T248: Frequently Asked Questions.

Frequently Asked Questions ask your questions, others may be wondering too...
SO, What exactly is a TLT and why should my son go to it.	Parents / Scouts - ever wonder exactly what TLT Troop Leadership Training is all about. Here is a LINK to show the slide show on this new program and its benefits to scouts & parents.
OK, so you want to help lead or run a TREK and you have no idea where to start.	GREAT. We need adults, just like you, to step forward and help the scouts. It's not hard ; but you need to know a few things first. Just follow this LINK and it will give you all the information you need to become a seasoned TREK leader.
Speaking of Treks - When do I need a tour Permit??	Here you go - the definitive answer right from council - just follow this link
My son wants to advance but we have no idea where to start	Okay, the first place to look is your son's scout handbook. He doesn't have one yet - you say. Well, follow this LINK and you will get all the information you need to help your son advance to Tenderfoot; Second Class; or First Class scout.
My son just came back from a trek and we have this icky tent. What do I do with it???	OK - first off - you and your scout put the tent up and dry it out. Then, he needs to clean the inside of the tent - sweep it out and wipe off any outside dirt or bugs or things like that. Once the tent is dry you can fold it up. Here's a link to show you how - this link is a power point presentation on folding our tents. If you want, contact the webmaster and he can make a CD with this presentation for you.
How do I become a Merit Badge Counselor	Easy. Just follow this LINK . It is a link to the M/B test given by BSA to all Merit Badge Counselors. Take it, pass the test; file the paperwork with council and you can become a Merit Badge Counselor - couldn't be any easier.
Now that my son is a member of your troop - how do I set up his uniform???	If you need to purchase scout uniforms here is the MAP to the CVC scout shop located in Pontiac. If you already have the uniform and patches just follow this link . It will take you to the SCOUTING organizations web site and show you where all the insignias go on his uniform.
My son wants to start his first Merit Badge. How do we do that.	Simple. Just follow this handy dandy link which will give you and your son a detailed document on how to start his first, of many we hope, merit badge. Remember, half the fun of doing these merit badges is learning about the subject
My son has volunteered to be a grubmaster. What do we do now?	That's simple. Just follow the link shown here-it will take you to the GEAR page. This Grubmaster guide for SCOUTS and ADULTS will have you up to speed in no time. It has valuable information on how to plan a meal; and also another link to a Grubmaster form the scout can use for planning his patrols meals. We also have a link for Meal ideas-check it out.
My son hasn't been camping with the Troop yet, can he still go to summer camp?	Troop 248 Bylaws require Scouts to have two nights of camping with the Troop before going on a long-term or out-of-state camp. For a Scout that has never camped with the Troop, it is difficult to access the ability of that Scout to deal with other Scouts and deal with home-sickness. Special considerations may be made based on the age and maturity of the Scout in question and will be handled on an individual basis. The Trek Leader has the final say. If a parent comes for the first two days & nights this will satisfy the Bylaws requirement.
Can I visit my son at camp?	Yes. A good day to visit is Friday; as on Friday night there is a camp-wide fire with skits and songs and such. Let's remember why our sons are at camp, to experience Scouting in a safe, controlled atmosphere, to develop his independence, and to further advance working together as a group. Visiting parents should be careful to limit hugging and not to dote over their sons and don't tell them that you miss them. This can be enough to send a borderline Scout home with homesickness. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of camp, take an interest in what is going on at camp and not what is (or isn't) going on at home. Keep all conversations upbeat and positive.
If I visit my son, can I take him out of camp for dinner or perhaps to a hotel?	Removing your son from camp is *strongly discouraged. Again, let's remember why our sons are at camp (see "Can I visit my son at camp?"). Removing your son from camp disrupts his week at Scout Camp and can be perceived as unfair treatment by other Scouts. Furthermore, Scouts returning from a night away from camp may boast about the steak dinner, hotel bed, or swimming pool they had the night before. This puts more strain on those Scouts that may be feeling a bit of homesickness or didn't have a visit from home. Scouts that are removed from camp must return before breakfast the next day. If a Scout is removed on Friday night, the Scout must be returned to camp by 7:00 am to help break camp. Scouts spending a night away from camp, will not get camping credit for the night away. Removing your son is so strongly discouraged, that the Trek Leader has the option* of not allowing the Scout to return, for this reason be sure to clear it before coming to camp. Please do your part, keep the family vacation separate from Scout camp.
Do I have to send my order for Merit Badge supplies to Lost Lake a week before camp?	No, the Trek Leader takes care of that. Any sending of information to camp is done by the Trek Leader. All monies for your son's Merit Badges will come from his scout account so you want to make sure he has enough in his account for that.
Why do we go to camp on Saturday when the other Troops arrive on Sunday?	Lost Lake allows some Troops to arrive one day in advance of the usual check-in day. This helps to relieve some of the strain on Sunday when everybody else arrives. With a Troop our size (always the biggest in camp), it's great for us to get in, set up, and relax for a day before the madness begins. Lost Lake does not provide any food service during the early arrival period, so the Troop will bring its own food. Scouts do not need to bring mess gear, as the Troop will provide disposables for Saturday night snack, Sunday breakfast & lunch. The first official meal is Sunday dinner in the dining hall. Additionally, because Saturday is the only day the Camp Staff has off, we must be *very quiet*. There will be absolutely no leaving of our campsite until the official sign-in has begun on Sunday around 1:00pm. Please pass this information on to your Scouts.
I'm driving some Scouts to camp. If I get to Lost Lake before the trailers, can I head back to the campsite?	NO! NO! NO! The answer is NO! We're all excited to get to camp and start setting up tents, but no one may drive back to the campsite. Lost Lake has very strict rules about vehicles in camp. All vehicles and people MUST wait quietly in the parking area until the Troop trailers arrive. At that time, the trailers, and ONLY the trailers, will drive back to the campsite. Unless there is a physical disability, ALL others MUST walk even those that rode up with the trailers. On arrival day, everybody must maintain strict quiet, see: "Why do we go to camp on Saturday when the other Troops arrive on Sunday?" On departure day, ONLY the vehicles pulling the trailers or hauling large amounts of gear are permitted back to the campsite. Even then, only one vehicle is allowed to the campsite at a time. Do not embarrass the Troop by breaking these rules.
What Merit Badges will my son be working on?	Each Scout selects Merit Badges or other programs to work on while at Lost Lake. He must select up to four primary selections and two alternate selections; From these, Lost Lake decides which ones the Scout will be working on trying to accommodate his primary selections when possible. This decision is based on the following factors: the time when the selections are received, availability, and age of the Scout. These are returned to the Trek Leader and then are handed down to the Scouts. Scouts should review the prerequisites, acquire the Merit Badge book either from the Troop Library, borrowing it from another source, or purchasing from a store. The Trading Post at Clinton Valley Council is the best local source for purchase. All Scout Stuff is available online at scoutstuff.org
Does Lost Lake have showers?	Yes! And your son will use them at least once during the week, and you can tell your son ,NO swimming does not count as a shower. Scouts may wear (and most do) swim suits to shower. Every Scout must provide his own toiletries (soap, shampoo, towel, etc.). And in case you're wondering, toilet paper is provided by camp.
Does my son have to take the pre-Camp swim check?	No. Swim checks prior to camp are a convenience for the Troop and may be taken at camp. All Scouts (and Scouters) are considered "Learners" without taking the swim test. Those wishing to participate in other areas of the waterfront, must test. Scouts taking waterfront Merit Badges and other programs such as Sail boating, Swimming, Snorkeling BSA, etc. must pass the BSA swim test. Follow this link for details on the different tests.
Is it too late for my son to sign up to go to camp?	No. It's never too late. If all the forms are complete, it is possible to sign up to go to camp a couple days before leaving. Signing up this late does present some challenges; many Merit Badge classes may be filled so the Scout may not get his first selections, the Trek Leaders may get a little stressed out (but they can handle it), the Scout will likely not get to select his tent partner... It's all minor stuff. If your son wants to go, we can make it happen. See also: "My son hasn't been camping with the Troop yet, can he still go to camp?"

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