Scout Outing Leadership Duties

 

Before the Outing

-         4 to 8 weeks prior to outing

o       meet with ASM in charge and generate Outing Plan

§         what kind of trip (backpacking, car camping, day hike, et); what special activities (boating, climbing, etc); what advancement possible; special features (eg side trip to water fall, etc); cooking opportunities

o       prepare flyer (paper and and e-version for troop meetings, Bugle, and Website)

-         2 to 4 weeks prior to outing

o       present Outing Plan to PLC, get by-in, set expectations (eg what should patrols do in preparation like menus, skills required, special materials, etc)

o       make presentations (distribute flyers, present skits, build up enthusiasm) during Announcment time at troop meeting (including Courts of Honor)

o       get initial roster (headcount and names)

-         1 week prior to outing

o       final presentations at meetings

o       semi-final roster from PLs (Monday); communicate with ASM, including late/early car requirements

o       review menus with PLs

o       final roster from PLs (Wed/Thurs) via phone tree; communicate with ASM

-          1 day prior to outing

o       final phone conference with ASM (Fri); weather, campsite conditions, late/early car requirements, detail schedule for outing interary

o       as required, make last minute phone tree to update scouts regarding outing

o       be available Friday night to answer questions, dicuss problems with Scouts, PLs

During the event

o       At the Departure point

§         have roster with phone numbers and check of campers as they arrive

§         assign scouts and gear to appropriate vehicles

§         keep good order among the scouts

§         make sure each PL or APL has appropriate gear for the outing

§         assemble scouts for final announcements (route, intinerary, days schedule, etc)

§         w/ ASM, contact any missing scouts

§         dispatch scouts to assigned vehicles

o       At the trail head

§         verify headcount with ASM

§         with ASM, distribute maps and discuss route with scouts

§         assign front and rear hikers

§         discuss hiking “rules of the trail” (all wait at trail crossings, leave pack by trail if exiting for latrine, etc)

§         explain plan for those first in camp (i.e. stack packs, set up tarps, wait at tables, etc??)

o       On the hike

§         be attentive to scouts having problems, assist or get help from ASMs

o       On arriving in camp

§         Do headcount

§         Go over plan for the rest of the day

§         Identify camping areas

§         Verify if PLs/APLs need assistance with camp set up

o       During the day

§         Be “in charge” and anticipate problems, challenges

§         Keep and eye on patrols, especially “lone scouts”

§         Keep scouts up to date on the plan for the day and any changes

o       During the night

§         Make sure patrols start dinner in a timely manner

§         Keep an eye out for problems at dinner (scouts not getting fed, clean up not started, missing equipment, etc)

§         Make sure provisions being made for clean up (hot water, soap and sponges, etc)

§         Plan campfire program or assign someone to do it

§         Make sure someone TRAINED is assigned to start the fire and that safety procedures are followed

§         Promote the campfire program

o       At campfire

§         Assist campfire “MC” as needed and encourage Patrol patricipation

§         Make sure the next day’s schedule is clearly understood by all the scouts, including reveille time

o       At lights out/taps

§         make sure scouts are in the tarps and that quiet is kept

o       In the morning

§         Be up by agreed upon Revielle time and get the PLs up and moving

§         Make sure breakfast gets started and proceeds

o       Before departure from camp

§         Make the PLs/APLs get the camps broken down and backpacks lined up on schedule

§         Organize a clean up sweep

§         Make trail announcments as on Saturday

o       At the trailhead

§         Do a headcount

§         If necessary, make new vehicle assignment

§         Assist ASM in Outing Reflection

o       On the road

§         Assist ASM with phone tree for Scout pick-ups at Encinal

o       At Encinal

§         Make sure all the scouts and gear gets picked up

§         Do Outing Reflection with ASM, take notes

After the event

o       Report to SPL and PLC on outing

o       As requested, make announcement at next Troop meeting regarding the outing

o       Assist Scribe and/or Historian with pictures and information about the outing