Outdoor Activities - Camp Preparations

When preparing for a camp, it is important to ensure girls and parents are informed about what to expect, and what is expected of them.

PRE CAMP PREPARATION

Parent Meeting

Have a parent meeting around 3-4 weeks before the camp so that parents can be aware of any extra expenses for a first time camper, eg groundsheet, mess kit. That way they can budget for these extra things and shop around for bargains. Ensure that the parent meeting is at a reasonable time, date and place. A suggestion would be half an hour before your Unit meeting ends at Guides one night.

Ask your staff to be in attendance so they can be introduced.

Have any "unusual" items for show and tell, eg mess kit, groundsheet, situpon, bedroll. These things are part of our Guide jargon and may not be well known words in the outside world.

At the Parent Meeting

Introduce your staff – perhaps outline their experience and whether everyone has first aid qualifications and CPR. Explain that you have all had a Police Check – any adult who will be attending and who is not a member of the Association will need to complete a form and be checked.

Outline the menu which the girls would have chosen due to girl ownership. Explain the difference between allergies and dislikes. Ask parents to discuss any menu problems or allergies with the QM after the meeting so that you know in advance any dietary needs.

Discuss the completion of forms for the camp including parent/guardian’s contact numbers, and that it is the phone number where they are able to be contacted over the particular weekend.

Ask that the Guides pack their own bags. This way the Guide knows what she has packed and where it is. Ask that the Guides be able to carry their own gear by themselves. Go through the camp kit list. Ask that all gear be clearly marked. Emphasise the No Hat No Play rule, and also a good WORKING torch as well as wet weather gear – BE PREPARED. If a new sleeping bag or stretcher has been purchased, please ask that the Guide unpack these items and practise setting them up and putting them away. Tell parents not to be tempted to add to the Kit List. Everything that is needed is on the list.

Ask that the parents drop off and pick up their children at the allotted times. Leaders are often working parents themselves and would like to go home to their families at a reasonable time. Suggest car pooling. Show the parents where the campsite is located – give out maps and "X" marks the spot.

Clearly mark all medicines, bring Health Forms to camp, ensure the forms are signed, and recently. Also ensure membership fees are up to date for all Guides attending camp. Explain that Guides will be expected to do duties and this may include cleaning toilets and washing up. That girls will sleep, cook and work (and have fun) in patrols. The girls will also be expected to look after their own gear and tent.

Bedding Rolls

Guides learn the correct way to prepare a bedding roll using the packer’s knot and correct waterproof groundsheet. After they have completed this task they then stand in a circle and throw the bedding roll around, trying their best to have the roll come undone. A good game with a lot of laughs – and nearly always one bedding roll will unravel.

Flag Pole Relay

Each group will require string, toothpicks for tent pegs, textas to decorate flag (a small piece of calico), a chopstick as flagpole. In patrols girls make a miniature flagpole using the above materials.

Points given for flag decoration and correct knots on flagpoles. Patrols are to break the flag using correct ceremony.

Good for patrol teamwork and nimble, small fingers.

Camp Mime

In patrols, Guides mime a scene from camp. Other girls try to guess. Have some time for a the Guides to discuss the mime and have a practice. Some examples – toasting marshmallows, building a campfire, putting up screening, cooking on an open fire, singing at Guides Own, a morning hike.

Water Balloons

Fill about ten balloons and see if you can throw them to your team members without breaking them. This builds team communication and is a load of fun which is great for the patrol.

Noughts and Crosses

Set up nine chairs (the Game Board). Prepare a list of questions about "camp" and camp life, eg

Q Name a tent you sleep in? A Bell tent

Q What is the rope that holds the tent peg in place A Guy Rope

Two patrols play the game at a time, one is noughts and the other crosses. Questions alternate between the two teams, if they get it right they place a player on the Game Board, if wrong the other team places a player. The aim is to get three noughts or three crosses in a row.

Played several times leading up to camp, they should all be familiar with the jargon at camp and be playing a mean game of noughts and crosses.

True or False

Have one end of the hall marked as TRUE and the other as FALSE. Have a prepared list of questions and ask each Guide to answer True or False by walking to the end of the hall so marked. You could give Guides a ‘bean’ for each one they get wrong, rather than sitting out. Great for revision on any subject, especially First Aid.

OUTDOORS DEPT.
01.05.2003