New Scouts campout

March 31st is the new Scout Camp out at Oak Mountain...uniform for all is red Troop T shirt and Scout shortsof long Scout trousers...Dress for the weather....Older boys should plan on being at the Hut at 8:00 AM if they are going to assist...the fees are $3.00 per meal for lunch, supper, and Sunday breakfast. If the Scout cannot stay through the evening they may leave at any time they wish.

We will camp at the Oak Mountain Primitive sites where we always camp in the past for this event (first right into the gated road past the Tranquility Lake turn in from the main road. You will have to call the Scoutmaster for the combination to the lock at 516-7161 if you do not come with the main party.

If Mr. Horn does not plan on taking the bus to the Air Show..we will take the bus to the new Scout camp out..if the bus will not be available, we will car pool to the new Scout camp out in individual vehicles.

The cost for the camp out (over nighter) is $11.00 ( $2.00 camp fee, and $9.00 for meals) Camp fee only for those staying overnight and $3.00 per mail for those not eating all three meals. Payable when we meet at the hut in order to plan for meals. We will return to the Hut around 10:00 AM or so April 1.

What the new Scout will he need: an extra pair of socks and clothed to sleep in in case he gets wet/dirty (two red shirts with his name/initials on them and all his Scout uniform parts)...he should sleep in dry clothes and not his uniform...He will be in the red shirt and scout shorts of long pants (zip offs preferred) all day and unless soaked or dirty will wear the as the uniform on Sunday.

He should be dressed for the weather, including a rain suit for rain and insulation from the cold...if predicted to be cool, he should have a sock hat or base ball style cap, gloves, and heavier outer wear in this ruck sack/duffle bag with his the rest of his gear..a backpack is not necessary for this trip or when we go car camping. his ruck sack/gear bag should be somewhat water resistant and sturdy to carry all his gear in prior to arriving so as to keep it together and to protect it from dampness or debris. If it turns out to be pleasant, then he need not wear the outerwear..if if turns cold or wet, he will be dressed for it.

He will need his sleeping bag, an air or foam sleeping pad to put his sleeping bag on in the tent. Don't bring a mattress for the Scout or leader that needs an air pump to blow it up..these are too big and uncompromising for space....it should be enough to carry on a back packing trip on his backpack....the tent will be provided by the Troop. As we continue to grow..leaders (and sometimes Scouts with the Scoutmaster's permission) are invited to bring your own tent...for this trip, there will be plenty of Troop tents...please refrain from using huge, electric or hand operated pump required mattresses...plan for backpacking size which will serve as an example for the boys. Plan on sleeping on the ground in your sleeping bag and sleeping pad..hammocks are not permitted for "leave no trace" reasons and cots likewise are not permitted to set the example for the boys..cots often punch holes in the tent floor.

Likewise, he and Dad/Mom will need a plastic plate or medium sized bowl with his plastic spoon and fork to eat with along with a hot/cold plastic cup to drink beverages with. He should bring his Scout Guide also as we will be going over it and it's purpose for his Scouting career. He will not be taking a shower..there are no facilities available.

Once we gather our gear at the Hut, the boys will make up an assignment list (duty roster) for the weekend as well as menu for lunch supper and breakfast. From the hut we will go to the Piggly Wiggley to buy our meals...then from there head out to Oak Mountain in our cars following the Troop Frank Tank (box truck)...If we have severe or forecasted wet weather we may not camp, but rather remain at the Hut for the Day w/lunch and dinner before leaving for he night (after a camp fire and flag ceremony as we would have normally at camp) to get all we need to accomplish (this is a worst case scenario) but there are many things we need to accomplish on this outing before summer camp (physical fitness test for Tenderfoot, cooking and meal preparation, sanitation, camp set up, camp take down, naming the patrol, making it's flag, coming up with it's yell/song, camp fire and flag retirement, and other Tenderfoot/Second Class/First Class requirements.

New Scouts in the Troop who have not been to summer camp the year before, who are older will be part of all of this, and will also serve as guides since they are becoming experienced campers already. Older Scouts and Dads on the trip will serve as guides and instructors.

As stated, we will shop for our meals in the AM. If you are coming out later and will not be there when we are preparing Saturday Morning (Mar 31) to assist later and want a to eat with us, I need to know for how many and for what meals so we can have a number to work with. Electronics will not be permitted in the camp site, including cell phones. As a Scout, a parent need not be present if we have enough vehicles for transportation...if the parent will not be present, we will need a completed copy of the BSA Medical form plus a copy of the family insurance card in case a trip to the emergency room is required.

So far I know that Mr. Brownbridge and his son Carl are coming for supper and breakfast..they will bring their own tent ( as you know a Scout may sleep w/a parent, but when we camp we sleep separately in the patrol fashion, except in this case when a parent son arrive late and we don't have space for the Scout with other Scouts.

Again the caveat: If you are not there in the AM at the Hut and plan on coming out late to eat with us..I need to know n order to buy your meal(s)...If you want to use a Troop tent to spend the night and will not be there in the AM for planning before we leave, I need to know so I can have tents on hand to use.

We are planning on a return at around 10:30 AM or sooner..If the boys want to have an additional stop at McDonalds at the OakMtn exit, we will stop so they will need breakfast money..if not we will come straight to the Hut.

Special note: In order to be a registered leader in this Troop, each parent must have completed the BSA Youth protection course to be submitted along with your transfer registration form for entering Scouting from Cubs. You can do this in a few minutes by going to Scouting.org and under leader training, take the course, print the certificate, and give it to the Scoutmaster for submission w/your registration. This will not be required for this trip due to short notice, but you will have to have it complete to be registered in the immediate future and future trips.

Same of the BSA Physical..it should be completed for the Scout as soon as possible and definitely if you will not accompany him on a trip..it is mandatory for summer camp. The form is available on the Troop web site at: bluffparktroop21.org.

Final Special note; The Troop is going canoeing on the Cahaba River in May...in order to canoe he and the parent will have had to pass the BSA swimming test as written in the BSA Scout book Guide....we will talk to this at the camp out as to when we can get this done in order to participate. Perhaps a YMCA Pool...

Welcome again to the Troop....by this time next year..all of these new requirements and policies will be old hat.