Camping with the Stars
. Administration
All camps must adhere to Scouting Ireland’s Camping and Adventures in the Out of Doors Policy (SID 77-11). Refer to the most up-to-date version of this document.
Make sure that all of your paperwork is in order well in advance of the camp. Insist that where there is no consent form or medication form (where applicable), the Cub Scout will not be able to partake in the camp.
It is good practice to have copies of the Accident/ Incident Report Form printed out for the weekend.
Links to the forms required for camp are listed below: Activity Consent Form (SIF 11/05) goo.gl/qG9uGc Managing Medications Form (SIF 11a/10) goo.gl/6RxKx8 Accident/Incident Report Form (SIF 10/05) goo.gl/g3Jj4P
Camping with the Stars
Revision
As the Camp Chief, you may like to have your own checklist ready to tick off by the time the week of the camp comes around, for example:
Parents informed of drop-off and collection times
All activities consent forms completed and collated
All relevant medication forms completed and collated
Medicines kept/ stored in agreed manner
Copies of accident report form
List of Cub Scouts attending
List of parental and emergency contacts
Phone and phone charger
First Aid kits
Group gear sorted and dropped to site in time for camp
Activity equipment packed
Money/ signed cheque for campsite
Spare personal equipment (you may like to have a spare sleeping bag, etc. in case of accidents)
Suncream, insect repellent, etc.
Risk assessment carried out
Outline of Camp programme and times; washing and cooking rotas
With your checklist all ticked off, all that is left is to ensure your Cub Scout Pack has a camp to remember!
Camping with the Stars
Review
Following the return from your Pack Holiday it is time to review the camp with the Scouters and the Cub Scouts.These reviews should be done in the Cub Scouts Sixes.
Remember the four F’s in a review:
Facts:What happened?
Feelings: How did you feel it went?
Findings:What did you learn?
Future:What would you do better next time?
As well as reviewing the camp programme, events and how everyone got on, the Cub Scouts should also review with their travel cards so see if they undertook their learning objectives as planned.This review of their personal progression in the SPICES is the most important part of the Cub Scout programme. As the camp is the highlight of the scout year, it is a time to award the Turas,Taisteal, Tagann badges.
It is important to take on board reviews of the Cub Scouts when planning the next Pack adventure or camp.Are there areas that could have been improved or unforeseen circumstances that you might be better equipped for next time? A sitdown with the Scouter team allows a more in-depth discussion and this review should also greatly inform planning for future camps.
Remember, it is not a true camping experience if everything goes exactly to plan! The plan is there to guide your Scouters and Cub Scouts, but it is not the end of the world if one or two things didn’t happen due to running out of time, etc. Oftentimes, the most memorable parts of camp are the unexpected moments nobody could have planned! As long as everyone got back in one piece, had a fantastic time and- most importantly- are eagerly awaiting their next camp, chalk that down as a success! Know what can be improved, but don’t forget to celebrate the successes too!
