Webelos Camping Skip Hume Pack Trainer Pack 148

Outline Webelos Camping Is Preparing the Adults/Leaders Preparing the Scouts Planning

Webelos Camping Is: Chap 21, Cub Scout Leader Book (CSLB) Parent-son event “Family-type” camping Fun for Scouts & Parents Required to follow all youth protection guide lines Part of the promise of scouting

From Guide to Safe Scouting (GtSS): A Webelos Scout may participate in overnight den camping when supervised by an adult. In most cases, the Webelos Scout will be under the supervision of his parent or guardian. It is essential that each Webelos Scout be under the supervision of a parent- approved adult. Joint Webelos den-troop campouts including the parents of the Webelos Scouts are encouraged to strengthen ties between the pack and troop. Den leaders, pack leaders, and parents are expected to accompany the boys on approved trips.

Trick Question #1 So, what is the difference between a Bear Den on an overnight Den Camping Trip and a Webelos Den Camping Trip? Tigers, Wolves, and Bears are not allowed to camp as a Den! Reference: GtSS

Webelos Camping Is Not: Chap 21, Cub Scout Leader Book (CSLB) Too far away “Boy Scout” type camping Backpacking Held at Boy Scout Camporees/Events

Is Webelos Camping Important? Page 21-9 of CSLB: –Helps strengthen relationship between boy and his parent/guardian while introducing him to progressive camping program of BSA –Offers a variety of activities—some just for fun and others to help boys with advancement requirements… –Helps prepare Webelos for their camping experience in Boy Scouting… –…and the most important reason:

Is Webelos Camping Important? It’s exciting and fun for the scouts! -CSLB “Scouting is a game with a purpose.” - Robert Baden-Powell

Trick Question #2 According to BSA Policy, what training is mandatory before submitting a tour permit for Webelos Den over-nighter? Youth protection.

Preparing Leaders- Training BALOO Training –Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation –Not required for Webelos camping…but highly recommended! Outdoor Skills for Webelos Leaders –Aka: Webelos Leader Outdoor Training –Aka: Outdoor Webelos Leader Training –Also HIGHLY recommended!

From CSLB: “Take Webelos Leader Outdoor Training to get a good foundation for the overnight experience…. If you are not a seasoned camper, be sure to take along an adult or older Boy Scout who is experienced.”

What is Required? From the BSA Local Tour Permit: Leadership and Personnel: Boy Scouts of America policy requires at least two adult leaders on all camping trips and tours. …The adult leader in charge of this group must be at least 21 years old. Youth Protection Training: At least one registered adult who has completed BSA Youth Protection Training must be present at all other events and activities that require a tour permit

Preparing Leaders: READ THE BOOKS! Guide to Safe Scouting –BSA Guidelines for Safety –Age appropriate activities –Available online! Cub Scout Leader Book: –BSA policies/programs –Planning considerations –Check lists

Question # 3 So, what do we need for “adult supervision?” One registered leader who is current in Youth Protection Training One additional leader Adults for each Webelos attending

Preparing the Adults “Preparing the adults for the overnight campout is as important as preparing the boys…. Properly informed adults will reduce the load of responsibility on Webelos den leaders….” “Take a positive attitude …You aren’t asking them to be a part of the campout, you are expecting them to be part of the campout.” - CSLB

Preparing the Adults Use CSLB outline for a parent meeting –Pages – –Meet no later than two weeks prior* Manage expectations! –Outline of events – What to expect –BSA policies/guidelines –Parents must participate in planning –Parents have fun, too!

Correcting Adult Expectations “Thanks for taking the kid! See ya!” –Parent-son program “I can’t do it, so my son can’t go” –This is not strenuous camping “I have never been camping before” –Great! This will be fun for both of you! I got the beer, who has the smokes? –Make sure they know the guidelines

Preparing the Scouts Discuss the camp out –Build expectations! Practice skills: –Knot tying –How to build a campfire –How to set up a tent –Camp etiquette –Review Outdoor Code & Leave No Trace

Preparing the Scouts Cooking demonstrations “What/how to Pack” Den meeting Good Tent-Bad Tent Den Meeting Prepare skits, songs, cheers Learn/Practice/Review Buddy System –What to do if lost First aid basics (Readyman) Other ‘camp craft’

Planning Basics Start early! Get advice from other Webelos Leaders Build an itinerary Distribute responsibility for events Safe - Simple – Fun - Age Appropriate

Places to go: Scout Camps –Cricket, Woodland, Birch Air Base State Parks: –Ceaser’s Creek, Hueston Woods Local area parks –Ash Camp at Sugar Creek Private property

Building the Itineraries Build it in Advance –List everything! –Get feedback Communicate it to EVERYONE – –Hard Copies –Posted at the Camp

Selecting Activities Efficient use of your ‘outdoor’ time –Enable proper planning May relate to outdoor activity badges Explore “Webelos-only” Cub Activities –Fire building –Cooking

“Age Appropriate” ActivityTigers Wolf/ Bear Webelos Family Pack Camping XXX Fishing XXX Horse Back Riding XX Map and Compass MapXX Rope Bridges XXX Initiative games XXX Swimming* XXX Pocket Knife XX

“Age Appropriate” (Specific to Webelos) ActivityTigersCubsWebelos Den Over Night Camping X Bow Saws X Fire Building X Outdoor Cooking X Mountain Biking (day trip) X Pioneering* X Tubing* X Certain climbing activities* X

Additional Tips First “Over-nighter” –You don’t have to take a whole weekend! Sat PM-Sun AM –Could be a ‘back yard’ event Family Cub Scout Pack Camping park Approval Standards Form –Get BSA Troop support Don’t let your first be the last!

New Webelos Experiences Setting up their own tent Cooking their own food over a fire Sleeping in their own tent, buddied with another scout (vs their parent)* Being responsible for their own things and care Introducing the “patrol method” and other unfamiliar facets of Boy Scouting

Summary: Start early! –Set dates at annual planning meeting –Include parents! Motivate Den! Get trained! –BALOO training covers safety in detail –OSWL – Also helps with other Activity Badge Planning! Read: –G2SS –Chap 21 & 33 of Cub Scout Leader Book Don’t be the “Lone Leader”!

Questions?