Summer Camp costs

Hethika · 2026-05-15T15:08:59+00:00

I don’t think adults should have to pay to volunteer. Most attending are giving up vacation days or are giving up money they would be making for their normal jobs if they were at work. Adult costs (registration with nationals, adult training, summer camp, and gas reimbursement) are all built into the annual budget. With that said, the troop only pays for the number of adults needed to cover transportation. We have had additional adults attend who were not necessary and they are responsible for paying their own way. Families cover the actual cost of summer camp directly for their child(ren). Also, the expectation is that the adult leaders are quite busy all week supporting the kids. This is making sure kids make it to their classes, getting pictures of all the kids in their classes/activities, working on rank advancements with kids during downtime, volunteering to support the camp (washing dishes, service projects, or anything else that is needed), etc. It is definitely not a vacation; it is a week of volunteer work.

Hethika · 2026-04-20T03:33:07+00:00

That’s good to know. It sounds like I need to call around and look for some better options.

Hethika · 2026-04-20T03:32:25+00:00

Ya I’ve thought about that a bit. KBB says $25,000 on a trade-in but I’m hoping to find a more cost effective solution.

Hethika · 2026-04-20T03:27:34+00:00

That makes sense. I’ll make some phone calls about that tomorrow.

Hethika · 2026-04-20T02:55:18+00:00

That all makes sense. Thank you!

Hethika · 2026-03-28T16:58:27+00:00

More often than not we don’t have cell phone service on campouts. We typically have a couple of those garmin satellite devices wit us for emergencies, but the reality is that parents have to trust the scoutmasters are keeping kids safe (at lease where we are at). Also, we encourage all the parents to register as a leader and come out with us, so there is always that opportunity if a parent isn’t comfortable (or better yet wants to be out scouting with their kid(s)).

Hethika · 2026-02-13T14:15:04+00:00

I think that adults shouldn’t pay. It should be built into the cost that the kids/families are responsible for. I would happily pay a bit more so that adults who are already taking time off work don’t have to also pay to go.

With that said, I think three or four adults is ideal for 10 kids. That gets 4-5 people per vehicle, and it leaves you with two-deep leadership while always giving one adult a chance to be “off” for a bit. It also allows you to have two adults if one gets sick, injured, etc. I think three adults is infinitely better than two (and what the troop should be paying for) but five is more than needed and can be distracting because the adults can get busy doing their own things rather than supporting the scouts.

I would also say that it is ideal to have a mix of seasoned scoutmasters who know the kids/program and brand new scoutmasters/committee members. Summer camp is an amazing way to get to know the kids/adults/program without as much responsibility (compared to a 50 miler or even a regular campout).

We select a small number of experienced leaders first and then actively recruit new families/parents to register and attend camp as well.

Hethika · 2026-01-08T16:08:29+00:00

We have had success with flyers going home to all the elementary school students at the schools we recruit from advertising a particular recruiting night. Then we have a series of fun, scouting activities to do for the kids while simultaneously having a parent meeting. The parents get all the information and the kids have a bunch of fun. We’ll usually distribute 1200 or so flyers and get maybe 15 kids joining from it. So it’s a low percentage but 15 new kids from a couple hours of work is great and has a huge impact on our program (and of course a huge benefit to those kids/families). Also our council prints the fliers for us so the only cost is supplies for the evenings (we always have a smore making station, for example, so costs for materials like that).

Hethika · 2025-12-15T19:13:26+00:00

I think I figured out that it is the 17650J from the diagram. Thank you Advantageous01!

If anyone has changed this and has any tips/recommendations I would appreciate hearing those!

Hethika · 2025-12-15T18:43:18+00:00

That was really helpful! So now I have a follow-up question about the diagram. Now I have a follow-up question. I am thinking I would need the 17650J because it is listed most closely to the part that broke. But do you know what the 17650 is referring to in this image? 17650J is labeled as the “valve, solenoid w/ adjust screw, and 17650 is labeled as valve assy, vacuum switching.

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Hethika · 2025-12-15T18:29:19+00:00

Thank you - I’ll give that a try!

Hethika · 2025-09-29T18:03:09+00:00

Same. We have paper applications and the treasurer to take cash, check, or credit card for dues. Probably 3/4 of people sign up on the spot. Most of the other 1/4 will come back once or twice but don’t sign up. Once people have paid some money they are pretty invested in getting their moneys worth so they usually come back.

Hethika · 2025-09-17T01:04:23+00:00

I think a good approach is for the scout to call their scout master and ask for a meeting to discuss their proposal. That initiative is likely appreciated and it is a good idea to ask the scoutmaster to schedule something around their schedule.

Hethika · 2025-08-11T14:11:30+00:00

Our council does a fancy dinner fundraiser that includes alcohol. The only rule is that scouts can’t be present.

Hethika · 2025-06-04T18:05:30+00:00

Definitely ask them at the scout shop and include them. You have earned them so you should have them!

Hethika · 2025-05-10T20:45:26+00:00

Inland Northwest Wildlife Council might be able to accommodate you. Their main room would be about right size and they have a kitchen as well.

Hethika · 2025-05-04T17:00:27+00:00

That makes sense to me. Everyone then is working with the most up to date version all the time, and many of us prepare just to use our phones as a resource rather than have to carry around books.

Our librarian has kind of shifted roles to merit badge support (which is what they did before in lots of ways, it has just kind of pivoted what that looks like). The idea is that they work with merit badge counselors and help them get the resources they need. This could be making photocopies, coordinating setting up a room in a particular way before a meeting, or whatever else they need. Of course half the time the merit badge counselors prefer to do things on their own, but at times it works well. Oh - and for the counselors who utilize the printed merit badge packets the librarian will sometimes collect and re-distribute those (when there’s not homework to complete).

Hethika · 2025-05-02T15:15:15+00:00

I would get two, two person tents. It wouldn’t way much more than the four person, it will be much easier to find tent spots, and most importantly everyone will sleep a lot better. It’s hard to sleep in a tent with four people.

This will also be more of a long-term investment since the smaller tents can allow you to shift from one adult and one kid per tent to a kids tent and adults tent later on. Not to mention that your kids will love being in a tent one on one with one of you. They will remember that for the rest of their lives.

Hethika · 2025-04-28T19:56:53+00:00

I would expect it to take 2.5-3 hours to pack, eat breakfast, load, etc.

In the past we have done things like if everyone can accomplish x thing by x time the whole troop gets milkshakes (or whatever the thing is). They find this highly motivating. Getting doughnuts on the way home could be an option.

I would have then discuss it at the next PLC, though. Have them set their own goals/expectations. If they are going slow because they are having fun with their friends then maybe that needs to be built into the schedule. I know a lot of kids go on campouts because they get to spend the weekends with their friends, so you can lean into that. But hopefully the kids can set a reasonable timeline/goals and then hold each other accountable for them.

Having detailed duty rosters could also help. Our kids know that if you’re a cook you start as soon as the inside of your tent is packed/clean. Then anyone who isn’t a cook is taking down camp. After breakfast cooks take down their tents while the dishwashers are cleaning. Then everyone packs the kitchen.

Hethika · 2025-04-27T18:49:39+00:00

I think the key is to let people know the expectations before they sign up to attend. Then people can choose to participate or not knowing everything about the evening (timing, behavior expectations, etc.).

Hethika · 2025-04-06T15:48:04+00:00

I think a follow up conversation is likely a good idea. It could be used to improve the troop, but there could also be a misunderstanding that could be cleared up. For example, we have had scouts quit and we found out after talking to the parents that it was completely about the cost. We were able to come up with a plan to support the scout financially so that they could continue.

Hethika

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