From Mike Patrie

From Mike Patrie: Camp Planning Notes

Hi Everyone,

Just a few short days before we are off to camp. Here are a few last minute details you will need.

We are meeting on Sunday July 12th at the Commuter Parking Lot next to the John Harvard's Restaurant at 11:30am. Please be prompt as there are a few things we need to cover before we head to camp. Check in begins at 1pm and since we are such a big group, it takes time to get through everything, so I would like to make sure we are at camp for 1pm or earlier.

Please dress in your orange class B shirts and your swimming suits. Also have a towel easily accessible as you will need it for your swim test. Please make sure you have had your lunch or bring it with you. Since we are only 1/2 hour away, there should not be any reason to make a meal stop, plus there really will be no time.

If you are bringing meds to camp, please make sure that the medication is in the original container, and bring only enough for the week. All medication needs to be checked in with me on Sunday.

If anyone who has either not purchased a troop photo ($10/photo) or has not yet purchased meal tickets for the Friday bar-b-que ($8/adult, $5/child), there is still time to do so. Please let me know by Friday (7/10) the latest and bring your check made payable to Troop 880 with you on Sunday.

As of this moment, we are a little short on the carpool coming home on the 18th. I need a few more volunteers to help with the transport on the 18th. We are looking OK for Sunday, but a few back-ups would be helpful just in case. Please if you have not yet volunteered to help with the carpool either way especially on the 18th, please consider. Let me know ASAP, please. I know you are all happy to be sending your scouts to camp for a week, but I am sure you would like them back. I know by the end of the week, we want you to take them back. :>)

I think that is it for now. Please let me know if you have any questions. My home # is 644-6599 or cell phone 550-5332. Thanks for all your help and see you all on Sunday.

Mike Patrie

From our Scoutmaster: Summer Camp Notes

Leaving for and Arriving at Summer Camp

Please make note of these important items:

1)    Again…As Mike Patrie requested…On Sunday (7/12) we meet, as a troop, at 11:30am at the Commuter Lot behind John Harvard’s Restaurant.

2)    We will leave from that lot together (as a troop).

3)    Any scouts/parents not leaving with us MUST make sure that Mike Patrie has recorded this and is aware of your arrival plans.

4)    To make sure that all scouts are positioned properly within the camp, no Scout will be allowed into any tent until the entire troop has arrived and I have approved their placement and selection of their tent. We have specific tent areas for all scouting ages.

5)    Scouts should not move any mattresses upon their arrival.

6)    All parents should park in the main lot. ONLY the 8 uniformed leaders staying with the troop all week will be allowed to drive into the site to unload. We will be transporting all equipment by truck or our troop box so there is no need to carry equipment .3 miles to the campsite.

7)    Please be patient as there are 18 other troops arriving at the same time.

8)    Your 11:30am arrival at John Harvard’s will allow us to be in good position for check-in. Please be on time!

Other notes: Just to make sure…

Each scout must wear a bathing suit to camp since the swim test comes right after the medical check-in.

Each scout MUST have a full scout uniform (2 pairs of pants are recommended).

Other things you really should bring:

A camp chair with your name on it.
Your Scout Handbook
A rain jacket
Hiking boots
Some spending money
Review the items on the summer camp list and bring them! They are on the list for a reason.

Click here for the Summer Camp Check list

Some days have themes:

Sunday: Start making the Troop 880 Gateway! This will be a full week’s project.

Monday: Bad Tie Day (bring an ugly tie)

Tuesday: Dream Kitchen Day (Iron Chef). Dress like a cook

Thursday: Litter day. Carry your Scoutmaster to the flag ceremony on a litter (Sedan Chair) that you lash together. I would appreciate a solid effort here! You will need to carry me in on this. You will all have to carry me in.

Our Troop Activities:

We have selected a number of fun afternoon activities. Older scouts will have more challenging activities that will really test their abilities. We have also scheduled full troop activities (Water Polo, War Canoe Race, Edible Plants…). I have challenged Troop 186 of South Windsor to a test of skills to be determined by the SPLs of both troops.