Having
fun with Troop 208
Your son will have fun and memorable experiences with his fellow scouts in Troop 208. He will camp, hike, bike, canoe; all while learning principles that will build leadership, self-reliance and dependability.
Camping:
Organized camping is a creative, educational experience in cooperative group living in the outdoors. It uses the natural surroundings to contribute significantly to physical, mental, spiritual, and social growth. Camping contributes to good health, helps campers develop self-reliance and resourcefulness, enhances spiritual growth, contributes to social development and is an experience in citizenship training.
The major safety issues facing the Troop are for water-related activities. Although many troops choose to avoid the problem bystaying away from lakes and rivers, Troop 208 takes the opposite approach and we have had many water-related trips. We encourage every Scout to earn his Swimming Merit Badge during the first year at summer camp and Lifesaving Merit Badge the following year if possible. Scouts are only allowed in canoes after meeting swimming proficiency tests and only if wearing safety vests. (If safety vests are removed, the scout will not be allowed to participate on the following water activity). This policy also applies to all adults, (no exceptions).
Going on rivers can be fun, but at the same time, running water presents more challenges. Scouts must be coordinated and strong enough to handle a canoe. For this reason, young Scouts will not be allowed to participate on river activities. Based on experience, the troop has found that 14 year-olds are just about at the right age to begin safely handling canoeing as a sport on rivers. It is somewhat difficult saying no to boys who desperately want to participate on all activities, but this is necessary to avoid injury. We have a large group of Scouts with greatly different interests and abilities, and our goal is to meet every one's needs, but safely.
Patrols purchase their own food. The cost is usually based on the number of meals on the activity at a cost of $2-$3 per meal or typically $10-12 per outing. (Not all trips or events will cost $10-$12 and some may cost more depending on the number of meals.) Money is always collected on the Monday prior to the event.
Please send dollars, not a check, because the Scouts in charge of shopping cannot cash a check. Money for food cannot be refunded after the food has been purchased (usually the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the trip). If a Scout cancels after food is purchased, regardless of the reason, money cannot be refunded.
Members of each patrol take turns buying food, and parental supervision and advice at the grocery store is needed when it's your son's turn to shop. The troop asks that when scouts prepare their menus for camping trips that the do not purchase hot dogs, cold cuts or other quick and innutritious processed foods for meals. Additionally, although adult leaders try to check menus and food lists, please help your Scouts be healthy, thrifty and not forget condiments such as ketchup, syrup, butter, etc., if it is needed. Patrol funds are not to be used to buy candy.If your son has a food allergy, it is critical that you inform the scoutmaster and your son’s patrol leader prior to participating in any outing.
Conservation activities supplement
the program of Boy Scout advancement, summer camp, and outdoor activities
and teach young people to better understand their interdependence with
the environment.
The
Leave No Trace principles might seem unimportant until you consider
the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located
campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of
such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving
no trace is everyone’s responsibility.
Leave No Trace is an awareness and an attitude rather than a set of rules. Help protect the backcountry by remembering that while you are there, you are a visitor. When you visit a friend, you take care to leave your friends home just as you found it. Leave everything just as you found it. Hiking and camping without a trace are signs of an expert outdoorsman, and of a Scout or Scouter who cares for the environment.
The
Leave No Trace principles might seem unimportant until you consider
the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located
campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of
such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving
no trace is everyone’s responsibility.Leave No Trace is an awareness and an attitude rather than a set of rules. Help protect the backcountry by remembering that while you are there, you are a visitor. When you visit a friend, you take care to leave your friends home just as you found it. Leave everything just as you found it. Hiking and camping without a trace are signs of an expert outdoorsman, and of a Scout or Scouter who cares for the environment.
Service Projects:
Boy Scouts is a service-oriented organization that gives time to the community and/or individual projects that serve persons unable to help themselves. Scouts may undertake such projects as a Unit or on an individual basis. Troop 208 encourages Scouts to Do a Good Turn Daily through a variety of community service projects. All Scouts will be asked to take part in service projects through out the year while in Scouting.For more information on service projects see Troop 208 Service Projects
Summer Camp:
The highlight of the year is summer camp. This is a week-long camping experience. It is a great opportunity for advancement, leadership, fellowship, water activities, competition and much more. Scouts should plan on going to camp early by saving and earning money. The troop offers one or more opportunities a year to earn camp credits through fund raising activities.
Whatever you do, don't let your son miss out on this super activity!