We absolutely encourage participation on the part of parents on Troop 1018 campouts, but for those new to Boy Scouting there are some important guidelines that we ask you follow. While there are exceptions, these guidelines are in effect on most outings.
The Adult Leader – If you come on a campout (and, again, we strongly encourage this!!), you do so in the role of an adult leader. You are expected to serve in that capacity, helping all Scouts as a troop leader. In Boy Scouting, the primary job of the adult leaders is to ensure that the activity is safe and to assist the boys in carrying out their activities. The underlying principle is to encourage the boys and provide guidance, but NOT to do their work for them. Remember, we’re helping them to learn self-sufficiency and how to work on their own. They won’t learn if we do things for them. That’s not to say that adults don’t pitch in – but it is important to let the boys learn by doing and let the boy leaders organize and carry out their activities.
The Adult Patrol – In Troop 1018 each patrol sets up its own campsite and plans its own menu. The adults are no different. We form our own patrol and camp together, apart from the boys’ patrols. In general, we do not mix our tents with those of the boys nor do we eat as members of their patrols.
Adult Meals – We generally plan and cook our own meals, separate from the boys. We do this for two main reasons. First, it sets a good example for planning and demonstrates at least one “proper” way to plan and cook meals. Also, we tend to try meals that are a little more sophisticated than standard Scout fare, which also tends to set an example and motivate the Scouts to try something new and different the next time out. On many occasions, something that the adults tried on one campout shows up on the Scout menu on a subsequent campout. We also commonly made deserts or special treats for the troop as a whole and share our “leftovers” (we always seem to make a little bit more than we need).
Adult/Scout tenting – BSA youth protection policies forbid an adult and boy sharing the same tent unless father and son. That having been said, with rare exceptions, we ask that fathers not share a tent with their sons. As mentioned above, adults are members of a separate patrol and each patrol sets up its tents together under guidance of the patrol leader or his designee.
Tobacco/Alcohol – No alcohol will be consumed on Scouting activities. Smoking by adults is prohibited while Scouts are in the same vehicle. Adults who use tobacco products must do so discretely out of sight of the Scouts.
Adult Leader Training – The Scoutmaster Handbook, published by the BSA provides adults with an excellent overview of the program, its goals, and how to attain them. We highly encourage your taking the time to read it, even if you only plan to participate in 1018 activities on an occasional basis. Also, we highly encourage all adults to take official Boy Scout leader training. It’s fun!