This is a program over three weeks that I have used successfully with new campers to prepare them for an outdoor camp. It could be adapted for other types of tents (we use bell tents), and for indoor camping.

POSSIBLE SKILLS TO BE COVERED

POSSIBLE PROGRAMS (OVER THREE NIGHTS - TWO HOUR MEETINGS)

FIRST NIGHT

Cuts/burns/snakebite (leader) (15 mins)

Round Robin in patrol groups (15 minutes each, move to next station on the whistle)

Food storage (leader) (15 mins)

SECOND NIGHT

Care of the environment (leader) (15 mins)

Round Robin (15 minutes each, move to next station on the whistle)

Use and care of tools, e.g. saws, tomahawks, penknives (leader) (15 mins)

THIRD NIGHT (DRESS REHEARSAL)

6.30 Arrive

Make gadget (everyone to be involved in planning and construction)

Put gear on gadget

7.10 Split patrol into two - one group cooks sausages on a fire for the patrol, the other group makes a miniature flagpole. When the flagpole is ready, have a proper colour party, then sit down in a patrol, sing grace, and eat the sausages.

7.45 Games - food storage/first aid/care of the environment

8.00 Campfire

8.30 Bedtime - put on pyjamas over jeans, get into bed, lights out

8.40 Morning - wake up, get dressed, do bedding rolls, undo gadget, pull out tent pegs, clean up fireplace (and dishes?) bring down the flag, sit in circle on bedding rolls ready to go home.

8.55 Circle formation - give out point scores and prizes - point out the advantages of cooperation, obedience, involvement, which are essential at camp in order to get the chores out of the way so the fun can start!

POINT SYSTEM (fastest = 5, slowest = 1) TO BE APPLIED TO: