Sometimes in Scouting tradition and long practice usurp the way things ought to be. We tend to accept things unquestioningly as they are given to us. I am reminded of the story of the fellow who always cut the ends off a ham before he put it in the oven. When someone asked him why he did this he replied that his mother had always baked ham this way. When he next saw his mother he asked her why she cut the ends off of the ham before she put it in the oven. She told him that she had to cut the end off the ham because her oven was too small. We really ought to know why we are doing what we are doing. Question every policy, procedure and practice – if the answer is ‘we’ve always done things that way’ you may be cutting the ends off the ham. (From the Scoutmaster)

FRIDAY 11th, 2011

These two items are a must do for next year and all camp outs.

Troops/Patrols arrived: did not Register. Be Registered ahead of time.

Medical forms for adults and Scouts were not available to tour leaders. Health forms should be ready and given to the Tour leader the Monday prior to the camp out.

SATURDAY

0630: Reveille first call, Campsites,
Breakfast, clean up

0800: Opening Ceremony George Goodrich Field

0830: Meet and hand out rotations, patrol leaders assign duties.

0900 Lash together a wagon and prepare to race it. Comment: this worked well, Scouts thoroughly enjoyed.

1000: Search and Rescue, Ravine & woods. Comment: This went well. Scouts and adults enjoyed. Emerg prep mb.

1130: Search & Rescue complete (if time set up emergency landing strip. Would have worked better if Helo landed.

11:30 open if not used in SAR.

1200: Lunch & clean up

COMPETITION RESUMES

1:00: Iron Man Race. 4 legs (Bike, Hike, pumpkin Run, Portage.)Comment: went over well. Should have stuck with the longer relay legs.

2:00: Archery each scout shot 3 arrows points added to overall score.

Comment: Archery was enjoyed by the Scouts. The point system needs to be fine tuned. 3:00: FREE - MINIT-TO-WIN-IT. FOOT GOLF. Kick the ball in the can. Comment: All the minit-to-win-its went well. Scouts had fun with them.

4:00: IRON CHEF DINNER FOOD BOX. Comment: Scouts did not cook over fire but used propane gas rings. Not sure why, other than we did not make cooking on the wood/charcoal fire

4:30: dinner should be underway.

6:00: DINNER graded. Campsite clean up. Comment: we kept the grading system from the previous year with some small changes but we need to look at a better way to grade overall.

7:00: Service/Campfire

8:00: Movie in Barn. Scouts and some adults enjoyed

10:00: Cracker Barrel

11:00: Taps Lights out

SUNDAY

06:30: Reveille Breakfast

07:30: Campsite clean up

08:30: Awards and Closing Flag Ceremony.

Campsite must be checked off by Camp Director before you leave. Some folks left early without checking out properly. Each troop is asked to takeaway trash.

Beginning in January scouts should begin working the 8 core scout skills - one a month. Cooking over an open fire needs to be a priority. Working as a patrol needs to be improved. Caveat for the future: This was a Competition and should have been worked on that basis. There were problems that were not anticipated, Scouts who had committed to attend did not and that created its own situations. Working together to resolve the problems through the tour leaders, camp director, and Senior Scouts would have made the event better. Individuals attempting to change things without addressing problems to the leaders can lead to misunderstandings and resentments. Agreed we need a "plan B" for future events.

One last Thorn: Debriefing meeting was held that did not include the senior Patrol leader and his assistant. Going forward they should be included in the planning and execution of all camp outs but absolutely with the Competition Camp out.