** SUMMER CAMP
**
DEPARTING SUNDAY, JUNE 28th
Summer
Camp Permission Slip -
CLICK HERE!
Last Minute Handouts -
Print and take with you!
Please meet in the loop behind the Woodlake Aquatic Center
Sunday morning NOT LATER THAN 8AM.
All Scouts and Adults need to bring a
bag lunch for the trip. We will be stopping at a Sheetz for
those that need gas as well as eating our lunch, but do not have
the time to stand in lines trying to purchase meals. Sunday will
be very busy once we arrive at camp so any delay will impact our
ability to get everything done.
The following link to the Blue Ridge Mountain scout reservation
contains a wealth of information.
http://www.brmcreservation.org/resources.htm
Here you can find, among other things,
-
Summer Camp Equipment List:
(Pack only what you need. Don’t bring extra “stuff” that you
have to keep up with or will not use.)
(If you are sending a letter or a package, now is a really good
time to start putting it together.)
-
Area Hotels and camp visitation information:
(If you are coming up for the campfire on Friday and staying over, this
area will show you which hotels are closest to the different
BRMC camps.)
PACKING FOR CAMP: WHAT TO BRING AND HOW TO PACK IT
Here are some tips for getting your gear together……..
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First and foremost,
DO NOT PACK FOOD IN YOUR PACKS!
You will find yourself with unexpected guests. Mini-bears
(raccoons and the like)
love scout packs with food in them. Deposit a few dollars
with the banker and have your son buy his snacks at the
trading post.
-
Cover your cot!
Bring a flat or fitted sheet to cover the cot you will be
sleeping on. It’s just a little extra precaution that is
well worth it. You can put your sleeping bag over that if
that’s what you are using to sleep on.
-
Pack your bathing suit and towel at the top of your pack!
As soon as we get checked in, the boys will head down for
their swim test so these will be the first things you will
need when you arrive at camp. If your scout is not a good
swimmer, please make sure that either you or they let the
summer camp leaders know. All scouts will be taking the
standard BSA swim test upon arrival at camp. This test is
taken in water over their heads so if they cannot swim, we
need to know so they will not have to go through that
misery.
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Invest in rain gear.
Some pessimists say that it WILL rain at camp, guaranteed.
Ponchos are not rain gear and worthless at camp. Leave the
ponchos at home and bring a decent rain jacket.
www.Campmor.com (they have one for 20 bucks…it’s such a
fun place to shop) is a good resource for camping gear or
Dick’s/ Blue Ridge Mountain Sports will have them. Over the
years it will get lots of use and you will be glad you have
one.
-
If you have a back pack, use it to pack your gear in. Also,
you may want to bring a collapsible carry-on type bag or a
low height plastic tub with a cover for
two reasons. One, everything may not fit in the back pack
and two, once at camp it is nice to be able to spread things
out a bit and keep them under your cot in your
tent. Inevitably, what ever a scout is looking for it will
be at the bottom of his back pack and everything on top will
be taken out and thrown anywhere including the ground to get
to the one item he needs. (I highly recommend the tub
route. Just make sure it is not too tall so it will fit
under the cot.)
-
We suggest that all clothing be put in zip lock bags.
Plus lining the inside of the back pack and/or carry-on bag
with a large plastic trash bag is a good idea. If you really
want to do it right, pack five sets of one pair of short,
one shirt one pair of socks and one pair of underwear in a 2
gallon zip lock bag and label them Monday, Tuesday...Friday.
No guarantee it will work but at least you tried your best.
-
Anything you want your son to come home with should be
labeled with his name. After it rains, and it will rain,
we usually see many clothes lines hanging around camp with
drying clothes on them. By the end of the week they are
still hanging there and no one wants to claim them. Please
make it easy on us and put your scouts name on their
clothing.
-
It is important for each scout to know where everything he
has packed is so parents please let him do the actual
packing. Otherwise, he will be one of the aforementioned
scouts with clothes all over the ground.
-
Please don’t forget your sandals for the shower but while
walking and hanging around camp, closed toe shoes are a
must.
Scout Uniforms:
Scouts will be wearing their class A uniforms (shirt, pants,
socks and belt) to camp, in the mess hall for all dinners and
back home again. Unfortunately, when it rains, it is usually
during dinner time so our uniforms tend to get wet. So an extra
pair of scout socks is a good idea. Also, please pack a clothes
hanger so he can hang his uniform up in his tent to dry, air out
and stay relatively in neat order. Instructions on how to use a
clothes hanger are optional. (Of course, it is beautiful weather
there this week and not raining.)
Tents:
All Base Camp scouts (1st year and MB) will be sleeping in the
camp provided canvas 2 man tents. They will be sleeping of cots
and they will be on wooden platforms. These tents are generally
in good shape but may have some small holes in them so some
duct tape may be a plus. A whole roll is not necessary and
the troop will have some as well.
All new scouts taking the Brown Sea Island program will have one
night where they will hike and camp outside the main camp.
Therefore, they will need to bring a tent or make arrangements
to share a tent with another BSI scout.
OTHER TROOPS CAMPING SITES:
…are off limits. Do not walk THRU another unit’s camping area
to get to your destination. Walk around. It’s good camping
etiquette and if something in another unit’s area is missing or
damaged, you won’t be suspect.
SUMMER CAMP MAIL:
Yes, you can send mail but if you are planning to do so, do not
wait until next week when your scout is already there or he
likely will not get your package. Blue Ridge Mountains Scout
Reservation invented the term "Sail Mail". It is best to send
it to them before they even leave. Make sure you include the
troop number along with your scout’s name.
Camp Ottari
2881 Simpkinstown Road
Hiwassee,
VA 24347
Troop 806
Scouts Name
CAMP
VISITATION:
“Parents often remark at how much their
son has grown during his week away from home. Camp provides an
excellent opportunity for Scouts to mature in a safe
environment. For these reasons, we ask that you only visit
during the following hours:”
-
Friday 6:30 p.m. (for the campfire),
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Saturday 9:00-11:00 a.m.
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Sunday between 1:30-5:00 p.m. Please do
not bring Fender or any of his friends. Leave your shoe
eating as well as your well behaved pets at home.
If your son will not be returning in the
same manner in which he arrived at camp, you MUST let an adult
leader know. If you are visiting Friday night or Saturday,
PLEASE do not take your son from camp without advising the adult
leader in charge. We’ve never lost a boy yet and we don’t want
to start now!
HOMESICKNESS:
A note here about homesickness. It happens to some. And it
usually peaks around mid-week. We have adults going to camp who
have been dealing with this for years. And in almost all cases,
the boys and adults there with them are able to work through it.
This article is from a previous issue of Scouting Magazine. If
you have a scout heading off to summer camp for the first time,
it’s worth checking out this article. It is best not to make a
big fuss over your scout leaving for summer camp. Yes, you need
to prepare him for the experience but do so without showing
anxiety. If your scout happens to call you during the week
begging you to come get him, please call one of the adults at
camp prior to making the discussion to take him home.
http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0805/a-nothappy.html
Cell Phones and Electronics:
As with all T806 Camping Trips these are
prohibited items.
If parents or Scouts are bringing any of
these items they should be turned in to a responsible adult
leader. Phone service is hit or miss via cell phone anyway. If a
Scout needs to contact home they can make arrangements with one
of the Adult Leaders.
EMERGENCY NUMBER:
Yes there is an emergence number at Camp Ottari. If there is a
family emergency and parents need to contact us, the number is
540-980-4762. This number is to be used for emergencies only.
It is an exciting time getting your son ready for camp! If you
have any questions, we have many experienced adult
leaders that have spent many days and nights and various
different summer and high adventure camps. Please do not
hesitate to ask if you have questions or concerns.
Troop
News 