BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
TROOP 681
FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA

www.bsatroop681.org

CAMPOUT CHECKLIST AND EVENT PLANNING GUIDE
Courtesy Troop 111, Arlington Virginia
The following represents the basic "to do" list for a typical weekend camping event. The schedule represents the ideal, and in reality is usually shorter. It is assumed that certain aspects of the activity - what we're doing, where we're doing it, permission and/or reservations, deposit fees, etc., have already been long accomplished (in many cases, a year in advance!) If not, then these aspects must be completed first!

3 Weeks Ahead of Time
Start a receipts file ____
Local Tour Permit Completed, Signed, and Mailed to Counci ____
Troop Permission Slips Generated, Photocopied, and Distributed to Scouts/Families. ____
Fresh Troop "Bare-Bones" Camping Lists Distributed to all First Year Scouts/Families ____
Quick Review of Troop Medical Forms and Emergency Numbers Sheet - Are All New Scouts (and Adults) Included? ____
If specialized gear is required for the activity (e.g., rifle, archery, caving, rock climbing and repelling, canoeing, biking, etc.), Quick Review of the Gear ____
Quick Check of Troop Cooking/Cleaning Equipment - Have All Items Distributed for Cleanup after the last event been Returned to the Troop? ____
Complete repairs, if any, on needed Troop Gear damaged during the last event. ____

2 Weeks Ahead of Time
Distribute Troop Campout Planning Guides (SPL/SM to the SPL, Patrol Leader's and Menu/Duty Rosters to the Patrol Leaders). Initial Planning Completed;Forms Returned to the SPL/SM for Checks and Approvals ____
SM and SPL Make Initial Determinations on Transportation Requirements, Adult Support, Senior Scout Support, etc. If problems, Plan of Attack formulated ____
Initial Weekend Activity Hourly Schedule Planned Out. ____
Check Status of Troop Supply Boxes (Troop Fuels, Coleman Lanterns, Paper, Condiments, Cleaning Supplies, Games); Prepare Restocking List; Assign Person to acquire all Needed Items by Following Week. ____
Check Status of Troop First Aid Kit(s). Prepare Restocking List; Assign Person to Acquire all Needed Items by Following Week ____

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1 Week Ahead of Time
Confirm Reservations (as required) ____
Confirm Return of Signed Tour Permit from Council. ____
Confirm Activity Hourly Schedule ____
Collect Permission Slips/Money from Scouts ____
Restock Troop Supply Boxes ____
Restock Troop First Aid Kit(s) ____
Reassemble Troop Cook and Utensil Kits, other ancillary cooking equipment. ____
Complete Quartermaster's Check-Off List; Leave in Scout Closet. ____
Return Approved Troop Campout Planning Guides to the SPL and Patrol Leaders. Review Corrections, if Any, with the SPL to discuss with the Patrol Leaders. ____
Confirm Scouts and Adults Attending. Review Transportation Situation; if problems, attempt to resolve at Troop Meeting. ____
Confirm Food-Buying Scouts. Review Troop Food Shelves with Food Purchasers to Avoid Needless Purchases. Establish exactly when Food will be Bought and Delivered to the Scout Hall ____
Confirm Service Patrol Scouts. Establish exactly when Service Patrol will arrive at the Scout Hall. Attempt to have a second Adult Present, if possible. ____
Confirm Troop Ice Jugs in the Troop Refrigerator ____


Prior Week/Early in Week
Draft Up Directions Sheet and Xerox Adequate Copies for All Drivers. Establish Meal Points and In-Case-Of-Separation Re-Assembly Point(s). ____
Determine Local Catholic Church(es); Get Directions and Confirm Mass Times. ____
Determine Local Hospital(s); Get Directions ____
Confirm a Tele-tree Contact Parent; Give Emergency Contact Number(s) to Same. ____
Buy Film and Spare Batteries for Troop Cameras. ____
Prior Week/Mid-Week
Draft Up an Assembly Check-Off List (Scouts/Adults Present, Permission Slip(s) In, Money In) ____
Check Long-Range Weather Forecast for Area of Activity; If any Potential Problems, have SPL Establish a Tele-tree to Advise Scouts (especially Newer Scouts) ____
Prior Week/Late in Week
Food Purchased and (if possible) Pre-Packed at Scout Hall. ____
Troop Vans Outfitted (Gas, Oil, Air, Spare Tire Pressure, W/W Fluid, Brake Fluid, Radiator Fluid, Extra Oil, CB Radios, Trash Cans, Spare Trailer Wheel, Tool Kits, Spotlight, Jumper Cables, Spare Belts, Tire Chains (if necessary). ____
Troop Trailer Outfitted (Air, Gate, Light Check, Bungee Cords, Properly Attached to Gray Van, License Plate) ____
Assemble all Pertinent Troop Paper (Tour Permits, Other Permits or Reservation Forms, Troop Medical Forms, Troop Emergency Contact Numbers, All Directions, All Maps, Extra Blank Checks and Cash, Troop Roster, Troop Advancement Records, etc.) ____
If required for the event, Assemble All Specialized Equipment from Bob's House, Pack in one of the Troop Vans. ____
Have SPL Call and Remind Patrol Leaders to Bring their Campout Planning Guides and Determine if there are any "Last-Minute" Problems. ____
Confirmational Calls to Attending and Driving Adults, if and as needed ____


Assembly
Open Scout Hall, Troop Closets ____
Supervise Service Patrol in Packing Troop Gear (Using the Quartermaster's Check-Off List), and all Food. ____
Assign Greeter (Give Him/Her the Troop Check-Off List, plus Extra Permission Slips) ____
Assign Packing Coordinators for Packing of Personal Gear in the Vehicle. ____
Distribute Maps and Directions to All Drivers; if we're using the Toll Road, distribute Cash to all drivers (and remind them to save receipts.) ____
Review Directions out of Town and Planned Meal Stopping Point. ____
Have SPL Assign Seats for Travel. ____
Lock Down the Scout Hall. ____


After the Event
Pack all gear away in the Scout Closet, Clean and Dry; Distribute Leftover Opened Food ____
Assign Scouts to Clean Cookware ____
Assist Scoutmaster or Troop Accountant in Campout Accounts ____
Assist Scoutmaster in Developing or Enhancing "How-To" Guide for Next Time ____