Although the tents are available, do not attempt to take the whole Troop short-term camping before they have participated in several hikes definitely designed to give them a certain amount of training in camp leadership, cooking, orderliness, and the construction of camp "gadgets"—the various rustic, useful things that help make a camp more comfortable and efficient.

All the Scouts should be given a definite understanding of what is required for personal and Patrol equipment. This may be done by assigning to each Patrol at a Troop meeting, the project of discussing and making up a list of what it considers sufficient equipment—the best list to be presented before the whole Troop. Correct methods of packing and complete equipment for a boy and a Patrol may be demonstrated to the Troop by a couple of older Scouts— invited in from another Troop, if need be. Patrol spirit may be encouraged by having uniform equipment within each Patrol even though there are differences between the Patrols.

Training The Patrol Leaders

It is of great importance that the Patrol Leaders be trained several steps in advance of their Scouts. This is done by studying and discussing at Troop Leaders' meetings the Camping Chapter of the Handbook for Patrol Leaders, and by running a couple of shortterm camps with the Green Bar Patrol, as suggested in Chat 13 of this Handbook for Scoutmasters. During these short-term camps, the Patrol Leaders will have a chance to do the very things which will be required of their Patrols when the Troop goes short-term camping. This should include everything from creating the proper organization to setting up camp and carrying through a complete program of activities.

A sample of such a training short-term camp for the Patrol Leaders appears on the last page of Chat 13.

Who Plans the Troop Short-Term Camp?

The planning of the short-term camp might well be turned over to a special committee similar to the Hike Committee discussed in the preceding Chat. The job of this Short-Term Camp Committee would then be:

1. Planning the short-term camp

2. Investigating the camp site

3. Making the announcements

4. Executing the short-term camp.

The Short-Term Camp Committee should get information at once from the Local Council office in order to take advantage of the experience of other Troops and the advice of camping experts.