The following are comments based on frequently asked questions.

Q How much Money should my son bring and where should he keep it?

A-  Money is handled via the bank with an adult for administration with designated daily banking hours. 

§         You determine what will be sent with your scout; funds are needed for munchies, souvenirs, merit badge kits or fees. I would say $10-30 is plenty, the question is how much do you want to pay the dentist when he gets back.

§         Please put it in envelope with scout's name (usually we have these available for you if needed) Please use small bills, this is more a safe keeping box than a bank.

§         When the daily bank hours are open for the bank at camp, he is able to take what he wants.

§         The scout needs to keep some money in the envelope for the last day ride home for a lunch stop.

§         All monies are returned to the scout before we leave camp.

§         This bank should be used by ALL Scouts, Scouts loose money sometimes and the first thought is it was stolen, lets put that to bed before it starts. 99.9% of the time, it is lost.

 Q How are tent partners decided?
A: Scouts sleep with members of their patrols, have him talk with his patrol mates to get a roomie prior to Lyle is a great idea Once they are at camp, they pick their spot and pitch their own tent with the help of the other scouts in their patrol. Makes check in a lot easier.

 Q Does my son need anything for his tent?
A tarp for the ground or for his cot area so he can store his gear on, maybe an old, one way throw rug. Possibly talk with roomie so only one person brings the tarp. 6X12 is a good size  Keeps the damp ground and dirt off your feet.

 Q: MY son is on medication, what do we do with that?
A: Meds – MUST BE TURNED INTO THE TROOP as discussed in handout - this is monitored to make sure the scout is taking his meds and there are not any meds floating around camp, this includes over the counter meds

 Q: When do we need to drop of gear and WHY?
A: Gear Check in - Saturday July 9 @ 6 @ St Rita's - bring your gear so we can pack the trailers,  we need to know we have enough space for the ALL the gear of the Troop before 6 AM Sunday.

 Q: Do they have to wear their uniform all the time while at camp?
A: Uniform Class A (Tan shirt, scarf and FOB) is required for travel days to and from camp – Red shirts or other shirts can be used during the week AFTER morning flag. We will wash shirts on Thursday to see if we can get a layer of dirt off before we bring them back

 Q: Should my son pack anything special?
A: Pack a couple of tall kitchen bags to help him separate any surprises for the trip home - sometimes things don't dry as well as you would like. Mosquito nets are nice but not required.

 Q: Does my son have to pack food for the week?
A: All meals are provided from Sun evening to Sat Morning, bring a lunch for the ride up and cash for the ride home. You can bring munchies such as chips, cookies – but try to avoid to much –they bring brings animals, all extra food MUST be stored in the community patrol box NO FOOD IN TENTS. FOOD IN TENTS = ANIMALS IN YOUR SLEEPING BAG, BAD THING, animal bites, skunk sprayings and rabies shots are NOT fun!!  Some Scouts like to have snacks mailed to them mid week, that is fine, but that must also go in the patrol box too.

 Q: Will they have a chance to work on advancement?
A: The handbook is VERY IMPORTANT to advance, make sure the handbook is packed. All Scouts will have a chance to advance and we expect they  work on at least some things, not just play all week.  

Q: What about bug spray, do they need to bring it? 
A: Bugspray - look for the little pumpsprays - much more manageable and easier to carry than the cans There will be mosquitoes/deer flies so to have things to prevent that is important but the other problem faced is the scratching afterwards - there are some anti itching creams and sprays also, consider a sunblock/bugspray combination. Those DO NOT have to be turned in unless they are of prescription type.

 Q: Do they have a need for a day pack?
A: (Schoolbag style) Not necessary but nice to keep particulars in such as pens, advancement, bug spay, water bottle etc when going around camp. Call it the man’s purse….

 Q: Is there anything they should NOT bring?
A: Anything from the no no list - in the handout such as phones, electronic games, CD, DVD, radio, fireworks, etc is strictly forbidden. I am sure there are more things not listed, so use common sense, cause Mr. F does. Some items can be used in the car ride, but it all depends on the driver, ALL THOSE items must be stowed in the car and NOT in the tent. If your driver is not driving back, you can stow them in Mr. F’s truck.

 Q: Anything to do before my son gets to camp?
A: Advancement Work- may want to review what merit badges will be offered at camp from the handout - patrol competitions !

 Q: Last time my son when to camp there was a bunch of stuff he did not use, why is that?
A: Make sure the scout is able to handle how you/he packs because he is the one who will be carrying it especially to the campsite and he needs to find his stuff – sometimes packing together is fun – possibly a film experience. You might be surprised what Scouts didn’t even know they had when OTHERS pack for them. By the way, Swim checks are one of the first things we do, so pack the swim suit and towel near the top.

 Q Do I need to find a ride for my son?
A: Transportation is arranged by the Transportation chairperson of the Troop (Mr. McGlade). He will arrange the drivers to go up (and Back) and Scouts are free to pick with whom they ride on the day of departure. So you don’t need to drive up unless you are on Mr. McGlade’s list

 Q: You are leaving early, are you stopping to eat on the way?
A: We will stop at a wayside at about 11:00 just prior to arriving at camp (we regroup the cars before we go into camp) to eat. Scouts should eat breakfast before departure and bring a bag lunch. (there are no vending machines at this wayside) Our first served meal will not be till 6 PM Sunday, pack enough to last the day.

 Q: When will they be home?
The drivers will return your son home- Saturday July 16, late afternoon, please make sure they can get in the house!! We had them for a week, we are ready to say good-bye, they may be too.

 Q: The list says water bottle, why do they need that?
A: Camp is hot and dry (we hope) and Scouts do a lot of active things at camp. Dehydration is the number one illness at camp, drinking water is the number 1 prevention method. Each Scout should drink between 1 or 2 quarts of water above their meal liquids per day.

 Q: Should I send change or a calling card for my son to use the pay phone at camp?
A: Well there isn’t one, so the answer is NO. Camp does not have pay phones because they cause the parents to get homesick. If a need arises and communication needs to take place between you and your son, you can call the emergency number listed in the handout, but rest assured, they are probably having fun and it is OK if you miss them,  they miss you, when they have time to think about it between the swimming, nature hikes and bow and arrow activities. Sometimes we have more home sick parents than Scouts.

Additional questions?? Be sure to call your Patrol leader, one of the adults or feel free to email Mr. F.

Hope this helps