Guidelines for Adults on Campouts

Scout Tenting & Meals—Scouts should tent with their patrol in a patrol site separate from the other patrols. Scouts sometimes cook and eat together as a patrol or the troop may cook as a unit and share responsibilities. Either way, scouts should do all cooking and cleaning under the guidance of adult leaders. Adults should tent in a separate area from the scouts but close enough to keep an eye on things and make sure scouts are safe. 

Follow the Plan- Many of our campouts and events require adults to drive or accompany the scouts. It is important not to change the agenda, meeting place or time. The adult leaders along with the SPL have carefully planned the campout taking into account a myriad of “moving parts”. Taking a side trip or engaging in an unplanned activity must be avoided unless it is approved by the Scoutmaster.

Boy Leadership—Adults should not interfere with the functioning of boy leaders, even if they make mistakes (we all learn best from our mistakes). Step in only if it is a matter of immediate safety or if the mistake will be immediately costly. If possible, involve the SPL or a uniformed adult leader first.

Boy Growth—Never do anything for a boy that he can do himself. Let him make decisions without adult interference, and let him make non-costly mistakes. Always direct him to his patrol leader or senior patrol leader for answers to questions.

Rationale for Scout Lead Troop—Boy Scout camping activities allows scouts to learn teamwork, leadership, and camping skills. It is important that adults not be in the middle of scout activities such as tent pitching, meal preparation, and anything else where scouts get to practice decision-making. Scouts have real authority and genuine responsibilities. The idea is that scouts learn leadership by practicing it, not by watching adults lead.

So Now What do adults do? — Now that we've surrendered so much direct authority to boys? Here are our troop's guidelines on the indirect, advisory role you now enjoy (you should enjoy watching your son and other scouts take progressively more mature and significant responsibilities as he advances in rank and zooms toward adulthood).

The underlying principle is never do anything for a boy that he can do himself. We allow boys to grow by practicing leadership and by learning from their mistakes. And while Scout skills are an important part of the program, what ultimately matters when our Scouts become adults is not whether they can use a map & compass, but whether they can offer leadership to others in tough situations; and can live by a code that centers on honest, honorable, and ethical behavior.

Boys need to learn to make decisions without adult intervention (except when it's a matter of immediate safety). Boys are in a patrol so they can learn leadership and teamwork without adult interference.

Quite simply, our troop policy requires adults to cook, eat, and tent separately from the Scouts (even dads & sons). We are safely nearby, but not smothering close. Sure, go ahead and visit the patrol sites, talk to your son and the other Scouts, ask what's going on or how things are going, but give the boys room to grow while you enjoy the view. Show a Scout how to do something, but don't do it for him. Avoid the temptation to give advice, and don't jump in just to prevent a mistake from happening (unless it's serious). We all learn best from our mistakes. And let the patrol leader lead.

Your job is tough, challenging, and ultimately rewarding, because your son will be a man seemingly overnight.