So, the other day I wrote about some of the things you’d want to bring to camp as a first time leader. Now, here are some of the intangibles to make your life a little bit easier. In addition to getting yourself physically ready for camp, it helps to be mentally ready.
In today’s economy, it’s getting more and more regular that parents will have to fill in for the regular troop leadership. So if you’re one of those parents, thank you for stepping up. Whether you’re taking kids to day camp, or spending a week with your scouts at resident (overnight) camp, here’s a few things to remember before you take off for camp the first time.
Get Ready for Camp: Do Your Homework
Take some basic online training for the program you’re attending. Take the 25 minutes to complete Youth Protection Training. Read the camp leader guide. Learn the differences between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts (in the US, other readers localize this for your country).
Each camp has a support structure, that you need to proactively make yourself familiar with. Go to the pre-camp meetings and orientation. Go to the leader meetings at camp. Say hello to the camp nurse. Get to know the camp ranger.
Find out what the emergency procedures are.
Camp staffers tend to be friendly, and enormously dedicated. But they’re also living in a bit of a tilt-a-whirl. They’re hard-working, underpaid, and they deserve your respect, and your empathy. They’ve got a lot of plates spinning at once, and you likely have no idea the number of problems they’re trying to solve all at once. But they still want to help you. So be friendly when you’re dealing with them. Trust me, they’ll appreciate it.
Another great thing about camp is that you’re going to meet people who’ve been down this road before. So go to leader roundtables, and ask a lot of questions. You’ll come back with lots of cool ideas.
Be Willing to Have Fun and Be Silly
As it turns out, scout camp is designed for the kids. It’s there for them to have fun, to learn, to develop their character, and make memories that will last a lifetime, but…
They’ll have even more fun if they see you jumping in and having fun too. Don’t be afraid to be the butt of the joke. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Getting to be goofy is one of the best things about going to camp.
So sing the songs as loud as you can. Laugh at the skits. Camp is like a roller coaster, go along for the ride.
But Don’t Make It About You
Don’t try to reinvent the program. You may be the world’s most outdoorsy person, and sharing your expertise can be great, if you do it the right way. Refrain from publicly criticizing the staff or other leaders in public. If you think they’re wrong, bring up your criticisms in private conversation. Sometimes classes are taught by 17-year-old junior staffers, who at times will make mistakes (like the rest of us.) Your critiques can be helpful in their development process, but challenging them in front of the scouts won’t help anyone.
There’s usually a reason that they’re doing it the way they’re doing it. Be open to finding out why.
Accept that the Kids Are Acting Their Age
If you’re eight-year-old scout is running around like a crazy person from time-to-time at camp, that’s perfectly normal. That’s what eight-year-olds do. If a 40-year-old leader is doing it, and it’s not for the amusement of the children, there’s something wrong. But not when it’s a kid. So be patient. Laugh at them (on the inside when it’s inappropriate to do so outwardly). So long as they’re having fun, and not hurting anyone, or ruining anyone’s program, then there’s nothing wrong with this.
Of course, they’ll do things worse than just running around. They’ll get into actual mischief. But you can’t take their actions personally. You’ve got to be able to let your frustration at their misbehavior go as fast as possible. This doesn’t mean approving of it, and it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be stern when necessary, but it does mean that you’ve got to accept it, and deal with it proportionally.
The phrase “teachable moment” should be in your mind at all times at camp. It’s an outdoor classroom, and the lectures are more meaningful than those they’ll get at school. They’re life lessons.
Remember that the biggest lesson you’re conveying is your example. If you lose their cool, they’ll lose their cool. If you’re level-headed, they’ll be more likely to be the same.
Pay Attention
The little things at camp matter. I remember walking down a road at camp one year, when I noticed a little boy coming towards me had a rather unusual gait. It wasn’t quite a limp, but something wasn’t right. As I got closer, I saw his the heel of his right shoe wasn’t in his sneaker. This boy hadn’t worn socks all week, and had an enormous blister on the back of his foot. So I told his buddy to take him to the nurse. She treated the blister, and made this kid’s camp experience a whole lot better.
As a leader, you need to pay attention. Look for signs of homesickness. Look for physical problems in the campsite (things like hanging branches, holes in the tents, etc.) Make sure the kids are all participating. Take the time to look after your fellow leaders, and see how they’re doing. Offer to give them a break if they need it.
Remind the kids to drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen, and check themselves for ticks (or appropriate things for your area.) Remind them that swimming in the camp pond is a reason to take a shower, not a substitute for showering.
Take Care of Yourself
Self-denial may be a noble trait, but it means by definition that you’re not at your best. The kids deserve your best, so make sure you get enough sleep. Make sure you’re drinking enough water. Make sure you’ve got all the right equipment to get ready for camp, camp chair, bug spray, sunscreen, etc. Take the time to take care of yourself, mentally and physically.
Appreciate it While it’s Happening
I was looking through pictures of my scouts from an activity in 2005. Doesn’t really seem like all that long ago to me. But, it’s amazing how time flies. It’s startling to think that the 11-year-olds in those pictures are now 23 years old. The 17-year-olds are pushing 30. Some of those “boys” are now married with children of their own. There’s an adorable four-year-old little brother who’s now a 16-year-old who just finished his Eagle Project.
The scouts you take to camp today will be adults in no time. So take the time to enjoy it, because before you know it, it’ll be gone.
And thank you for doing it.
Photo by somerstroop228 
This article is dedicated to the memory of my former Assistant Scoutmaster and friend, John Barylski, who personified the best parts of scouting, and set a great example for us all.