Summer Camp Updates - July 29, 2018

Hello Troop 20 campers!  We hope everyone is getting excited about summer camp coming up just days away and wanted to ensure you have this important information.
_________________________________________________________

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.  GPS will actually get you to the camp 😊
2)  The signage inside Myles Standish is really good once you enter the forest so be sure to follow the signs!

Camp Dates:      Sunday, 5-Aug-2018 thru Saturday, 11-Aug-2018

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 (look for the signs on the right hand side of the parking lot).  Please do not be late - The camp staff will not allow the troop into camp until all of our scouts that are attending and their gear, are present in the 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. Parents MUST stay with their scout until they have, at least, completed the check-in process at the dining hall.  Please do not plan to leave right after drop-off.
2. There are some Merit Badges that require the scouts to have cash with them to purchase needed supplies (usually handicraft badges).  If your scout has signed up for a badge, such as leatherworks, they should plan to have extra money with them to purchase the required leatherworking kit.  Typically around $6-$8.  Other merit badges will vary.  If you are not sure if a badge requires extra money, please reach out to the leaders and we can assist.
3. 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.
4. Please make sure your scout has at least one refillable/reusable water bottle with them!  This is not optional.
5. Mosquito netting - It can get a little buggy, depending on the weather, so we recommend scouts bring mosquito netting with them to use over their bunks at night.  It can be VERY difficult to find netting, at this time of the year, in local stores but you do still have time to order online.  An example from Amazon can be found by following this link.
6. Please make sure to send your scout with plenty of sunscreen and bug spray!

GENERAL INFORMATION (In no particular order)

• For any parents that want to visit on Wednesday evening, we suggest you arrive after dinner (7:00pm).  The Comanche Relay event will usually start around 7:30pm.  If we hear that the time will be different, we will try to get word out via the blog or your scout can get word to you if they have a phone.
• Troop photo's will be taken on Monday the 6th and will be handed out on the last day of summer camp.  These should go into the scouts binders.
• Scouts must have Class A uniforms with them.  These are required.
• Scouts should arrive wearing their class A uniforms with swimsuits on underneath.  They should also 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 3rd.
• 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.
• For scouts where this is their first summer camp, a little home sickness is rare, but not unheard of.  The older Scouts are very adept at managing it and do an amazing job of making your child feel welcome and keeping him busy.  Trust us.....by the end of the week, they all cannot wait for next year!
• 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 you would like to send with your scout but it is an area that scouts like to frequent to relax so having some with them is a good idea.  They all like to get sodas, slushies, ice cream, etc.
• Please make sure that your scout understands how to secure his valuables, including money.  All footlockers must 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, whenever they are away from the camp site.
• A small notebook and pen or pencil are part of the BSA uniform.  Every scout should have something with them to take notes if needed.
• Lastly, ALL scouts must 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 for summer camp 2018!