From: kary@col.hp.com (Dan Kary)
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
Subject: Re: should cub scout units have campouts?
Date: 8 Jan 1993 04:47:46 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division
NNTP-Posting-Host: hplsdak.col.hp.com

macman@bernina.ethz.ch (Danny Schwendener) writes:
> 
> In our last council meeting, we decided to encourage co-ed events
> between scout and cub scout units.
> 
> What is your personal opinion on that issue?

Our Troop frequently invites Webelos to accompany us on campouts.
It is an effective method for recruiting boys into our Troop.  Our council
(Pikes Peak Council, Colorado Springs) usually invites Webelos to camporees,
they must be hosted by a Troop if they want to camp overnight.  I am
personally very strongly in favor of camping between Webelos and Boy Scouts.

> And alternatively, should packs (or dens with older cubs) have a 
> campout on their own (as opposed to co-ed campouts with scouts)?

The only camping activities aproved for Cubs are backyard camping,
family camping, Council sponsored camps (i.e. day camp, resident camp)
and Webelos camping.  See the "Cub Scout Leader Book", pg 88

"Overnight camping is not authorized for younger Cub Scouts except as
part of family camping, and is not covered by the general liability
insurance program of the BSA"

and on pg 89 under the Tour Permits section:

   Tour permits are issued to packs traveling with adequate leadership
   under the following conditions:

   There will be no camping on the trip.

   Cub Scout trips are normally 1-day excursions.  On occasion, 1-night
   stopovers are permitted, though not encouraged.  On such occasions,
   participants will stay in private homes, hotels or motels.

   If travel is by motor vehicle, drivers must have proper licenses,
   adequate insurance, be 21 years of age or older and be approved by
   the pack committee.

   Cub Scout packs are encouraged to visit military installations for
   1-day trips only.  Use of overnight facilities at military bases is not
   permitted for Cub Scouts.

   Trucks are approved only for transporting equipment - no passengers,
   except in cab.

These quotes come from the "Policies" section.  In BSA training there is
"Program" and "Policy", program is flexible, units are encouraged to do
what works for them, policies are not flexible, policies must be followed
unless you have explicit written permission from your Council Scout Executive
to vary from a policy.

Camping by den or pack is just not part of the Cub program, the leaders
do not receive any training in camping skills.  Camping and related skills
are a central part of Boy Scout Leader Basic Training and Webelos Leader
Basic Training.  The BSA liability insurance does not cover den or pack
camping specifically because the leaders are not trained.  I know that
many Cub leaders are highly skilled in camping, but in order to make it
a part of the program, the BSA must provide training so that every leader
can be sufficiently trained to conduct a safe activity.  The safety of
the boys is the number one consideration.

> 
> -- Danny Schwendener         macman@bernina.ethz.ch
>    Wolfsmeute Nidau/Glockenhof, Sihlstr. 33, CH-8001 Zurich, Switzerland
>    m.h.c. Troop 14, San Francisco            

OK, now I'm confused.  Your address is Switzerland, and you mention an
affiliation with a San Francisco unit.  My comments about policy apply
only to BSA, of course.  There are BSA units in Europe, but only on military
bases, I believe.  I expect there are no US military bases in Switzerland,
and probably no BSA units either.

WWW
Dan Kary
-- 
"And that, my leige, is how we know the earth to be banana shaped."
Newsgroups: rec.scouting,news.answers