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Campouts
Camp activities are a major part of the Scouting program. Troop
70 plans campouts each month from September through April. (No campout is scheduled for
December or May) This gives the boys seven camp outs each year during which they may pass
any camp related advancement. It is important that your son plan ahead on what advancement
he will complete on each camp out. Be Prepared!
Transportation to each campout is provided by the parents in each patrol. Each parent
is expected to provide their share of camp transportation during the year. The
Patrol Leader and Patrol Father will coordinate the transportation with the parents.
Please cooperate when they ask for your assistance.
The schedule for camp follows the same general plan. Most camp outs are two days and
one night (Saturday). The Troop meets at the school at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning; load
the trailer and depart by 8:45. It is important that your son be on time to participate in
loading the equipment before departing. Any change in that time will be confirmed by the
Scoutmaster before departing on Saturday. Maps to the camp site are available on each
Saturday morning of the camp out at the school. If you are coming out late, a copy of the
camp map is posted on the troop room door. Pick up from the camp site is usually at 11:00
a.m. on Sunday.
The Troop owns a trailer which is used to move the patrol boxes, tents, poles, and
other equipment to camp. Each patrol on a rotating basis is to provide a vehicle to pull
the trailer to and from the campsite. (Usually once per year per patrol) The patrol
trailer assignment is usually done at the September parents' meeting.
Camp outs are generally held on private land or at Scout owned camps. Most campouts are
located about one hour from the school. If you have a farm relatively close to the Dallas
area, please let the camping chairman know. We may be able to work it in the schedule in
the following year since the camp locations are planned a year in advance.
Each patrol plans its own menus, purchases the food, and prepares its. The cost of food
for a campout will vary but will probably not be less than $5.00 and not greater than
$8.00 per Scout. For two night campouts the cost will be more since there will be two
additional meals. It is the responsibility of the patrol to budget the food purchases and
collect the funds from the scouts. Each boy is responsible for bringing a sack lunch for
Saturday. On longer trips money for a Sunday fast-food lunch is in order. NO CARBONATED
DRINKS ARE ALLOWED AT CAMP. When outdoors, it is important that each scout drink
plenty of water. Drinks with caffeine causes the body to need even more water.
Special Trips
In addition to the National Jamboree the Troop program will
include some special trips. We generally will schedule a canoe trip for one of the weekend
campouts. Other high adventure camping experiences are done during the summer months.
These vary from year to year and include Philmont Scout Ranch, Canadian Canoe Basin,
Florida Sea Base (scuba diving), and Maine High Adventure Camp. These are taken on a
voluntary basis. They are great experiences for young boys. Announcements regarding these
activities are made at the Courts of Honor throughout the year.
During spring break the Troop frequently plans a special trip. Previous trips have
included Big Bend National Park, Vicksburg Battleground, Shiloh National Cemetery, San
Jacinto Battleground, Washington on the Brazos, and Goliad State Park. Some locations
offer special badges or awards that can be earned.
Summer Camp
Each year the Troop attends one of the Circle Ten Council summer
camps, usually Camp Constantin on Possum Kingdom Lake. The Troop plans to attend the first
session of camp which is normally the second week of June. This allows the balance of the
summer open for family activities. Summer camp is an excellent opportunity for your son to
pass a great deal of advancement in a short period of time. They can complete most of the
Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class ranks in the Trail to First Class program. If he
is working on Star, Life, or Eagle ranks there are many merit badges that can be completed
at summer camp. Most boys can complete three or more merit badges during one week of
summer camp.
Summer camp is an important part of Scouting, even if your son is a Life or Eagle. The
troop living together at camp provides an opportunity for team building, leadership
development, and personal growth for all the Scouts. Their attendance is very
important, even if they feel they have gotten all the merit badges they can at summer
camp.
The troop Order of the Arrow candidates are called out at Friday night ceremony.
Parents are invited for the bar-b-que dinner ($8.00 per Person) and camp water carnival.
The parents of those Scouts who have been elected are generally notified of their election
after the Scouts have departed for camp. Parent attendance at the OA ceremony is optional.
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