One week until the start of Scouts BSA summer camp!

 When you think about summer camp, what comes to mind?

A. Fun

B. Adventure

C. Heat and Humidty

D. Naps

E. All of the above

I guess it depends on your perspective. There was a skit frequently done, where different roles were acted out. Staff members, Scouts, and Scoutmasters. While the refrain for the first two are slipping my memory, I will never forget the refrain for the Scoutmaster. 

"If I weren't a Boy Scout, a Scoutmaster I would be! 'Do this! Do that! While I take a nap!'"

Having been a very long time camper for summer camp (49 years since my first experience at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation), I can speak about the roles played by the various actors in the camping experience. As a kid, as an adult leader, a father, and even as a staff member. I would like to give my perspective for all those preparing to go to camp, as well as those who are contemplating it.

When a youth goes to Day Camp, with their Cub Scout Pack, the leaders are right with the kids every step of the way. Providing hands on guidance, instilling discipline (like herding cats), and making sure the youth has fun, is kept safe, and is delivered back to their parents or guardians safely. Every step.

Cub Family camping is similar, except, as the name implies, it is conducted more on the family level, with parents or guardians providing the leadership for the cub.

Webelos Camp is the beginning of the transition from the ever present hovering adult/parent, to a semi-autonomous relationship, where the Webelos is given guidance on where to go, and what activities to do, but the leader is not right next to them, essentially turning them over to the Staff for their instruction. This is a huge transitional time, as when it comes to Scouts BSA...

While adults are always welcome in the activity setting, it is not necessarily required. Scouts are given schedules, and expectations, and some follow up by the leaders of the Troop. Perhaps taken to their classes on day one, just so they know where to go, and that they have the things needed. Scouts that may have some worry about this new environment should be given extra help in settling in. Scouts that have challenges in dealing with certain situations, or physically challenged in some manner are accommodated by troop leadership. The key, however, is to encourage the Scout to take the initiative to go on their own, preferably with a buddy. Kids are reminded that Camp is not cheap, and to take advantage of the programs that are available that might not be back home. Swimming, shooting sports, and many other activities come to mind. Do you have a forge at home? For example?

So what do the adults do with all their "free time"? Once Scouts are pointed in the right direction, with appropriate follow up measures, they are essentially on their own. The adults can do projects around camp, they can help provide service in areas needed. From my perspective as the Trading Post manager, I have adults frequently come in and ask to do some work in the store. Cleaning bathrooms, bagging ice, or bagging popcorn are just a few things that I have had adults, willingly, volunteer to do. They are also tasked with cleaning of areas that are not campsite specific, such as the Shower house, or the bathrooms by the Council Ring. Campsite Inspection anyone? I recommend that for every leader that is physically capable of doing the walk, as it allows them to see how other troops come and set up camp, and maybe get to know someone new.

So do Scoutmasters really bark orders and take naps? A well trained unit knows that it is the Senior Patrol Leader that takes the lead in campsite assignments, as well as rank advancements for younger scouts. "That would be a great question for the Senior Patrol Leader is the response a good scoutmaster, having faith in his or her SPL would tell a Scout. Scoutmasters are there to provide logistics, to provide adult leadership, and serve as a reference source for the SPL, stepping in only when necessary. So the part from the song that isn't true, for a well functioning unit, is the Scoutmaster giving orders. So, after the first day, and when most problems in schedules have been resolved, a nap quite possibly is on the table. Or better still, on the cot in the tent.

The staff at Camp Geiger, is one of the best staffs in the country. It is trained to provide a safe learning environment, where they teach nuggets of knowledge, mingled with a lot of fun. Scouts, free from their unit adults, are able to grow, and to learn the skill necessary to become not only functioning adults, but to learn the principles of Scouts BSA. They are all enshrined in the Scout Oath, with a further breakdown enumerated in the Scout Law.

Duty to God, Duty to Country, Duty to Others. And, Duty to self. 

Ask yourself which is more important, the physical skills, or these guiding values?