Big Cypress District Day Camp

At day camp, Cub Scouts will explore a variety of Outdoor Adventures, learn new skills, and make new friends! Day camp is open to Scout entering 1^st grade - 5^th grade next school year. Day camp is a week of fun with awesome programs and activities such as BB guns, archery, sports, STEM, games and crafts, rank advancements, Scout skills, fun, and more.

Many volunteers are needed to make camp a success, so please consider volunteering. Adult volunteers can also register their non-Scouting children ages 3-5 (potty trained). Scouts in troops, crews and ships can also volunteer. An adult/guardian must register with a Tiger (going into 1^st grade).

Program

In addition to shooting archery and playing sports, Scouts will be working towards achieving parts of the following adventures (advancements).

Registration

The registration fee is $91.50 for the first Scout and $90 for additional Scouts who register at the same time, tot lots (siblings ages 3-5) are $25. Volunteers (adults; junior staff; Scouts in troops, crews and ships) are free. The registration fee includes a t-shirt, patch, program supplies, and a mug. All youth entering 1^st grade through age 18 must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America. A registered parent/guardian must be onsite at all times when tot-lots (siblings ages 3-5) and Tigers (going into 1^st grade) are at camp.  Registration closes for youth and adults two weeks before camp.

The campership program seeks to increase the number of Scouts enjoying outdoor experiences at Sam Houston Area Council camps and programs by providing financial assistance. To be eligible, a family must complete an application form before registering.

Step 1 (youth and adults): Register all participants in the same family.

          Step 1: Register   

Step 2 (adults): Every volunteer also needs to complete a background check.

Have carpool contacts (must have at least one) before beginning the registration process. It is very important to complete the entire process (through payment).  All incomplete registrations are deleted every evening at midnight.

Payment:  At checkout, pay with a credit card, or electronic check. Council refund policy. 

Volunteers: Many volunteers are needed to make camp a success, so please consider volunteering. Adult volunteers can also register their non-Scouting children ages 3-5 (potty trained). Scouts in troops, crews and ships can register as volunteers. A registered parent/guardian must be onsite at all times when tot-lots and Tigers are at camp. Each pack must have a minimum of one adult registered for every three youth (5^th grade and under) registered.

Youth registration requirements:

1. Complete online registration (Step 1)
2. Submit a copy of the BSA Health and Medical form (Parts A & B: All Scouting Events) to the pack representative (for additional tips on filling out the medical forms click here)
3. Submit a copy of medical insurance card, front and back (if insured) to the pack representative

Adults registration (ages 18+) requirements attending camp:

1. Complete online registration (Steps 1 and 2)
2. Submit a copy of the BSA Health and Medical form (Parts A & B: All Scouting Events) to the pack representative
3. Submit a copy of medical insurance card, front and back (if insured)
4. Submit proof of Youth Protection Training (YPT) online at my.scouting.org (taken after 06/8/21). This is a mandatory requirement by the state. Certification last two year and must not expire prior to the last day of camp.
5. Attend Camp Volunteer Orientation, This is a mandatory requirement by the state and must be taken annually.

Senior Patrol Leader/Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Application

• Scouts in troops, crews and ships who are interested in serving in an SPL or ASPL role for day camp should submit an application

What to Bring to Camp

• camp t-shirt (campers will get this on the first day of camp)
• shorts (lightweight is best)
• old, closed-toed shoes with socks (no sandals, swim shoes, crocs). Tennis shoes work best.
• extra pair of socks
• mask
• hat and/or sunglasses
• BSA Health and Medical Record (parts A and B for all Scouting events), if not already submitted
• very hydrated Scout (have them drink lots of water all day and a full water bottle on the way to camp)
• sack lunch or dinner and snacks (nonperishable in a Ziploc bag with name and den number). See details below. 
• non-carbonated drink for the meal in a recyclable plastic bottle (water, sports drink, juice box). No sodas, carbonated or caffeinated drinks. No glass bottles or reusable water bottles.
• camp mug (campers will get this on the first day of camp)
• Draw stringed backpack
• bandana, optional
• rain poncho/rain coat
• moist towelettes
• sunscreen (applied by parent before camp); sunscreen wipes
• insect repellant (applied by parent before camp); towelette insect repellant (no aerosol allowed)
• money for trading post treats (dollars and quarters in a ziploc baggie with name written on it works great)
• medications that need to be taken at camp must be in the original containers and turned into the health and safety chair. Scouts can carry their Inhaler or Epipen; however, the health and safety chair and camp staff must be notified.

Mark all items marked with name

Do Not Bring

• No knives or weapons (camp is located on school property)
• No camp chairs
• No aerosols of any kind in camp
• No carbonated drinks; they dehydrate the body.
• No eggs
• No mayonnaise
• No tuna or chicken salad
• No excessive sweets
• No perfume
• No eating during sessions – if there is a medical issue, please alert the camp director.
• No trading cards 
• No pets
• No electronics – games (e.g., PSP, iTouch); music players (e.g., radios, iPods, CD players); cell phones 
• No flammable materials
• No drugs or alcohol

Meal Requirements

Everyone attending camp will be required to bring a meal in a disposable container. Juice boxes or sports drinks work best. Please do not send carbonated drinks. Use resealable plastic gallon sized bags with the Scout's name written on it. Ice water will be available at meals and every activity area.

Please check with the parents in your den concerning any allergies (e.g., peanut). 

Consider: frozen grapes, frozen bananas sliced, watermelon, strawberries, carrot or celery sticks with peanut butter, broccoli, beef jerky, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, peanut butter or cheese crackers, canned tuna or chicken, trail mix, dried fruit, pickles, crackers and hard cheeses (e.g., cheddar, colby and provolone), pudding cup, fruit cups, applesauce cup, chips, raisins, dried fruit, almond butter, yogurt raisins, granola bar, summer sausage, crackers, Goldfish, pumpkin seeds, protein bar, dry cereal, muffins.  Perishable or refrigerated foods, such as mayonnaise, meats, eggs, or leftovers are not allowed at camp.

Trading Post

The trading post is well-stocked with camp refreshments. We will have refreshments for sale during lunch, free time, and before and after camp. Bring some money to take advantage of this! The amount each Scout actually spends will depend on their personal needs and whether their interests require special purchases. Items typically include snow cones, popcorn, pickles, candy, and crackers.  

Advancements

There are several opportunities for Scouts to earn advancement at camp. A list of advancements covered will be sent home the last day of camp. The list needs to be given to the Scout's den leader.

Lost and Found

Found items will be taken to the registration table. Leftovers are donated to charity. Please label all items taken to the camp.

Drop-off and Pick-up

Carpooling is strongly recommended. To facilitate pick-up, the pack representative will give each camper a tag to hang on the rearview mirror with the camper's name and den number. There will be stickers on the back with each child’s name, one for each day of the week. in the pick-up line, give the sticker to the volunteer in the car rider line.

Parents or the pack representative must pick up the hang tags at the May roundtable, and sign for them.

Hang tags must be visible in the car rider line to pick up campers. Cars may pick up more than one camper as long as they have the appropriate hang tag and permission to pick up the camper (as stated in the online registration).

Absent or Late Scouts

If a Scout is going to be late to camp or absent, please call 314-973-6205.

Medication

All medications (with the exception of inhalers, emergency epinephrine kits, and diabetes kits) must be checked-in to the health and safety director in the first aid area by the parents of the child requiring the medications. Each medication must be in the original prescription container with only enough medication for the week, clearly labeled with the Scout’s name, dosage, and specific time(s) medication should be taken. A medication form will need to be filled out.  Other than using an inhaler, Epi-pens or diabetes kits, no child should be taking any medication except while in the first aid area. Please inform the Scout's leader and the health and safety officer of any medications that need to be taken at camp. See the health and safety director at camp if there are any questions.

Photographs    

Notice!  Please be advised that promotional videotaping/photography may be in progress at any time at an event. Your entrance constitutes your agreement that the council and district has the right to reproduce your likeness in videography/photography for promotion (e.g., publications, internet, newspaper).

Volunteer Information

Day camp is run by volunteers. Each pack is required to provide a minimum of one adult register for every three youth register per pack. If the pack does not meet this ratio, then the pack will not be able to attend camp. Please consider volunteering.

Volunteer Feedback

Volunteer Training

The state of Texas requires that all adults attending camp must:

1. Take Youth Protection Training (YPT) online at my.scouting.org. Certification lasts two years and must not expire prior to the last day of camp.

2. Attend Camp Volunteer Orientation 

• May 9, 2024, from 7:00pm-8:30pm at Spillane Middle School Cafeteria (13403 Woods Spillane Blvd). Bring a copy of BSA Health & Medical Record and YPT certificate.

BSA requires a minimum of one person per 25 people on site to be trained in First Aid/CPR/AED. If currently certified, please submit a copy of your certification. Find upcoming training opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering for camp is fun. Many opportunities are available: 

Volunteer Options

• Full-Time Volunteer - will be at camp every day from opening to closing
• Key Staff – Volunteer who has been specifically asked by the camp director to serve as a key staff and attends key staff meetings.

Den Walkers

In addition to the what to bring list under the Preparing for Camp tab, den walkers should also bring:

• wagon
• watch
• optional:
  • travel games or activities in case of downtime
  • wrapping paper roll for den flag post (paper will be provided for actual flag)
  • markers, pencils
  • bungee cord (to hold the Scout's mug to the wagon)
  • bandanas for each Scout in the den (makes it easier to identify your den)
  • mesh laundry bag to take home mugs to wash each night

Scouting Safely

The BSA's Commitment to Safety is ongoing and we want you to know that the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. The Boy Scouts of America puts the utmost importance on safe and healthy environments for its youth membership. The Sam Houston Area Council takes great strides to ensure the safety of its youth as well as the adult volunteer leadership that interacts with them. 

BSA Guide to Safe Scouting policies must be followed. All participants must follow Youth Protection Guidelines at all Scouting events. Highlights include:

• Two-deep leadership on all outings required.  
• One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is prohibited. 
• The buddy system should be used at all times. 
• Discipline must be constructive.

Health and safety must be integrated into everything we do, to the point that no injuries are acceptable beyond those that are readily treatable by Scout-rendered first aid. As an aid in the continuing effort to protect participants in a Scout activity, the BSA National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the BSA National Council have developed the "Sweet Sixteen" of BSA safety procedures for physical activity. These 16 points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting      Sweet Sixteen      Enterprise Risk Management

Standards

Camps are operated and licensed under the guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America National Camp Standards. Camps are inspected annually by the NCAP team to ensure compliance with the National Camp Accreditation Program (430-056),  Day Camp Administrative Guide (13-33815),  Cub Scout Outdoor Program Guidelines (510-631), and the Guide to Safe Scouting.

The Texas Department of State Health Services Youth Camp Program is the principal authority on matters relating to health and safety conditions at youth camps in Texas. All youth camps must obtain a license prior to operating. Any youth camp may be inspected during operation to determine compliance with the Youth Camp Safety and Health Act and the Youth Camp Rules.

Day Camp Contact

For questions, contact Jennifer Petroskey at 314-973-6205 or bcddaycamp2023@gmail.com.

Late-Breaking News

For late-breaking news, and to keep up with all the latest information about the Big Cypress District, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google! Remind is a program that allows us to safely and efficiently interact with Scouters about important district activities. Subscribers sign up and choose to receive messages by text, email, or in their app. 

Council News

The eScouter is the Sam Houston Area Council's monthly newsletter containing information about upcoming council events and activities. The council distributes The Scouting Trails at roundtable, and utilizes a variety of social media tools including Facebook, Pinterest, Flickr, Instagram, and YouTube.
 

Promote Camp

Most packs celebrate Scouting anniversary week in February with a birthday party called the blue and gold banquet. Free two-sided placemats are available to use at blue and gold banquets or pack meetings to help promote day camp and resident camp. 

The council has lots of ideas for blue and gold banquets and pack meetings (e.g., magic, beach). Follow us on Pinterest for more ideas.

Placemats and Blue and Gold Banquet Ideas