Pre-Camp Preparation |
Camping is a pastime enjoyed all over the world in all walks of life, and has been a mainstay of Girl
Scouts ever since they were first founded early in the 20th century. Many girls get their first taste
of the "Great Outdoors" with Girl Scouts, and develop a love of adventure which will stay with them
throughout their lives.
The idea of taking 10, 15, or even 20 kids camping can be a little daunting. But it doesn't have to be.
Planning is probably the most essential ingredient for a successful camp. If you plan everything down to
the last detail well in advance, you will be able to relax and enjoy your camp without having to worry
about what to do next.
Here is a list of some ideas to help in planning your next campout.
1. Do your preliminary planning, be sure to give yourself enough time to complete the planning.
List your objectives, what to you want the scouts to learn on this campout?
Research and gather resources.
Make a list of who is in charge of what.
Make a budget, include the campsite fee, food, supplies, crafts, etc. Will the troop cover the
entire fee or will each scout have to pay a portion?
Set a deadline and procedure for registering.
2. Recruit Help! Parents are a great help in this area.
You've decided on your objectives, now who is going to teach what?
Can you recruit older scouts as aides?
Do you have a nurse or certified First Aider in your group?
Who will be in charge of the kitchen?
Who is in charge of gathering equipment?
3. Make your lodging arrangements.
Will you be sleeping at a lodge setting or will you need tents?
If you will be in lodging make reservations ahead of time.
What is the payment, cancellation, and refund policy?
Confirm you reservation.
If you will need tents, how many and who will get them?
Make 2 sleep sheets, one for the troop and one for the facility. This sheet will show how
many people are in your group and where they are in case of an emergency.
4. Meals and snacks.
Plan your menu.
Who will order or pick up the food?
Who will cook the meals. Try to let the girls get involved in the planning and cooking and
have the leaders/adult helpers oversee it.
What times will the meals and snacks be?
5. Decide on a program.
When will your campout take place?
Where will your campout be?
How many girls will be attending? Remember, you must maintain the ratio of girls/adults.
What activities will the troop participate in? (for example; compass reading, learning to
build a fire, crafts, storytelling, etc. It is better to have to much planned than not enough,
you can always knock some stuff off the list while you are there but you don't want a large
group of bored kids!)
Once you've decided on what you will do put together a schedule of times for each activity.
6. Consult your Safety Wise book.
What are the program standards?
Review the emergency procedures and have a written plan. What will you do if someone
gets hurt? or has an allergic reaction? What if the weather turns nasty? or there is a
fire at the facility? What if there is a flat tire or accident on the way?
What is the leader to girl ratio?
Review the First Aid procedures and have a certified First Aider or nurse on hand.
How will you transport the girls to and from the site?
7. Arrange transportation.
Assign parents/leaders to a car pool.
Make sure all drivers are aware of the proper procedures for transporting.
Make sure the drivers know the destination and route.
8. Get your forms ready.
Attendance record, include the adults who are attending on your sheet so you have an
accurate count of how many people are in your group.
Permission slip signed by a parent or legal guardian, even if they are attending the event
with their child.
Health card for each participant, including the adults. This form should list medications,
allergies, doctor/hospital info and emergency contacts.
9. Plan a parent meeting
Plan a parent meeting far enough ahead of the event so that the parents also have time to
plan also. For ideas on a parent meeting see At The Parent Meeting.
Scouts ever since they were first founded early in the 20th century. Many girls get their first taste
of the "Great Outdoors" with Girl Scouts, and develop a love of adventure which will stay with them
throughout their lives.
The idea of taking 10, 15, or even 20 kids camping can be a little daunting. But it doesn't have to be.
Planning is probably the most essential ingredient for a successful camp. If you plan everything down to
the last detail well in advance, you will be able to relax and enjoy your camp without having to worry
about what to do next.
Here is a list of some ideas to help in planning your next campout.
1. Do your preliminary planning, be sure to give yourself enough time to complete the planning.
List your objectives, what to you want the scouts to learn on this campout?
Research and gather resources.
Make a list of who is in charge of what.
Make a budget, include the campsite fee, food, supplies, crafts, etc. Will the troop cover the
entire fee or will each scout have to pay a portion?
Set a deadline and procedure for registering.
2. Recruit Help! Parents are a great help in this area.
You've decided on your objectives, now who is going to teach what?
Can you recruit older scouts as aides?
Do you have a nurse or certified First Aider in your group?
Who will be in charge of the kitchen?
Who is in charge of gathering equipment?
3. Make your lodging arrangements.
Will you be sleeping at a lodge setting or will you need tents?
If you will be in lodging make reservations ahead of time.
What is the payment, cancellation, and refund policy?
Confirm you reservation.
If you will need tents, how many and who will get them?
Make 2 sleep sheets, one for the troop and one for the facility. This sheet will show how
many people are in your group and where they are in case of an emergency.
4. Meals and snacks.
Plan your menu.
Who will order or pick up the food?
Who will cook the meals. Try to let the girls get involved in the planning and cooking and
have the leaders/adult helpers oversee it.
What times will the meals and snacks be?
5. Decide on a program.
When will your campout take place?
Where will your campout be?
How many girls will be attending? Remember, you must maintain the ratio of girls/adults.
What activities will the troop participate in? (for example; compass reading, learning to
build a fire, crafts, storytelling, etc. It is better to have to much planned than not enough,
you can always knock some stuff off the list while you are there but you don't want a large
group of bored kids!)
Once you've decided on what you will do put together a schedule of times for each activity.
6. Consult your Safety Wise book.
What are the program standards?
Review the emergency procedures and have a written plan. What will you do if someone
gets hurt? or has an allergic reaction? What if the weather turns nasty? or there is a
fire at the facility? What if there is a flat tire or accident on the way?
What is the leader to girl ratio?
Review the First Aid procedures and have a certified First Aider or nurse on hand.
How will you transport the girls to and from the site?
7. Arrange transportation.
Assign parents/leaders to a car pool.
Make sure all drivers are aware of the proper procedures for transporting.
Make sure the drivers know the destination and route.
8. Get your forms ready.
Attendance record, include the adults who are attending on your sheet so you have an
accurate count of how many people are in your group.
Permission slip signed by a parent or legal guardian, even if they are attending the event
with their child.
Health card for each participant, including the adults. This form should list medications,
allergies, doctor/hospital info and emergency contacts.
9. Plan a parent meeting
Plan a parent meeting far enough ahead of the event so that the parents also have time to
plan also. For ideas on a parent meeting see At The Parent Meeting.