The First Meeting

The First Outing

Since most Webelos cross over to Boy Scouts at the end of February, the weather for the March outing is unpredicable. Thus on our March campout the new scouts usually sleep in cabins. Therefore, you will want to not only review the camping equipment list but make sure that you review the cold weather camping list as well. We will instruct the new scouts in the art of cold weather camping at the troop meetngs preceeding the campout.

We will use this campout to teach the new scout some basic scouting skills including how to safely handle a knife, axe and saw. After accomplishing this skill, the troop will issue him a "Totin Chip Card". He will have to carry this card whenever he handles any sharp object (knife, etc...). If he is seen using a sharp object in an unsafe manner, a corner will be torn from the card. If all the corners are removed, the scout loses the privledge of using the knife or axe until he is retrained and retested in the safe use of edged objects.

First summer camp

The first summer camp can be a trying but highly satisfying experience for the new scout. It may be their first time away from Mom and Dad for more than one night. Summer camp is a week long experience and will often be the determining factor if a boy stays in scouting. By this time the new scout could have as many as four weekend campouts before the weeklong summer camp. He will be well supervised in a structured program. This will give him a fabulous opportunity for advancement. It is also, of course, a great place to have fun.

Troop 567  most frequently attends summer camp at S-F (pronounced ess-bar-eff) Scout Ranch in Knob Lick Missouri. It is the second largest scout camp in the United States (Philmont is the first). Troop 567 attends summer camp for a week every summer. Make sure that you review the list of summer camp equipment. ALL ARTICLES MUST BE LABELED WITH THE SCOUT'S NAME. Do not bring fireworks, aerosol spray cans, canned drinks, toys, electronic games, ice chests, liquid fuel, candles, or lighters.

Thursday evening at summer camp (if held at S-F) is Parent Night. Parent's usually arrive between 4-5PM. Troop 567 usually has a Court of Honor and your son will probably receive one if not two rank advancements. The Court of Honor will be followed by an Order of the Arrow Call Out ceremony that is for the entire camp. The new scout, while not directly affected by the ceremony, has been hearing all the hype and is eagerly looking forward to participating.

- All medicine must be turned in to an adult leader for dispensing.

- Each Scout must have an up-to-date physical form (see the Forms page).

- Towel and swim suit must be packed at the top because we will take the swim test first.

- Tent partners will be assignedcoordinated by the Senior Patrol Leader before departure.

- Camp Post Office will be checked daily for incoming mail, so write, but remember, we leave on Saturday.

- Calls home are allowed only in cases of emergency or terminal homesickness (Scoutmaster's judgment)!

It has been our experience that a first year scout oftens feels "home sick" and will ask to go home with the parents when they arrive on Thursday. It has also been our experience that if a scout is taken home early, he will find reasons to quit scouting altogether. Therefore, we ask that parents go home directly from the Order of the Arrow ceremony, and not return to our campsite. We do not recommend this because we are hard-hearted, but because we wish to give every new scout the opportunity to grow to love the scouting experience.