Get ready for Cub Scout Day Camp 2024: Outdoor Adventure! Cub Scouts will explore a variety of Outdoor Adventures, learn new skills, and make new friends! Day Camp is open to Scout entering 1st grade - 5th 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 1st grade).
Program
In addition to shooting BB guns and archery, and playing sports, Scouts will be working towards achieving parts of the following adventures (advancements).
Tot Lot (volunteer children ages 3-5)
Forest Animals Activities- Tree Time Activities
- Camp Time Activities
Tiger (going into 1st grade)
Sky is the Limit- Stories & Shapes
- Floats and Boats
Wolves (going into 2nd grade)
Air of the Wolf- Code of the Wild
- Finding Your Way
Bear (going into 3rd grade)
Marble Madness- Super Science
- Forensics
Webelos (going into 4th grade)
Art Explosion- Build It
- Earth Rocks
Arrow of Light (going into 5th grade)
Engineering- Into the Woods
- Into the Wild
Consider also attending resident camp, a three-night campout held in July/August at Bovay Scout Ranch in Navasota, TX, for Cub Scouts entering the first through fifth grade the following school year.
Registration
The registration fee is $60 for Cub Scouts. All youth entering 1st grade through age 17 must be a registered Scouts with the Boy Scouts of America. Tot-lot siblings (ages 3-5 and potty trained) are $20, and adults and youth volunteers are $10. The registration fee includes a t-shirt, patch, program supplies, and much more. A registered parent/guardian must be onsite at all times when tot-lots (siblings ages 3-5) and Tigers (going into 1st grade) are at 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 adult volunteer also needs to complete a background check.
Step 2 Background check (ages 18+)
- Late registration begins 5/15/24; patches, t-shirts and craft supplies are not guaranteed for late registrations.
- Registration closes 5/25/24.
Have carpool contacts (must have at least one contact other than parents/guardians) 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, electronic check, or PayPal. 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 (ages 3-5) and Tigers (going into 1st grade) are at camp. Each pack must have a minimum of one adult registered for every four youth (5th grade and under) registered.
Youth registration requirements:
- Complete online registration (step 1)
- Submit a copy of the BSA Health and Medical form (Parts A & B: All Scouting Events) to the pack representative
- Submit a copy of medical insurance card, front and back (if insured) to the pack representative
Adults registration (ages 18+) requirements attending camp:
- Complete online registration (steps 1 & 2)
- Submit a copy of the BSA Health and Medical form (Parts A & B: All Scouting Events) to the pack representative
- Submit a copy of medical insurance card, front and back (if insured)
- Submit proof of Youth Protection Training (YPT) online at my.scouting.org. This is a mandatory requirement by the state. Certification lasts two years and must not expire prior to the last day of camp.
- Attend the vitual Camp Volunteer Orientation. This is a mandatory requirement by the state and has to be taken annually.
What to Bring to Camp
- camp t-shirt (get this from your pack representative)
- Annual 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)
- eat lunch before camp
- mask
- snacks (easy to eat and non-messy)
- water bottle
- bandana, optional
- closed-toed shoes with socks
- hat and/or sunglasses
- rain poncho
- pick up sign provided (carpooling is strongly recommended)
- sunscreen (applied by parent before camp)
- insect repellant (applied by parent before camp)
- den doodles for swapping, optional
- five-gallon bucket with a lid to use as a chair (Scouts must carry the bucket), optional
Buckets are available at places like Home Depot, Lowes or Academy
- money for trading post treats (quarters in a resealable plastic baggie), optional
- 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 aerosols of any kind in camp- No carbonated drinks; they dehydrate the body.
- No perfume
- No trading cards
- No pets
- No electronics – Nintendo DS, IPod, MP3, cell phones, radios, etc.
Trading Post
The trading post will be open to participants during their scheduled downtime. The trading post is stocked with Scout items, trinkets, toys, and some snacks and drinks. Plan to bring some spending money to take advantage of this during camp. The trading post is not equipped to provide snacks to all participants every day. Please remember to send a snack daily with each participant.
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
Lost and found will be located at registration. Leftover items are donated to charity after camp. Please label all items taken to camp.
Drop-off and Pick-up
Carpooling is strongly recommended. Parents need to bring the pick-up sign provided.
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 to register for every four 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.
All volunteers will help in an area on one day.
Session leaders help lead an activity. If you are interested in serving as a session leader, contact georgestrakedaycamp@gmail.com.
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 year and must not expire prior to the last day of camp.
2. Attend Camp Volunteer Orientation (two options)
- Thursday, TBD at 7:00 pm, virtually. Volunteers and parents of participants will be emailed the link.
- Wednesday, TBD at 7:00 pm, virtually.
BSA requires a minimum of one person per 25 people on site need 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 at camp is fun. Many opportunities are available:
- Adult partner with a Tiger Cub
- Den walker (escort a group of ~10 Scouts from one area of camp to another)
- Archery range (must be certified)
- BB gun range (must be certified)
- Security
- Session leaders (lead activities)
- Tot lot (preschool program)
- Key staff
Volunteer Options
- Full-Time Volunteer - will be at camp every day from opening to closing
- Job Share Volunteer - two adults split the camp and both adults will ensure coverage for every day from opening to closing. This counts as one volunteer in the required adult to Scout ratio.
- Part-Time Volunteer - an adult who volunteers for part of the camp. Part-time volunteers do not count in the required adult to Scout ratio.
- Session Leader - helps lead activities
- Key Staff – Volunteer who has been specifically asked by the camp director to serve as a key staff.
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 the 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 Daryl Pratho at georgestrakedaycamp@gmail.com.
Late-Breaking News
For late-breaking news, and to keep up with all the latest information about the district, follow us on Facebook.
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