. Boy Scout Firem’n Chit Award 1. I have read, understand and use fire safety rules from the Boy Scout Handbook. 2. I will build a campfire only when necessary and when I have the necessary permits (regulations vary by locality). 3. I will minimize campfire impacts or use existing fire lays consistent with the principles of Leave No Trace. I will check to see that all flammable material is cleared at least 5 feet in all directions from fire (total 10 feet). 4. I will safely use and store fire-starting materials. 5. I will see that fire is attended to at all times. 6. I will make sure that water and/or shovel is readily available. I will promptly report any wildfire to the proper authorities. 7. I will use the cold-out test to make sure the fire is cold out and will make sure the fire lay is cleaned before I leave it. 8. I follow the Outdoor Code and the principles of Leave No Trace Additional Pack 297 Fire Safety Rules 1. What goes in the fire, stays in the fire! Sticks may be used to rearrange the fire, if dropped in the fire they become part of the fire. 2. A responsible adult will fill the role of Fire Marshall. 3. Before putting anything into the fire ask the Fire Marshall for permission. 4. Campfires are just one part of our outdoor program, participate in other activities as well! 5. Garbage is not to be placed in the fire. 6. Styrofoam and plastics need to be placed in the garbage, they cause poisonous fumes and are not environmentally responsible when burned.

These rules apply to scouts, siblings and adults.

Helping Around Camp/General Information

Please sign up at the meetings before coming to camp. Each cabin has posted number of overnight campers and we cannot exceed the capacity of these cabins. We have not run out of food before and we do not want to in the future. Good numbers help us plan meals and activities accordingly. We highly encourage family participation in all of our camp activities, below are a few areas we need assistance. Community Snack - On Friday night we create a snack from donated snacks - cheese puffs, pretzels, cereals etc. - and combine them in a mix of snacks. We divide the combined snack into individual bags for all of the campers. Contribution to the snack is voluntary. Due to allergies, please avoid snacks with nuts or peanut butter. Fire Marshall – Adult to make sure that fire safety rules are followed around the campfire. After Meal Cleanup Supervision – all boys are required to clean their own dishes. We need some supervision to make sure that all large food is scraped off of the plates prior to placing in the wash water and that all three steps are followed. 1. Wash (soapy water) 2. Rinse 3. Sanitize If you see a need and can lend a hand, we appreciate the assistance. Adult campers please feel free to join in a game of Gaga, Human Foosball, or another activity. Our boys like active participation from the adults and like the bigger targets ! Attendance at Camp We encourage all boys to attend as we do a lot of our outdoor advancement activities at camp. If a scout is unable to spend the entire weekend, we encourage them to come to camp during the day on Saturday. The Campfire at fall camp usually includes an Arrow of Light Ceremony and Boy Scout Crossover. These ceremonies are important and the result of multiple years of hard work by our scouts. Attendance is strongly encouraged to show support for our scouts and to wish them well in their upcoming Boy Scout careers. The Campfire at spring camp replaces the May pack meeting and scouts advance to their next rank. Attendance at these events is strongly encouraged if a scout is unable to attend camp for the entire weekend.

Pack Leadership at Camp At each pack camp we are required to have 2 BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) trained adults on all camps. Most of our leadership has been trained or will be trained by the end of the year. For Webelos camping we require an IOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills) adult, we have one currently trained leader and plan to add more in the near future.