4th Canvey Island Sea Cub Scouts

Camps

Camps 

Introduction
I have written this guide to supplement the letters and information that you get
about Cub Camp.
 
My aim is to provide you with some additional information and tips so that you
can send your child to camp without too much worry and so that your child
can enjoy the camp to the full.
As far as possible, the way we camp is a simplified version of the way that our
Scouts Camp.
If you have any doubts or queries, please speak to a leader.
 
The Basics
Before the camp you should receive a letter with the details such as the
location, arrival time, pick up time and who the emergency contact point is.
Cub camps are normally held at a Scout run camp site within about 20 miles
of Canvey. You will be asked to drop off and pick up your son from the site
at specific times.
 
Food at Camp
There is plenty to eat and drink! A typical day would be:
Breakfast – cereal, cooked breakfast, toast/bread and jam, tea / coffee or
squash.
Mid morning – squash and biscuits.
Lunch – roll or sandwich with a variety of cold meats, cheese and salad plus
fruit and squash.
Dinner – hot meal such as pasta and mince, pudding and squash.
Supper – hot drink or squash and biscuit.
If your child has any particular allergies or food fads please let the Leader
know when you return the camp permission form so they can prepare in
advance. Cubs are encouraged to try new tastes but it is recognised that not
everyone will like everything, so no one is forced to sit and finish a meal if they
simply don’t like it and alternatives can be arranged if the need arises!
 
For health and safety reasons no one must bring any food, drinks or sweets
with them to camp. Food will go ‘off’ if stored in a tent and will also encourage
ants, squirrels and other animals.
It should be noted that on the Friday evening at the start of camp, whilst there
is normally a late supper of Hot dogs, campers should have dinner
before they leave home. Similarly on the Sunday, lunch at camp is normally
something cold e.g. sandwiches, not a cooked Sunday lunch.
 
What to Wear and What to Bring
The Cubs need to wear uniform to arrive at and depart from the camp. Whilst
at camp they can wear what they want, the preference is that the Cubs wear
shorts (better in hot weather and much easier to deal with if it is raining) with a
tee shirt. Plus a sweat shirt and track suit bottoms for cooler dry weather and
chilly evenings. Expect all the clothes to get dirty and muddy and you will not
be disappointed!
A suggested kit list can be found at the end. Please try and let the Cubs do
the packing with you beforehand so they can see what they have with them
and where things are. A soft holdall or backpack is preferable to a suitcase.
Please ensure that every single item of clothing is marked with a name. We
spent quite a bit of time just before departure trying to find owners for odd
socks etc! Quite a good system to pack a set of clothes for each day in a
clear plastic bag with a label on it and also provide another labelled plastic
bag for dirty clothes.
 
Health and Safety Matters 
You will receive a health form before camp which needs to be completed and
Sent back to the leader before camp (sent via email).
All Leaders have had First Aid training and have been vetted by the Scout
Association for child protection purposes. All other adults staying on camp
need to be similarly vetted by completion of a Scout CRB check. These
checks can take 3-4 months to be completed by the central government
department and so need to be done well in advance. It should be noted that
the results of the CRB search remain confidential and are not seen by 1st
Ickenham Scout Group and we will simply get an advice from our local HQ
that an adult has been cleared. Any adult who has not been through the
vetting process will not be eligible to attend
 
Where any health matters are advised on the camp form, the leader will
discuss with you any particular treatments required and take charge of the
appropriate medicine for the duration of the camp.
Any non-medical health matters should be advised as well e.g. any tendency
to wet a bed, so that the Leaders can be prepared.
 
Contact during Camp
Any general information will have already been advised to you by letter. For
any specific queries during the camp, you are advised to contact the leader by
mobile phone.
 
Cubs are not permitted to bring mobile phones, MP3 players and the like or
electronic games to camp.
 
Tents
The Cubs sleep in large canvas tents. Whilst perhaps slightly old fashioned to
look at, they are very heavy duty and provide a warm secure environment,
particularly in bad weather. (we do 2 indoor camps a year).
 
Discipline at Camp
We try to operate with the minimum of rules, but do insist on politeness, good
manners, cleanliness, particularly at mealtimes and being friendly towards
each other. Also, some activities are of an adventurous nature, such as
archery and we do expect Cubs to listen and obey any instructions / rules
given by the leader of the activity. We also try and instil some idea of keeping
their individual kit organised and tidy – this sometimes takes a while!
Where Cubs consistently misbehave, they may be required to undertake a
menial task, such as extra washing up.
On the last day of camp we hold a tent and kit inspection. This might appear
somewhat regimented, but the intention is to ensure that as far as possible
everyone goes home with their own clothes and that nothing is missing.
 
Pocket Money at Camp
Most camp sites we stay at have a shop which sells a range
of sweets, soft drinks and souvenirs. There will be normally an opportunity to
visit the shop towards the end of the camp. There is plenty to eat and drink
on camp and we normally provide a souvenir badge to each Cub, but most of
the Cubs like to buy something and so you may provide your son with a small
amount of pocket money (say up to £3) but this is entirely optional. To avoid
any losses, any pocket money should be put in an envelope marked with your
Cubs name. Depending on the type of Camp, the Leader in charge may
request all pocket money to be handed in for safekeeping at the start of camp.
 
Suggested Kit List (All items to be clearly marked with a name)
• Waterproof jacket / coat
• Cap or hat
• Jumper / sweat shirt (a second is useful if the weather is chilly or wet)
• Pyjamas
• Sleeping bag and Pillow
• Warm Blanket (even in summer the nights can sometimes get a bit
chilly). For camps in Spring or Autumn, consider a second blanket.
• Foam sleeping mat or airbed (not a camp bed)
• Washing kit and towel
• Swimming trunks for water games
• Two sets of:
Shorts (plus at least one pair of long trousers needed for chilly
evenings)
Tee shirt, Pants, Socks, & Handkerchiefs
• Training Shoes or Plimsolls
• Wellington boots (in case of wet weather, not needed if it is high
summer)
• Tea towel (preferably an old one that is ‘expendable’)
• A book or comic to read during any rest periods (not a game or
electronic toy)
• Teddy or other soft toy for use at night (optional)
• A small torch (please ensure that the bulb and batteries are working)
• An emergency set of clothes (in a separate named plastic bag)
• Medicines - supplies of any medicines and written instructions on use
(consider sun tan cream if the weather is very sunny) to be handed to
the Leader on arrival
• Full uniform and black shoes to wear for arrival and departure
 
Remember no food, sweets or drinks to be brought to camp
 
 

 

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