This section is from the book "Handbook For Scoutmasters. Volume 1 & 2", by Boy Scouts of America. Also available from Amazon: Handbook For Scoutmasters.
Seasonal Events, affecting Program Development: Father's Day Flag Day
High Spot | Council Camporee— Fathers' and Sons' Banquet |
Outdoors | Participation in Council Camporee. Three day camp emphasizing experiments with various types of fires. Outdoor Troop meetings. Nature Hike—Study of birds, plants, insects, etc. Instruction in swimming and life saving. Flag Day hike. Summer "Olympics". Kid Brothers' and Cubs' wiener roast hike. |
Indoors | Inter-Patrol Stunt contest at Troop meeting. Agitation for camp continued. Special speaker on "The History of Old Glory" in connection with Flag Day. Fathers' and Sons' banquet around Father's Day, boy speakers. Act as host to Neighboring Troop. |
Special Activities | Be sure to avoid scheduling special activities that might interfere with school examination preparations. Encourage the boys to help around house and garden. Patrol handicraft project: Nature collections—wood specimens, paper knives, pressed leaves and flowers, plaster casts. |
Preparing for the Future | Checkup on camp attendance. Visit parents of boys who have not yet registered for camp. Prepare hikes and camp visit in July for boys who do not get any vacation. Also vacation program for Scouts when not in camp—including swimming, evening camp fires, and industrial trips. |
When it's June, we surely must get outdoors. Camping or hiking we must go. School ia almost over. This is the period to make the Scouts enthusiastic about summer camp. Camporee gadgets can put spice into many a hike. Plan to get materials for certain gadgets and the Troop will have a reason to get out and study nature.
Seasonal Events, affecting Program Development: School Vacation Fourth of July
High Spot | Summer Camp—Swimming Meet |
Outdoors | As many boys as possible in Camp (July or August). Instruction in swimming and life saving continued. Hikes and overnight visits to camp for stay-at-homes. Outdoor meetings with games and athletics. Celebration of the Fourth of July. Special speaker on "Declaration of Independence". Swimming Meet. |
Indoors | No indoor activities. |
Special Activities | Help farmers who have placed camp site at your disposal with hay harvest and their rush of farm work. Nature collections and nature trail building. Patrol handicraft project: Pioneering— bridge building, signal towers, lean-tos. |
Preparing for the Future | Start planning the fall work. Have boys at home suggest new decoration of Troop meeting room. Work on Merit Badge projects. Prepare for Robinson Crusoe Camp. |
At the Troop Camp or the Council Camp, your Scouts will be on their own, if you can go with them. You will be able to make a camp that you will all remember. Use your Troop Leaders to work out the details. This is their chance to show their ability and your opportunity to enjoy the results of the winter's training that the Scouts have received.
Seasonal Events, affecting Program Development: School Vacation
High Spot | Summer Camp-Robinson Crusoe Overnight Camp |
Outdoors | As many boys as possible in Camp (July or August). Instruction in swimming and life saving continued. Hikes for boys not attending camp. Cooking contest. Robinson Crusoe Overnight Camp. 24 hour hike. |
Indoors | No indoor activities. |
Special Activities | Have the boys at home help decorate Troop meeting room so that everything may be ready for the fall round-up. Gather material for Troop museum. Entertain Troop Committee for meal and evening in camp. Arrange a day's outing for less-chance children. |
Preparing for the Future | Send letters out to all Scouts about first meeting after the vacation period. Make arrangements for Troop Committee meeting. Have plans ready for the fall months. Prepare plans through which the Troop (if not already full) may reach more boys. |
Robinson Crusoe Camping: The final high spot. The exciting test of what your Scouts have learned during the training year just completed. Abandoned on their desert island or remote seashore or lake side or river bank, they can pit their Scout skill against the "wilderness." They'll survive, and will learn by acid test just how much they know.
Program | Planning | |
Feature | By Whom | When |
Skeleton Program for the year | Troop Leaders' Council, with cooperation of Troop Committee | Beginning of Troop year |
Monthly Program | Troop Leaders' Council | Around the 15th of the preceding month |
Weekly or Fortnightly Troop meetings | Troop Leaders' Council | At half-meeting of T. L. C. immediately following the preceding meeting |
Hikes | Troop Leaders' Council or special hike committee | Far enough in advance to carry out all preparations and promote attendance |
Short-Term Camps | Troop Leaders' Council or special camp committee | 1-2 months in advance |
Long-Term Camps | Troop Leaders' Council, with cooperation of Troop Committee and Local Council | 6-8 months in advance |
Special Events and Local Council Activities | Troop Leaders' Council, with cooperation of Troop Committee and Local Council as needed | As far in advance as is necessary in each instance |
 
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