Camping is Cool!

Objective

Discuss and share ways the Order can enhance the council camping program overall.

Opening

• Introduce yourself,

• lodge,
• city and state.

• State the objectives of the session.

Discovery

Many people feel the Order's main purpose is to promote camping. While it is not, camping promotion overall is a real service the lodge can provide to the local council.

In this session, we want to discuss successful camping promotion methods and activities that have been used, along with determining who the audience is for this promotion.

Too many troops do not have an active outdoor program or participate in summer camp, camporees or monthly weekend outings. What may be the cause?

(Look for these answers from the group.)

Lack of trained leadership.

- No equipment.
- No knowledge of events or programs.
- Young troop.
- Had a bad experience at camp or at a camporee.
- Others?

Teaching/Learning

What may be some good ways to overcome these obstacles through the OA?

(List on board or chart.)

Have an arrowman "adopt" a troop for a short period, to teach them in camping skills.

- Visit the unit, inform the Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader about opportunities available

from the council.
- If a unit does not have the equipment, perhaps it can be borrowed for a weekend.
- Publish a "Where to Go Camping" book.
- Promote camping at unit elections, leadership training courses and other events.
- Have the OA setup a model campsite, staffed with arrowmen at a camporee.
- Get the OA to conduct activities, games and campfires at district or council camporees.
- Have the OA conduct a day-long camping workshop, open to adults and youth leaders.
- Others?

Application

With these suggestions in mind, what is the next step?

• Conduct a camping "audit" with the local council.
• Use OA members on Summer Camp staff.
• Work in harmony with the council's Camping Committee to design and implement a quality camping promotion program.
• Promote not only Summer Camp, but High Adventure opportunities as well.
• Develop a timetable for promotion, set a goal for troops to visit.
• Evaluate camp attendance to see if you have been effective in the past.
• Others?

Summary

Scouting is an outdoor based program. To enjoy it fully a troop must have an active outdoor program. The Order of the Arrow can insure that the opportunity is there for all troops by using its resources (people, data, finances, contacts) to help promote and strengthen the camping program of the local council.

The Order can be a great promotional tool for expanding and solidifying camping traditions and spirit.

(Session Leader: Thank the participants for coming. Evaluator: Gather the evaluation forms and return them to the Adult Personal Development Office.)