Six Steps to Successful Camp Planning
- Find out what your Scouts want to do
Well before camp, schedule a few minutes at troop meetings to talk about camp. If most of your Scouts are first-year campers, you may choose to show pictures or slides of camp; or some of the awesome videos of camp you can find online at our website. Develop a list of each Scout’s personal camp goals. It is highly recommended that at least some of these goals involve non-merit badge programs.
- Meet with the Patrol Leaders
Ask the Patrol Leaders to discuss with their patrol members what they would like to do at camp. Some options could be patrol hikes, earning special troop merit badges, patrol swims, troop shoots, fishing, inter-troop activities, patrol challenges, service projects, etc. (Remember that events using camp facilities like troop swims or shoots will require prior arrangement.) Make sure that the Patrol Leaders have their Patrol Flags, patrol yells, skits, and skills ready for camp.
- Meet with your Senior Patrol Leader
The Senior Patrol Leader should be planning to attend camp. If they are not, the troop should appoint or elect a Camp Senior Patrol Leader. Include them and your troop Senior Patrol Leader in all your camp planning meetings. Also, plan to have them attend SPL Week (see “SPL Week” later in this guide).
- Have a serious planning session with yourself and other adult leaders
Your camp goal should be to meet the needs of the Scouts you serve. Review the input from the Scouts and share this with the troop committee. The committee needs to be involved in summer camp planning. It is their responsibility to help the troop have a successful summer camp experience (and take some of the planning load from the Scoutmaster). Schedule a committee meeting to discuss transportation, equipment, finances, and adult leadership.
- Plan for fun and success
Scouts need to know what to bring. They also need to know the program, advancement opportunities, and activities that are available. Troop leaders need to focus on the advancement and activity goals set by their Patrol Leaders’ Council and plan their participation accordingly.
Parents need to know when camp is, where it is, how to send mail, how much it costs, and how to get in touch with someone in case of an emergency. Parents also need to know their Scout’s plans. Give parents the National ABC medical forms early so that they can schedule their doctor appointments. Please note all ABC medical forms need to be signed by an authorized medical practitioner dated within one year of the end of camp and have the tetanus immunization within 10 years.
- Meet with the parents of the new Scouts (recently graduated Webelos) coming into your troop
All Scouts deserve the opportunity to come to camp. Give the parents of new Scouts every opportunity to plan early for the expense of Scout camp. Waiting too long may cost a Scout the opportunity to attend. Parents of new Scouts may be reluctant to allow their Scouts to come to camp. They need to be assured that you’re attending a well-run camp, how good the food is, and how troop leadership and camp will care for the well-being of each Scout. It is hard to be successful as a Scout without attending camp. Help parents alleviate their fears. Invite the Order of the Arrow to participate in a camp promotion presentation for your troop.