GUIDELINES FOR FAMILY AND GUEST CAMPING
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PARENT/GUEST CAMPING Much of the Boy Scout Program focuses around Patrol/Troop Camping. At the discretion of the Troop and the Outing coordinator, there may be appropriate occasions when the Troop may allow Guests to participate especially for a Webelos/New Scout Campout or some high adventure programs where guests may provide specialized skills. Parental Camping So, you'd like to share a campout experience with your son? Well, we're 100% in favor of this kind of experience as it's positive for both parent and Scout. But, there are some considerations, guidelines and rules for parents or other adults who are not fully trained and registered "Uniformed Adult Leaders." which are summarized below: At least two Adults giving us a ratio of 1 Adult to 10 Scouts is our goal for outings. A reasonable number Fathers and/or Mothers are welcome to join us in an outdoor activity. However, other siblings who are not registers Scouts cannot come along as it's not a "family" outing but rather a Boy Scout activity. Before the trip, a parent must complete the BSA online Youth Protection Training course (YPT) found here http://olc.scouting.org/info/ypt.html. It will take you less than an hour & when you finish, please e-mail our training coordinator with the date and time of your completion. You should also print out a copy of your course certificate for your records. When taking your first BSA Online Training Course you have to establish an account. Don't worry if you don't have the requested BSA ID #. If you decide to become an "official" uniformed or other registered BSA leader, you'll get a BSA ID# which you can go back online & fill into your records later on, but it's not required. Our council number is 416 This course provides direction for how to handle situations you may not be familiar with when on outings especially since you will be in the presence of other youth. Adults cannot camp with our Troop without both youth protection training as well as Medical Forms. BSA Policy does not allow a Scout to tent with an adult other than a family member. Scouts must, tent with other Scouts. From time to time Scouts, especially new Scouts, have angst at the new experiences. If your Scout seeks your comfort or intercession in some matter, after determining that there are no safety issues, please direct them to get help and guidance from one of the older Scout Leaders or a Uniformed Adult Leader. The Scouting experience is designed to give the youth the chance to learn new skills, and from time to time in exercising these skills, they will "fail". Our objective is to give them the freedom to succeed and fail, but when failing, to fail safely. So, we ask that parents not "hover" or be too directive to their Scout unless absolutely necessary where safety is involved. At a campout, generally Adults coordinate their own shopping, cooking, and cleanup etc as part of the Scoutmaster Patrol. The Scouts are organized into patrols and it's their responsibility to do these things for their respective groups. They will make mistakes and sometimes menus don't work, food gets burnt etc., but as adults we are to keep an eye out to make sure food practices are safe and no one goes too hungry. Sometimes, however, having to deal with culinary adversity is a good incentive to do it better next time. In general, the best guideline for parents participating in a campout is to stand back a bit and watch the interactions between your Scout and the others in the Troop. Ask first and follow the Adult Leader's advice on how and when you can help. Mostly, just enjoy the outdoors and plan on coming to the next campout too so you can witness how quickly your son learns, adapts and shines in his camping and Scouting skills. GUEST PREREQUISITES What better way to decide to join us than to go experience the fun on one of our outings. A Scout may invite a friend to Troop meetings and outings by doing the following. 1. Although a guest is not required to join BSA, the guest must be eligible to join the Troop. 2. A Medical Form (Class 2 is usually adequate depending on the activity) 3. A Permission Form from parent/guardian with emergency numbers 4. A Liability Waiver Form signed by Parent, witnessed by Adult Leader 5. Guests must be familiar with and agree to follow the Boy Scout Law and Oath while traveling and and during Scouting events. 6. BSA Policies include: No Tobacco, No Alcohol, No Illegal Drugs, No Weapons etc. Woods Tools such as Axes Knives etc must be approved by the Adult Leader. 7. Travel Itinerary must be reviewed by parent/guardian and Event Coordinator NON-PARENT PREREQUISITES (in ADDITION to ABOVE GUEST PREREQUISITES) 8. A Signed Consent Letter from the Parent that states the Adult will be responsible for proper conduct and transportation etc, emergency contact information of the parent and guest. 9. Proof of completed Youth Protection Training found on BSA website http://olc.scouting.org/info/ypt.html. www.scouting.org 10. It is the discretion of any uniformed unit leader to dismiss any adult from BSA property and or event should a serious policy violation occur and will contact a BSA Executive. 11. Photos/videos etc of events are yours to keep, but publishing them on public social media sites without prior and proper legal waivers are not allowed. When in doubt ask...the Scoutmaster.
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