Can parents and family members come along on troop campouts?

What do adults do on Scout campouts?

Baden-Powell taught the lessons of leadership to boys in a giant laboratory called The Outdoors. It's no surprise, then, that camping is the heart of Boy Scouting, so please take a few minutes to understand Boy Scout camping. Boy Scouting is absolutely different from Cub Scouting or Webelos! And while parents (and sometimes whole families) often accompany the Scouts on campouts, the Scouts camp with their patrols and not with their parents and family members!

Boy Scout camping activities center on the patrol, where boys learn teamwork, leadership, and most camping skills. It is important that adults not be in the middle of patrol activities such as site selection, tent pitching, meal preparation, and anything else where boys get to practice decision-making.

A key difference between Boy Scouting and Cub Scouting/Webelos is leadership. Look for the word “leader” in a job title, and you will begin to appreciate the difference. The responsible person for a Cub/Webelos den is the adult Den Leader. The responsible person for a Boy Scout patrol is the boy Patrol Leader.

This isn't token leadership (like a denner). A Patrol Leader has real authority and genuine responsibilities. Much of the success, safety, and happiness of six to ten other boys depends directly on him.

Boy Scouting teaches leadership. And boys learn leadership by practicing it, not by watching adults lead.

So what do we adults do, now that we've surrendered so much direct authority to boys? Here are our troop's guidelines on the indirect, advisory role you now enjoy (no kidding, you should enjoy watching your son take progressively more mature and significant responsibilities as he zooms toward adulthood).

The underlying principle is: Never do anything for a boy that he can do himself. We allow boys to grow by practicing leadership and by learning from their mistakes. And while Scout skills are an important part of the program, what ultimately matters when our Scouts become adults is not whether they can use a map & compass, but whether they can offer leadership to others in tough situations, and can live by a code that centers on honest, honorable, and ethical behavior.

Boys need to learn to make decisions without adult intervention (except when it's a matter of immediate safety). Boys are in a patrol so they can learn leadership and teamwork without adult interference.

Being an adult advisor is a difficult role, especially when we are advising kids (even worse, our own sons). Frequently (usually two to three times a year), the Boy Scouts of America offers special training on how to do this, which we expect our uniformed adults to take. And any adult is welcome-and encouraged-to take the training (see the Scoutmaster; dates are in the annual calendar).

After a parent goes on a couple campouts, he or she is invited to become a member of our “Moose” (adult) patrol. This patrol has several purposes-good food and camaraderie (of course), but more important is providing an example the boy patrols can follow without our telling them what to do (we teach by example). Since a patrol should camp as a group, we expect the “Moose” to do so also; that way, adults don't tent in or right next to a boy patrol where your mere presence could disrupt the learning process. We practice the same camp etiquette we expect of the boys; for example, we don't just wander in to a patrol campsite but ask for permission to enter, just as the boys are expected to do when entering other patrols' (or the adults') sites.

Troop 407 adults tent separately from the Scouts (even dads & sons). We also either cook and eat separately, or are invited by the patrols to join them for meals. We are safely nearby, but not smotheringly close. Sure, go ahead and visit the patrol sites (not just your son's), talk to your son (and the other Scouts), ask what's going on or how things are going. But give the guys room to grow while you enjoy the view. Show a Scout how to do something, but don't do it for him. Avoid the temptation to give advice, and don't jump in just to prevent a mistake from happening (unless it's serious). We all learn best from our mistakes. And let the boys lead. If you see something that needs doing, like dirty dishes on a table or a fallen clothesline, don't do it yourself, and don't just tell the boys to do it either. Mention it to the Scoutmaster, and if it's important enough, he'll bring it up with the Senior Patrol Leader, who will decide how to handle it.

Your job is tough, challenging, and ultimately rewarding, because your son will be a man the day after tomorrow.

Does my son get Scout credit for nights spent camping with his family?

No - Credit for nights of camping for Scout advancement, merit badges or Order of the Arrow eligibility must be earned during Scouting campouts only (troop campouts, Camporees and BSA summer camp).

What personal gear should I bring to a campout?

Does my son need to have his own tent or cooking equipment?

No, the Troop provides tents and cooking equipment for all camping and backpacking events. Each Scout will provide personal eating utensils.

Are there any other policies or rules that are observed on campouts?

Yes - a few things:

What is High Adventure? Does the troop participate?

What are the age and rank requirements for backpacking treks and high adventure?

For Troop-conducted backpacking treks, there is no minimum age, but scouts should be old enough and strong enough to be able to backpack all their gear (approximately 30 pounds) and hike the distances involved. They should also possess adequate scout skills, which means having attained First Class rank or nearly so. The Scoutmaster or High Adventure Coordinator can give you more details.

Other high-adventure sponsors have their own age and rank requirements, so it's best to understand these requirements before signing up.