multibranchguiding

Our unit would love to have a campfire. Sounds wonderful, but it is a bit impractical for a unit meeting. A 90 minute meeting with an outdoor fire requires a fire pit, possibly a permit, and all the things that come with fire - which I love, but they are impractical. I've made a Candle Pot for myself and I'm thinking I'll try it for Guides one night.  It is really a Buddy Burner in a pot. The cool thing is, when you're done with the fire, put the lid back on and it is extinguished. What do you think? Here's where I got the idea in the first place:  The Bees In Your Backyard   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy_sWuvi-BU 

We struggle with going over the rules at camp - they're really boring. So Snowy Owl Christine made up a Camp Rules Mad Lib and she is willing to share. Customize it for your own rules or use ours. Write them out on chart paper for presenting to campers.  And just call me Brown Cheetah.  Download the Camp Mad Libs worksheet.    

When we opened our multibranch unit, we wanted something like an Ember Toadstool to go in the centre of our meetings. We have no storage so it had to be small and portable.  The result was a flat fire-pit blanket and a makeshift campfire. We have since chosen a campfire stuffy. 

Have your camper participate in packing her own gear. See Camp packing tips   Mark everything with the camper's name Food will be provided at camp. Do not bring any food, candy, treats, gum, drinks other than water,  or snacks. For the safety of campers, this will be a peanut free camp.  Pack only soft luggage. Waterproof everything by putting a clear plastic bag inside the bag and then stuff your stuff inside. Don't use black plastic garbage bags that could be mistaken for trash.  Clothes (bring enough for each day) Bring or wear layers including heavy sweatshirt/hoodie, t shirt, long-sleeve shirt, and warm pants (not jeans or leggings) Pack a change of clothes for every day (t-shirt, extra pants, underwear +1, and spare socks x 3-4) Sun hat with brim Warm toque, mittens, scarf Winter coat or warm spring coat Rain poncho/raincoat that fits over your coat Rain pants - waterproof - not splash pants Waterproof rain or winter boots 1 Pair runners (no open toe shoes Slee...

The 64th Guides Packing Tips for Camp - May 2011 This is a note for caregivers who are tempted to help by packing a bag for their camper instead of with  their camper.  Have the camper pack her own bag.  If you really need to help, choose the clothing and items to pack, lay them out and have the camper pack them. This gives her the opportunity to know what she has packed. Lost and found items usually belong to a camper whose caregiver packed something new.  To teach your camper to pack, have her pull out each item on the kit list. Discuss what she has chosen and then put together outfits for each day and bag them into zip lock bags.  Anecdote from my experience - a mom tried to surprise a camper in my Ember unit by tucking a favourite stuffy in the bag. The camper left it behind because she didn't remember it was hers (there was no name on it). We left it behind because it had no name. By the time we could get back there to check - it was gone. There were tears....

There are lots of different names for this thing, ditty bag, dippy bag, dish bag, mess kit... it goes on and on. For us it is called a ditty bag and it is for dishes at camp. The bag should be a cloth or net bag (or small reusable fabric  grocery bag) with a drawstring or handle to hang it up with. Not too big - about the size of a folded tea towel. Any bigger and it drapes on the floor.  No plastic or the non-woven fabric ones - they keep the water in. Inside you'll put your dishes and cutlery - make sure they are marked with your name or an identifying tape or mark. Use nail polish, sharpie markers, tape, or whatever you can do to make your stuff identifiable.  Unbreakable dishes and cutlery - look for plastic or metal. No glass please.  At camp, your camper will loop the drawstring over their arm, wash their dishes, and then put the wet dishes in the bag to drip-dry. We use a bit of bleach in the dishwater so be prepared for the bag to fade or get some bleach blot...

Supervision:  We will appoint a "Leaving the Site Guider" who you need to check out and back with. The Leaving Guider will change through the camp.  During the day, campers are to use the closest outhouse right across the road from our site - it means leaving the site.  During the night, we'll set up a temporary toilet with a Luggable Loo. This is a bucket with a bag and some kitty litter in a changing shelter.   

I'm not going to reinvent the wheel here. Please look at how Troop 88 explains the 3 bin dish method.  For food safety, we need to use commercial dish washing methods.  Pre wash - scrape and wipe with a paper towel. Bin 1 - warm water and dish soap Bin 2 - HOT water rinse Bin 3 - Bleach water cold 

Campers need a place to sleep that is dry and comfortable. The gear in this list is all the same, but there are a few different ways to make sure it stays dry. Let's talk about the gear first. Gear you need: Base/water barrier layer that will go on the tent floor - between you and the ground. I suggest a tarp or a quality shower curtain. I like the shower curtain option because it is durable and quiet. Tarps are noisy.  An insulating mattress  that is comfy enough to sleep on but also small enough for the camper to carry it.  Go with a Thermarest, some foam, or a yoga mat.  Do not   choose an inflatable air mattress as the volume of air inside the mattress is not insulated at all. Coldest night ever! (Unless you have an expensive air mattress specifically built for cold temperatures, leave your air mattress at home). An appropriate sleeping bag for the temperature at camp. Choose a good temperature rated sleeping bag and supplement it with a wool blanket or a wa...

Guides & Pathfinders will be making grilled cheese sandwiches with small alcohol burners as the heat source on tomato can stoves. For safety: Campers will be well supervised - this is a high ratio activity Cooking will take place on the ground and the area will be cleared of debris - and possibly on a cookie sheet.  Campers will tie their hair back and make sure no strings or clothing is dangling in front of them. They will kneel or sit on the ground - no crouching. Supplies: A Spirit burner: Small Trangia style burner.  YouTube Link: Trangia Spirit Burner Review by Camping Stove Cookout. Fuel : 15ml (1 tbsp) 90% rubbing alcohol. This is pre-measured by an adult. The flame will last about 10 minutes before needing to be refilled. HAZARD Warning – the flame is really hard to see. Never refill until you’re certain the flame is out. An adult should check every time. Stove: made from a commercial tomato can with a notch cut out for the stove to go in, and air holes made with a...