Summer Camp Prep Meeting (Parents & Cubs)

Before we get together, you can read the camp guide here:
https://nhscouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-CC-Program-Guide-V2.pdf

Pay close attention these sections:

• Packing List (page 23) – Be aware that swim shirts or rash guards were required last year. I recommend getting one. It’s an easy way to avoid a sunburn and nice barrier between you on the docks, boats, or lifejackets.
• Medications (page 31) – All medications MUST BE STORED WITH THE NURSE. The only exceptions are asthma inhalers and Epi-Pens, but even these have to be registered with the nurse. So be aware that your medications must checked-in in their original containers with the patient’s name, doctor’s name, and date on the label. A parent/guardian must be present at the medical re-checks during check-in for any camper that requires medication. If you have medication questions, please contact ccsupport@nhscouting.org.
• Swim Checks (page 30) – Be aware that swim checks happen on the first day and let your Cub know—this took us by surprise last year and Andrew got a bit nervous. There’s no failing here, but being assessed as a Beginner or a Swimmer allows you to access more of the waterfront or use a boat w/o a Swimmer aboard with you. So I recommend all Cubs and adults who can swim try to get their Beginner or Swimmer tags so we’re more flexible when we visit places like Pirates Cove and battle it out on the paddle boats.
• Camp BBQ (page 21) – This is a family event on Thursday at the closing of camp. It’s $15 a person and I strongly recommend you attend. There is a closing fire after the BBQ that is awesome and heartwarming.
• Pizza Night (page 19) – Wednesday is Pack Out Night, when we eat dinner at our campsite instead of the dining hall. Because camp is so busy, I encourage us to take advantage of CHOP (Carpenter House of Pizza) which will deliver pizzas to our campsite, rather than prepping a meal ourselves. I was pretty exhausted by Wednesday last year and enjoyed campfire time without the work of cooking. Let me know if the pizza options on offer won’t work for you are your Cub Scout.
• Camp Map (page 10) – We are camping at the Sleepy Hollow campsite this year, the closest camp site to the adult showers and dining hall. This should mean fewer miles of walking, but we’ll still get our fair share in when we go to Pirates Cove or the Water Slide.
• Daily Schedule (page 18) – This is how we’ll run our days. Sunday involves all sorts of orientation and check-in activities like the aforementioned Swim Checks. Monday through Thursday are all the same—flags, eating, rotating through activities, and falling asleep exhausted.

Recommendations:

• Use Bins Instead of Bags – After check-in and Pack photos, we’ll take our things to our campsite. That’s the last time you’ll move your stuff until Thursday. I’ll be bringing a large lawn cart to help us shuttle things to the campsite. So you can pack in plastic bins if you don’t have a large duffle bag—a lot of people did this last year and I wish I had. Cots are roughly 16 inches off the ground, so many bins will easily slide under the cots, making your tent into a pretty efficient space.
• Headlamps – So useful for brushing your teeth and using the bathroom at night.
• Pack Wet Wipes – These are a helpful hygiene tool, but be aware they need to be bagged and thrown away, not thrown in the latrines.
• Pack some extra plastic bags – A dozen or so Market Basket bags can be helpful for wet wipes, taking care of trash, putting a wet swimsuit in your backpack with otherwise dry things, etc.
• Buy a Bug Net – Andrew and I got SANSBUG screen tents and they were pretty good. The Scout Shop also has MosquitOasis screens, which may fit better into our canvas tents. Less expensive options are likely available if you shop around. You drop this on top of your cot, put your sleeping bag and pillow inside, and you have a cozy, bug-free night of sleep.