Troop 105 Campout Basics
The items below are things you are expect to learn and
practice in order for camp to run smoothly.
CAMP SETUP - Every campsite will be a little different, but a few things will almost always happen, such as:
TENT SETUP - This will usually be one of the very first things to happen. Scout leaders will figure out the camp layout. Then your job is to find a tent buddy and go to the quartermaster to get your supplies (a tent, blue tarp, grey tarp, and a moving blanket). When setting up your tent, the grey tarp goes on the ground. Then the tent goes on top of the grey tarp. Next, the blue tarp is placed on the floor of the tent. Finally, the moving blanket will be on top of the blue tarp. Your gear does not go in the tent until the entire camp is set up and done. Also, all the tents need to be straight and in order, lined up looking crisp, and clean. A sign should be posted in between each tent stating, “No flames in tents.” Also, a full water bucket should be next to each tent in case of fire emergency.
DO NOT spray anything (deodorant, bug repellant, sunscreen, etc.) in or near tent, EVER!
Unzip the tent door ALL THE WAY when entering and exiting.
Keep the tent door closed at all times unless you want to become a mosquito buffet overnight! 😉
No food in tents (snacks go in the trailer).
Keep your tent orderly, there WILL be tent inspections.
FIRE PIT - It will need to be placed in a central location, but not too close to the tents, your SPL, ASPL, or adult leader will tell you where to place it. Do not move the fire pit without instruction.
Do not put items in the fire that don't belong.
Never remove anything from the fire once it is placed in the pit.
DINING FLY - The dining fly will be where we eat, so the area should be kept clean. To assemble the dining fly, scouts will need to grab poles, joints, feet, bungee cords, water buckets (with water), and the canvas fly. The joints and poles will be attached to form the upper frame and then the fly will be stretched out over it. Bungee’s will be run through the grommets in the fly and strapped onto the frame so the fly is on tight. Then the leg poles will be inserted in the bottoms of the joints. As the fly is raised, feet are attached to the bottom of the leg poles. Finally, water buckets are bunged to the frame so it doesn’t blow away. After this, tables will be brought out of the trailer and set out under the fly. Propane stoves will be set slightly out from under the fly. The last thing that needs to be done is the patrol boxes will be pulled out and set on the tables.
AXE YARD- The axe yard must be set up by adults or scouts possessing the Paul Bunion, you might be asked to help carry caution tape or axe wood, but the tools will be handled by those authorized to do so. The axe yard will contain two axes, loppers, a bowsaw, wood, and a box containing safety glasses, gloves, files, and clothes pins. The caution tape will be placed around the perimeter of the yard, usually hanging on large plastic stakes and trees.
LIGHTS OUT - Each camp will have a different time for lights out; however, you will be told the lights out time by the first day (it’s usually between 9:00 - 10:30pm). Lights out means by that time you are in your tent, all electronics are off and you are silent. It does not mean you start getting ready for bed at that time. Lights out is your deadline to be in bed. The only reason to leave the tent after the deadline to use the restroom or an emergency, such as fire, an animal in your tent, or if you have special medical needs.
START OF DAY - If you wake before Reveille, the morning bugle call (or before camp wake-up time), please be kind to other visitors. Stay as quiet as you can as to not disturb those that require more rest.
LEAVE NO TRACE - As scouts we pledge “to be clean in our outdoor manners, careful with fire, considerate of the outdoors, and conservation minded.” If you see trash, pick it up. If you make trash, throw it away. At the end of each camp we will perform a FOD walk. This means we will line up and stretch out our arms so our fingertips touch each other’s. Then at the sound of the leader, we will slowly walk forward as a line, looking straight down, and pick-up any and all trash on the ground. Scouts at Troop 105 are expected to Leave No Trace at the campsites we use. We will not depart camp until it is clean. This task goes much faster if 1) scouts clean up after themselves throughout the week and 2) we all work together on the FOD (Foreign Object Debris) walk.
CYBER CHIP - Cyber Chip allows you to have a phone at scout activities. This is for contacting parents or other scouts in an emergency, or to use as the many other tools on modern phones.
Using a phone for video games or entertainment is not allowed at campouts. Part of the reason scouts camp is to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors.
If you are caught playing video games or watching videos, your device will be taken away. It is your responsibility to approach the adult leader and respectfully ask if you can have the device returned to you.
If electronics are ongoing problem, you may lose the privilege of carrying one at events.
Cyber Chip must be renewed yearly. This will be submitted through Google Classroom using your @troop105mbtx account.
RESPECT - We hear this word a lot. The word respect is like the word love because we use it so much, in so many ways, that it loses its sincerity and original meaning. When we say respect at Troop 105 we mean that you use manners.
When spoken to by an adult you should respond with “Sir” & “ma’am.”
It is not acceptable to argue, defy, or refuse to obey leaders, unless the task goes against the law, the scout law, or your religious beliefs.
This organization is kind of like a form of government. Scouts will be a subordinate before they are in charge of other subordinates. You must first learn to obey orders before you can learn to give good orders and lead others. Scouts who struggle showing respect are not qualified for leadership positions within the Troop.
Respect does not only extend to those with authority. The scouts around you are your brothers and sisters. Practice selflessness and givethem their due respect as your equal.
Pro-Tip – Mr. Rufus will not respond to a scout who addresses him without manners/respect. He is not ignoring you; he is waiting for you to show respect.
WORK ETHIC - You will work. You will work a lot.
You will be expected to work until there is no longer work to be done.
Procrastination will not fly. Do everything to the best of your ability and as soon as you can.
Help others with their tasks if yours are done. We function as a unit, not as individuals. This includes the trailer loading and unloading (before and after campouts)
Understand that the only way to be able to overcome hard things is to have been through hard things. Scouting intends to challenge your body and mind. A scout that will not work is not prepared for high adventure and is not qualified for the Order of the Arrow.
KP DUTY - Kitchen Patrol Duty is cleaning the kitchen and dining hall after a meal. You will be assigned KP duty, it is inevitable, like Thanos. KP includes:
Wipe down tables
Clean dishes
Sweep floor (if dining indoors)
Wipe down toilets & mirrors in bathrooms (unless porta potties are being used at this camp)
Take out trash if full.
Ask Kitchen Staff and/or Patrol Leader if you are released before leaving
Unofficial, But VERY Necessary Component of the Uniform:
Bring a reusable water bottle, filled, with your name on it, to ALL scouting events (even Monday night meetings)!
NO PEANUT PRODUCTS ARE
ALLOWED AT TROOP 105 EVENTS!
