TROOP MEETING MONDAY
MANY POINTThis email is long, but includes a lot of useful information regarding camp; please read all the way through.
We will be meeting Sunday 8/15 at MUMC at 8:00 am. We hope to depart by 8:30 am. We will take a short 10-minute rest stop in the east St. Cloud area. And we will stop for lunch in Wadena. Please pack a lunch. After lunch, it is still about 1:15 minutes to camp, putting us in camp about 13:15-14:00.
As always, Scouts will travel in the field uniform (Tan “Class A”). Pack your “class B” shirt (we’ll also distribute pre-ordered camp shirts this Monday at the lake). We'll all be in uniform for the drive, plus we'll need uniforms at camp for flag ceremonies and things.
PACKING LIST: I've linked and attached the packing list.
Parents - please DO NOT pack for your scout, EVER. Especially for extended camp. If you do, they won't know what they have, and they'll blame you if they’re missing stuff. This is a great time for them to learn to prepare, and plan. Help guide them and please double check on things like rain gear, mess kit, water bottle(s), sun screen, underwear, toothbrush, bug spray. A day-pack is important. As is a small container for their personal smellables in the bear box - more on this below.
Be sure to label everything somehow there are lots of scouts at camp - if your scout misplaces something labeling it highly increases the likelihood for a reunion. Scout Name - Troop 1. Laundry tape works great. Sharpie Rub-a-dub markers don’t bleed.
Electronic devices - We all know our Phones have potential to be wonderful tools, but they’re more often a potent distraction. Distractions are great for car rides but not for camp. Most scouts who have phones struggle with keeping them put away. Yet they’re good cameras, and GPS / compass, etc. but if they’re constantly looking at their phone they won’t be looking up and experiencing the immersion into camp. An easy contact with home also exacerbates home sickness more than it helps.
If your scout brings their phone, it is their responsibility, and preferably once at camp - I don’t want to know they have it. If they lose it, with only two adults for the week, we don’t have the adult capacity to do in depth searching for it. With these things being $500-$1000, I encourage you to consider how responsible your scout is, security plans, and how much you really think they need their phone.
A Scout is Clean: Shower facilities are available; Scouts are encouraged to use them.
Money at camp. In addition to lunches on the road to and from camp, Scouts typically like to buy slushies and other stuff at the trading post. Last year scouts spent an average of $50 at the trading post: that's everything from shirts, merit badge books, mosquito net, batteries, and knives, to ice cream bars.
Medications: I will be storing and distributing meds, as needed. Scouts that normally self-administer may continue to do so at camp, but I must know about it. If your Scout has prescription meds, please provide 8 days worth, with the bottle labeled with dosage instructions. Please give any meds you’d like me to store and distribute before departure at MUMC. As requested, these medications will be held in camp by me. Scouts may look after and administer their own over-the-counter meds (allergy, ibuprofen, acid reflux, etc). Again, if it’s part of their regular routine, just let me know about it. Sometimes in the excitement of camp, scouts forget things and that’s why we send adults... If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. (Inhalers, epi-pens, and other emergency medications that need to be carried by the Scout are exempt from the storage policy). Medications requiring refrigeration can be stored at the medical office, and we will make arrangements with the staff medical officer for Scouts to take the medications as needed.
Health Forms: You need to have two printed copies on file. Please use this form. Parts A, B and C are needed. Bring and give to Chad Mayer on Monday night. This is the DEADLINE. We do not want to have to send you home next Sunday Morning because you do not have a health form turned in. (Currently missing: Oliver B, Isaiah B, Cullan F, Toby E, Sevi L, Liam McD, and James O).
Shooting Sports Form: I need one from each scout before we hit the road. I'll have extras, if you have the means to print and bring this one, it's appreciated.
COVID-19 Mitigation
All drivers and participants are asked to get a negative covid test within 2-3 days of departure. PCR tests are available for free at MSP and are easy. Results generally arrive to your inbox within 12 hours.
Masks will be worn at Many Point. Scouts should pack a couple in case theirs gets dirty of they lose it. In our campsite, scouts will not be required to mask. At program times, and when interacting at camp with others outside of our campsite, scouts will be masked. Proper masks please. Neckers and bandanas are not acceptable.
Weekly MENU
Foam pad or air mattress: if you're using a Many Point tent, you'll also be using a cot; some Scouts are comfortable with just the cot, some also like a pad on the cot. If you're using a personal tent or a troop tent, you'll be sleeping on the ground, and so will want a pad for comfort and insulation.
Mess kit: We’ll be preparing all of our meals and cooking as patrols in camp. Scouts will need a plate, bowl, cup, spoon, knife, and fork.
Towels: The packing list uses a plural “s”; I usually bring just 1 and have found couple of bandanas work if I’m in a jam. A small towel that dries quickly is best; you'll want it for the beach and for showers. Not planning to take a shower? How about swimming? Remember that a Scout is Clean (11th point of the Scout law), so even if you don't take a shower all week it's strongly encouraged the night before we leave, otherwise you may have to pay to have your driver's car detailed and fumigated.
Mosquito netting: If you're using a canvas Many Point wall tent, you'll want mosquito netting for around your cot (older Scouts will be able to help rig it up). These tents have no screen otherwise. They’re awesome in storms and in terms of being able to stand up, etc. If you're using a personal or troop tent, you probably don't need netting, though some Scouts like to have a hat with a bug net. The troop owns a few extra cot sized nets.I’ve seen these at Fleet Farm, Target, Walmart, Amazon and a few other retailers. Look it up and call first - before you start driving around.
Permethrin - Help your scouts get their camp clothes set aside soon and then squirt them down with Permethrin. It’s a great mosquito and tick repellent on clothing. It lasts through several washes and really works well.
Shoes and boots: Scouts will walk a lot, easily three or four miles a day, primarily on dirt and gravel trails. Uphill both ways. Sturdy shoes are a must. Do they need to be hiking boots? Probably not; Scouts won't be carrying heavy packs or portaging canoes, so the extra ankle support of a boot isn't necessary (though if you have hiking boots, I'd wear them!). But your shoes need to have good traction, and should be something you're comfortable wearing all day. I usually bring two pairs. I wear boots or trail runners during the day and switch to my camp shoes in the evening (crocs, sandals or light sneakers). Fresh socks also help a lot, especially if it's hot. If Scouts are going to run the 5K they’re encouraged to have running shoes.
Backpack: It's useful to have a day pack of some kind; it doesn't have to be elaborate, a drawstring bag or even a shopping bag will work. Scouts will leave the campsite after breakfast each day, and won't get back to the camp site until lunch preparation. You'll want a way to easily carry your merit badge materials, water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and other items.
Small container for bear box: Many Point has bears. I've seen at least one, usually two, every year, both near camp and on the trails. They usually stay away from people, but they're attracted by smells and have been known to poke their heads into tents if they sniff out something especially tasty. Scouts are not tasty, but soap, shampoo, sunscreen, Slushee cups, and trail mix are. To avoid surprise visits from bears and mini bears (chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, mice, and hodags--you do know about the hodags, right?), our campsite has a metal locker where Scouts will keep their "smellable" items. To keep the locker organized, Scouts should have a small container (smaller than a shoebox) for their items: a small Tupperware container, large yogurt container, or even a gallon zip lock bag can work. Note that the locker may not be mouse-proof, so you do take a risk using a zip lock bag. Also, hodags are strongly attracted to refillable Slushee cups (available at the trading post), so I recommend staying clear of those if you want to keep hodag encounters to a minimum.
Campfire props: Some troops do elaborate skits at Many Point campfires that require special effects, costume changes, and specialized equipment. We are not one of those troops; we travel light and stick to skits that rely on imagination. If you have a good skit or two in your pocket, that’d be awesome.
Fishing gear: If you are not taking the Fishing Merit Badge, and do not have an interest in fishing during your free time, you don't need to bring fishing gear. But if you do like to fish, having a pole and line can be a lot of fun; our campsite is on a lake, so you can fish. If you’re bringing your pole, please have it travel ready.
Sending mail to your scout:
Scout’s Name
Voyageur: Two Harbors Troop 1
Many Point Scout Camp
41408 Many Point Scout Camp Road
Ponsford, MN 56575
Emergency Contact Number at Camp
218-573-3257
Needleman Mobile Phone (call / text)
I’ll try to check this twice a day, I’m not sure about coverage.
612-867-5379
Directions to Camp: https://goo.gl/maps/xfZrAip74781n2zDA
