Congratulations! Your young scout has finally crossed over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts. This is an awesome accomplishment and a huge milestone in your son’s life. Now that he is a Boy Scout, he is ready for a week of summer camp all by himself. There is just one problem: you are apprehensive about sending him. That is totally okay and I completely understand. Summer camp for the first time can be scary for both you and your son. Being away from his parents for the first time is a huge step in an 11 year old’s life, especially if they are experiencing this in the woods. I am the Pathways (first year scout program) director at Goose Pond Scout Reservation in the Northeastern Pennsylvania council and I would like to help ease your mind on this matter.
The Boy Scouts of America hire some of the most qualified people to work at their camps. Your son will be in good hands. The directors at the camp have attended National Camping School and the rest of the staff is trained before the season starts. Every staff member completes various trainings including Youth Protection Training. Additionally, every staff member loves what they do and wants your son to have the best week of his life.
Your son’s troop will help him get through the week. More than likely, he is going with a few adult leaders who have experienced many years of summer camp. Often times, they have experienced both being an adult and a youth. All of these adults also had to complete Youth Protection Training. The other boys in the troop will also be really supportive of your son. The youth leadership will make sure that he is getting everything done that he needs to. They will also make sure that he feels included and his having a great time. The other boys his age will become some of the best friends he will ever have. His troop will become like a second family.
Summer camp will help your son grow. He will learn responsibility by doing his fair share of the work. Being in an environment where he is on his own for some tasks but has people willing to help him if he needs it is a great way for him to learn how to be independent. He will also grow and advance in scouting. Summer camp is the best place for advancement. Not going to summer camp your first year could put you behind.Many scouts may even quit if they do not experience summer camp that first year.
I will admit that homesickness is a very real thing. You should encourage your scout to stay at camp because it is really fun. Believe me, even though he might be a little homesick when you first drop him off, it will not last long. Once your son is off doing activities and hanging out with his buddies, he will forget all about how nervous he was.
Summer camp is a grand adventure for any boy. The first year of summer camp is the most exciting and you do not want your son to miss out. I hope this has eased your mind a little bit.If not, then you can always sign up as a leader, take Youth Protection Training, and go to camp with your son! Since I assume many of you answered that statement with, “absolutely not,” I say let your son go to camp. Let him be independent.Let him experience things for himself.Set him off on the greatest adventure of his life!
