Preparing Scouts for Summer Camp
The days are getting longer with more sunlight, warming the weather, signaling that summer camp season is almost here! For Scouts, that means plenty of time to participate in fun, outdoor activities. From canoeing and kayaking to hiking, rock climbing, and sleeping under the stars, summer camp is the best place to experience the adventure of a lifetime. However, if it is your Scout's first camp, they might feel homesick. So, to help you help your Scout have the best summer camp experience, we're answering frequently asked questions for first-time summer campers!
How to Manage Summer Camp Expectations
Before you send your Scout to a local Scout camp or one of our national high-adventure bases for a week this summer, make sure you talk things over with them first. You might not realize it immediately, but having a heart-to-heart with your Scout can help them manage expectations. It’s also an opportunity to communicate any concerns they might have about being away from home. Some kids may view a grunt as a full-blown conversation, but it is worth the effort to talk because one quick chat can significantly reduce the stress we may be experiencing.
Here are some questions you can ask your Scout to help them feel more at ease:
- What do you want to get out of camp?
- What are you most excited about?
- What are you most nervous about?
- What merit badges do you want to work on?
- Have you checked your camp gear?
First-Time Summer Camp FAQ's
To help you help your Scout make the most of their summer camp experience, we reached out to Laura Pendleton, a veteran Scout mom with first-hand experience sending her kids to summer camp!
How Can I Help My Scout Have a Great Week at Summer Camp?
Laura: As a homeschool mom, I am big into education and preparation, so I have gone through camp documents such as the leader’s guide, the camp promo video, and maps and schedules with my Scouts. We talk about the schedules and what merit badges or activities are available to them. We work to find something interesting for them and try to leverage the unique aspects of each camp they might want to do. Looking at a map of the camp gives them an idea of where things are located before they arrive. So, if the waterfront is on the other side of camp from the rifle range, they might not want to schedule those activities back-to-back. I make sure my Scouts understand they will be moving around a lot and that summer camp is very active. They will constantly be on the go, but they will usually be in the heat and sun, so they need to be prepared.
I try to enable them to make decisions on their own. If there is an activity at night they would like to try, I let them know it is up to them whether to participate. I make sure they have money to spend at the trading post and that it’s okay to use it on food, snacks, candy, or other things. I have used the trading post as a lesson on budgeting cash throughout the week!
What items do Scouts need at Camp?
Laura: I think the leader’s guide for the camp is a great place to start for a list of essentials because each camp is slightly different. Some have cots and tents, whereas in others, you have to provide your own. The troop will probably have a list of essential items, so reach out to them or check out the Scout Handbook!
You’ll want to bring a water bottle, money for the trading post, non-electronic activities such as a deck of cards, frisbee or football, extra cord/rope such as a clothesline, a solar charger, different shoes to wear on the campsite (not just their shower shoes, or their hiking boots), and any comfort items that they might want and a journal to jot down any cool things that happened in the week.
They will need money to spend on essential items in the trading post, such as a basket kit, the camp’s t-shirt or patch, and then money to purchase extra food if they don’t necessarily like a meal served one day. Whatever money is sent, be prepared for them to spend it all!
If any of their items are new for summer camp, such as a cot or sleeping pad, have them practice unrolling and setting them up before getting to camp. Scouts should also pack their backpacks or trunks to know what they have with them.
How do I address possible homesickness?
Laura: I thankfully do not worry about homesickness because my Scouts had been on outings with their Scoutmaster and other leaders well before summer camp. So, summer camp was just another long outing for them. It helps to learn about the camp, so they know what to expect. Having a comfort item, going with friends, and scheduling a full day for them (downtime is not necessarily a good thing) can also help with homesickness. Before they leave for camp, discuss what makes them anxious and try to work through it with them. Schedule a time for them to call you. Set up a time halfway through the week for them to contact you and let you know how much fun they are having. Just don’t be upset when they forget to call, and be sure to remind them to talk with someone if they get homesick.
Will I be ready for my Scout to be gone for a week?
Laura: I always miss them when they are gone, but I usually make a list of things I want to accomplish when they are not around.
Last year, both my Scouts and husband were going to be gone the same week. I had my week planned, but then my younger son couldn’t go to his camp at the last minute. I had set up girls’ nights, a massage, and a few other appointments, and he was so eager to have fun with his friends at camp (so we were both a little disappointed, to say the least).
I have made deals with Scoutmasters and leaders in the past to post pictures a few times a week. I have gotten to know their leaders and know who will be going with them to camp, so I know who is taking care of my Scouts. I also made deals with my son (who didn’t like photographs) to photobomb one or two of the scoutmaster’s photos so I could see him. These are also cool as keepsake photos.
Ready to Send Your Scout to Summer Camp?
If you're a first-time parent, sending your son or daughter to summer camp can feel a bit emotional when you don't know what to expect. Sit down and have a conversation with your Scout about what they want to achieve at summer camp, and make sure they have all the gear they need to stay hydrated and shielded from the sun and insects throughout the week. For camping equipment, hiking gear, and more—check out ScoutShop.org, the official online retail store of Scouting America!
