Essential Skills

In preparation for camp, it would be really useful if you could ensure that your child has some key skills and awareness...these will help ensure the safety and well-being of all the campers.

Personal Hygiene

The leaders are not able to monitor washing and tooth-cleaning of 60+ Scouts on a daily basis, but we will remind them that it should be happening. One of the most important aspects of camp hygiene is hand-washing...please remind your Scout that it is really important for hands to be washed with soap after boating, after using the toilet, and before preparing food.

Washing Up

We have found that many Scouts do not know how to wash up. If you can practice washing up after a meal this would be a really useful skill to master. Things to point out are:

• Items can be rinsed in cold water prior to washing up properly.

• The water needs to be as hot as possible.

• Only one squirt of washing up liquid is required!

• The water can be changed if need be; if you wouldn’t wash your face in it, it needs changing.

• Wash-up the cleaner items before the pans etc.

• Tea towels are for drying clean items and dishcloths are for the dirty items!!!

• Wash up at the table not on the floor!

Safety in the Kitchen

Scouts take on many exhilarating and adventurous activities, but it may not be a surprise to know that most accidents occur whilst cooking.

It is essential that everyone preparing, cooking and serving of food is aware of the need for certain elementary precautions of safety, to minimise the risk of accident. You can help us by running through these safety tips before camp and giving some practical experience in the kitchen at home.

1. Do not leave metal spoons in boiling liquids, and never use a damp cloth for lifting or carrying hot utensils. Heat penetrates more quickly than a dry cloth.

2. Do not leave handles of cooking pans over the gas flame. Do not reach over naked flames.

3. Always carry a knife with its point towards the floor and never attempt to catch a knife if you drop it.

4. Always cut or chop on a board, never in the hand.

5. Never hold a pan or cup whilst someone else is pouring boiling water into it. Always put it down and keep your hands clear. Put some cold water in the washing up bowl before adding the hot.

6. When using a handheld can opener, protect the other hand with a cloth or kitchen towel.

7. Wear suitable clothing when cooking and never wear sandals or open shoes in the kitchen.

8. Pans containing hot fat, which has caught fire, should be extinguished by smothering with a fire blanket or a thick damp cloth. Never put water on a fat or oil fire.

9. Ensure there is a suitable water supply nearby to treat any burns.

10. In case of an accident, fetch a leader immediately for first aid treatment.

11. For economy, as well as safety, all gas burners must be turned off when not in use. Gas cylinders should be turned off when not in use.

12. Do not place knives or other sharp implements in washing up bowl unless you intend to wash them immediately? You may be distracted and forget they are in there.