Troop 111 Summer Camp
Camp Powhatan 1999

Guide for Parents and Scouts

WHEN: Sunday to Saturday, June 27th through July 3rd.

WHERE: Camp Powhatan, the Blue Ridge Mountains Area Council summer camp facility near Claytor Lake, VA (about 1 hour South of Roanoke, VA, off I-81.)

HOW: The Troop will travel by cars and Troop Vans, both there and back.

Each Scout's Merit Badge Schedule must be turned in to the Merit Badge Coordinator one month before camp. Unusually, this camp pre-schedules all requested merit badges for the Scouts. We will hopefully have the confirmed schedule by the date of the Troop's Summer Camp Orientation Meeting - if not, we will have it before we actually leave for camp. We are unsure as to our ability to switch Merit Badges after we arrive; this will be determined on an "as needed" basis.

In addition, the Troop may run a number of Merit Badges "in camp" that the camp itself does not formally offer. This depends on the willingness of the Troop Adults to conduct these badges.

Note that each Scout will receive Merit Badge Pamphlets for the Merit Badges they signed up for, at the orientation meeting or perhaps earlier for merit badges with prerequisites; these MUST be brought to camp - don't forget! Also note, that if certification is required for certain pre-camp requirements (which is what our pre-camp Merit Badge Prep Program will be all about), the Scout needs to bring the certification.

We try to get our first year campers to (possibly) earn Totin' Chip (Knife and Ax Safety; depends on the SIZE of the Scout) and - also only if possible - some other minor rank advancement (based on our "module" system.) The First Class Practical Exam will be offered for eligible Scouts through the course of the week. Older Scouts are encouraged to earn the Mile Swim Award. Older Scouts may also earn "Leadership Credits" by teaching Junior Scout Advancement Modules at camp, or by acting as Patrol Leaders or Senior Patrol Leaders during the week. Note that Senior Scouts who do nothing will earn exactly that in the way of Leadership Credits; "showing up" doesn't count for anything.

Day One is taken up with site set-up, medical checks, camp tours, dinner and an opening campfire. Based on past experience with late arrival times, we expect to be under the gun all day.

The MB Program begins Monday; all classes end Friday, firm. If possible, the Troop will also participate in numerous additional activities not on the schedule - Troop Archery, Troop Rifle, Troop Funyaks (if available), whatever else we can cram in. We aren't sure what's offered at this camp.

As was mentioned above, we will also attempt to get some additional Troop sponsored advancement in, especially for our first year campers. There is a "First Year Camper" program at this camp; however, our past experiences at Goshen, Shenandoah and Tuckahoe suggest that its quality will not be particularly high, despite high-pressure superlatives by the camp staff. "First Year Camper" programs are designed to advance a Scout to First Class in a few weeks or months, and generally just "present" the material to the Scouts rather than actually teach it. This is a bad joke, and completely unacceptable for Scouts in Troop 111; if you actually expect your son to make First Class in a few months, you definitely joined the wrong outfit! Anyway, we'll handle what we can on our own. Free time may also be used for Open Swims, Archery and Rifle shoots, work on individual MB's, Open Canoeing, Rowing and Funyaks, etc. (as you can see, their days are going to be pretty full!)

Friday night ends with a closing campfire, and the start of camp breakdown. The camp guide does not list a departure time, but we'll assume it will be early morning - so the Troop should be back in Arlington no later than 4pm (it's a long drive, by tired Adults.) We'll try to clarify this prior to our departure, as it could be much later if we have to rely on transport of gear to the parking lots by Camp Vehicles, per currently enforced BSA policy. [However, if it's too ridiculous, we'll carry everything down to the parking lot by hand.] Since this camp ends on a Saturday (instead of Sunday), we'll return directly to the Parish Center for unloading; parents need to be available for pickup when called; we'll try to have a teletree to give a "two-hour warning."

Camp Powhatan is a Dining Hall camp. The food is supposed to be pretty good - certainly better than one might expect of institutional food prepared in such a primitive setting. Dining Hall fare is a standing sore point among Troops attending summer camps - so most camps work pretty hard at it. However, understand that "good" is a very relative term; we've been at some camps where the locals thought the food was fantastic, and our guys wouldn't touch it, even when they were genuinely hungry. This was the case at Camp Shenandoah in 1997, although it was more a "first week kink" than a genuine problem with the food - and things did improve through the course of the week (and half the problem was the easy access to the trading post.) We are attending the second week of Camp Powhatan, so the start-up bugs will hopefully be worked out of the system by our arrival.

In addition, in order to limit the ravages of "the mad munchies" and keep the Scouts well hydrated, the Troop keeps a constant supply of snacks and drinks on hand in the campsite. In addition, in each of the past 7 years, we took the Troop into town on Wednesday or Thursday night for a "real meal" at a local restaurant. This has always been a real hit with the Scouts.

Finally, there is a Trading Post in the camp, providing all sorts of delicious junk food and several soda machines (all, of course, at jacked-up prices). Obviously, the adult monitors for 111 cannot be constantly policing the Scouts with respect to their junk food input - it is up to the parents to firmly establish a "no junk food" policy with their Scouts. Note that excessive sugar and caffeine is severely dehydrating, which is a serious health and safety concern in a camping environment typically involving high heat and humidity. We therefore insist "little or none." (This is why we instituted the "in-camp" snacks and drinks supply in the first place.) The Adults can control access to funds, which generally puts a sharp damper on clandestine pigging out (see MONEY below). Note also that personal supplies of junk food are forbidden and will be confiscated! Parents should make a last second `pack-check' to make sure their son hasn't squirreled away 10 pounds of survival 'garbage' in his gear; this has been a problem in the past, and immediately leads to difficulties with the local wildlife (raccoons, skunks, possums and squirrels) invading the tents and also to arguments, fights and "favor-trading" between the haves and have-nots among the Scouts.

In addition, in a new policy instituted last year, we will be "formally" restricting trading post access for Scouts who are overdoing it - a MAJOR problem in 1997. We will restrict money first, and if that doesn't work, revoking trading post privileges altogether. If that STILL doesn't work, the Scout will be sent home.

All campsites are equipped with large platform tents (floor is about 8 x 6, roof is about 7 ft tall). Each tent has two wire-frame cots (76 x 30 inches), which may have mattresses; overall, they're noisy but reasonably comfortable. The Troop also provides heavy-duty cord and wire hangars for the Scouts to hang up their uniforms inside the tent, and cardboard to "stiffen" the wire frames on the cots if there are no mattresses. Adults may wish to bring a thin sheet of plywood to provide additional support above and beyond the capabilities of a piece of cardboard.

The tents are reasonably (but not perfectly) waterproof. The sites are all generally fairly pretty, and reasonably quiet. Each site has several picnic benches located under heavy duty tarps at which the Scouts can sit and study. The Troop provides numerous lanterns by which the Scouts can read, write reports or complete various projects at night. Also located nearby the site is a standard "pit" latrine, combined with a source of potable, running water and cleaning facilities. Because 111 brings along a garden hose and our own cleaning supplies, we always have the 'best' latrine in the camp. Finally, each site has a campfire ring, always a popular gathering point and also providing us the opportunity to hold our own campfire programs (which we do indeed hold.)

As noted above, each site is equipped with a communal wash trough at the latrine - the adults and Senior Scouts ensure that all Scouts wash and brush their teeth each morning and night. Showers are also available, and will be used. Aquatic activities (there is a good sized lake) also help keep the Scouts (reasonably) clean.

The U.S. Postal Service does make it out to Camp, albeit sometimes via Peruvian Llama Express. Note that if you want your Scout to receive mail early in the week, you'll have to mail it well ahead of time, say Thursday or Friday before we depart (you can also give letters to us before we leave to relay to your son(s) during the week.) Do not mail food or money, do not mail anything without a return address, and don't mail anything after the Wednesday afternoon mailing (we probably won't get it in time). I always recommend mailing directly from the Post Offices on Wednesday, to save a day. The address will be provided to all parents at the summer camp orientation meeting, or by email sometime in June.

Note that Scouts who are prone to homesickness should receive cheerful, upbeat letters - don't tell him "how much the dog misses you" or that "all your friends have been calling since you left." As a matter of Troop policy, we strongly encourage (but don't insist) the Scouts to write at least two letters home during the week. We therefore ask all parents to please give two self-addressed and stamped envelopes to the "Banker" for your son to write home. [We can extort letters in exchange for junk-food money.]

This is generally not a problem with Scouts surrounded with friends and kept constantly busy with enjoyable activities - however, it can occur (especially if the weather or food is unusually poor, or if a young Scout has a bad personal experience with another Scout.) Birthdays during camp can be a problem, especially if the Scout's family usually makes a "big deal" of birthdays. Latrine use is an occasional problem with first year campers, with the usual, inevitable and highly embarrassing results. None of these scenarios are common, and the adults try to keep an eye out for any developing problems. Positive letters from home can help, parents can make a mid-week visit if they like, and Scouts are allowed to call home (as long as it doesn't get excessive). Troop 111 has experienced only a few cases of homesickness during the last 10 years (and most of them were problems revolving around mid-week birthdays, or Scouts who were missing some other, more desirable activity.) If your son's birthday does coincide with camp, please remind us of that fact, and give us a few gifts and cards to relay to him on the big day. Promising your son a "big deal" party upon his return is also an excellent preemptive strike if you anticipate possible problems.

All Scouts (and adults) will need their Troop 111 Medical Forms and BSA Class 1/2 Medical Forms completed (BSA Class 3 for Adults over 40). In addition, all Scouts will need their Troop 111 permission slip filled out. Finally, Scouts taking specific MB's (e.g., Personal Fitness or Sports) will need all the additional forms specified in the MB requirements list.

Yes, your son will be gone for a week in the woods - however, firmly resist falling into "Desert Storm" mode of logistics; comments:

Rule Number 1: Do not overpack! Boys being boys, they'll wear mostly the same things the whole week long (I did the same thing when I was a Scout; disgusting, isn't it?). Emphasize 8 pairs each of socks, underwear, and T-Shirts, extra swimwear and an extra pair of sneakers; keep the rest to the barest minimum. If you've got a summer Scout uniform, you're already half-way there. The Troop Summer Camp Equipment List is on the website; use it! Again, your son does not need a tremendous amount of gear!

Rule Number 2: You MUST label EVERYTHING with your Scout's name and "Tr 111;" otherwise, you can forget it if it's ever misplaced (there'll be 600+ Scouts in the camp). It also helps if items that are likely to be left somewhere for awhile (bath towels, etc.) have a distinct 'family' design or color that make them easier to spot. All white towels look - white - and won't even survive the swim-checks on the first day. You are all by now hopefully familiar with the Troop 111 suggestion of "customizing" flashlights, knives, etc. with bright yellow or orange fingernail polish or tape to make them easier to spot if lost (or "borrowed.")

Rule Number 3: Remember the limitations of an open tent - there are no dressers or closets in which to store things. You are best served by having your Scout pack in several medium-sized cardboard boxes with multiple plastic bags ("Zip-Bags") to separate types of clean clothing. The boxes that xerox paper come in are perfect, and are easily stored under the bunks. Packing the 'army' way (everything in a large duffel bag) will result in everything being wet and dirty in 2 days. We also suggest the purchase and use of cloth dirty clothing sacks - use of plastic bags for wet, dirty clothes results in fermentation of all wet items by the end of the week. Uggh! Finally, the Troop provides clothes-lines to dry out towels and swimwear, and clothes hangers for hanging uniforms up inside the tents.

Additional items to pack (all Scouts): Scout Handbook, Fieldbook (if have one), MB pamphlets, Totin' Chip Card (sew the patch on; keep the counselors off your son's back!), a fishing pole and a baseball cap. Also any needed specialized equipment as specified in the MB requirements list.

Your son's Scout Uniform should be up to date with respect to all his patches - please confirm!!!

Do NOT pack: Radios, walkmen, electronic games, dice, junk food or soda, excessive money, `heirloom' type equipment (Grand-dad's 60-year old knife, Dad's Rolex watch, etc.) or anything else that detracts from what the Scout is supposed to be doing or which you can't afford to lose.

By now you will have all paid the camp deposit fees, but (of course!!!) this isn't the end of the money trail. In addition to the rest of the Troop fee ($200 total), all Scouts will need additional funds for: 1) Lunches on the trip down and back; 2) Materials needed for certain MB's (as specified in the MB List); 3) Fishing equipment and bait; 4) Scout Memorabilia (we buy all Scouts their Camp Tuckahoe patch and bolo tie, but there are other items they may wish to purchase); 5) Trading Post 'garbage' (which we try to severely limit, as previously mentioned). All in all, you'll probably need to provide about $20-25 additional to cover all contingencies ($35 if your Scout will be attempting Shotgun Shooting MB). Excessive money is not desirable.

Obviously, we do not want the Scouts running around with this kind of money burning a hole in their pockets. The Troop will have an adult "Banker" and a sign out ledger for the Scouts to keep track of their remaining funds. Yes, we will cover Scouts who - for whatever unexpected reasonable reason(s) - run out of money mid-week. [For the record, pigging out on junk-food, losing money gambling, spending all your money on a big knife at the trading post, and/or similar idiocies, are not considered to be reasonable reasons.] We will be collecting Scout Funds the morning we depart for camp, please bring cash and emphasize fives and singles. To re-emphasize - cash, no checks! Any money remaining at the end of the week will be put into your Troop Credit Account.

Camp Powhatan has well developed plans for fires, lost campers, medical emergencies and similar difficulties. In all honesty, problems of this type are extremely rare. In addition, a "buddy" system is strictly enforced for all aquatic activities and is strongly encouraged for all other activities in which the Scouts participate. The camp also has a fully staffed First Aid Station; the staff is generally 3rd and 4th year medical students completing a rotation - they're very good. There is a major hospital within reasonable driving distance. The Medical forms you have to fill out are kept on file at the First Aid Station (to avoid "Where are they?" syndrome in the event they're needed) and are carefully consulted before any treatment is administered. Of course, you will be notified ASAP if any problems occur.

On your end, should you have to contact us for an emergency, the CampPowhatan emergency number is: 540 980-3787. If you can't get through (which would be rather unusual), call the Council Program Office for help at: 540 265-0656; they can reach us via alternate "secret" lines. Note that the Council Office is, however, only open during normal business hours (M - F, 9 - 5). Note that Emergency means just that - don't be calling for routine matters.

There is apparently no "routine" phone to call at the camp. However, there are several pay-phones, but I have been unable to get their numbers at the present time. We will therefore establish a "Troop Contact Person" here in Arlington whom we will call at a set time every day for routine (non-emergency) messages. That person will be identified at the upcoming Summer Camp orientation meeting, or by handout at the departure.

By BSA policy, all prescription medications except inhalers are to be stored at the First Aid Lodge and administered only by First Aid personnel. This includes even routine items such as anti-allergy medications. Our past experiences with this protocol have not been good - most of the Scouts routinely missed their scheduled appointments and went unmedicated for most or all of the week (because the camp staff never followed up, and never bothered to tell us that they weren't following up.) In order to address this problem, we ask that parents of all Scouts needing medications give us two full sets prior to our departure - one for us, and one for them. If this camp does as poor a job as everyone else, we'll handle it ourselves. We will have a "Medications Coordinator to handle this issue through the course of the week.

The Official Troop Policies are spelled out in detail in a separate handout, which every single Scout and Leader will receive a copy of, either by mail, email or at the orientation meeting. These policies are based on the various experiences of the past 11 years worth of summer camps. It is strongly urged that each parent and Scout review these together, so that there can be no "misunderstandings" at camp. We have 35 Scouts attending Camp Tuckahoe this year - and there is no way that we will allow their summer camp experience to be degraded by the actions of a few Scouts who have forgotten what exactly they're at camp to accomplish.

As previously noted, there will be a summer camp orientation meeting for all first and second year campers just before camp. Other campers are also encouraged to attend, but this is not mandatory. There will also be a "Q & A" period following the session, for as long as I can stand it.

Dr. Bob
Scoutmaster, Troop 111

1999 Printing

Home.
14 January 2001