Camp Promotion . . . . Help Parents Send Their Boys To Camp
It is never too late for a unit to sign up to attend one of our three Boy Scout camps next summer. Just log on to the council website to complete a reservation. As of the end of October 139 troops have made a commitment to attend a Connecticut Rivers camp next summer. According to our records, there are about another two dozen of our units that always attend and have not yet made a reservation.
SAVE MONEY – Make your troop reservation online by December 15 and the fee is $50. December 16 and after, the reservation fee increases to $100.
FEES - On March 1, 2012 a $50 per named Scout deposit will be due for troops attending Camp Mattatuck, Camp Workcoeman, or J.N. Webster Scout Reservation. This deposit will be non-refundable, but can be transferred to another Scout intending to go to summer camp. The purposes of the deposit are to: 1) help families budget for activities; 2) help units recruit for summer camp; and 3) help the camps in planning for over 3,000 Scouts who will attend camp. While the 2012 camp fee will not be confirmed until early December, it is anticipated that it will be $350 for all Scouts who make a deposit by March 1.
SAVINGS PLAN - Boy Scout troops that attended camp this past summer had the opportunity to reserve a site for next year. Since they already know the date and the camp fees (save money by making full payment by May 15, 2012), the troop can establish a summer camp savings plan for each Scout. For units that participate in the Trails-End Popcorn sale, there is an at-hand source of camp funds. For other units, they might ask parents to make a periodic payment to the troop toward the camp fee.
Cub Scout packs should make a commitment now to attend Camp Tadma next summer. There are different lengths of programs available that should fit each pack, den, or family’s schedule. Also, parents should be encouraged to attend Camp Tadma with their son, whether it is for a weekend or an entire week. Cub Scout resident camping is also available at JN Webster Scout Reservation and Webelos Resident camping is available at all four CRC camps.
Several years ago the Boys Scouts of America engaged the research firm Harris International to study the benefits to young men who participate in Scout camping programs. One of the results of the study reinforced what we have known for many years - Scouts who go camping stay in the program longer than boys who do not. This is particularly true of summer camp, be it a Cub/Parent Weekend at Camp Tadma or a weeklong stay at Camp Mattatuck, Camp Workcoeman, or J.N. Webster Scout Reservation.