Camping
Organized camping is defined as an experience of group living in an outdoor environment. It is a multi-level experience under the supervision of trained leadership. The program of activities provides fun and adventure in the outdoors at a site that provides seclusion and natural resources. Emphasis is placed on new experiences difficult to obtain in the usual indoor den atmosphere.
Objectives of camping
- Has a primary goal of helping patrols succeed.
- Strengthens patrol organization for better year-round operation.
- Is an excellent medium for attaining the purposes of the Scout Movement : character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.
- Is a valuable aid in the progression.
- Meets individual boy’s needs and interests by offering a meaningful and educational
- Scouting program.
- Provides a method of recruiting, training, and inspiring present and future scout leadership.
- Promotes fun and adventure with a purpose— the reasons why Scouts join and why they remain Scouts.
Factors to be considered before starting a camp
Scout camping can be held almost any time that leaders, boys, space, and a program are available. Usually, camps are held in the summer when boys are out of school; however, they can be held on Saturdays, during vacation days, or during school days for special groups. The program is flexible enough to be conducted just about anywhere, at any time. Before starting a scout camp, consider the following questions:
- What is your “target group” of boys?
- When will these boys be available for camp?
- Can you conduct your day camp when they are available?
- What is the location?
- Is this location perceived by the community to be “safe”?
- What kind of program can you offer?
- What equipment is available?
- What kind of facilities will this program require?
- What specific facilities are available?
- Is equipment storage space available?
- What will you do about transportation for boys , staff, and equipment?
- What will you do about meals?
- What must you do to guarantee safety?
- Can you meet the minimum camp standards with the selected location, program, and staff?
- What will be your detailed, day-by-day program?
- How many hours per day do you plan to operate the camp?
- What staff will be required?
- Will staff be volunteers, paid staffers, or a combination of both?
- Where will you recruit your staff?
- What are the sources of income to meet the day camp’s budget?
- How will you promote attendance?
- How many Scouts do you anticipate will sign up for camp?
- Are you ready and able to give Scouts and their volunteer leaders a worthwhile experience that will help achieve Scout objectives in a scout camp this summer? If not, what must you do to prepare yourself?
Some Factors for Success:
Planning, Promoting, and Presenting
The motivation and purpose of Scouting are important factors in influencing boys of Cub Scout age as they take part in your day camp. The activities of the program, in addition to being fun adventures for the boys, should embody the basic objectives of the Boy Scouts of America—character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness. The day camp should complement and strengthen the Cub Scout program of the den and pack if it is to be a true success. Refer to this brief checklist often to assess progress and avoid last-minute difficulty:
- Involve the camping committee.
- Follow a timetable.
- Check state and local laws and national day camp standards.
4 Plan your budget and promotion.
- Plan transportation.
- Check camp facilities and hazards.
- Check rainy-day facilities and shelter from sun and wind.
- Arrange for water certification.
- Check equipment needs—tables, tents, flies, copies of the Incident Information Report, No. 680-016; first-aid logs; emergency vehicles; etc.
- Notify fire and police departments of your plans; make arrangements with hospitals for emergency situations.
- Secure storage for craft and sports equipment, and locked storage for records and valuables. Secure any local permits needed.
- Plan the program and recruit staff.
- Involve council professional staff—let them feel that they are a part of it, even if they are not directly responsible.
CAMPSITE
Select a campsite in an outdoor area where skills and activities can be conducted successfully. A park, ranch, canyon, lakeside, or Scout camping area is appropriate. In selecting a site, consider the following:
- Distance to travel
- Permission to use the area
- Permission to build fires
- Firewood for practice with knife and ax, for cooking fires, and for the campfire
- Sanitary facilities
- Drinking water
TRANSPORTATION
Prepare carefully to ensure ample and proper transportation. Cars should not be overcrowded. Select safe drivers; do not overload cars; and do not transport boys in a truck or camper, except in the cab. Primary leaders may seek help from parents, Scouters, and priesthood leaders. The bishopric adviser to the Primary should be informed of transportation arrangements.
SAFETY
During activities conducted at day camp, follow safety precautions to avoid accidents. If the entrance to the day camp is located on a busy highway, request the local police or trained Explorers, in full uniform, to direct traffic.
PERMISSION SLIPS AND TOUR PERMITS
Permission slips and a tour permit may be required for this day camp activity. Consult with the troop committee or the local Scout council.
FOOD
Food is an essential part of the day camp. It may be provided by a camp staff, by the stake and ward leaders, or by the boys and their families. The kinds of food provided will depend on the type of meal planned. The boys may cook their own lunch or be served by the staff. Match the food to the occasion. If the leaders serve a family dinner, families should make their reservations and pay in advance.
DAY CAMP ASSIGNMENT CHART
Skills are taught more readily when the number of boys at a skill station is not too large. When large numbers of boys attend camp, assign them to several different groups and have each skill station repeat its instructions. Use an assignment chart so that the leaders and the boys know to which skill or activity station to report at what hour. The leadership of each camp should prepare its own chart.
PATROL ASSIGNMENT CHART
The leader and the boys should sign in when they arrive so that the names and number of those participating are available. At this time, the leader should obtain a patrol assignment chart to use throughout the day.
VISITORS
Visitors are welcome at any time at the day camp. Families of the boys could receive a special invitation to attend a day camp tournament, a family dinner, or the closing event.
Court of Honour
The Court of Honour of the troop was called for to discuss and decide various issues on the conduct of weekend camps. The input of all the patrol leaders and chairman of the court of honour was taken into account by the scoutmaster.
Permission from the principal
The minutes of the COH meeting was presented to the Principal for further consent. Principal’s permission to conduct week end camp in the Vidyalaya premises was obtained.
Committees formed
The following committees were formed to conduct the weekend scout camp in a smoother and efficient way.
- Accommodation committee
- Mess committee
- Documentation committee
- Photos and Videos committee
- Sessions committee
- Ceremony committee
- Session arrangement in-charge
- Campfire committee
- Hike committee
- Furniture committee
- Guest arrangement committee
- Camp Equipment committee etc.
Daily Routine
First Day
04:00 pm – Registration
07:00 pm – Meeting of officials and escort teachers
08:30 pm – Gathering of scouts ;Course Integration
10:00 pm – lights off
Second Day
06:00 am – Rouse
06:30 am – BP’s Six exercises
08:00 am – Breakfast
09:30 am – Assembling for receiving the guest
10:00 am – Inaugural ceremony
10:45 am – Flag Break
11:00 am – Tea Break
11:30 am – Pravesh Written Test
12:30 pm – Uniform Checking
02:00 pm – Sing song Session
02:30 pm – Prathamsopan written Test
03:30 pm – Practical Tests – Pravesh( 3 Songs, Law & Promise)
04:00 pm – Tea Break
04:30 pm – Evaluation &Practical Tests continued
05:00 pm – Games
05:30 pm – Officials Meet &Preparation of Campfire
07:30 pm – Campfire
08:30 pm – Dinner
10:00 pm – Lights off
Third Day
05:30 am – Rouse
06:15 am – BP’s Six exercises
07:30 am – Kit Inspection
08:00 am – Flag Break
08:30 am – Breakfast
09:15 am – Uniform Final Checking
10:00 am – DwitiyaSopan Written Test
11:00 am – Tea Break
11:30 am – Tritiyasopan Written Test
12:00 Noon – Practical Tests ( Knots and Hitches, lashings)
01:00 pm – Lunch
02:00 pm – Sing song Session
02:30 pm – Practical Tests ( Knots and Hitches, lashings) Continued..
04:00 pm – Tea Break
04:30 pm – Making Improvised shelter & Flag pole
06:00 pm – Officials Meet & Preparation of Campfire
07:30 pm – Grand Campfire
09:00 pm – Dinner
10:00 pm – Lights off
Fourth Day
05.30 am – Rouse
07.00 am. – All Faith Prayer
07.30 am. – Flag Break
08:00 am – Break fast
09.00 am – Session: First Aid and Practicals
10:30 am – Session : Compass and Estimation
11:00 am – Tea
11:30 am – Open Session
12:30 pm – Lunch
2:00 pm – Evaluation and Final Talk / Returning of Gears
2:30 pm – Valedictory Ceremony
3:30 pm – Lowering of the Flag and National Anthem
CAMPRULES
- The scouts/Guide Law is the law of the camp
- Punctuality is the “hall mark” of the camp. All calls are obeyed quickly and promptly.
- Bathing is done at specified hours.
- Campers go out of camp area only with permission of the Leader of the Course and then in proper uniform only.
- When Uniform is to be worn it is worn completely and correctly. It is worn during the entire training sessions.
- Visitors are first taken to the leader of the Course for permission and the else where in the camp: CAMPOFFICE , OUT OF BOUNDS : RESIDENTIAL QUARTERS, WELLS – LAKES ETC
- All cases of accident, ill health or injury, however slight are reported immediately tot he Leader of the Course through the Duty Patrol.
- Duty Patrol on duty from mid day to mid day change of duty in clock wise pattern amongst the Patrol which are given a particular priority on the fist day at the commencement of the course.
- Duty of Patrol Leader changes likewise, change of duties affected in a formal manner at the end of forenoon sessions at Session Circle.
- Lights out time in camp must be strictly adhered to be all and Leader will pay special attention to this. Between lights out and Rouse perfect silence must be observed.
- Postal Arrangements – Requirements from Quarter Master
CAMP ADDRESS Venue: KendriyaVidyalaya ,NTPC, Kayamkulam
- Valuable with Quarter master for safety.
- All items emphaising “DISCIPLINE” need worthy attention. Only Disciplined Democracy can last long.
PATROL SERVICE DUTIES
(FOR A CAMP OF 4 PATROLS)
DUTY NO. 01
- Rouse the camp at 05.30 hrs.
- Prepare the Flag for breaking and lower the Flag at Sun set
- Assemble the Groups at required place at fixed time for work and activities.
- Assist as required with the gear and be responsible for its safe return after use.
- Any other job allotted from time to time
Duty No. 02
- Prepare the Opening Ceremony for CampFire
- Collect letters to be posted at 13.00hrs. And distribute letters, which have arrived.
- Look at any illness in the camp and report any illness to distribution of Medicines etc.
- Attend to the Notice board.
- Any other job allotted from time to time.
DUTY NO. 03
- Prepare the campfire programme and hand-it over to the leader of the course on the arrival of LOC. See that all trainees are seated 5 minutes before the time fixed.
- Look to the cleanliness of the council circles.
- Help in distribution of breakfast, evening tea and food is necessary and keep dining and plate washing place clean.
- Any other job allotted from time to time
DUTY NO. 04
- Keep the flag area clean.
- Look to cleanliness of sanitation block, its lighting arrangement and water arrangements. See that water post/drums are kept full and there is not wastage of water by over flow or leakage.
- Look to drinking water booth and keep the pots filled
- Any other job allotted from time to time
Rota Chart
DAY |
PATROL 1, 2 |
PATROL 3,4 |
PATROL 5,6 |
PATROL 7,8 |
First Day | DUTY 1 | DUTY II | DUTY III | DUTY IV |
Second Day | DUTY IV | DUTY I | DUTY II | DUTY III |
Third Day | DUTY III | DUTY IV | DUTY I | DUTY II |
NOTES:PATROL WILL BE ON DUTY FROM 11.30 HRS. TILL THE SAME TIME NEXT DAY; THE PATROL WILL CHANGE OVER DUTIES AS IN THE ROTA CHART.
Ceremonies
All the ceremonies were held in a planned manner.
- Flag break ceremony
- Closing ceremony
- Change of duties in the noon time
- Campfire ceremony
- Investiture ceremony
And
Inaugural ceremony and Valedictory ceremony
Practical Sessions
The practical sessions were planned and conducted in the following areas.
- Knots
- Lashings
- Making Improvised shelter
- Camp gadgets
- First Aid
- Estimation
- Compass
- Scout Songs
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