How to Survive Scout Camp - The Ultimate Guide for Scout Leaders

[@adam3rdcanvey]

Great video.. We are greenfield camping in Suffolk this year with 30 Scouts and Explorers. Cooking, keeping camp tidy and washing up takes up most of the day! We have learned that having fun and relaxing is the best part. Mad wide games and whittling sticks and just laying in the shade for a couple of hours is great. Ensure each leader is clear on their role at camp and the Scouts know who to ask for things. Quartermaster/ first aider etc... We love proper Scouting. Cooking on fires and sleeping in bivouacs with a hand pumped shower tent. Eat drink and be merry. Getting the Scouts to work as a team to achieve one goal is always satisfying. Have prizes for the Scouts. Most improved/ Funniest/ Scoutiest are all good. Take pride in your camp and camping and ensure the Scouts do to. Structure is important but if it is not working, change it! :)

[@bigmaninthewoods]

That’s for the amazing advice and tips Adam 👍🏻👍🏻

[@adam3rdcanvey]

@@bigmaninthewoods No problem. People think I'm mad giving up a weeks holiday to go to a field but I love it 😂😂

[@bigmaninthewoods]

Hahahaha

[@smilingmrj2019]

Just survived first beaver/cub theme camp as part of the wider section team this weekend; was fantastic! Organisers and rest of the team eased me into their well oiled machine, all chipping in little nuggets like these. We had a good time as a team and the kids could tell, feeding off our energy/vibe but, yeah, definately felt like herding kittens at points. 😉

[@bigmaninthewoods]

What was the theme of the camp?

[@smilingmrj2019]

@@bigmaninthewoods Robin Hood this year. Team have seven or so on rotation so no YP should do the same twice. Had leaders in costume at points, 'Nottingham' signage set up for site areas and tent names, and 'house' teams like Yeomen and Merry Men collecting taxes/points for the Sheriff. Feeling it all today back in the real world though 😄

[@bigmaninthewoods]

@@smilingmrj2019 awesome! Yer going back to work day after camp is always a downer for me

[@peterwilliams1095]

Thanks for this. Unfortunately, I can't actually remember my 1st camp, as it was about 34 years ago. That said, I have enjoyed virtually every single camp that we have ever done. Having fun is the biggest thing (still for me, at 63, and getting ready for our 1st post - Covid summer camp). Anyway, back this 100 per cent. As the Camp Leader, it's also my job to make sure that all the team has fun, has time to do r + r, and EAT!

[@bigmaninthewoods]

34yrs and still having fun 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@grainneocarroll6427]

Organise everything on arrival (or the next morning) in HQ and your own tent. So you know where the 1st aid kit is, emergency games pack for when it rains, the Leaders’ teddy when a homesick Cub needs to feel better (and might borrow it) etc….are all found to grab when you need them. A good sleep set up…proper ground insulation, thermals to stay warm, socks just for sleeping (and woolly hat), and I’ve corrupted other Leaders to bringing hot water bottles to fill from final heating of burco. If I get woken up in the night, I want to get back asleep fast (and it’s always me they wake as the only mammy!). Lots of tea. Plenty to drink generally but lots of tea. (And 1 pot of morning coffee). Chop up the fruit. A bowl of apples is ignored, but a bowl of chunks of apple ready to eat disappears when they get back from an activity. We also have enough cups for 2 rounds so can do jugs of squash after activity but not need to wash up between lunch and dinner (or worse, after bedtime hot chocolate before breakfast juice!). Enjoy the chat of the young people. And get stuck into their games. Show them adulting is fun too! Keep a change of clothes (from the skin out), somewhere easy to get at for the return journey….guess how many times we have struck camp in the rain, coat has failed, and I’ve had to drive home in soaking gear? So now I have a pouch under my passenger seat that I hope not to use but have been thankful for on at least 3 more times. Sharing the burden and all leaders getting some time out is huge though!

[@grainneocarroll6427]

The HWB only appears once all Cubs have gone to bed…I’m not letting them know my luxurious sleeping arrangement!

[@cliffwardguitar]

Great video! What is that camp bed you showed?

[@bigmaninthewoods]

Decathlon The best camping bed ever!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5-wkoNqad1-l8k

[@ducksarecooi]

I had my first camp recently. Very good. Also may I point out you spelt "surviving" wrong in . the title.

[@bigmaninthewoods]

Ah well spotted

[@GraysOutdoors]

Don’t forget the ear plugs. All else is a luxury 😁😁

[@bigmaninthewoods]

Hahaha the ear plugs lol is that an essential or a luxury item?

[@GraysOutdoors]

@@bigmaninthewoods for me a necessity 😂

[@ianmajor6625]

Go with the flow, if the youth make a (good) suggestion be willing to explore it. Get a good sleep, a cuppa, and if with Troop - learn the phrase "ask your patrol leader" ;]

[@bigmaninthewoods]

Super advice there Ian 👍🏻👍🏻 in particular go with the flow and have a cuppa tea!

[@stephencurwood9469]

Don’t have back to back activities. Allow time to breathe

[@bigmaninthewoods]

I made that mistake on my 1st few camps, thinking I needed to either book or run activities every single hr of the waking day