SUMMER CAMP UPDATE

Attention TROOP 94
Summer Camp Attendees!

This is some additional information to what I passed out at the last meeting: If you have any questions please call.

• Something I left off the list: Scouts are welcome to bring board or card (non electronic games) to camp. It is the responsibility of the Scout who brings them to take care of what they brought.

• There will be tent inspections! Prizes will be awarded to the Scout who maintains the third and eleventh points of the scout law during camp! With grand prize winner award for making the effort for the entire week.

• We will meet in the parking lot at the Examiner by 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 28, and will be leaving for Camp Birch by noon. Eat lunch before arriving! BE IN UNIFORM!

• A Scout is TRUSTWORTHY! The boys will not be roaming the camp without supervision or a buddy! Camp is fun and exciting, but the expectation is for all Scouts to travel with a buddy between sessions and during free time. All Scouts are responsible for instruction and homework during merit badge session. Please be mindful of what your requirements for your merit badges. Please do the required work before any additional fun, games or activities!

• There will be a duty roster for Scouts for every day. We will set this up ahead of time to be completed each day. (Fire builder, water, trash … etc.)

• ALL SCOUTS need to be in uniform to travel to camp and have a water bottle. We may receive a tour of camp soon soon after arriving

• ALL SCOUTS will wear their tan uniform shirt to morning and evening flags and meals.

• A small backpack is recommended to carry any items you WILL need including: YOUR SCOUT HANDBOOK, merit badge supplies, a small notebook, pens, pencils, water bottle, hat, or snacks.

• Everyone will be taking the swim test even if you are not going to be swimming. A second towel could be beneficial for the week

• When packing for camp you may choose to pack in a large plastic tote instead of a duffel bag. These help keep everything dry if there is any rainy weather.

• Additional packing notes: All clothing must be Scout appropriate. You may bring a hat or beret to wear. A watch is recommended to keep tabs on your schedule. Please bring a folding chair for evenings around the campfire.

• Scouts are welcome to bring snacks. All snacks will be kept in the trailer with the scouts name on them. There is to be NO SNACKS KEPT IN THE TENTS to prevent furry visitor through the night!

• Everyone will shower at least twice during the week: Tuesday and Friday! A swimming merit badge does not count as a shower!

• Visits through the week are fine. Some Scouts will become slightly homesick, most will not, but parents need to realize that showing up for a visit can open the door to a homesick boy to want to go home. If you are unsure about visiting, you are welcome to call Scoutmaster Jim prior to showing up at camp.

• Friday Night is PARENT’S NIGHT! All parents and siblings are welcome to meet us at the flagpole at 5:45 p.m., in order to eat supper with the Troop (there is a small fee for meals). Parents are welcome to spend the night on Friday. You may bring your own tent or use on of the camp tents if there are ones available.

• Leaving camp on July 4, 2009: We plan to depart as a Troop Saturday. If you need to leave early please discuss with Scoutmaster Jim ahead of time. It takes everyone to clean up the campsite and pack up the Troop.

• Cell service at camp is intermittent at best. I will do my part to check for messages soon after breakfast each morning (8 a.m.). I intend to update my blog each day with notes of our adventure.

Merit Badges Prerequisites
A Scout increases his chances of completing a camp badge if they are prepared. Scouts can leave camp with a partial, but we’d like to see them finish up completely — but they must earn them!

Rifle Shooting: Scouts who will be taking the rifle merit badge at summer camp please note requirements 1d,e,f and i. If you have your Ohio safe hunter hunter certificate, be sure and bring it with you.

Environmental Science MB Prerequisite: 4-B. This is a study plot and most of the scouts do not get this done at camp. We would prefer they do this before camp if possible and record their findings, and bring to me to sign off. #6 Careers report.

Mammal Study MB requirement 3-C: Have the scout bring their report with them. They can usually get this at www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife , click on A-Z Guide to Ohio Species, click on mammal of your choice. This will help get this merit badge done more efficiently. Anything else they want to do ahead of time that is measurable will be carefully looked at as well.

Nature: Requirement #1 part 2, #2 part 2 - www.dnr.state.oh.us

Soil & Water Conservation: Read the book and answer any questions and have drawings ready for discussion.

Forestry: Requirement #7: Careers report

Fish and Wildlife Management: Requirement #8: Careers report

SWIMMING: Don’t forget long pants, shoes, socks, belt and a long sleeve
shirt to wear for Req. 4. A button-collared shirt works best.

ARCHERY: Scouts should expect to purchase kits for bowstring & arrow
making at the Trading Post.

SHOTGUN: Scouts must have the upper body strength to hold & fire the
shotgun repeatedly. Shooting experience is a real plus.

CAMPING: Scouts should have at least one year of Boy Scout Camping
experience. Bring a backpack suitable for a backpacking trip. Req. 8c, 9a-c are best done through the unit.

COOKING: There are some 30 parts to the requirements for this badge that
require extensive pre-camp preparation. You’ll make 9 menus for back-country conditions (prepare 6 of them) plus plan nine meals at home (prepare 3 of them). These menu plans are best done before you arrive.

FIRST AID: It’s a good idea to prepare your first aid kit before coming to camp.

FISHING: Scouts should bring their favorite fishing gear. Loaners will be available if a Scout does not own equipment.

LEATHERWORK: Tools and materials are available at Handicraft. Leather kits are available for purchase at the Trading Post.

WOODCARVING: Must present Totin’ Chip on first day. Carving blanks are available for purchase at the Trading Post.

Mile Swim (not a merit badge): This great pool event is a milestone that many Scouts will never forget. Because the requirements for this award are rigid, it must be a structured program. Scouts who wish to earn the mile swim award must begin on Monday morning at 6:30 am with the training program for the mile. The ‘Mile Swim’ is conducted on Friday morning at 6 am.

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All worksheets can be found at www.usscouts.org or www.meritbadge.org.

Additional Merit Badges
• Astronomy MB - Tuesday evening (with rain-outs on Wed or Thursday). E-Register code “A” in “Other” Merit Badges.
• Pulp and Paper MB - Session 3 offering! E-Register code “PULP” in “Other” Merit Badges.
• Plumbing MB - Week 2 this will be offered in a normal session time frame. (Sorry, not available in week 1) Pre-requisites are to do requirements 2a and 2b. E-Register code “PLUMB” in “Other” Merit Badges
• Reptiles and Amphibians MB - This will be offered during the 4 p.m. Open period. E-Register code “R” in “Other” Merit Badges.
• Finger Printing MB - This MB takes about 2 hours to complete will be offered during the 4 p.m. Open period. E-Register code “F” in “Other” Merit Badges.
Note: Because these are relatively late offerings, there will be plenty of opportunity to add them at the 10 day out meeting or on the first day of camp.

Troop 71 Swimming MB Tip
There is a requirement to demonstrate survival skills by jumping feet first into deep water wearing clothes (shoes, socks, swim trunks, long pants, belt, and long-sleeved shirt). Remove shoes and socks, inflate the shirt, and show that you can float using the shirt for support. Remove and inflate the pants for support. Swim 50 feet using the inflated pants for support, then show how to re-inflate the pants while still afloat. Unless the Scout brings the clothes listed they might not be able to complete the swimming merit badge. Jeans with no holes and old tennis shoes work well for this.