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PTC Media Forums Boy Scouting Summer Camp tips for "new" AMSs or SMs

Summer Camp tips for "new" AMSs or SMs

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2:23 pm
May 14, 2010

Mr Wil

Port St John, FL

PTC Tiger

posts 15

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Hi All!

I am looking to tap into the experiences of SMs and ASMs regarding summer camp, from a leader's perspective. This summer will be my second summer camp as an ASM, unfortunately i wasn't a scout as a youth. Last year i spent the morning in a awesome IOLS training class this year my time is open, well I guess that is part of what i am looking for:

What do you do while the scouts are in sessions and classes?

Any good tips or how-tos regarding OUR week at summer camp?

What do you always bring along for fun or function?

What DON'T you bring?

ANY ideas other thoughts would be great!

I haveasked our SM and other experienced leaders already, just looking for some outside ideas as well.

Thanks! Be well…

Wil Henzmannn – WEBELOS Dad – Second Class Dad, Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 355 Sharpes, FL

2:20 pm
May 17, 2010

bryanspellman

Fishers, IN

Admin

posts 97

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Great Questions! Some answers…I've been to tons of Summer Camps as a youth, several as an Adult Leader and one as a Scoutmaster…

What do you do while the scouts are in sessions and classes?

The 1st day I park myself in a central location (as SM) so the guys know where I am in case they need anything or I can direct them to the SPL or PL if needed. The 2nd day I tour the camp and check out various areas and see if any need help. I swim, shoot at the range and play during Open Time and of course find a nice place for the hammock…

Any good tips or how-tos regarding OUR week at summer camp?

Everyone is different, my only tip here is NO EAGLE REQUIRED MERIT BADGES AT SUMMER CAMP! (unless the clock is ticking). We have plenty of MBCs in town who teach the Eagle Required, when is the next time a Scout will be able to ride a horse, shoot a bow and arrow, flip a canoe, etc. I encourage all Scouts to take fun merit badges to enjoy Summer Camp and take advantage of being in the outdoors a whole week.

What do you always bring along for fun or function?

Books (I love to read). I will bring a few of my old Scout books, my current read and a few short story adventure books to lend. Games: board games and card games. Lots of rope and my knot books. GPS and compass and BSA Handbook, 2010 Requirements Book, Bible, extra knives, hammock, big comfy chair and 10x10 tarp to set up. binoculors and bird book, radio, camera.

This year I am bringing a projector. We have a 'high adventrue' trip to Gettysburg this October and we will watch the movie Gettysburg at summer camp (will invite whole camp and have popcorn and ice cream)

What DON'T you bring?

Ipod, tv

ANY ideas other thoughts would be great!

As Scoutmaster, last year I brought my laptop and small printer. I was able to run TroopMaster reports for any Scout that needed it (some classes required nights camping, service hours, type of campouts or some partial work that I could print and give to the Scout). Prep some crafts…I have a Scout Stave that I carve into, tent stake name sign and some rope/knotwork in various stages. I bring them and work on them during free time. The guys see it and some will come and want to make their own. They find a staff, I've got some paracord to make a 'handle', I'll bring some small carabiners if they make a lanyard for their waterbottle, etc…

Good luck and have fun!!!!

YIS

bryan

Father of an Eagle Scout : Scoutmaster, Troop 199 Fishers, IN : Eagle Scout Class of '88 : Co-Host of Scout Nation : Twitter @bryanspellman : http://www.troop199.org

8:36 pm
May 17, 2010

scoutmasterjerry

Troutdale, OR

Admin

posts 280

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What do you do while the scouts are in sessions and classes?
When the SPL is checking in the Troop at the Camp HQ, I typically check in with the Camp Director or Program Director and see if there is anything they need help with over the course of the week. (I won't do dishes though).
When we finally get into our camp site, the ASMs and I find the tents farthest away from the Scouts and get "home" set up.
When the Scouts are in session… I leave them alone. You can usually find me at the water front soaking up rays or out on a canoe.

Any good tips or how-tos regarding OUR week at summer camp?
Let the Scouts do what ever they want. Its their summer and its up to them to decide on how they want to spend it.
I had one week where two of my Scouts spent the whole week catching lizards and fishing at the water front. They had the time of their life.
Take blue cards that are mostly filled out.. will make your first 24 hours in camp easier.
If they offer adult training.. take it.
Take BSA life guard… it is fun and comes in handy for your troop program later in the year.
Attend the Scoutmaster meetings, you won't get much out of them, but you get to meet other Scoutmasters and the coffee is typically ok.

What do you always bring along for fun or function?
Bring a comfy chair and a good book.
Bring a pre scripted camp fire program to amaze your Scouts in camp one night.
A giant tub of red vines. Stuff to make smores.
Swim trunks.

What DON'T you bring?
Anything that will cause you to act like a Den leader and anything that connects to the "real world" NO WORK.

ANY ideas other thoughts would be great!
Go and relax.. Summer camp is for the Scouts, but Scout leaders can have fun too.
Summer camps are staffed to take care of the program for you… it is you opportunity to relax and enjoy a week in the woods away from the world.
ENJOY IT.

Have a Great Scouting day!

Jerry Schleining Jr.

Scoutmaster

Have A Great Scouting Day!!

http://www.thescoutmasterminute.net

twitter: smjerry

8:30 am
May 19, 2010

Mr Wil

Port St John, FL

PTC Tiger

posts 15

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Thanks guys! I knew I would get some good ideas and info.

We are going to Camp La No Che (central FL council) this summer, haven't been there for BS events only CS family weekends which have always been great and the facilities are quite nice. Last year we went to Woodruff in north GA and it was an awesome experience for us and the boys, especially the ones who had never seen mountains before!

So far the only training being offered I took last summer. I'll see if any more pops up. Jerry; I would love to do BSA lifeguard and will as soon as i get the chance being in central Florida our boys LOVE to swim 10 out of 12 months. Also i know there is a need for volunteers for Night Owl Patrol, basically walking the camp looking for stray boys and the nocturnal animals, I looking forward to that for sure!

I am looking forward to my part in the "support" role you mentioned Bryan, we have 22 boys and 2 full time adults going(the SM and myself). We have a third adult slot that will be filled by two ASMs swapping out mid week. Which brings me to thank Jerry for the "anti-Den Leader" behavior reminder. I was my wife's asst. DL and was CM for 2 1/2 years for 8 of these boys and that can be a tough hat to leave behind but I have it under control now, mostly.

Thanks again guys. Any more thoughts or ideas would be great!

Be Well!
Wil

Wil Henzmannn – WEBELOS Dad – Second Class Dad, Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 355 Sharpes, FL

1:07 pm
July 20, 2010

Mr Wil

Port St John, FL

PTC Tiger

posts 15

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What a great time we all had!!

We had couple of boys get homesick but nothing too out of control.

No redvines or campfire but 3 dutch ovens full of apple crisp one night and 2 ice cold watermelons another did the trick!

Wil Henzmannn – WEBELOS Dad – Second Class Dad, Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 355 Sharpes, FL

12:51 pm
July 21, 2010

Scouter_Garry

SATX

PTC Boy Scout

posts 106

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The most important thing I learned at summer camp this year as a new ASM was listen to the instructors. As the new ASM, I was in charge of the "Rangers" our camp's new boy program. The SM was in this spot last year and took the 5 mile hike with the boys. The instructor cadre said they recommend the adults don't go along as it helps the boys discover themselves. While I probably missed a good hike in areas of the park I don't normally see. I know from talking with my son that he definitely learned something at summer camp.

3:30 pm
October 21, 2010

ag1024

Oklahoma

PTC Bobcat

posts 5

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I may be a little late to this forum with this post, but here goes.

After 8 years at our council summer camp here in Oklahoma, and my first summer camp as SM, I asked the boys if they wanted to go back. They of course said "lets go somewhere different this year. Lets go to Colorado!" So we found a great camp in northeast Colorado that everyone really liked. While my fellow scoutmasters at the council camp were braving the 102 degree summer weather, we were enjoying the 85 degree mountain air. This year, they asked to go to some place with a great aquatics program, so we found a camp in Texas on a big lake that has loads of swimming, boating, and canoeing. This next year I think I will strongly advise them to go back to the council camp so the young guys can get a good taste of it.

I really missed some of the great features of our council camp. They have a strong adult education program where you can take Scoutmaster Specifics training, Merit Badge Councilor training, First aid and Wilderness First Aid, and CPR. The out of council camps did not offer much adult activity.

For myself, I bring a 3 hammocks. 2 are for scouts to use, so long as they don't overload them with 6 boys and hurt themselves (a few close calls there). 1 is for me to use to contemplate the universe under a shady tree. zzzzz! I also bring stuff for making our own gear, like alcohol stoves and hiking staffs.

We ought to have a good time there this year.

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