Iron Horse District Day Camp

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 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 BB guns and archery, and playing sports, Scouts will be working towards achieving parts of the following adventures (advancements).

Registration

The registration fee is $80 for Cub Scouts in 1^st - 5^th grade, $15 for Jr. Staff, $45 for the tot-lot (siblings ages 3-5 and potty trained), and $15 for volunteers.  The registration fee includes a t-shirt, patch, and program supplies. All youth entering 1^st grade through age 18 must be registered with Scouting America. A registered parent/guardian must be onsite at all times when tot-lots (ages 3-5) and Tigers (Scouts going into 1^st 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 volunteer also needs to complete a background check.

         Step 2: Background check (ages 18+)

• Late fee begins 5/19/24.
• Registration closes two weeks before the first day of camp.

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 (ages 3-5) and Tiger Cubs (1^st graders) are at camp. Each pack must have a minimum of one adult registered for every three youth (5^th grade and under) registered. The adults accompanying their Tiger Cub is not included in this ratio. If the pack does not meet this ratio then the pack will not be able to attend camp. 

Youth registration requirements:

1. Complete online registration (step 1) 
2. Submit a copy of the Health and Medical form (Parts A & B: All Scouting Events) to the pack representative per youth
3. Submit a copy of medical insurance card, front and back (if insured) to the pack representative per youth

Adults registration (ages 18+) requirements:

1. Complete online registration (Steps 1 & 2)
2. Submit a copy of the 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. This is a mandatory requirement by the state. Certification lasts two-years 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.

What to Bring to Camp

• camp t-shirt (receive during parent orientation)
• Annual 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 dinner and snacks (nonperishable in a resealable plastic bag with name and camp den number). See details below. Do not bring peanut products.
• non-carbonated drink for meal (water, sports drink, juice box)
• water bottle
• bandana, optional
• closed-toed shoes with socks
• hat and/or sunglasses
• rain poncho
• hand sanitizer (personal size)
• sunscreen (applied by parent before camp)
• insect repellant (applied by parent before camp)
• 5-gallon bucket with a lid to use as a chair (Scout must carry the bucket). Available at places like Home Depot, Lowes or Academy.
• 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 with name.

Do Not Bring

• 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  

Meal Requirements

Everyone attending camp will be required to bring a meal. Juice boxes or sports drinks work best. Please do not send carbonated drinks. Do not bring peanut products. 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, broccoli, beef jerky, 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.

Advancements

There are several opportunities for Scouts to earn advancement at camp. A list of advancements earned during camp will be emailed to the parents and Cubmaster of each pack within a week after completion of camp

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. 

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 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 

• June 3, 2023, 10:00 am by Zoom*
• June 4, 2023 4:00 pm by Zoom*

*links will be sent after registration closes

A minimum of one person per 25 people onsite needs 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: 

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.
• Key Staff – Volunteer who has been specifically asked by the camp director to serve as a key staff.

Scouting Safely

Scouting America's Commitment to Safety is ongoing, and the safety of our youth, volunteers, staff, and employees cannot be compromised. Scouting 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. 

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 is 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 Scout activities, the National Health and Safety Committee and the Council Services Division of the National Council has developed the SAFE Checklist of safety procedures for physical activity. These points, which embody good judgment and common sense, are applicable to all activities. 

*About Medical Record: Scouting America requires all participants to bring an Annual Health and Medical Record to every Scouting event. The Scouting adventures, camping trips, and having fun are important to everyone in Scouting—and so is your safety and well-being. Completing the Annual Health and Medical Record is the first step in ensuring you have a great Scouting experience. Completing a health history promotes health awareness, collects necessary data, and provides medical professionals with critical information needed to treat a patient in the event of an illness or injury. It also provides emergency contact information. Please download the form and have it with you at all Scouting events for every member of your family.  

^Closed-toed shoes are highly recommended for all Scouting events. Many of our outdoor venues have snakes and sticks that can injure toes. Many of our activities include active games, so shoes that Scouts can run in (e.g., tennis shoes) are recommended.

Youth Protection Guidelines     Guide to Safe Scouting      SAFE Checklist      Enterprise Risk Management

Standards

Day camps are operated and licensed under the guidelines of the 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.

Day Camp Contact

For questions, contact day camp chair or the district activities chair.

Late-Breaking News

For late-breaking news, and to keep up with all the latest information, follow the district on our official Facebook page.

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