Camping Orientation

Introduction

This information packet is intended to be a frequently updated guide to assist Scouts and families in Troop 332 in having a positive, fun, and educational camping experience. In general, the youth leadership of the troop are responsible for camping, with few exceptions. They will be communicating their expectations with the Scouts for each campout, but remember, they too are learning and growing along the way. This guide will help fill in some gaps where they may leave off.

Communication

Campouts are advertised and announced verbally by the youth leadership at troop meetings and outings. Each year’s leadership chooses the best method to communicate with the rest of the troop and encourage participation.

The Adult leadership will communicate camping information through electronic means such as email and our website. We are available to answer questions (in person and otherwise) where the youth responsibilities leave off; such as reservations, medications, special instructions, etc.

Safeguarding Youth

Formerly, Youth Protection Training (YPT), Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) is required of all adults registered with Scouting America.

Any adult camping overnight is required to be registered with Troop 332 and have obtained their SYT certificate. Go to https://myscouting.scouting.org and create an account and take the online course.

Additionally, the Guide to Safe Scouting is a great resource for understanding the policies that apply to all Scouting meetings and activities. It has great information that apply to our activities such as aquatics, climbing, and camping in general. Some notable callouts include (always reference the official guide for most accurate information)

Tenting Accommodations
- Separate tenting arrangements must be provided for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth.
- Youth sharing tents must be no more than two years apart in age.
- In Cub Scouting, parents and guardians may share a tent with their family.
- In all other programs, youth and adults tent separately.
- Spouses may share tents.
The buddy system should be used.
The use of smartphones, cameras, mirrors, drones, etc., in places or situations where privacy is expected is prohibited.
All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.
Scouting America does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program.
Hazing and initiations are prohibited and have no part during any Scouting activity.
All forms of bullying and harassment including verbal, physical, and cyberbullying are prohibited.
Inappropriate public displays of affection are prohibited.
Sexual activity is prohibited.
Appropriate attire is required for all activities.

Signup & Payments

- Permission Slips
- A permission slip will always accompany a troop campout
- Permission slips should be filled out in entirety
- Submit to the camping team
  - In person at a Troop meeting (typically at the counter)
  - Emailed to [email protected].
    - Form must be signed electronically or scanned with physical signature. A picture of a completed form is also acceptable
- Planned late/early should be noted on permissions slip
Payment Policy
- Money should be turned in with the permission slip when possible
  - IMPORTANT: It’s much more helpful for us to get the permission slip so we know who is attending the campout than it is to wait until you have payment available. This allows us to better plan for the campout.
  - If money is not turned in with the permission slip, please make a note on the permission slip
- Payment can be in form of credit card (preferred) check, cashier’s check, scout account, or cash
  - We prefer not to use cash as it’s more difficult to track payments
  - Our treasurer, can help validate how much your scout has available in his account
- Refunds can be made until funds have been spent on your behalf (i.e. registration or food)
  - Some events require registration farther in advance than others.
  - Better to sign up and have to cancel than to sign up at the last moment

Grubmaster (food purchase)

Each patrol designates a “Grubmaster” for each campout who is responsible for purchasing and transporting food to the campout.

Grubmaster responsibilities are as follows

Obtain menu from patrol
Find out how many people are attending for their patrol
Identify the food budget per person
- Typically $14 per person unless otherwise noted. For example, some camps may have a meal or two provided and that would be deducted from the grubmaster’s budget
Purchase food on the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the campout
Safely store food until the day of the campout
- This includes purchasing and using ice to keep food cold
- The Troop has food containers and coolers that should be used
Transport food to the campout meeting place (typically the Church)
Save all receipts to be reimbursed by our Troop Treasurer
- Grubmaster or parent should bring receipts to a troop meeting
- Parents are welcome to do this if desired

Transportation

It is always the responsibility of the Scout’s family to ensure transportation to and from campouts. That said, Troop 332 does our best to work out carpooling arrangements. The senior youth leader for the campout will assign drivers to Scouts on the Friday of a campout.

If we are unable to secure enough drivers to or from a campout, we will request additional drivers help with transportation. Our goal is always to take as few vehicles as possible.

Troop 332 does not reimburse for fuel expenses, with some exceptions. In some instances, we will reimburse the trailer drive a marginal amount on longer trips.

Check-In / Check-Out Procedures

Check-In
- Standard meeting place is the Church unless otherwise noted (rare)
- Typically we will meet on a Friday at 6:15 and leave as soon as the youth are ready
  - The longer it takes for ALL Scouts to arrive, the longer it takes us to depart
- Youth always check in with SPL (or designee) upon arrival
- Planned late arrivals or special arrangements should be noted on the permission slip or via email in advance
Check-Out
- We will always meet back at the church unless otherwise communicated.
- We will clear out the trailer and pass out any leftover food prior to dismissing Scouts
- Some Scouts from each patrol will be asked to take equipment home for cleaning
- Drivers are asked to make sure Scouts call home as they leave camp and again when they are about 10-15 minutes from home/Church
  - Drivers are asked to lend their phone if needed
- Early Check-Out
  - Always check out with both the SPL and the Adult Leader in charge
    - Youth Scout is to check-out with the SPL
    - Adult is to check-out with the Scoutmaster
  - Unplanned early pickup should be arranged by a phone call to the Adult Leader in charge
  - NEVER retrieve a scout from an event without speaking with the Adult Leader in charge

Electronics Policy

Troop 332’s electronics policy is designed for the safety and benefit of your Scout. Our intent is not to keep anything secret or hidden from parents and families, but rather to protect our Scouts. Above and beyond the potential for lost and broken devices, removing electronics from campouts allows us to have an effective line of communication between Scouts and families, avoid inappropriate use, and provide a quality & enjoyable camping experience for the Scout.

Electronics are not permitted on campouts during the event
- “Contraband” (our electronics camp-in) is the only exception, but restrictions are put in place during this event as well
Electronics may come along for the ride to/from the campout but MUST STAY IN VEHICLE for the duration of the campout
If a scout is found to have an electronic on a campout, it will be confiscated and returned at the end of the campout.
- Repeat offenders will lose the device until the next Troop meeting

Medical Forms

Scouting America has an official medical form that must be on file with the troop.
Every attendee is required to have a medical form on file; youth and adults.
It consists of three parts: A, B, C
- A & B + insurance card are required for any and all campouts
  - Parent signatures only
- A, B, & C + insurance card are required for all camps longer than 72 consecutive hours (i.e. summer camp)
  - Part C requires a doctor’s signature
- Medical forms expire yearly and are valid for 365 days
- Medical forms must expire after the last day of summer camp in order to attend
  - Avoid signatures in July if possible

Medicine

There is always an adult designated to keep and administer medicines for the youth.  Please bring those to the church on Friday in a labelled Ziploc bag.  We prefer that they be in an original container with the pharmacy directions on the outside.  PLEASE do not send more than your son needs for the weekend.  Going forward, please save at least one extra original bottle.  This way you can use last month’s empty bottle to fill with a weekend’s worth of medicines and send with our adult.  If a parent is going with us, they may hold the medicine.

Tent Buddies

Scouts should plan on having a tent buddy. Some exceptions occasionally made for older Scouts.
• Only 2 Scouts per tent
• Tent buddies must be the same gender and within a 2 year age difference (except for youth siblings)
• Scouts cannot tent with adults; not even parents
• It’s best to secure a tent buddy prior to the campout, but we will make sure everyone has a buddy
• Always bring a tent if they can. This way if their tent buddy forgets his or something changes, they are ready for the campout

Camping Equipment

Refer to our packing list and camping resources for detailed information on equipment Scouts should bring to a campout. Here are a few basic items

BSA Handbook– Please protect this in a gallon Ziploc bag to protect from the elements
Uniform
- Field / Class A Uniform will be announced in advance of a campout if it’s required. It can usually be left at home
- Activity / Class B Uniform– Scouts should always wear a Class B shirt to a campout
  - Class B is any t-shirt that is BSA related in any way (Troop 332 shirts, BSA t-shirts, t-shirts from previous BSA outing, etc.)
- Water Bottle– The ideal candidate here is a 1 liter Nalgene bottle.  Send what you have available for this campout
- Eating Utensils– Nothing fancy. At a minimum, they need something to use as a cup, bowl, plate, and some silverware. Plan on them getting dirty and potentially getting lost
- Proper shoes-They will be muddy and soaking wet within the hour on some campouts. Please plan on getting hiking boots for your son.

Last Revised: August 2025