Participant Guide
Participant Packing List
Mark all items with Scout's name and troop number. Do not bring valuables.
Clothing
- Field uniform (Scout uniform) and belt
- Activity uniform (Scout t-shirts) (5)
- Socks (5 pair)
- Shorts, Scout shorts (5)
- Sweater or light jacket
- Shoes (closed-toe) or hiking boots
- Cap or hat
- Underwear (5)
- Pajamas or sleeping clothes
- Rain gear (pants and jacket)
- Swimsuit and towel
- Dirty clothes bag
- Gloves and work clothes for service project
- Cooling towel, highly recommended
Camping Gear
- Sleeping bag or blankets, sheet
- Pillow
- Cot or pad or air mattress (cots are available to rent at the Trading Post upon arrival)
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Personal first aid kit
- Water bottle - marked with name and troop # (one you don't mind losing)
- Water bottle clip to attach water bottle to belt loop or backpack
- Sports drink powder packs for water bottles (not energy drinks)
- Backpack (day pack) - marked with name and troop # (one you don't mind losing)
- Insect repellent (non-aerosol)
- Mosquito netting
- Portable chair or camp stool
- Pocket knife and Totin' Chip
- Lockable storage container, recommended to keep clothes dry, available at big box stores)
Personal Items
- Towels and washcloth
- Soap and shampoo
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Comb, brush, mirror
- Shaving gear (if needed)
- Medicated body powder
- Personal medications (prescription and over-the-counter) listed on the medical form in original containers in a ziplock bag marked with the Scout's name with a Routine Drug Administration Record for each medication. Learn more
- Sunscreen
Optional
- Spending money for trading post (cash, debit, credit)
- Backup phone battery, rechargeable & fully charged
- Water shoes
- Shower shoes
- Lip balm
Lotion- Tent fan (battery-operated) and extra batteries
- Camera
- Frisbee (for Frisbee golf course), football, soccer ball, kickball for Gaga ball
- Bike and helmet# (see requirements)
- Fishing pole (to catch bass, sunfish, bluegill) and bait (worms, corn, jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater lures); hooks must be barbless
- Tents are provided for all participants with two campers (adults and Scouts) per tent following guidelines (e.g., separate tenting arrangements for male and female adults as well as for male and female youth; youth sharing tents must be no more than two years apart in age; youth and adults tent separately; spouses may share tents). Campers can bring their own tent.
Adults
*Mark all items with name and troop number. Electricity is limited.
#Bikes (non-motorized) are allowed on all paved roads to access the campsites and program areas and on the marked mountain bike trail by the bike barn. There are bike racks near the climbing tower, shooting sports area, Grand Pavilion, and campsites 1 and 20. All other trails, including sidewalks and grassy areas are off-limits. Helmets, proper safety protocols, and procedures are required at all times while riding bicycles. Learn more about Bike Safety.
Don’t Bring: valuables, electronics (e.g., iPad), fireworks, sheath or hunting knives, pets, hammocks, personal firearms and ammunition, jewelry, personal bows and arrows, generators
Camp App
We are thrilled to introduce our brand-new camp app, which will serve as a vital communication tool for all camp attendees, offering convenient access to essential resources such as the camp map, schedule, program updates, emergency announcements, and much more. You can find it by searching "Sam Houston Area Council" on both Apple and Android platforms.
Hydration at camp
Dehydration is a major issue at camp due to Scouts not drinking enough water. Ensure you send a well-hydrated Scout to camp; Scouts should begin hydrating the day before arriving at camp. Water stations are available throughout camp. Mark the Scout's water bottle with their name and troop number so it can be returned if they lose it. Help prepare the Scout for camp by discussing the importance of always carrying a water bottle and drinking water throughout the day.
(Source) Discuss with your Scout how to monitor the color of their urine by using a urine color chart to determine if they are getting enough fluids. Show them the urine color chart and discuss the signs of dehydration, which includes:
- Increased thirst (It’s said that if you’re thirsty, it’s already too late. You’re already dehydrated.)
- Headaches or muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dry skin and lips
- Confusion or dizziness
- Dark urine and/or decreased urine production
(Source) In high temperatures, kids don’t sweat as much as adults do, so it’s harder for them to cool off. This makes them more susceptible to dehydration and heat exhaustion. As a guideline, when it's hot, encourage at least 4 ounces of fluid every 15-20 minutes (that's 16 oz every merit badge period). Show the Scout before camp how much fluid their water bottle holds and advise them on how many water bottles they should drink every day.
Personal Possessions
Camp is an outdoor experience. A Scout is cheated out of a full outdoor experience by electronic devices. Personal items such as electronic games, iPads should not be brought to camp. In all cases, personal valuables (such as watches, wallets, and money) should not be left in the open at camp. It is virtually impossible to provide security for these items. It is recommended that each unit bring a lockable storage container to secure valuables while an adult is not in the campsite. All items are to be permanently marked with the Scout's name and troop number. Scouts should not leave any electronic device unattended while charging anywhere at camp.
Mail
For parents who may plan to send mail to their Scouts, it would be beneficial to mail letters and packages (US Mail, FedEx, UPS) by Friday of the week preceding camp attendance. There is no public phone available for Scouts to use, but if a parent needs to contact a Scout, they may call the camp office and a message will be given to the Scout at the next meal during the day.
The mailing address is Camp Strake, attn: Scout Name, Troop Number, Week Attending, 2020 Camp Strake Rd., Coldspring, TX 77331.
Special Accommodations
If a participant has special medical needs, such as the need for refrigeration to store medicine, please ensure that this information is included in the online registration. CPAP machines must be battery-powered, as power outlets near campsites are scarce. However, camp staff will attempt to meet reasonable requests to accommodate timely requests submitted through the registration process. Participants may need to bring specialty items to help fulfill some requests.
Meals
The air-conditioned dining hall seats 450 people. All meals are served in the dining hall. The dining hall features commercial gas stoves and ovens, food preparation areas, a wide selection of utensils and cooling supplies, a dry goods storage area, a dishwashing area, two walk-in refrigerators, three freezers, and additional amenities. High-quality and nutritious meals will be provided on-site by a professional custom food service company. All menus have been reviewed by a certified dietician and are designed to provide active and healthy youth and adults with the nutrition and calorie intake needed for camping.
There will be self-serve stations (e.g., salad bar, pasta bar, potato bar) at every meal. Seconds are available after everyone has been served, so there is plenty of food for everyone. Snacks are available for purchase in the Trading Post.
Special Dietary Needs
Allergies and special diets are common concerns. If a Scout requires a special diet, the parent or adult participant completes a dietary form at least two weeks prior to arrival. The camp's food service providers are highly experienced in accommodating a wide range of diets; however, not all dietary requirements can be met.
The following diets can be accommodated: vegetarian, kosher, halal, no pork, no beef, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and lactose intolerant. Shellfish is not served at camp. The only peanut product served in the dining hall is peanut butter in the extra food bar. Not all diets can be accommodated. If the camper has a unique request, the details should be entered into the online registration system along with an email, and the food service provider will notify them if the request cannot be met.
- While at camp, campers could participate in various dining styles, including family-style dining, cafeteria-style dining, and self-serve bars.
- It is expected that all campers possess the necessary knowledge of their dietary needs and can effectively manage their food choices.
- Camp staff cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. Careful consideration needs to be taken for campers with severe allergies, particularly those susceptible to airborne transmission.
- If a camper has a severe allergy or dietary restriction, don't hesitate to get in touch with the camp directors to discuss whether the camp staff is properly equipped to manage their needs.
- While the staff works to meet all dietary requirements, food is prepared in an area where milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and fish are present, and cross-contamination may occur.
- Upon arrival at camp and prior to their first meal eaten, it is the camper's responsibility to identify themselves to the kitchen staff; then cooperate in helping the camp staff meet their need(s).
Depending on the need, campers with special dietary requirements may need to bring food items to supplement those available at camp. Participants with special dietary needs can request access to refrigerators, freezers, and microwaves to heat food; however, actual cooking must be done at the campsite.
Dietary Form
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medication
Please review completely to ensure full compliance with Scouting America and State Regulations. These are required and could result in fines from the Health Department.
All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications are the responsibility of either the individual taking the medication or that individual’s parent or guardian.
A leader, after obtaining all the necessary information and permission, can agree to accept the responsibility of making sure a youth takes the necessary medication at the appropriate time, but Scouting America does not mandate or necessarily encourage the leader to do so. (Source) . The following MUST be done:
- Scouts and adults who require medication must have all medications listed on the Annual Health and Medical Record. Be sure to check (Yes or No) on Part B2 of the Annual Health and Medical Record whether non-prescription medications (e.g., acetaminophen, antibiotic ointment, antacids, antihistamine, hydrocortisone cream) can be administered at camp.
- Send enough of the medication in sufficient quantities in the original container to last throughout camp, but only send the amount of medication needed at camp. If requested, most pharmacists will provide a second labeled container for medications so only the needed prescription can be sent to camp and the remainder can be kept at home in a labeled container.
- Medication must be in the original container with the prescription label. Daily pill containers are not acceptable.
Place all medications in a zip-lock-type plastic bag with the Scout’s name on it. - A Routine Drug Administration Record must be filled out by the unit leader when medications are dispensed at camp and then turned in to HQ at the end of the week.
- All information on administration, including any specialized equipment or medication (e.g., insulin injections, insulin pumps, and emergency medications) should be provided by parents/guardians to unit leaders.
- Campers should not stop taking any maintenance medications unless instructed to do so by their doctor.
- During camp, all medications must be placed in a lockable storage or other secure location that is not accessible to campers. If a medication needs to be refrigerated, contact the camp health officer.
- Ensure medications are not expired, including inhalers and EpiPens.
- Emergency medications (asthma inhalers or epinephrine auto-injectors) that may be needed for an emergency or on an urgent basis may be carried by the youth participant. A buddy or a responsible adult should be sure the youth has the emergency medication. • Youth need to know how to use the medications. • The youth participant must notify the adult leader immediately upon self-administering the emergency medication. • In many cases, an evaluation or further treatment by a healthcare provider may be needed after the use of some emergency medications, e.g., epinephrine, even if the youth member feels OK. It may also be necessary to obtain an additional supply if no additional doses are available. • Planning should address how the emergency medication will be administered and include how to develop the adult leader’s comfort in assisting the youth if necessary. • The parent or guardian should be notified of the use of emergency medication.
- If permission to administer over-the-counter (OTC) medications is not checked on the medical form, medical personnel must attempt to contact the parent or guardian for permission to administer such medications (e.g., Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol). If the health and safety staff is unable to reach a parent/guardian, the Scout will need further medical evaluation by the designated camp physician or a hospital facility.
- Resources:
• Routine Drug Administration Record
• Medication Use in Scouting
• Safe Use of Medication in Scouting
Youth Leaving and Returning
Parents are encouraged to allow Scout to stay at camp for the entire week. This reduces unnecessary traffic in and out of camp, allowing youth to have the complete camp experience with their troop. Youth will only be allowed to check out from camp prior to final checkout by an adult authorized on Part B of the Scout’s Annual Health and Medical Record. Please ensure that parents in your troop have included all authorized adults on this form. Without this authorization on the form, only an adult from the Scout’s troop registered for camp or the parent signing the form will be allowed to remove the child from camp prior to the final checkout.
No one, including a Scout leader or parent, will be allowed to leave camp with a person under the age of 18 without having checked out at the camp office and receiving a ticket, which will be taken by security just before you reach the exit of the camp.
During checkout, on the last day of camp, adult leaders will receive exit tickets for all youth in their troop from their camp commissioner once they have successfully checked out.
Lost and Found
If any lost items are found, they should be turned in at the camp commissioner’s office in HQ as soon as is reasonably possible. Likewise, if anyone from your troop has lost an item while at camp, check with the camp commissioner’s office to determine if it has been returned there. Lost items will be kept in the camp commissioner’s office through the end of camp. After camp, the camp director will dispose of the items left at camp (e.g., donating them to a non-profit organization, returning them to the council office, or disposing of them in the trash). Neither the council nor its staff shall be held responsible for any lost items.
Do not bring valuables to camp. To assist in returning items to their rightful owner, please ensure that all items brought to camp have the owner’s name and troop number marked on them.
Trading Post
The trading post, located in the camp headquarters building, is stocked with merit badge pamphlets, t-shirts, Scouting literature, handicraft supplies, camp patches, mugs, camping equipment, cold drinks, ice cream, and candy. The trading posts accept cash, checks, and credit cards (Master Card, Visa, American Express, and Discover).
Illegal Substances
Smoking or vaping by youth at any Scouting event will not be tolerated. If a youth is caught smoking at camp, the youth’s parents or guardians will be contacted by phone and shall be required to pick the youth up from camp immediately. The consumption, possession, or use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or controlled substances at camp is not permitted. All local, state, and federal laws will be followed when a violation involving the above substances is reported. Violators will be asked to leave the camp immediately.
Photographs
Notice! Please be advised that promotional videotaping, photography, and drone photography may be in progress at any time during an event. Your entrance constitutes your agreement that the district has the right to reproduce your likeness in videography and photography for promotional purposes (e.g., publications, internet, newspapers).
Questions
Parents of campers should contact their troop leaders with questions about summer camp. Many of the adult leaders attending summer camp are quite experienced and can answer questions.
