The first announcements of the forthcoming Troop Camp should be made as soon as dates, etc., have been decided. And from that day on hardly a Troop meeting or a hike should pass without further announcements and suggestions for preparation. The general activity of getting equipment together will add to the boys' excitement, and a camp bank may be established in charge of a responsible adult, to which the Scouts may bring their nickels, dimes and quarters as earned.

First Notice

About two months before camp the first notice to parents should be sent out, either sent home with the boys, or preferably through the mail. This may be a mimeographed letter, arranged in a manner like this:

Troop............

Our Summer Camp

Special Regulations

1) The SCOUT LAW is the Law of the camp. Every Scout will be expected to live up to it at all times.

(2) No one is allowed to leave the camp site without the permission of the Scoutmaster or his representative.

(3) Every Scout is required to keep a diary of the camp. A special prize will be awarded for the best diary.

Please fill out the coupon below and return it to me as soon as possible in the enclosed envelope.

Yours for the success of Troop............

Scoutmaster

Send to Scoutmaster......................at the earliest date convenient.

I am desirous of having my boy,.......................

(name of Scout) take part in the summer camp of Troop

............, from July 30 to August 9, and agree to the rules of the camp.

Signed..............................

Parent or Guardian

Parents' Meeting

If at all possible, a Parents' Meeting should be called for about one month before the opening of camp. At this meeting the Chairman of the Troop Committee will have an opportunity to describe to the parents the high standards under which the camp will be run and to reassure the more timid ones. The Scoutmaster will have a chance to tell about the activities planned, to get the mothers interested in training their sons in cooking, and in general orderliness, and to get the fathers interested in helping their boys secure needed equipment.

Further Notices

If it is impossible to have a Parents' Meeting, another notice should be sent out about a month prior to camp, containing information as to personal equipment, time when camp fees are to be paid.

And then, about a week before camp, the final notice goes out to Scouts and parents with details on where boys are to meet and how they are to be transported to camp, and such other information as may be found necessary.

Financing The Troop Camp

The camp fees should have been worked out in such a way that they will take care of a budgeted cost of the complete camp—not including the equipment which should be paid for by the Troop fund.

But although they have been set as low as possible there may be parents who cannot afford to pay them. They may not say anything about it, but their boys may indicate at Troop meetings that they do not think they can go.

If a boy's parents do not attend a meeting held for them, the conscientious Scoutmaster will take pains to visit the parents. This will involve more time but in many cases will be far more effective than a letter. The Scoutmaster may well call upon a Troop Committee member to make some of these visits. If the boy is not planning to go to camp, the reason why should be drawn out of the parents in a cooperative manner. If it is because the mother is worried about Johnnie's safety, such worries should be overcome. If there seem to be financial reasons, the Troop Committee member may be frank in stating that the Troop is tremendously desirous of having Johnnie in camp and may be able to find the means of taking care of part of

Transportation. It must be safe, reliable and yet within the budget. Scouts are enjoying this bus, this train and this free-wheeling ride.

Johnnie's camp fees by helping him to earn them for himself. If correctly approached there is little reason why Johnnie's parents shouldn't give their consent. The Troop Committee is responsible for seeing to it that a camp fund is available to care for special instances.

Transportation

The problem of transportation should be looked into early, and the method decided upon. If the distance is not too great it may be possible for Scout parents to provide cars. In that case, the Troop Committee should establish a special Parents' Transportation Committee to solve the problem.

In all instances, the Scouts should be brought only in vehicles that are mechanically safe and driven by competent drivers. The legal speed rate of the State must not be exceeded, and no Scout must be permitted to hang on the outside of the cars. Adult drivers only should be used. Young drivers are less reliable than older ones.

If busses are used, they should be public carriers, using the legal capacity. The use of trucks should be avoided.

If Scouts are transported by motor boat, it should have full marine coverage, should be equipped with a life preserver for each passenger, handled by a competent operator, and not over-loaded.

Scouts should be protected by insurance while being transported. Such insurance may be secured at very modest rates through most creditable insurance companies.

Health And Safety*

The camp should be the most healthful and safest place for a boy. The leaders in charge of the camp have a grave responsibility here. It is not enough to provide an interesting program and good food. We also want the boys to go home stronger physically and equipped with the elements of self-reliance. First and foremost, we want to be able to "Bring 'em back alive."

To do that we must see to it that proper health and safety practices are followed. In the Inter-Troop Camp provision is made by the Council for most of these practices. In the Independent Troop Camp they must be instituted and continued throughout the camping period.

* By Health and Safety Service, Boy Scouts of America.

The physical examination plays an important part in the health program of the Scout camp.