Surviving Scout Camp

Earlier this week, I spent three days and two nights at Cub Scout camp with my oldest son and eight of his best friends. As the Den Leader, I was pretty much required to be at camp full-time with the boys, but I was fortunate enough to have four other dads who volunteered to join me for the entire camp experience, as well as two others who joined us for at least a day. Needless to say, keeping track of nine, nine- and ten-year-old boys is always a challenge, but it especially taxing when they are out in the “wilderness” of scout camp. It is like herding cats.

Although the boys all know each other and go to school together, we have some pretty strong personalities in our group, and no matter how good of friends the boys are, they start to get on each others’ nerves after three days together. We had some disagreements, some hurt feelings, even some pushing and shoving. Nothing serious happened, but there was enough “pre-teen angst” floating around to have most of the dads stressed out (it probably didn’t help they we all got very little sleep).

Now, as the Den Leader, I was put in an awkward position of dealing with the “discipline issues”. I say this was awkward simply because I had to “discipline” boys in front of their own fathers. Although I know all of my Scout dads pretty well, it is always awkward having to “discipline” boys in front of their dad’s. When I agreed to be the scout leader, I explained to all the parents that I would treat all the boys as I treat my own son. None of the parents had a problem with my approach (mostly because no one else wants to be the den leader) and it has worked out fairly well for the past three years. Scout camp was the ultimate test though and I think we passed with flying colors. I dealt with all the scouts as I did my own son. I put them in time out, I gave out consequences, gave choices, and offered encouragement to every boy, just as I would my own son. All the boys survived the experience and I think they all enjoyed camp.

So, how do you survive three days and two nights with nine Cub Scouts? Treat them all like they are your own child.

If you have any camping stories or any strategies for “herding the cats” please feel free to share.