Camping & Outdoor Programming
Firecrafter Report: Week 4
Unfortunately, we have no troops at Ransburg this week. That means that I did not get the report from there this week.
I did visit Camp Krietenstein. They have 7 candidates this week. Two are campers the rest are staff. One of the staffers was their international counselor from Taiwan. He was working hard to start a fire with the American methods.
Summer Camp Advice for Adults
As we are in the midst of summer camp season, it is always good to have a refresher on how to make summer camp great.
Bob White Blather rounds up several articles on summer camp. Follow the links and learn.
Last Pre-Camp Swim Test this Sunday
The last Pre-Camp Swim Test is May 22nd at Carmel High School. Information is available here.
Remember your unit is responsible for YPT compliance and record keeping. The council provides the water safety and qualified instructors to approve the swims. That means you need to have sufficient adults present.
These pre-camp swim checks are very important for many boys. Some boys are not strong swimmers. Some boys have never swum in dirty lake water before, even if they are the swim team. I have seen good swimmers and bad swimmers fail the swim test on the first Sunday of camp simply because they don’t like lake water.
By having them qualify for their swimmer rating for the year at a pre-camp swim test, you give them the opportunity to adapt to the lake water as part of their merit badge classes rather than at swim test. Less pressure. Greater likelihood of success.
Most importantly, your arrival at camp on Sunday is far less hectic. You don’t need to rush the boys down to the waterfront then back up to camp to get set up. They can focus on set up then orientation.
If you would like to run your own pre-camp swim test, visit the council summer camp website for more information. You will need to fill out the linked form and meet the Safe Swim Defense rules during your pre-camp swim check. Camp Ransburg encourages you to send your swim records in early with your health records to make sure all is in order.
Summer Camp Learning not Just for Youth
Summer camp is all about making scouting memorable for the youth. This is the culmination of everything we are trying to achieve in scouting of the rest of the year. The living together in a community of peers. The exposure to the elements and adapting. The planning. The frustrations. The joys of success.
But summer camp is not just an opportunity for youth to learn.
Adults can take training. At Ransburg scouters can take many of the position specific classes. When the scouter comes home, the scouter will be “Trained.”
Make sure all of your new parents take as many classes as possible. You should set an expectation that adults are going to learn. This improves your volunteer corps but also sets a good example for the scouts.
When a scout wonders in to camp when he is supposed to be in class, looking for his parent, he will ask for his parent. If he is told that his parent is in class, what is the scout going to say?
Congratulations to our new OA Members
I just got home from our OA induction ceremony. We had a great spring 2016 class.
They will all have stories to tell and mysteries to uphold.
Remember candidates who missed this weekend can other chapter ordeals next week or the Lodge ordeal later this fall.
OA Ordeal Weekend May 13-15
From OA Advisor John Ruggles:
Arrowmen,
Whether you are a Brotherhood candidate or a general member, we would love to see you at Ordeal weekend in two weeks (May 13 – 15 at Camp Kikthawenund).Attached are the registration forms and letters. If you plan to come, please follow the instructions in the letters.Hope to see you there.John RugglesChapter Advisor317-201-1851
May 1st Firecrafters to Train Units in Flag Retirement
Spring Camporee Success. The Firecrafters of the North Star Ember would like to extend a warm thank you to all the troops who came out and participated in the Spring Camporee. One of the goals of our organization is to encourage continued participation by our youth in camping, outdoor activities, and Scouting. The activities and fellowship promoted at district camporees is a great opportunity that benefits these goals.
Importance of Scouts in Flag Retirement. At the evening campfire, we were excited to be given the opportunity to perform a flag retirement ceremony. The Boy Scouts is one of the largest organizations that gives communities opportunities to have worn American Flags properly retired. Organizations that also offer this service include the American Legion Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other civic associations. Using flags donated by the Broad Ripple American Legion, one of our service projects for the year will be a flag retirement this Sunday, May 1st.
Invitation to Units and Scouts. We would like to invite Scouting members of the North Star District to attend. We will not just be retiring flags, but also answering any questions you have about proper flag retirement. This may be of great value to upcoming Firecrafter candidates, if they want to include a flag retirement as part of the candidate campfire. One of our goals in carrying out this service project is educating you in this area. We hope to improve your confidence so that in the future, you might consider conducting a retirement as a troop service project or include in your troop ceremonies.
Where: Second Presbyterian Church
7700 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260
(fire ring in picnic area at north end of the parking lot)
When: Sunday, May 1, 2016
Time: 1:00-2:00 PM
What: North Star Firecrafter Flag Retirement Seminar
The weather for Sunday is not predicted to be as beautiful as the camporee weather. In the event it is raining between 1:00 and 2:00, the meeting will be at the Broad Ripple American Legion Post #3 at 6379 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220. We will still have a mock retirement and answer questions from an inside location.
Jacob Danek
North Star Ember Chief
Greg Hoyes
North Star Ember Advisor
Winners at Spring 2016 Camporee
Polaris Award:
Troop 586, Patrol Drumstick.
Willie Award:
Troop 269.
Stu Unveils the New Polaris Award
Tonight we start Spring Camporee 2016! While Stu Bowes, Camporee Chair, had a sudden business scheduling conflict, he is making his impact this Camporee.
As the troops agreed at the January Camporee planning meeting, Stu unveiled the new Polaris Award.
This new award was first earned at the Winter Camporee by Troop 56’s Elementals Patrol. This award goes to the patrol that wins the overall events competition by score.
As you can see the Polaris Award already has the Spring Camporee patch on it, ready to welcome the winners announced Saturday night.
Work hard boys! Your winning efforts will be remembered for years to come.
(Don’t worry the Willie Award for best campsite remains unchanged.)
Camporee: this Friday!
This weekend is camporee. It is going to be busy!
For Youth:
- Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Traditional Camporee Events (see below).
For Scouters/Adults:
- Unit Key 3 Conference, 8:30 registration, 9:00 am to 11:00 am, featuring Council Scout Executive Patrick Sterrett and Council Commissioner Rick Tardy.
- Unit Commissioner Basic Training, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
CAC North Star Unofficial Website 
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