Wyndfall

Forgot to mention, I was thrown to the proverbial wolves also as a day camp director. I had from March to June to plan. Attended camp school the 1st weekend of June and camp was 3 weeks later. PM did not attend camp school which made for some interesting conversations over proper procedures. Also got a new DE at the start of camp (FD swore the new DE wouldn't be thrown to the wolves). We all survived quite well. One thing you can never have too much of is ideas in case it rains. If you can, have each of your station leaders have backup plans, it makes it easier. Also, be very familiar with the parking at the site of your camps. Decide ahead of time how pickup and drop off will work on a daily basis, and how to handle it if it severely storms and you have to dismiss camp early. And, as camp director, it is your decision when it is imperative to suspend activities and get the scouts undercover. Hopefully, you will have good weather! The best advice I can give you as a director is to look at your plans and activities and (I know this sounds negative) think of every thing that can go wrong and try to have a plan b,c,d. There's a reason the Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared!" If you have any questions, you can email me privately. Good Luck!!!!

If you are having a nature station, see if you can find someone who is knowledgable in the use of herbs and plants and can explain medieval medicine and some of the misconceptions. The right person can make this really interesting.

Been there, done that, have had a den that until I bridged my Webelos IIs last year averaged 14 scouts. Having older teenaged Den Chiefs was a huge help. Most parents always stayed for the meetings, and if there was a really rowdy evening, the parents read the boys the riot act at home and they were lambs for the rest of the year. To get parents to actually help, I would announce in advance what Achievement was coming up and mention that, for example, I stink at Birdhouse 101, and would have parents step up to help with each achievement. I think that worked because instead of asking for overall help, I narrowed my requests to areas that were within an individual parent's area of expertise. From then on, non-scout experienced parents were more likely to help.

The norm for our Dens is 7:00-8:00 either on Tuesday or Wednesday. However, since we all use our school for the meetings, no space on left Wednesdays, Tuesdays didn't work for my Webelos and Mon & Thurs didn't work for me, my Den meets after school on Mondays from 3:40 to 5:00. My parents love it, since they don't have to drag the siblings out the door again in the evening. It works best for my schedule, and allows me to help with my older sons. It also cuts down on sports practice conflicts.

Speaking as the mom of 3 Boy Scouts (Eagle, Star, 1st class), currently a Cubmaster and Webelos Den Leader, I think it is possible to overprepare Webelos. I bridged the Web IIs in my den in March over to the troop where my sons are. I felt they were adequately ready for the troop. My oldest son was their den chief, and in January of the Web I year we opened den meetings with the Cub Scout promise, etc and closed with the Boy Scout Oath, law and outdoor code. This way, the Webelos had an understanding of the Boy Scout stuff needed for the Webelos Badge, and by sheer repetition, left the pack knowing the oath, etc. From the feedback I received from troop leaders, this is greatly appreciated. I have sat several BOR for the troop and was appalled to find that there were Scouts aiming for Star that couldn't get the oath right. My son aged out before the Webs bridged and then served as Assistant Den Leader. Before the final pack meeting, we gave each Web a mini-board of review for the AOL. (That way they can't all answer at once.) We felt they were definitely ready to bridge. But there really are experiences that new scouts should only have as a Boy Scout, especially with camping and outdoor activities. Good point though, about picking the correct troop, it makes all the difference in a scout's experience.