Year-Round Camping
We hold monthly camping trips from September through June, followed by a week of Summer Camp, usually in August. Additionally, we participate in high adventure activities every other summer, usually either at Florida Sea Base or at Katahdin Council's Maine High Adventure area.
Our monthly trips will often revolve around specific activites. These could include hiking, canoeing, rock-climbing, whitewater rafting, orienteering, touring New York City, or working toward completing a specific merit badge, such as Cooking or Wilderness Survival. However, some trip trips are simply devoted to strengthening the patrol units, allowing them to hone their basic Scouting skills, develop their leadership skills, spend time in the outdoors, and just have fun.
Our camping schedule is usually published well in advance of the new Scouting year. This allows families to schedule around camping trips and to try to avoid conflicts with other extracurricular activities.
Patrol planning begins three meetings prior to a camping trip:
Sign-Ups & Fees
During Patrol Meetings, Scouts will sign-up for the upcoming trip. The patrol leader will maintain a list of campers and whether or not they've paid. They'll provide a copy of this list to the SPL, who will complete a Camp Roster that he will share the list with troop leadership.
Camp fees are generally covered by annual dues. However Scouts are responsible for the cost of their food, plus any special activities. Patrols may collect whatever amount they decide for food, though generally they collect $15.00 per person and plan their menus accordingly. Food money should be paid in cash. This allows the grub-master to do their grocery shopping without having to cash checks.
Special activities, such as rafting or canoeing, usually cost extra. Fees will vary by activity, but should be announced well enough in advance so that Scouts will be prepared to pay three meetings prior to the trip. Any financial constraints which might prevent a Scout's participation should be brought to the Troop Committee's attention so that arrangements can be made to allow that Scout to participate.
Menus
Except for rare occasions, patrols plan their own menus and do their own grocery shopping. Patrols are required to cook and to eat. Pre-made foods are not allowed unless there are time constraints or special restrictions on a trip that would call for fast meal preparation. At their patrol meetings, the patrol will decide on what to make during the weekend and fill out a Menu Planner. They should plan for three meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday, unless there are some special circumstances. It is up to the patrol whether or not they include snacks and desserts. Patrols are also responsible for buying their own sponges, soap, trash bags, foil, paper towels, and other supplies. The troop does maintain a supply of extra food and spices that may be used at the patrol's leisure. Patrols should have an adult leader review their menus prior to giving to the Grub Master
Grub Master
During their Patrol Meetings, each patrol will select a Grub Master for the upcoming camping trip. The Grub Master is responsible for taking the menu and completing a shopping list comprised of all the ingredients and supplies for the number of patrol members who will be camping. The Grub Master will be given all the food money and will have to go shopping for all of the items. Ideally, the Grub Master will be able to go shopping with a parent or guardian on their own time prior to the trip. However, if that is not possible, the Grub Master's Patrol Leader should inform the SPL that the Grub Master will need to go shopping during the troop meeting prior to the camping trip. The SPL will inform the Scoutmaster who will in turn try to secure an adult to take that Grub Master shopping during the meeting. Whenever possible, the Grub Master should trade their cash in for Super-G grocery certificates.
Additionally, the patrol Grub Master is responsible for securing a cooler and ice, if necessary, for that patrol's use as well as any other supplies that might be needed.
What to Pack?
The troop provides tents and all patrol equipment necessary for the weekend. Scouts must bring the Scouting Essentials and Outdoor Essentials listed in their Boy Scout Handbook. Scouts will be informed of any special gear as needed (for instance, work gloves for a service project or wet shoes for canoeing). Scouts should pack their gear in either a soft duffel bag or a backpack. Do NOT pack gear in hard luggage, tubs, crates, etc. as these will damage tents. It's also suggested that Scouts pack a day-pack for use during the day in and around camp.
Departing for Camp
The troop generally meets at Silverside Church on Friday evening at 6:00 PM. Scouts should eat dinner before arriving at the church. Drivers should park nearest the church entrance so that Scouts can load troop and personal gear easily. We travel in uniform when possible. This means Scouts should wear their activity uniform (BSA pants/shorts and troop t-shirt) or, when told to, the offical BSA uniform. Once all gear is loaded and the everyone is present, Scouts get into the vehicles in which they're riding. All Scouts and adults must wear a seatbelt in transit.
Arriving at Camp
Upon arrival, the SPL is in charge. He will direct each patrol to their patrol site. Scouts will first unload and set-up all troop and patrol gear, after which they may unload and organize their personal gear. Their PL or SPL will have tasks for them to do, such as collecting firewood, starting a fire, or setting up an axe yard or cooking station, before they can move on to anything else.
At Camp
When possible, Scouts will camp with their patrol. Scouts will share troop tents assigned by the troop Quartermaster. Scouts should not bring their own tents without prior approval. Scouts and adults may NOT share tents.
Scouts should not leave the campsite without informing a leader, youth or adult, and only with a buddy.
Scouts should only use wood and fire tools if they've earned their Totin' Chip and Firem'n Chit, respectively.
Scouts may not leave camp without prior permission and then only with a parent/guardian.
Sunday Morning
On the last morning of camp, individuals should pack all of their personal gear and take down tents. Tents should be dried prior to taking down. Under the direction of their Patrol Leader, Patrols will cook and clean their breakfast and take down all patrol gear and stage for departure. Under the direction of their SPL, patrols will take down all troop gear and stage for departure. The Quartermasters will make sure all gear is put away appropriately and loaded into home-bound vehicles. Troop and Patrol Quartermasters will send tents and other gear home as necessary to be dried out or cleaned.
Before leaving for home, the troop will hold Quiet Time. Quiet Time is a chance to reflect on what went well that weekend and what each Scout or Patrol could improve on. The troop Chaplain Aide will offer an acumenical prayer and then the SPL will dismiss the troop. Scouts should return home in the same vehicles, if possible, in which they arrived. The troop usually arrives at the church between 11AM - Noon.
