Boy Scouts has been off-line for a while. It’s tough being a guy in a gal’s world. They changed the locks, went to Florida to party and left me standing outside. Actually, that makes a better story than what actually happened. There was a change in getting access to the site, I lost the email with the new access point and couldn’t get to the area to write articles. Who could tell that story around a camp fire??

Whether you’re in Cubs, Scouts, or Venturing we are getting into camping season- day camps, summer camps, Philmont or high adventure camps, or the Venturing Big Activity. This is the time that demonstrates what Scouting is about- Scouting should be FUN!!

In our district we have a week long “day camp”. There are numerous activities from archery to first aid to meeting with the fire department- sometimes some hoses are used to cool off the crowd. A Cub in another camp is reported to have had problems flipping fried eggs with a plastic fork- after several attempts, the fork melted. We also have a flag ceremony which features the district color guard on Flag Day.

For Scouts summer camp means swimming and lots of merit badges. Adults need to help focus the activities at camp. Here are a couple of suggestions:
• For first year campers: have them concentrate on Tenderfoot, Second Class and First class requirements and 2 merit badges- swimming and another badge
• For older campers: focus on Eagle required badges that are difficult to get away from a camp setting
• For adults: understand what is being taught at the classes. Make sure the boys are getting everything they should from the classes. They should be learning something not “getting a merit badge.” For instance, when I got Leatherwork I made a personal first aid pouch that hooked onto my belt. My son cut an irregular piece of leather, dyed it black, punched 2 holes in it, ran a lace through the holes, and stamped an initial in the middle. Both completed the requirements, but did we both learn the same thing??

For Venturers this is the Time of the Big Event- SCUBA diving in the Caribbean, caving in the mountains or whatever your crew is focused on. The great thing about Venturing is that the opportunities are almost limitless.

I would like to highlight camping stories, camping photos or camping recommendations on the site. If you or your troop, pack or crew have a camp you would like to recommend (or not recommend) or a story or an activity you would like to share, just drop me a line or a link and we will try to pass your story.

Have a FUN and SAFE summer camping season.