Summer Camp Updates - August 2, 2017

Hello Troop 20 campers!  We hope everyone is getting excited about summer camp coming up in just days and wanted to pass along some important information.
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Camp Squanto - Myles Standish State Forest
200 Cuttersfield Rd., Plymouth, MA

Notes:
1)  If you have never been to Camp Squanto, the camp is a ways into the state forest so don't be alarmed if you feel like you've been driving a while once in Myles Standish.  You'll get there.
2)  The signage inside Myles Standish is really good once you enter the forest so be sure to follow the signs!

Camp Dates:      Sunday, 6-Aug-2017 thru Saturday, 12-Aug-2017 (Week #6)
Camp Site:         Comanche
Drop-off time on Sunday:  Plan to arrive at camp for 1:00pm.  Gear should be dropped at the Comanche site staging area.
Pickup time on Saturday:  Plan to arrive at camp no later than 9:15am.  Closing ceremony in the parade field at 9:30am.

Cell Phones:     If your scout would like to bring his cell phone to use for taking pictures or at night during troop time, that is acceptable.  However, cell phone etiquette will be enforced.  Scouts should not be using their phones to text or play games during day-time activities.  If we learn that there is a problem, the leaders may confiscate the scouts phone and return it for use at night.

Also, they should have their own means of charging their phone.

IMPORTANT:

1. There are two Merit Badges that require the scouts to have cash with them to purchase needed supplies for the badge.
1. Leatherworks:  Scouts need to have $6-$8 with them to purchase leatherworking kits.
2. Robotics:  Scouts need to have $10-$40 with them to purchase needed supplies
2. If your scout will be bringing medications, you MUST adhere to these rules:
1. For any Over The Counter (OTC) medications, they must be in new, unopened packages.
2. For any prescription medications, they must be in the original script bottle and the label must be legible.
3. For any child that uses an inhaler, the scout will keep that with him.  If you wish to bring an extra for the camp doctor to hold onto, that is your option but it is not required.
4. For any child that uses any type of 'pen' (EpiPen, etc.), these will be kept with the scouts and a second can be kept with a leader or responsible buddy.  The camp health lodge also keeps an adequate stock of 'pens' for emergencies.
3. Please make sure your scout has at least one refillable/reusable water bottle with them!

• For any parents that want to visit on Wednesday evening, we suggest you arrive after dinner (7:00pm).  The Comanche Relay event will start around 7:30pm.
• Troop photo's will be taken on Monday the 7th.
• Scouts should have Class A uniforms with them.  These are required.
• Scouts should arrive wearing their swimsuits and have towels with them in their daypacks.  Immediately after medical check-in at the dining hall, the troop will head to the waterfront for the scouts swim test.
• If you have a scout with any dietary restrictions, please notify Mrs. Swindle no later than Friday, August 4th.
• The Dining Hall is a 'Nut Free' zone to protect against nut allergies.  For any scouts that may not like the meal being served, there is a supply of Sun Butter (nut free substitute for peanut butter) and bread for them to make a sandwich.
• The Trading Post and camp sites are NOT nut free zones.
• Parents should enter the Camp Squanto main number in their cell phones so that if a call comes from Camp, they will recognize it and answer without assuming it's a telemarketer or robo-call.  The main number is 508-224-2010.
• For any calls with concerns about your scout while they are at camp, please call Mrs. Swindle at 508-930-4889.
• Camp Squanto has a Trading Post with various items for sale.  It is at your discretion as to how much spending money, if any, you would like to send with your scout.
• Please make sure that your scout understands how to secure his valuables, including money.  All footlockers should have a combination lock (NOT a key lock - to avoid lost keys) that the scout can easily access and they should keep their foot locker LOCKED, during the day while they are away from the camp site.
• Lastly, ALL scouts should bring their BSA handbook as there may be opportunities to have items signed off in their books during the week.

We hope all scouts are excited for camp and the leaders look forward to seeing everyone this coming weekend!