1. The following is a set of Standards for a Boy Scout Camp therefore, for your Troop Camp! How "near" does our camp come to reaching these standards? If not, why not? Why should we be camping and not meet our accepted standards? What can be done to correct weaknesses?

2. Read the introductory statement and pass on to the sections containing the various items in the Standards. Let us consider:

"1. Camping Objectives." Item (a) under this is "Character and citizenship" with an explanation. Read this explanation and rate your camp for this item in the little square to the left of the statement. Use 10 for perfect, (that is, having reached the objective) and 9, 8, 7, 6, etc., for accomplishments of lesser degree. Continue working all items. There may not be time for working them all for the leader's camp but you can do so for your own camp. Check this list before you go camping and you will save yourself much lost motion.

Standards For Camping (A Yardstick Of Achievement In Scout Camping)

The National Council, as chartered by Congress, has the responsibility of establishing and maintaining such Camping Standards as will guarantee to all Scouts the necessary leadership safeguards and proper camping facilities and to aid Scouts in the development of a sense of responsibility, resourcefulness, self-reliance, habits of health, a love and appreciation of the out-of-doors, and a sense of loyalty to the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law.

Over the years we have been moving towards the building of a dependable human body of knowledge and techniques on which the operation of all camps may be based. We refer to these as standards. They are not "frozen." They represent a minimum of good practice, but the top is left open for even greater improvement.

These Standards are not regulation? to be placed before leaders as obstacles. They are ideals. They should be considered as a guide to better camping. Properly used, they serve as a check list for planning and a more definite and trustworthy basis for appraising a camp.

These Standards should be-used in the training of all Scouters connected with the Movement in any capacity related to camping. They also aia us in commencing to the public the validity of camping, when guided by desirable standards.

No Scouter should want to assume the responsibility of long or short term camp without giving cue consideration to those things which are known to be essential to a successful and profitable experience for the Scouts he seeks to serve.

In order that Local Council officials may assist Troop or other Unit leaders in their planning, we ask the latter to make formal application to the Council to conduct a long terra camp either on or off the Council site (see forms on pages 40-41). When approved, this application should assure all concerned that due care has been exercised in the planning and preparation of the camp. This is both Scout and Scouter protection.

1. Camping Objectives

(a) To Develop Character and Citizenship. Scout Camping is not merely a pastime but it is a purposeful experience for Scouts in which the goal is Character Building, Citizenship Training, and Physical Fitness. It develops self-reliance, resourcefulness, the spirit of helpfulness and cooperation, and it prepares boys for useful enjoyment of the out-of-doors.

(b) To Motivate the Scout Troop. All Scout Camping shall be so connected as to recognize the year-round organization, to the end that Patrols shall be strengthened as working units.

2. Leadership And Organization. For Troop Camps

(a) The Troop shall be under the leadership of competent Scouters, preferably the registered Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster, but if not available, other Scouters may be temporarily designated as Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster for the duration of the camp, with full responsibility for maintaining discipline and directing the work of Patrols and Personnel of the Troop organization. (Leadership must be approved by Troop Committee and Council.)

(b) Additional Scout Leadership (another assistant or Junior Assistant Scoutmaster) Is strongly recommended when there are more than two full Patrols in camp. (More than 16 Scouts.)

(c) A Senior Patrol Leader (regular or acting) for the Troop.

(d) Each Patrol shall have a Patrol Leader.

(e) The duties and responsibilities of the various officers of a Troop in any Scout Camp should be definitely fixed. Following is a suggested plan:

1. Scoutmaster - is the officer in charge, and is responsible for the Executive direction of the Troop.

2. An Assistant Scoutmaster (Physical Arrangements) responsible for all physical needs of the Troop, such as equipment, commissary supplies, uniforms, transportation, sanitation, health. He may also be responsible for finance, accounting and records.

3. An Assistant Scoutmaster (Activities) responsible for Scoutcraft, handicraft, nature study, trailcraft, camp fires, and aquatics.

4. The Senior Patrol Leader as boy leader of the Troop shall be responsible for such Troop administrative and executive duties as are assigned to him by the Scoutmaster Including program schedules, roll call, Troop movements, and Troop formations.

5. Each Patrol Leader shall be responsible for leadership of the members of his Patrol, for their Patrol Quarters and for carrying out assignments, representing the Patrol in Troop Leaders' Council meetings.

6. The Assistant Patrol Leader assists the Patrol Leader as directed by him and is in charge of the Patrol in the absence of the Patrol Leader.

7. Other Troop Leaders such as Scribe and Quartermaster shall perform their regular duties and such special duties as the Scoutmaster may assign.

For Council Camps

(Note: Because Council Camps vary in size, it is not practical to outline what should constitute a Central Staff. We do, however, offer some guiding principles and suggestions.

(f) The members of the staff should be chosen primarily on their ability collectively and individually to serve Troops. Their effectiveness should be measured in terms of their ability to help Troops "To stand on their own feet."

(g) Staff members should understand and subscribe to the principles involved in Troop and Patrol organization and administrative methods.

(h) Since the staff is employed to coach, and otherwise support Troop leaders, the majority should be men of sufficient maturity, judgment and experience, to command the respect of Troop Scouters.

(i) In general the work in any camp should be organized under the following headings: Administration; Business Management (Finances, Records, Accounting); Campsite Maintenance and Equipment; Commissary; Program (Woodcraft, Campcraft, Aquatics, Physical Fitness); Troop Counseling (Commissioners); and Health and Safety (First Aid, etc.)

(j) The duties and responsibilities of every staff member should be clearly defined in writing and an understanding should be developed between the Director and each member of the staff.

3. Camp Site

(a) To the greatest extent possible, a camp site should possess romantic and aesthetic values as well as plants, trees, animal life and terrain adapted to playing the Game of Scouting.

(b) In so far as possible, there should be no accident or health hazards. Floods, whirlpools, swift streams, undertow, unprotected mine shafts, cliffs, dangerous reptiles, cattle, poison ivy, flies, mosquitoes, may make a campsite very undesirable.

(c) The site should be one that drains naturally, otherwise it should be artificially drained.

(d) The site should be-situated as to give each Troop proper privacy, a sense of independence and freedom from undue interference by outsiders.

(e) Council long term camps should be reasonably accessible.

(f) The cost of transportation for each camper to and from long term camps should be sufficiently low to permit maximum participation.

(g) Short term camp sites should be located near enough to provide a transportation cost within the means of the majority of the Scouts ano opportunity for spending the largest amount of the time available in the camp.

(h) Water recreational facilities, swimming, boating, canoeing, under safe conditions are desirable.

(i) Ample supply of water for drinking, cooking ano washing hands and dishes is essential. (The minimum standard for long term camps is not less than 30 gal. per person daily, and not less than 50 gal. per camper daily where flush toilet and shower baths are used.)

(j) Use of a site other than Local Council Reservation used for Troop camps should be approved by the Local Council in order that camping standards may be maintained. (This applies to long-term camps.)

(k) All camp improvement and layout of the site should be such as to facilitate Troop and Patrol operation, and to make camping on a Troop basis attractive.