Open Program Concept

Because interests and needs of Troops vary, just like those of different Scouts, the delivery of the wide camp program offering is structured to allow for as much flexibility as possible. Approximately sixty experienced Scouts and Scouters are invited to serve on the camp staff each summer. In order to connect Scouts and Troops to this tremendous resource, the council has elected to use an open program delivery format. The open program format puts troops in the drivers seat.

The most noticeable difference in the open program format is that while there are more than 40 merit badges offered at camp, there are not any "merit badge classes." In fact, Scouts may earn more merit badges in open program camps because they do not need to sit through classes wasting time being taught skills that they have already mastered. Counselors like it too, because they can focus their efforts on teaching specific skills that Scouts are motivated to learn. Merit badge Counselors and Instructors are generally available in their program areas to work with Scouts between 9:00-12:00AM, 2:00-5:00PM, and 7:00-8:00PM each day except during the Friday Camp Games.

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Program Planning

Decide what you want to accomplish with your troop at camp. Set goals for the troop, the troop leadership, the patrols, and the Scouts. In order to accomplish your goals, you'll need a plan. Involve everybody. The object is to make it the Troop's Plan for summer camp.

Ask the Scouts what they want to do at camp: Share a list of suggested camp activities with the Scouts. Let them get excited about going to camp. Ask them what they would like to do together as a troop, as a patrol, with a friend, and on their own. Plan fun activities that lead toward achievement of your goals.

Determine your troop advancement needs: Update your individual advancement records and have each Scout set a personal advancement goal for his week at camp.

Set your troop objectives for camp: List the accomplishments that you hope to achieve with the troop at camp. Your plan should lead you toward achieving your goals.

Meet with the Troop Committee: Sketch out a program for the troop’s week at camp. Discuss your objectives and build the accomplishment of those goals into the program. Get the support of the committee behind you. Draft a list of activities that may be substituted for the program that the committee likes, use this list to give the Scouts a voice in the planning process.

Meet with the Troop Leader's Council: Sell the program plan to the Scouts. Allow the leaders to adjust the plan and make it their own. Present your choices of recommended activities to the Scouts, let them select alternate activities from your list if the initial suggestion flops.

Make a Written Plan

In the following pages you'll find lots of activity ideas for your week at summer camp. You, your junior leaders, scouts, committee members, and parents, are in charge of planning your troop schedule of activities. Using the "Camp Schedule" page of this guidebook, write your troops plan for the week. It is OK to block out time for troop and patrol activities because scouts move from one activity to another according to their own goals and desires, and the schedule which you plan. The Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders are Scouts too, and your troop schedule should allow them time to work on merit badges and have fun in addition to fulfilling their leadership responsibility.

The "Open Program" format allows Scouts to spend as much or as little time as they want in any given program area during open program time each day. Scouts can drop in anytime to a program area to learn skills or to join the fun, and, when their interests change, the Scouts can follow their new interest to another program center. Scouts can work on merit badges at camp in the same manner that they do at home. There are few "merit badge classes," though some Counselors will ask several Scouts working on the same badge to meet together if the Scouts schedules allow. Scouts that cannot commit to a group meeting can make individual arrangements with the counselor - just like home.

Here is one method often used to create the troops camp schedule. Make enough copies of the Camp Schedule for each Scout, each Patrol, and each Troop Leader. Using the Camp Schedule form, block out times for Troop-wide activities. This is your Troop Schedule. Next, have patrols block out time for activities that the patrol members are going to do together. This is their Patrol Schedule. The open block (the "free time") remaining on a patrol member's schedule defines the time that he has to pursue his personal camp goals and activities. This is the Scout's Schedule. You may add Trail to First Class instruction, and other special activities to your schedule when you meet the camp staff upon your arrival at summer camp. Most Scoutmasters find that it is helpful to meet with their Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) each morning to go over the day's activity plan for the troop and each patrol, then follow-up with the SPL each evening to review the events of the day. Part of the Scoutmaster's job is to make sure the SPL understands how to work the plan. Remember, it's his troop. Touch base with him when you feel your counsel is needed. Help him help the Patrol Leaders keep their Scouts on track.

When you follow these guidelines you will create a large number of opportunities for your Scouts to practice and exercise their leadership. You will help each Scout assume responsibility for the accomplishment of his personal camp goals. Best of all, youll leave camp with a winning team.

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GOOD TROOP SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS ARE:

Boy-Planned: Planning the troops summer camp program can be a part of the growth process of Scouting if the Scouts themselves are involved through the Patrol Leaders Council (PLC). The PLC, with guidance from the Scoutmaster, should see that the troop program reflects the individual goals of the various troop members as well as the collective aims they feel the troop should work toward.

Balanced: Experience has shown that the best program at camp is the one that offers each a healthy balance between recreation and advancement, free time and structured activity, group events and individual pursuits. Each Scout should be allowed to enjoy his surroundings, pursue his interests, and build friendships.

Individualized: A successful camp program reflects the different ages, ranks and skill levels of the troop. While it is good for the troop to conduct some activities as a whole, other programs should be geared to the various needs and goals of the patrols and troop members.

Practical: The realities of camp life should be taken into account in planning your program. Remember that no troop can participate in all activities during one session at camp. You should allow sufficient time in your program for the realities of eating, sleeping, and clean up.

Flexible: Remember that there are at least a dozen other troops planning a program that involves the staff and facilities at the same time that your troop will be using them. Luckily, the majority of the time the camp's capacity is great enough to meet the demand, but sometimes it is necessary for one or more troops to rearrange a part of their program to enable the staff to serve them properly. Please be prepared for this possibility and have enough flexibility built into your program that a couple of changes won't ruin it.