Tenderfoot Program at Summer Camp?

[tuscarora299]

You see, I joined in March and had Tenderfoot in amonth and a half. but they still made me take the program as a troop guide

[Lynda J]

Actually Kevin's group moved up in December. They had the option of doing the first year program. As a group they decided they wanted to.
They liked the badges that were offered. He had lacked one requirement of Tenderfoot when he went to camp. He only lacked one on 2nd when he came back. If your council has a good first year camper program it can be a great experience. If they don't it is sad. We are lucky in that all three of our summer camps have really good first year program.

[leachelle70]

My middle DS, Billy joined the troop 02/04. On his very first campout, his favorite Uncle died and somehow in his brain he related that to scouts. So we had a 6 month time out until Dad and I figured out what had happened. He started back in 10/04 and went to his first summer camp a few weeks ago. He had completed everything for his Tenderfoot except for the SM conference and the BOR. When he got back, he did the SM Conference, his BOR is 07/11 for Tenderfoot.

He took the TNT second class at Camp Rainey Mountain in GA as part of his week. Also took Art/Music, Metalworking, First Aid and Rifle. Completed the Art and Metalworking. As a result of the TNT program he will be very busy over the next month or so doing SM Conference and BOR for second and first class. He has completed all of the requirements between Troop activities and this TNT program since Oct. He is a bit overwhelmed with the thought of all of this, but I told him to take it at his own pace.

So yes, the first year program is great, but only with the troop backing up what they don't obtain at Summer Camp.

Michelle

[Lynda J]

Our boys that took the first year camper program at camp last week completed everything on Swimming, First Aid, leather work, and all but one thing on Pioneering. Our troop will help them complete that project on our first camp out in the fall.
They had a ball. The staff for our program was wonderful. I did help with
knots and lashing one day and with first aid another. The young man over the program was simply astounding. He worked so well with the younger boys.

[wagionvigil]

Once upon a time we had a really fantastic Webelos Summer Program at our Camp. Two weeks for First Year Called Nature Science Camp and Two Weeks for Second Year Webelos called Webelos Adventure Camp. Each of these camp weeks were full each year around 100+ per week. The Adventure camp taught the boys first aid,Knots, Nature Hikes, 5 mile hike, prepare a lunch over a camp fire, Scavenger hunt hikes etc. It really got the Boys prepared for Boy SCouts and they had done alot of Tenderfoot REquirements but did not know it. Well the powers that be decided they did not care for the camp director as that person was very opinionated and really was not one to cowcow to them. They were they only paid staff at the camp plus two boys that helped out. The Program directors were all volunteer One person did the firts year camps and one did the second year camps. They hired a Full Time Director and Program Director plus the two boys to help.Well camp attendance started dropping off after the next year when the Boys that went really did not learn much and really did not have a real scouting experience. Leaders that had attended the other programs just stopped sending there boys to the camps. WEll we are now seeing that in membership in SCouting and the Webelos to Scout Transition.
MOst boys that went through this camp did not have to attend the First Year Camper Program as they hasd already completed many of the items on it.It was even told to SM that if they attended this camp they were in good shape.

[GamerMan]

In N.C There is camp Grimes, Which offers a new scout program, unforntly its all day so hardly anybody goes to it...

[MDEagle]

Our Troop attended a camp that had a First Year Scout program. That was all they did... no merit badges.

If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have let my kid make a stronger case to NOT be involved in that. From his perspective, it was boring and he just wasn't interested in doing those things.

What he REALLY wanted was to earn some merit badges. After a year in the troop, that's still what he loves to do (well, that and camping). He is becoming more self-motivated towards advancement work, but he's not blazed a trail to First Class.

At the end of the day, all the "advancement" work they did at camp had to be re-done at some point because the counselors didn't sign their books.

I totally get the point about doing stuff in patrols and there is tremendous value in that, but camp is an expensive proposition, especially when the Scout is missing out on what he really wanted to do. It actually took a lot of encouragement to keep him from dropping out after camp, but he's on track now.

He's actually looking forward to this year's camp in a big way. He and his buddies are plotting out what merit badges they want.

Wars have been waged with less planning.

[Quailman]

At the end of the day, all the "advancement" work they did at camp had to be re-done at some point because the counselors didn't sign their books.

The same thing happened with our troop last summer, yet the boys said they liked the program and learned a lot. When troop leadership (the boys, with backing from adults) said they wanted to go back to the same place this year, I suggested that the new boys take MB's instead of the FCE program. I am the 1st class advancement leader with our troop, and I could not make it to camp last year so I had to redo everything with the boys to get them signed off.

What we agreed on (I can't make it this year, either) is that a leader will attend the FCE program each day, or at least stop by frequently to see what they're covering. Each day they'll track what the boys did and even sign their books. With FCE, there are too many boys to have the counselors signing all their books. Last year they provided a list of what was being covered, but did not indicate whether the boys had actually done it. A leader needs to get more involved. One of ours told about the nice leaders' lounge with wireless internet access. They need to shutter that place and keep them more involved with what's going on.

As for MB's, our boys earned swimming, art and part of basketry. All day just working on advancements is too long. They need to be in the water to complete some of the requirements, so Swimming's a natural. And they'd have finished basketry if the camp hadn't been out of kits. All camps seem to run short of kits by midsummer.

[coneyraven]

The First Year Camper program at our camp also doesn't have any merit badges incorporated into it.....but when you really think about it, there aren't any merit badges required in the earlier ranks.....The program is designed to be the FOUNDATION for the earlier ranks....basic First Aid, Fire Building, Safety w/ an axe/hatchet, basic Orienteering, basic citizenship....all first year campers participate in the raising or lowering the camp flags during a flag ceremony........Now, granted, the FYC program takes up half the day, which leaves the other half for merit badges....the most popular for FYC people are First Aid, Basketry, Mammals, Swimming, Leatherwork, Indian Lore and Forestry....at least there's anough there to pretty much grab the interest of all of them.....

Mark

[Mrw]

After not being all that happy with the first year emphasis program at teh camp we attend - too many boys to keep them busy and really expect them to learn anything, we did it differently last year.

We had a couple older boys and the SM put together a troop program to cver the same things as the first year program. The boys all did a merit badge during the first morning badge period and then got together with the older boys and SM to work on Tenderfoot advancement.

The boys learned more and were busier. They are advancing faster than any of our other boys have in the past couple years. They all earned at least one merit badge and most earned 2-3 by doing handi-craft stuff in the afternoons.

The older boys, who are otherwise not as interested in camp since they have most of the badges offered that they were interested in earning, were also busy doing something they would not have done on their own.

This will be what we are planning for this year as well.

[MDEagle]

The First Year Camper program at our camp also doesn't have any merit badges incorporated into it.....but when you really think about it, there aren't any merit badges required in the earlier ranks.....

Of course, you're right. Merit badges are not required for early ranks. But that doesn't mean that new Scouts wouldn't jump on the chance to earn some. Many new boys model the older Scouts. They see the older boys with those sashes with all those badges on them, and they want some of that, too. They're at camp, and they see the older boys headed out to "cool" merit badges and make "cool" projects, and they're not allowed to do those things.

I don't think they would have minded the first-year program if they had the chance to earn at least a couple of badges, even if they were arts/crafts badges. They'd at least have had earned some. As it turned out, most of the boys (and my own son in particular) came back from camp disappointed instead of energized.

Of course, that's just one experience. In the words of the boys I know, camp was "lame." Not that it will deter the Troop in the least from going back to the same camp and having the same program for the next patrol of cross-overs.

[coneyraven]

I would agree with what you're saying, but, as I mentioned in my post (the part you didn't quote)--The FYC program only takes up half the day so the new scouts CAN earn merit badges on the other half.....plus, there's always some additional badges whose opportunity comes up during the week....like, for example, Truck Transportation can be taught in a day.....even Indian Lore can be taught relatively quickly, which would make room for another badge

Mark

[MDEagle]

I would agree with what you're saying, but, as I mentioned in my post (the part you didn't quote)--The FYC program only takes up half the day so the new scouts CAN earn merit badges on the other half.....
Mark

Mark, sorry, I truly didn't intend to quote you out of context...

I guess camps run their FYC programs differently, which is leading to some confusion in the discussion. At the camp our boys attended last year (and will again this year), the program is a full day/every day event. First year campers aren't allowed to earn any merit badges at all.

I think the ideal set up is the one you're talking about... boys do FYC Program half the day, but also have some time to get a few less-intensive merit badges, too.

[commish3]

Teaching the skills needed for Tenderfoot to First Class at Summer Camp is great. I just wish they would stop testing the scouts while they teach.

Testing is a separtate step in advancement and should be done in the unit environment as the skill is applied. Practicing is a step in learning and should not be confused with the testing phase of advancment.

Many units seem to measure the quality of a summercamp experience by how much andvancment took place rather than on the fun and adventure of the camp experience itself. That's a shame really because it affects the entire atmoshpere of the camp. It also becomes a a poor motivation for attendoing camp.

[MDEagle]

Many units seem to measure the quality of a summercamp experience by how much andvancment took place rather than on the fun and adventure of the camp experience itself. That's a shame really because it affects the entire atmoshpere of the camp. It also becomes a a poor motivation for attendoing camp.

I'm not experienced enough to really understand a lot of the "broader goals" of how summer camp contributes to the mission of Scouting, but I can make some common sense observations.

After camp last year, two first year boys dropped immediately, and several were hanging on by a thread. I don't think that's how it's supposed to work.

[WeeWillie]

MDEagle

I assume you are familiar with the Aims and Methods of Scouting. If not here is a web site. http://www.meritbadge.com/info/aims.htm

Summer Camp provides opportunities for individual and group achievement.

Individual achievement is measured in rank advancement, merit badges, and special events such as the Polar Bear Swim, Tenderfoot Run. These achievements fall within the Advancement Method of Scouting.

Most Summer Camps offer honor patrol / honor troop programs that include campsite inspections, patrol orienteering courses, camp games, campfires, mess hall duties and service projects. These correspond to the Patrol Method which should be boy run, which addresses the Leadership Method.

Ideals and Personal Growth are addressed in church services, grace at meals, morning and evening flags.

By now you should get an idea about the other "broader goals.”

Unfortunately, too many parents and leaders focus on the Advancement Method to the detriment of the other Methods of Scouting. Summer Camp becomes Camp Middle School In the Woods or Camp High School in the Woods, complete with homework. The only thing missing is the bells. Then we wonder why Scouts leave Scouting.

I do not recommend the first year program. If you have a well rounded program they will advance in 12-15 months anyway. I recommend 1st year Scouts take Swimming (unless there is a medical reason), a craft badge and a fun badge (or 2) such as Rowing, Rifle Shooting. Leave the heavy duty badges such as Environmental Science to the next year. It will improve the odds that there will be a next year.

Like I mentioned earlier, too many parents and leaders focus on Advancement to the detriment of the other Methods of Scouting. The irony of the situation is employers hire and colleges recruit Scouts / Eagle Scouts, not because a Scout obtained 5-6 merit badges each Summer Camp, but because of the other Methods of Scouting that Summer Camp promotes. Put that in perspective when selecting activities for Summer Camp.

By the way, councils publish Summer Camp Leader’s Guides to help leaders and units prepare for camp. You should ask to see the leader's guide for the Summer Camp you will be attending.

[scubascout]

our troop attends camp yawgoog in RI which has a "New Frontier" Program where different requirements T-1, are scheduled at different times. Scouts pick which ones they want to do and when they want to do them

[pipestone1991]

We have a Tenderfoot program at 7Ranges....it's called FROGs

[tdfoxsr736]

It seems that every camp I have ever been to had a First Year Scout program of some kind that helped the boys advance from Scout to First Class

[wagionvigil]

I believe you find it as part of the camp standards that area necessary to be identified as a Quality BSA Camp