Camps

A patrol camp (whether just a camp, First Class or a Springbok camp,  is an excellent opportunity to begin to understand the planning that is necessary for a scout activity of this sort. For the first time you will be the person in charge of a patrol in an activity away from the hall (with no adults around) and where certain targets have to be achieved. Patrol camps are important activities, not only so that you can pass the requirement but in building patrol spirit, doing advancement, learning skills and in preparing for competitions such as Gordon Shield.

Booking the campsite

It is important to book the campsite ahead of time. Don’t wait to the last minute because campsites are under a lot of pressure. To get members on your camp you need to harass them extensively and often you only get commitment a week or so before. It is too late then to book a campsite.

Campsite options are:

• Hawequas;
• Glencairn
• Appleton.

These are merely suggestions. You are encouraged to camp in other places.

Getting Commitment

Your First Class Camp requires extensive planning so start early. Dates for patrol camps are allocated at the beginning of each year and there are always two dates allocated during the year. If the next date is not suitable for you please discuss alternate dates with the scouter.

The biggest issue is getting scouts to attend. You need at least 3 scouts plus yourself as the PL or organiser of the camp but more is preferable. Don’t just send an email and wait to see – you are assured not to get a response! Send an email (using the troop system) then speak to all the scouts at the next meeting. Send another email and then talk to all the scouts at the next meeting  or phone them. It takes at least 2 weeks to get a commitment so start early. You should have all your numbers finalised at least 1 week before the camp starts.

It is essential that you look at prior planning in order to see the standard you need to achieve. We usually keep only a few good recent examples on the Drive so check there and make sure your planning reaches or exceeds this standard.

Remember that your First Class camp is an essential part of the troops training program. We rely on you to achieve a high standard on your camp. This means considerable detail in your planning. The better you plan, the better your camp will go. The troop has certain additional requirements to take heed of for your planning:

1. We do not allow braais as part of your cooking. You must do something more demanding than merely braaing meat. We prefer Dutch Oven cooking or at least a pot cooked meal.
2. We require better gadgets than a pole-in-the-ground flagpole and a tripod washbasin. Examples of the level of gadgets required are in the Drive folder. The minimum required by the troop is two gadgets of Gordons Shield standard (the examiner may require more gadgets). The gadgets you must select two of are:
   1. Table;
   2. Dresser;
   3. Gateway;
   4. Flagpole.

Designs are located in the Google Drive under the Camp folder.

1. Advancement is usually a key part of a patrol camp. A scout doing his First Class camp is authorised by the troop to pass Pathfinder scouts on advancement. In so doing, you must adhere to the principle of quality over quantity. You may not train a scout and then agree they have passed something. If you train them, then they need to wait a bit (a few hours at least, preferably overnight) before showing that they actually can do what they have been trained on.
2. Discoverer scouts have several activities they can do on camp These are:
   1. They must help you plan. This can be simple (like they can sort out the First Aid kit) or more complex (like sorting out equipment or food). You have to gauge what they are competent to do. You remain responsible – if they forget something, you are responsible and cannot claim you delegated and they did not do! (Living Outdoors);
   2. They should help on the camp by being given specific responsibility for the training of younger scouts (something like six basic knots or another Traveller level activity. Make sure the Discoverer scout knows the content they are training on and explain about quality over quantity (Living Outdoors);
   3. They must assess the potential hazards in and around the campsite and discuss them with you. Then they must assist (note – assist) in rectifying these hazards. This is a great way to explain to scouts the dangers in campsites (e.g. is the axe masked?) and minimise the risk the accidents.
3. If you are planning on passing things yourself you should check with the scouter if they need to be present. As a First Class scout we believe you will be honest about what you did and did not do. Scout Law No.1 “A Scout’s honour is to be trusted” applies.
4. You have to help plan a Scouts Own for your First Class. We are more than happy if you run a simple Scouts Own on your camp. You should include maximum one page but preferably shorter plan for this in your planning document. Please refer to the Scouts Own section in this document. You could also either help a Springbok scout (who has to run a Scouts Own) to plan theirs (and they should help you plan yours) or talk to the Scouter.
5. If you are planning on running a wide game as part of your advancement, you must include detailed planning in your planning document including equipment needed, what the game will entail and how long it will run. You must produce a sketch map of the area after the camp which must be submitted to the scouter (and can form part of your report). This will count for your advancement.
6. You should plan your advancement in detail. This means checking the advancement chart and working out who needs to do what and how you will train or pass them off. You have several people competing for your attention – be realistic about what you can handle. Remember that we prefer quality over quantity so please ensure that scouts know their stuff. Don’t be afraid to get them to repeat something they don’t really know at a later date