III. CAMPING AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
A. CAMP OUTS
· Troop 977 camps twelve months per year and will usually be outside; occasionally indoors (military base, church
gym, etc.). Camp outs will rarely be cancelled – rain or shine, sleet or snow -- Troop 977 is on the go. A Troop
calendar is published yearly, occasionally there may be changes throughout the year.
· THE CAMP MASTER MUST HAVE A MEDICAL RELEASE FORM ON FILE OR A SCOUT CANNOT ATTEND
CAMP OUT.
· Cost is usually $3.00 per meal, but will vary based on expense and weekend plans. Money is due (in cash) on
Monday night prior to camp out. The patrol will choose, on rotation, who will meet to purchase food on Wednesday or
Thursday night. All food fees paid for before camp out will be non-refundable after food has been purchased.
· Normal Schedule:
· Leave on Friday - everyone will need to eat before leaving home or take a sack meal. Usual drive away time is
6:30 PM.
· Normally return on Sunday by 12:00 noon, unless trip is more than two hours out.
· Meals during camp out will usually be breakfast, lunch & dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday (if trip is
more than two hours out we may decide to stop for lunch - always planned ahead).
B. EQUIPMENT
Scouts will need extra clothing, extra shoes, and rain gear for every camp out. Major camping items are provided by
the Troop (tents, cooking gear, lanterns, stoves). Basic equipment your son will need for his initial camp outs are:
sleeping bag (for temperatures down to 10 degrees F. and be lightweight), eating plate (metal or plastic), knife-fork-
spoon set and cup or canteen. See Scout Handbook for “10 essentials”. See Equipment List for cold weather, warm
weather and Camp Hale gear.
Other equipment that can be purchased over time would include good hiking boots, a backpack with a good frame and
waist strap, an insulated ground pad. Occasionally, the Troop will have good used equipment for sale for a small
donation to the Troop. For more information on equipment, see the Boy Scout Handbook.
C. CAMPOREES
· District - scheduled every 2 years.
· Council - usually scheduled every 2 years.
· Webelos Woods - annual event. Scouts take part in putting on a fun & educational program for Webelos.
Webelos dens & their parents are afforded the opportunity to take part in other Troop camp outs.
D. SUMMER CAMP
This camp is for one week and provides the Scout with excellent learning and fun-filled experiences -- usually
scheduled in June or July.
E. ORDER OF THE ARROW
This is an honor unit for campers -- selected from the Troop each spring to be part of a District-wide camping group.
Adult campers may also be honored.
F. WORSHIP SERVICES
Since most camp outs include part of Sunday, Troop 977 conducts non-denominational worship services on Sunday
morning prior to leaving the camping area. All Scouts in the Troop are required to attend these services unless
requested to Scoutmaster to be excused by Scout’s parents. In these cases, an adult leader will work with the Scout on
scouting skills.
G. DUTY ROSTER / MENU PLAN
All meals on camp outs are planned in advance along with the Patrol Duty Roster (see Appendix A and B). The duty
roster provides each Scout the opportunity to practice basic scouting skills: cooking, fire building and working as part
of a team. The duty roster and the patrol menu must be approved by the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster on the
Monday night prior to the camp out.
H. PROHIBITED ITEMS
· The BSA National Policy prohibits the possession or use of alcoholic beverages at any BSA function -- this would
apply to all camp outs, including the annual family outing. BSA policy also restricts the use of tobacco. If adults must
smoke, they are required to do so out of sight of the Scouts.
· Firearms are also prohibited from all camp outs, unless they have been pre-approved by the Scoutmaster and
are to be used under the supervision of certified instructors.
· Troop 977 policy prohibits all electronic equipment (TV’s, videos, VCR’s, CD/cassette players, video games,
etc.) from being taken on camp outs, including summer camp. Such equipment, if found, will be taken by the
Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster and retained until the Scout returns home.
· Scouts are not permitted to have prescription medicine or non-prescription medicine in their possession. Any
medicine needed by a Scout must be given, in original packaging, to the Scoutmaster or First Aid Officer before
leaving on the Troop activity with instructions from parent. It is the responsibility of the Scout to contact the
Scoutmaster or First Aid Officer at the time medicine is needed.
I. EQUIPMENT DAMAGE
· ALL EQUIPMENT TAKEN ON A CAMP OUT (including non-camping equipment such as cameras) IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SCOUT. Troop 977 is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged non-Troop equipment. If
equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged, the Scout should, as soon as possible, notify the Senior Patrol Leader who will
then notify the Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster will attempt to
resolve the problem, if possible.
· Troop equipment damaged by a Scout (accidentally) will be replaced by the Troop. The reason for the damage
will be determined by the Scoutmaster. Equipment intentionally damaged by a Scout will be replaced or repaired by
that Scout.
Personal Scout equipment damaged by another Scout accidentally or on purpose must be replaced or repaired by the
Scout causing the damage.
Equipment taken home from camp outs should be cleaned, dried and returned by the next Troop meeting in proper
condition. Any tears or other damage, or equipment needing to be replaced should reported to the Quartermaster or
Troop Equipment Coordinator.