To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Subject: Re[2]: Help need spring camporee ideas
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 02:57:44 EST
From: Robert Collins
<Robert_Collins_at_Strm__Dallas1@STREAM.COM>
The (former) Bois D'Arc district in the Dallas area held a "future" camporee. The theme was Startrek, complete with T-shirts, belt buckles... The kids loved it! All of the events were teamwork oriented.
The camp became a Starfleet training base (Starbase 54) and the scouts went through various situations, each one with a story.
A few examples
"Core Breech"
The story was you are in engineering, and a core breech in emminant. Engineering has been sealed off. Your teams only means of excape is through a excape hatch located up a wall, with no ladder or rope. The patrol must work together to get all members to safety over the wall.
At the station there were 3 8'wide walls. Webelos wall was 8' tall. Patrol's with most members being under 1st class had a 10' wall, and older scout patrols had a 12' wall.
They were timed, best time won.
"Klingon Challange"
The story was your patrol has been beemed down, however due to a transporter malfunction, you are not where you need to be. you must get your patrol to the correct site. over 2 obstacles.
#1 there was 2 1" dia. ropes suspended parallel to eachother, about 10' off the ground. 1/2 the members had a 6' segment of rope. the method they devised to get everyone across, was up th them. thus working on creative and collective thinking, as well as teamwork.
#2 was a mud pit there were stakes in the ground on either side of the pit. They used the ropes from #1 to tie across the pit. the patrol would crawl out onto the ropes, untie the last rope, pass it to the front, tie it across, move forward... the stakes were about 1' apart. using teamwork and knots.
"Cardasian Rescue"
Story, you are on a plannet in the Cardasian territory, on a rescue mission. you have to cross a hevily guardrd area, however, Starfleet spies have discovered a "Path" through their guardrd zone. If you follow it carefully, you will get through safely.
For this event they put on white t-shirts and were issued a compas, helmets with face shields and a heading card.
If they followed the course correctly, the emmerged unblemished. If they got off course, they were "fired upon" with squirt guns filled with water based coloring. after completion, the number of color splats was counted, and a 5 second penalty was assessed for each one. This was provably the second favorite event.
In all we had 16 event stations, the patrols chose the 8 they wanted to compete in.
We had ribbons for each event, best show of teamwork, best patrol spirit. best scout spirit, and many others in short every patrol won something!
Saturday night closed with a production put on by a group of boys calling themselves the "Beta Omnicron III programming Group" It featured satire of many of todays television shows, including (of course) "STAR TRUCK The Oppology" The program featured music, drama, and just plain ole silly slapstick type stuff"
Robert Collins
SM T302 Wylie, TEXAS, USA
A Bobwhite I will ever be!
e-mail Chief_Engineer@Starbase21.Com
Subject: Re: Scoutings Image -Reply
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 1995 08:28:35 -0500
From: Mary Lee Foley <MFOLEY@UTNET.UTOLEDO.EDU>
Reading about camping in a city park in Buffalo (Don: Delaware Park?) prompts me to relate info on our urban camporee.
For 3 or 4 years now we've held our district's fall camporee in a city park here in Toledo. It's in a decent area, but few people generally go to that park after dinner for the usual reasons. Several years ago, Joe Montes, an enthusiastic and very active Scouter, tried to persuade other leaders that Walbridge Park would be a good place to show off scouting skills and it wouldn't require much travel. (It's at the edge of the district, but that puts it within 5 miles, tops, of every unit in the district.) Joe died before seeing his ideas come to fruition, but now we have the Joe Montes Memorial Camporee there and an outstanding scout is given the Joe Montes Award at Saturday's campfire.
But I digress... I meant to tell you about logistics and public relations. The park is about 200 yeards deep, from the street to the river and about 1/2 - 3/4 mile long. It's also free of undergrowth, being populated with trees and a FEW bushes. This means we can see most of the activity from the center, and keep an eye on things from almost anywhere in the park. While we know the police keep a special lookout over the weekend, a local Explorer post actually provides the security. (I think they get a donation from the district to the post.) I have been on the planning committee for a couple of weekends and have attended with my troop. I have never heard of any security problems. And the one time a kid did something really stupid and got hurt (minor injury but caused some concern,) the fire department took about 1 minute to get there. (Side note: you should have seen the traffic control as soon as we heard the siren about 1 block away. The firemen had NO trouble knowing where to stop!)
Being in the city has other advantages, too. We had another crew from the fire department later in the day. The kids got to climb around the truck and talk to the crew after a demo. The Dept. of Natural resources had canoeing demos. Other weekends have included people from the local ... oh, what are they called ... hunters and scouts and storytellers resembling those of 100-200 years ago. Local government officials come out sometimes, generally to present special awards; the newspapers generally print a picture or two along with a story; and people driving by honk and wave!
Whenever we camp outside a Scout camp, we gather everyone for a service project on Saturday. The fall camporee is easy: the zoo is across the street, so the committee arranges for us to do manual labor over there. It's great PR, too. Boys in scout uniforms can be seen all over the zoo after the project because we intentionally schedule free time then.
All in all, it's good for the boys, good for BSA and good for the neighborhood.
Mary Lee Foley
Pack 71 - Den Leader Coach, Newsletter Editor
Troop 71 - Advancement Chairman, Newsletter Editor
Anthony Wayne District - Cub Scout Activities Chairman
Toledo Area Council, Toledo, Ohio
Subject: Re: Anyone there? Camporee Ideas Needed
Date: Tue, 28 Nov 1995 13:53:59 -0500
From: "Norman J. MacLeod" <gaelwolf@SSNET.COM>
Doug -
I designed and managed a Camporee based on kite-flying as the primary activity - with a Highland Games secondary theme in case the wind didn't play.
In the event, the wind was just fine, and the Highland Games was a fantastic success.
There were no complaints from the Cubs or Scouts. One adult thought there was too much for the kids to do (he was complaining), and I replied that I had PLANNED that there would be too much going on for any Scout to do everything!
We rounded out Saturday with a "Posh Meal" a British competition where each Patrol is expected to put on the fanciest feast possible. Leaders from other Troops are individually invited by the Patrol as guests (and judges). The Patrols were warned of this event months in advance, and many went to great lengths to be in the competition at the top end (I still don't know if the Patrol with the good china and the gold-plated flatware had asked permission to take the hardware camping for the weekend...)
There were flowers in vases, cloth napkins in rings, tablecloths, printed menus, and multiple-course dinners in many campsites.
The campfire was fairly standard, but with a twist, since we wanted the Scouts to actually SING for real. We had a traditional folk group come to play live music for us. A sneaky technique that worked quite well. They stayed after the campfire programme to play some more - and about half the camp stayed to hear them!
We planned departure for early afternoon on Sunday, which gave plenty of time for a Scouts' Own that was run by the senior Scouts. This was followed by a Stratego wide game.
Perhaps some of these activities would fit what you are looking for?
Norman
Subject: Re: Anyone there? Camporee Ideas Needed
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 1995 12:34:24 -0500
From: John Pannell <PANNELLJ@DELPHI.COM>
Now that Doug Nunnally has embarrassed me by asking again about camporee ideas *g*, I thought I would suggest a kernel of an idea...
In 1993, my former council held their first council camporee (the council was formed in '92 by a merger) at the North Carolina Zoo. They are returning there again next April.
Part of the registration fee included a pass to the Zoo for the weekend.
Scouting events were held throughout. I believe camping space was provided elsewhere and NOT in the zoo proper. ....although I know a few kids that sure act like wild animals at times! *bg*
The leaders in my former area are resistant to this idea... but they are resistant to anything that sounds like a camporee, is planned by council and not in "The Mountains." They also didn't like the scheduling for this event: the weekend after Easter. In NC the "beach season" unofficially starts on Easter and many families go away that week since schools are closed.
Anyway... there's my 2 cents on camporee ideas!
YiS,
John Pannell
Unit Commissioner, Three Fires Council, IL
I used to be a buffalo... (SR-92, working ticket)
...but I will always be an Eagle (1981)
pannellj@delphi.com
In rec.scouting, ah799@ccn.cs.dal.ca (David Swan) wrote:
Hi
It is a little hard to get an idea of what you have done from your post, so here are a few ideas. The source for these ideas are Klondike jamborees that I have attended, and Pierre Burton's history of the Klondike goldrush.
1. You must have tried the costume routine [ best crazy prospector wins ]. Have you tried any vartiatins on that theme? One gent carried a Grand Piano over the pass into the Klondike, others took the makings for dancehalls, ...... there was all sorts of weird stuff imported into Dawson City. You could modify a costume competition on that basis.
2. One of the first rules for getting into the Klondike was to get One TON of supplies per person over the pass. Ever see a six person patrol decide how to move six TONS of supplies?
3. Panning for gold is easy and always fun. All you need is dirt, some pie plates as well as some gravel and coins in the dirt for folks to find.
4. Jury rigging snowshoes and dogsleds is something I have seen in the past as well.
5. Novelty cooking is usually interesting as well.
Prospectosr were famous for sourdough - have scouts make something * at the camp * using sourdough.
6. For more experienced scouts, living oout of snow shelters is quite a challange. I have lived out of an igloo for a weekend. This works only with experienced winter campers AND the right weather conditions.
Hope this helps - I'd love to know how it turns out.
YIS
David Swan "Mang"
2nd Eastern Passage Cub Pack,
Dartmouth South Region
Nova Scotia, Canada
ah799@cfn.cs.dal.ca
Subject: Another Expo Done
Date: Fri, 17 May 1996 10:37:49 -0500 S
From: "Todd N. Tingblad" tingbltn@UWEC.EDU
I've finally have gotten a chance to let you all know.
May 10-12, 1996 was the LaCroix District Scout Expo. Again this year, I was chair. It was a really good show. This time, we did not have the 1.5 inch of rain.
Our Scout expo is a complete district gathering of all Cub Scout Packs, Webelos Dens, Boy Scout Troops, and Explorer Posts. This is a Spring Camporee, Webelos Woods, and Cub day event all rolled up into one big event.
The event theme was -Skills To Rendezvous-.
For the Cub Scouts, the sub-theme was -Cub Scout Rendezvous of Ships-. Dens and packs build ships for the Ship Parade. Myself and the Facilities Management Event Chair pulled the Admiral (Cub Scout Event Chair) in here ship (wagon looking like a canoe) and the Cub Scouts, through the Boy Scout, Explorer, and Webelos sub-camps. Great fun with pack games and Rain gutter Regatta. Than all the Cubs had games and lunch. Smiles all over the place.
For the 4th Grade Webelos (soon to be 5th Garde Webelos), the was the -Webelos Encampment Rendezvous-. This was a Webelos Woods type event with a Boy Scout Troop run and demoing basic Scout Skills. As part of the Webelos Dens/Patrols requirement for a drawer of patrol equipment, their groups had to go visit three Boy Scout sites. The Webelos had their own campfire Saturday Night.
For the Boy Scouts and Explorers, the sub-theme was -Gateways To The Skills OF The Rendezvous-. Here, troops were to build a gateway into their site using only natural materials. At their sites, each troop put on a scout skill demo of their choice. We had some great demos and gateways. Had to put a stoppers on one gateway. It was a Monkey Bridge. Great idea, but they had Scouts crossing the bridge that was 9 feet in the air. The -Guild To Safe Scouting- states that a max height of 5 ft is allowed. Within the C.O.P.E. materials I read, anything higher than that, you need to have safety equipment. While the scouts were upset, the adults understood (thanks to training).
As a special feature, we had local Ham Radio Operators demos, a local Whitewater Canoeing group, local Rescue group and the county Forest Management folks on hand.
The highlight of the weekend came Saturday afternoon with first the Webelos Push Car Races. This was the first time we had done this at the district level. The Cub Scouts stayed and watch all the fun the older Webelos were having. I heard from a number of Cub Scout Leaders that their scouts can't wait to become Webelos so they can do it too.
After the Webelos races came the Boy Scout Chariot Races and even more fun. It was because the Webelos wanted to run chariots that we added the Push Cars. A great time was had in two divisions. Class A for only First Year Scouts and Class AA for all other Scouts. Both divisions were won by my old troop.
We had a great showing from all units in the district (70%). The only time we really had problems was when the scouts had open free time before supper and before the Campfire (something to work on for next year).
Now that Expo is over, it's time to move to my new position, Chair of the District Activities and Civic Service Committee. With that starting on May 21, I'm off to Philmont for more training. I'm looking forward to continuing the strong tradition of some of the best district events in Indianhead Council. Yes, it is the truth, other district's leaders come to LaCroix Events to get ideas and buy out patches, again, some of the best.
That was my weekend, time to breath again.
YiS,
Todd Tingblad -- tingbltn@uwec.edu
Subject: Camping in the shadow of the Staue of
Liberty
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 1996
From: "Jim Miller Jr." jmillerjr@LSFCU.ORG
Once again, Hudson Liberty Council will be hosting our biennial Caporall at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. This year the event will be held on June 7,8, and 9. The Camporall is an opportunity not only to camp in an unusual spot in the inner city, but for one with the most amazing view of the New York City skyline you can see out of your tent flap.
This year's Camporall will be based on an Olympic theme because the Olympic Torch will pass through Liberty State Park one week later on its way to Atlanta. Programs for Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers will be run and participation awards will be available to all. Individual, Patrol/Den/Crew, and Unit competitions will allow for a plethora of opportunities.
The Camporall is open to Cub Packs, Scout Troops, Explorer Posts, and Sea Explrorer Ships (docking will be available). Those wishing to extend their trip can arrange to visit Liberty Science Center, a hands-on science and technology museum located within the park, on Friday or Sunday. Point your Web browser at http://www.lsc.org/ to find out more. Also available is the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ferry service runs from the park to both regularly.
If your interested in attending, you can contact DE Gary Price at Hudson Liberty Council (201)659-2810 or email me (jmillerjr@lsfcu.org). Don't miss out on a rare opportunity like this.
|Jim Miller, Jr. jmillerjr@lsfcu.org
|http://www.njaccess.com/jim/ ENTP.cabal and 70.cabal|
Subject: Camporee Ideas
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996
From: Gregg Carlen Gcarlen@AOL.COM
Sara,
Some ideas that have worked well in our district are:
Hold the camporee at a historical site. We held our camporee at Ghettysburg battleground. The main event was a hike through the historical markers. We had two re-enactor groups (North & South) camping with us. They set up their campsite as a demonstration. The final event was a re-enactment done by 500 scouts (led by the re-enactors) of Picketts charge. An incredible site!
Team building was another camporee that went extremely well. Each station was run by the older boys of troops while the younger scouts were the participants. It was terrific for the patrols and kept the older scouts activiley involved.
Then there is the old standard, the merit badge camporee. It hasits usual pros and cons. I would tend to shy away from these. I feel it conflicts too much with the troop's merit badge program and summer camp.
Our next camporee is called SCOUTING CHALLENGE: AN INVITATION TO ADVENTURE. While not all activities have been planned as of yet, many will be team and skill building. This will support the older boys as well as the younger ones. In addition, troops are being encouraged to 'invite' a non-scout to the campout as a prospective member. The idea is to give the prospective member a positive experience on his first activity. There is A LOT more detail to it than what I descibed, but thats where the membership committee comes in.
BTW, don't forget to employ your district commissioner staff to support your camporee efforts.
-Gregg Carlen
Subject: Re: Canada Scout Jamboree
Date: Fri, 7 Jun 1996
From: "Turba, Thomas N RV" tnt1@PO11.RV.UNISYS.COM
>Just read a letter from an Idaho Scouter that can't affort
to send his son to
>US Nat'l Jamboree on JAMBO'97. A suggestion was made to look
into the Canada Scout Jamboree.
>What's the story from our freinds up north? How do you choose
sites and when
>are yours scheduled? What are your rules for the foreigners
to your south and west attending?
The Web page for the 1997 Canadian National Jamboree, CJ'97, is at
http://www.scouts.ca/cj.htm
The Jamboree will be held at Thunder Bay, Ontario on July 12-20, 1997. Program cost is $380 (Canadian) per participant if paid before Dec. 31, 1996. (A rough estimate on cost in U.S. dollars is to take 3/4, which is about $285.)
Food is separate, bought from a commissary and prepared in your campsite.
Registration is by patrols of 8 or 9 youth and two adults. Patrols can be made up of youth 11 to 16, or 14 to 18. There are two program tracks, one for younger and one for older youth. Each patrol has to be in one track or the other. There are over 100 activities listed in the program book. It looks like it will be a very interesting and fun time for everyone that attends.
U.S. Boy Scout groups that want to attend must submit a Universal Patrol Reservation Form to National. (This needs to be signed by your Council Executive.) Upon receipt of your signed form, National will send you the registration forms, program book, ... , and an official letter from BSA that you will need to register.
I plan on bringing about 20 patrols (over 200 people) from the Indianhead Council, which I have already received the materials for. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. About 12,000 people are expected to attend this event.
T. N. T.
Thomas N. Turba
International Representative Indianhead Council, BSA
St. Paul, Minnesota U.S.A.
E-mail: tnt1@po11.rv.unisys.com (primary) -or-
E-mail: turba@rsvl.unisys.com (secondary)
Subject: Re: W.O.W or Webelos Woods
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996
From: Merl Whitebook MAWLAW@AOL.COM
Help, I did it again. I just can't follow the advise of President and Mrs. Bush, who told us to "Just Say NO!"
So here it is. I am the Chairperson for "Webelos Outdoor Weekend" or as some call it "Webelos Woods". I have listened and heard two major complaints. Not enough to entertain the Scouts (not webelos) and not enough to draw the Leaders.
Here is what We have planned so far:
Activities for all participants: 1. Orienteering course, prizes for Webelos, Scouts and Leaders 2. Zip Line and Obstacle Course 3. Fireman Chip & Firebuilding contest prizes for Webelos and Scouts 4. BB gun range and shoot off, prizes for Webelos and Scouts 5. Archery - Deer Hunt and Animal tracking 6. Chile Cookoff contest Prizes for webelos, Scouts and Leaders 7. Initiative Training prizes for Webelos, Scouts and Leaders
Activities for Webelos 1. Whittling Chip 2. Knot Tying and Lashings 3. Cooking: Pancake Flip, Biscuit on a stick, Donuts and Foil dinners 4. First Aid Activities for Scouts: 1. Canoe Safety Instruction and race 2. C.P.R. certification 3. Fingerprinting Merit Badge Scout Spirit: For the best campsite ect. Prize to Troop Activities for Leaders 1. C.P.R. Certification
In addition there will be a DARE presentation, fingerprinting and a Drug Dog demonstration; a great campfire program and a chapel program.
I need your help. The Webelos program is doing well, (I think) but I could especially use ideas for the Scout activities and the Adult Leader program.
Looking for particulars as well as general comments and thoughts.
Thanks in advance. Yours in Scouting.
Merl Whitebook
Eagle District Activities Chairman
Indian Nations Council
Tulsa, Oklahoma
February 22, 2004