We are now to the point with lots of details to help get the boys prepared, so please read them carefully to make sure that your son is ready for Goshen. There is a ton of information here…

  1. Medical forms.Every scout AND adult going to Goshen must have a medical form filled out and stapled together.

To be complete, forms must have:

- A physician's signature

- Copy of insurance card

- Parent's signature

- List of adults for driving your child (we will provide a list of drivers in the coming week).

If youhavetrouble getting on the schedule with your regular doctor, most urgent care facilities offer camp physicals on a walk-in basis, but it does cost more. Many regular doctors will just fill out the form for a very small fee if your son already had a physical within the past year.

PLEASE NOTE: IF WE DO NOT HAVE YOUR SON'S COMPLETED MEDICAL FORMS WHEN IT IS TIME TO LEAVE FOR GOSHEN, YOUR SON WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RIDE DOWN WITH US. THAT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE A SEPARATE TRIP TO DROP HIM (AND HIS COMPLETED FORM)OFF. IT IS 3 HOURS EACH WAY!

  1. Packing List:Below is the packing list that the boys need for Goshen. There is no need to get the boys any new or special equipment or clothes. Please have your son help pack so he knows where everything is in his bag. This also helps him repack everything at the end of the week.

The campsites are only accessible by foot and some have a climb up a hill (we do not know ahead of time which campsite we will be assigned). The boys will be carrying in their own gear, so please make sure they pack as light as possible and in something they are able to carry. A rolling duffle or suitcase that is sturdy enough to be pulled over gravel or a path through the woods is helpful. If they have a backpack that can hold their gear and they are able to carry it on their own, that works too.

A recommendation that has worked well in the past is to pack one day’s worth of clothes in its own Ziploc bag (t-shirt, shorts, underwear, socks). Pack an extra bag in case we have a rainy or muddy day.

  1. Medications & Allergies:Please email me if your son has any allergies. If we need to make special arrangements for food, that needs to be handled ASAP.

One of our pack leaderswill be in charge of all medication for both adults and scouts which must be kept locked up at all times. This includes ALL over the counter medication. All medication must be listed on the medicine form and in the original container. There are separate procedures for EPI pens or other emergency medication that must be carried at all times, so let me know if anyone has such a need. Place all medicine and a second copy of the medicine page from the health form in a ziploc bag with the scout or adult's name. We will collect all medication the morning we leave. Make sure that there is plenty for the entire week and that it is all before the expiration date. I recommend that you keep an extra copy of the entire form at home. You do not get the copy you turn in back.

We cannot stress enough how important it is for all scouts to continue withallmedicine that they take on a regular basis. A change in regimen can impact their behavior, mood or sleep patterns even if you think it shouldn't have any effect. Although you may have suspended a routine for other vacations or camps before, this is not the camp to make any changes.We have seen the impacts of such changes in the past which have ruined the scout's experience and taken a toll on the rest of the group as well.

  1. Swim Test:All scouts and adults at camp will take a swim test the day we arrive. The swimming area of the lake is divided into Non-swimmer, Beginner and Swimmer. The swim test consists of a 100 m swim and then a float. The first 75m can be any combination of free, breaststroke or sidestroke and the last 25m is a resting backstroke (preferably elementary backstroke). All 100m must be completed without stopping and followed by a 10sec float for access to the Swimmer area. If someone refuses to take the test or does not complete at least 50m, then they are restricted to the non-swimmer area. At least 50m must be completed for access to the Beginner area. The buddy system is strictly enforced and all areas have BSA certified lifeguards. If your son is not an active swimmer, you can help him prepare for the swim test ahead of time.
  1. Sun and Bugs: Start helping your son become more independent about getting ready to go outside. Have him apply his own sunscreen and bug spray. Supervise him to make sure he is applying it properly and evenly. Although you may prefer the lotion sunscreen at home, this is not a good choice for camp – use spray sunblock. Also, while sunscreen is only necessary on exposed skin, bug spray should also be applied to clothing such as the tops of socks, bottom of short legs, neck of shirt, etc. to help prevent ticks. We will be in the woods the entire week, so please also teach your son how to properly check himself for ticks. This is a pretty rare problem at Goshen (they may spray at the beginning of the season), but it is a possibility and a good habit to reinforce for outdoor activities.
  1. Trading Post:You may send money with your son for trading post. Items available range from camp gadgets, toys, clothes, candy, ice cream and other treats. This is optional and the amount is up to each family. Certainly $30-35 is plenty. If you send money, please put it in a Ziploc bag with your son's name. We will collect these before we leave and one of the adults will be in charge of handing out the bags when we go to the post. Your son will be responsible for any purchases and returning any remaining money.
  1. Pocket Knives: - if your son wants to bring his pocket knife to camp, please put it in a Ziploc bag (separate from money and medicine) with his name. Last year the boys really enjoyed being able to whittle in the evenings and in down-time. However, this requires a LOT of adult supervision. As a reminder, only scouts who have earned their whittlin' chip can use a knife. All scouts will have the opportunity to earn theirwhittlin' chip at camp. Only folding pocket knives with 3" blade or less are allowed.
  1. Bag Check: Before zipping your son's bag closed for that final time, please do a bag check to make sure that nothing "extra" has found its way into the bag. This is especially important for food.Remember we will be in the woods and there are wild animals that love chocolate and candy even more than a scout! Squirrels and mice can do a lot of damage to bags and clothes, but I can tell you first hand that a bag filled with thousands of ants can be very upsetting to the most stellar of scouts.So we certainly do not want to be leaving out an invitation for them or anything larger.

THE BIG DAY NOTES: July 19th

July 19 Departure - please meet at Waples Mill ES (kiss and ride area) by 9:00 am. This will give us an opportunity to collect forms, medications and take the group camp picture. Boys should be in their class B t-shirts.

Before the ride out, have your son pack his swim suit, towel and water bottle in his separate day pack. Last year we did not do swim checks until Monday, but in previous years that happened on Sunday and is much easier if they do not have to dig swim gear out.

When we get to Goshen, we will check in. That involves a review of all health forms. Then our camp guide will take us to our campsite, give us a tour of camp and explain rules and safety procedures. Not counting the swim test, our first real activity is dinner and then the evening campfire.

Money for meals –in addition to trading post money, please send your son with money for lunch on the way down and breakfast on the way home.The first meal of the day at camp is dinner, so we will stop for lunch along the way. Last year we stopped at Panera, however, it is up to each driver. Yes - one more Ziploc bag for your son's meal money!! We need to keep this separate from the trading post money and it goes with the driver. Do not write on the plastic bag unless it has a writing area – it smears off – use masking tape then.

July 26 - returning from camp.

On the way home, you will be contacted by the parent driving your son for instructions for pick up that morning - usually when their car stops for breakfast. Some parents may drop off scouts at each house, but they may prefer to have you meet them at their own house. Please make sure that you are available - these parents have saved you a very long drive!

As always, let me know if you have any questions.

GOSHEN CUB SCOUT PACKING LIST

  • Sleeping bag (a separate sheet to sleep in on hot nights is a good idea too)
  • Small pillow
  • Day pack or string bag for carrying towel & water bottle around camp & hike
  • Class A shirt (leave neckerchief, hat, Webelos pins & anything that can fall off at home)
  • Class B t-shirt
  • (2) pairs closed-toed shoes (open toed shoes are NOT allowed in camp)

-one pair for walking/hiking (sneakers or hiking boots)

-one pair for water (keens, crocs, etc) - also for shower

  • T-shirts & shorts
  • Long pants (in case it gets cold)
  • Sweater/sweatshirt or jacket (in case it gets cold)
  • Extra underwear & socks
  • (2) Towels (with boy’s name written on it)
  • washcloth
  • Swim trunks (no cut-offs) (with boy’s name written in it)
  • Raincoat or poncho
  • Sunscreen - spray is easiest
  • Insect repellent w/Deet- store in separate Ziploc bag in case it leaks; pump spray is best
  • Shampoo
  • Soap on a rope or soap in a container
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste
  • Flashlight (headlamps work well) – w/extra batteries!
  • Water bottle (Camelbak insert is not recommended)

THINGS THAT HELP MAKE A HAPPY WEEK:

  • Camera – cheap one, w/extra batteries if it uses them
  • Pencil & paper
  • Spending money ($30-35 is plenty; put in Ziploc bag with Scoutʼs name. Do not write on the plastic bag unless it has a writing area – it smears off – use masking tape then)
  • Cards or small game for siesta and downtime
  • Mosquito netting (optional)

POCKET KNIVES: Scouts who have earned their Whittlinʼ Chip may bring a Cub Scoutsize pocket knife (locking blade 3” or less). Place the knife in a Ziploc bag with their name. Scouts may ask to usetheir knives in camp when there is an adult available to supervise.

CAMP INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT NOT TO BRING: Ax, hatchet, sheath knife, matches,electronic toys, TV, radio, cell phone, footlocker, expensive watches or jewelry, and thingseither they or you donʼt want to lose. (Electronics are fine for car ride, but they will be locked in the hot car all week.)