Merit Badge Camp 2016 - Planning
Post date: Feb 21, 2016 5:23:0 PM
Key Facts
Departure date/time: 3/11/2016 6:30 PM
Return date/time: 3/13/2016 10:00 AM
Registration deadline: 3/7/2016 Troop Meeting
Adult in charge: Michael Hartford, Corey Needleman
Scout in charge/acting SPL: Zach Jones
Health officer:
Patrols/patrol leaders:
Drivers/vehicles:
Adult roster:
Youth roster:
Notes from last time:
Tasks
[what / who / status]
Make reservation / Hartford /
File Tour Plan / Martin / Not Needed
Communicate to scouts / Hartford / Done
Communicate specifics (when to meet, what to bring, etc.) to participants
Cross-check adult training across planned activities / Martin
Cross-check roster against vehicle/seat count / Martin
Coordinate with health records keeper /
Write up "notes for next time" after the event /
Notes for Next Time:
Patrols need to inspect their patrol boxes before leaving (ideally the meeting night before) and confirm that they have everything on the checklist; taking an old and under-stocked patrol box doesn't contribute to success!
Patrol QMs who report to the patrol leader, with the patrol leader responsible for ensuring that they have the right gear, is critical
Doing a patrol-style camp for MB Camp instead of a cabin camp posed a few challenges:
We got off to a slow start in the morning--breakfast cleanup took longer than planned
Sticking to schedule is a little harder in the more free-range environment; we covered less material than might have been covered the way we've done past MB camps
Incorporating some ILST into the camp was great--we should consider doing reflections throughout the day at other camps, to assess how we're doing, what's working, what we can change, rather than just having a Thorns & Roses at the end of camp
The Wilderness Survival activities were fun and the Scouts stayed engaged in the games and tasks
Shelter building was also successful; there was enough space for Scouts to scatter and set up their shelters on their own, and the weather was perfect
Some camp systems break down a bit on DST changes--our wash water was delivered late by the camp master on Sunday, and check out was a little delayed
It was a good opportunity for in the field first aid role playing - we will be incorporating these things into future camps and hikes.
The boys enjoyed working on badges they needed and requested.
Pine bend would be really great next year.
I liked the ILST, it was unfortunate the current PLC and Grey Wolfers weren't there.