The forecast for this weekend is quite a bit cooler than the weather that we're currently experiencing.  The low temperatures at night will be very close to freezing, and possibly below freezing.  The temps during the day on Saturday will also be fairly cool, probably around 50 degrees.  For those reasons, everyone attending the camp out will need to come prepared for the cold temps.  Multiple thin layers work best since they can be removed as the temps go up.  Warm sleeping bags, or a sleeping bag with a blanket, are going to be needed since we'll be in tents this weekend.  We do not have a building to go to at night, so please come prepared for cold nights.  As with any camp out, please make sure to bring an extra pair of shoes/boots as well as rain gear and other equipment to handle the unpredictable Iowa weather.

The sun will be going down Friday night at around 6:16, so it will be important to leave the church on time.  Even leaving on time, it's going to be getting dark when we get to Mitigwa.  Unlike our summer time camp outs, it's important for the boys to have a flashlight ready and available for when we get to Mitigwa.  Please don't pack your flashlight in your bag because it will be difficult to get it out in time to set up camp. 

Cost: $15 - Grub-master & fuel to pull the trailer. Please make checks payable to Troop 188. Payment should be made before we leave on Friday evening.

Depart: Friday, Oct, 26th - Cornerstone Baptist Church

Loading begins at 5:15 PM so we can leave by 5:30 PM.  Wear your Class “A” uniform.

Return: Sunday, July 28th - East Elementary parking lot

We'll return around 10:00. The boys will call before we leave so we can give a more accurate return time, so please make sure they know what phone number to call.

All Summer Camp fees must be paid in the next week or two.  If you have any questions about how much your family owes please let me know.  Every person, adult and Scout, must have a current BSA medical form turned in before we leave for camp.  This form must be signed by your family physician.  Sections A, B, and C must be completed and returned to me before camp.  The form is good for one year, so if you turned in a form for Summer Camp last year then you must turn in an updated medical form.  The BSA Medical form is below in case anyone needs a copy.

We will be departing for camp on Sunday, June 24th from the Mercy North parking lot behind Quik Trip.  We'll meet at 12:30 with the intention of leaving at 1:00.  We are able to check into camp after 12:00 and we want to get there as early as possible so we can get our campsite setup and ready.  We'll be loading the trailer with as much gear as possible since we'll have our trailer in our campsite, but given the size of our group this year we will need to have a large amount of gear hauled up in personal vehicles.  Once at camp, we'll use one of the hay racks to haul our remaining gear back to camp.

We'll be leaving camp on Saturday, June 30th.  Unlike most of our other camp outs, you will not need to return to Ankeny with the group if you do not wish.  Everyone is responsible for either picking up your son and his gear, or making arrangements for someone to bring him home.  We will be hauling the trailer and gear back to Ankeny if you need your gear brought back to Ankeny.  We've done this in years past since it simplifies the return trip home and allows the boys to go straight home if they want.  We'll probably leave camp around 8:00 am, but additional information will follow once the full departure schedule is determined.

If needed, your son can be signed out of camp early, but I'll need to have that information before camp.  Anyone leaving camp early will need to notify me ahead of time and officially sign out in the camp office.  I will have early departure forms with me at camp.

Family night is Thursday, June 28th.  This is the evening that families are invited to come up to camp for dinner and a couple of camp wide ceremonies.  This year there will be dinner served in the dining hall, but as in years past we are suggesting that you bring your son's favorite food up for dinner on that evening.  Pizza, fried chicken, and sub sandwiches are always common favorites.  If you choose to take advantage of the dining hall option, the cost is $6 per person and you'll want to make those arrangements before going to camp.  The Council office will be able to assist you with making those arrangements.  The schedule for Thursday evening is:
5:00 - 6:30 pm - Dinner
6:45 - Flag ceremony
7:00 - Open areas
8:30 - Campfire
The campfire is normally an entertainment type of event with songs and skits.  After the campfire is the Order of the Arrow Call Out ceremony.  This is one of the best ceremonies that you'll see in Scouting.  This is where the older Scouts that have been nominated for entry into the Order of the Arrow are "Called Out", which basically means that they will begin their OA experience.  It is a Native American Indian ceremony that is very exciting for the boys and very interesting for the families.  I strongly encourage everyone to attend this activity. Please keep in mind that no vehicles are allowed in camp, so you will be walking everywhere you go.  They boys are normally very excited to show you around, so please wear comfortable walking shoes and come prepared to walk around quite a bit.

If you are interested, a photo order form for formal Summer Camp pictures is below.  These pictures are taken on the first day of Camp while the boys are still wearing their Class A uniforms (and are still clean).  If you are interested in pictures, then please fill out the form and bring it and a check when we leave for camp.  We will collect photo forms and checks right before we leave for camp.


I've received numerous questions about gear to being to camp.  A word document with a suggested gear list for summer camp is below, so please take an opportunity to review this.  As always, if there are any questions or concerns please feel free to let me know.  There are a few things that I want to take an opportunity to cover in this message. 

1. As always, we'll be sleeping in the canvas camp tents instead of the nylon dome tents that we normally camp in.  These tents are much cooler than the dome tents and quite a bit roomier.  Two boys will be in each tent, so it's a good idea to choose a tent buddy before going up to camp.  The downside of these tents is that they do not seal up like the dome tents do.  There are always insects that work their way into the tents, so if your son has concerns about this then please speak with them before going to camp.  A cot is also very important with these tents.  There are wood pallet floors in the tents, but they are not comfortable to sleep on and the spiders tend to crawl over anything lying on the floor.  Cots do an excellent job keeping the bugs and spiders off the boys while they sleep.  A hanging mosquito net is also an option that many boys take advantage of.  The rectangular ones designed to hang over a cot work the best.
2. Put your son's name on everything he brings to camp.  There will be hundreds of boys at camp while we're up there and most will have the same type of equipment that everyone else brings.  Identifying unlabeled gear is very difficult to do, so please label everything. 
3. Packing your son's gear in waterproof bags (large ziplocks work great) is always a good idea.  As you all know, we live in Iowa and the weather is unpredictable.  It's also a good option to pack everything in a Rubbermaid tote instead of a bag or backpack.  This makes it easier for the boys to find their gear and keep things neat, clean, and dry while at camp.
4. Snacks & food are always a good idea to bring to camp.  Mitigwa meals have improved dramatically in past years, but the boys are going to be VERY active while at camp and occasionally need some additional food in the evenings.  Any of your son's favorite snacks are OK to bring, but individually wrapped items tend to create a lot of trash so we try to discourage them for that reason.  All food is kept in the trailer and we use the honor system to keep track of food.  It's a good idea to put your son's name on everything he brings.
5. Any medication your son needs will need to be turned over to the adult leaders when we gather for summer camp at East Elementary.  All medications are kept in a locked box in the trailer, so the medications need to be clearly labeled with your son's name and dosing instructions.
6. The boys enjoy visiting the trading post for souvenirs and treats, so we encourage the boys to bring spending money.  Like medications, all spending money will be turned over to an adult leader before leaving for camp.  We keep each boy's money in an envelope in a locked box in the trailer and there are scheduled times when they are allowed to get money out of the bank.  We STRONGLY encourage sending small bills so the money can be taken out in small amounts.  This helps to prevent the boys from spending all their money on the first day, and also prevents their entire supply of money from being lost at one time.
7. Please don't bring any electronics or other valuables to camp.  Any electronics seen at camp will be taken for safe keeping by an adult leader and will be secured in the trailer until the end of camp.  The risk of theft is fairly minor, but the risk is there and the potential for damage is simply too great to risk, so just leave the electronic toys at home.

As with any type of long duration activity away from home, homesickness is always a risk.  We always have some homesick boys while at camp, but there are a couple of things that you can do to help with this.  Encourage your boys to enjoy their week at camp and to take full advantage of the opportunities that they will find there.  Speak to them about the experience and remind him that you'll be seeing him on Thursday evening at family night.  Cell phones are prohibited at camp for Scouts, and the office will not allow calls to be made by the boys, so please do not tell your son to call you during the week.  The adults at camp will have their phones, but the boys will not be allowed to use them to call home except in the case of emergency.  We've found that once a boy talks to his parents while homesick, it's unlikely that they'll finish their week at camp.  If you have any questions or concerns about this policy please let me know.  One of the best ways to help your son at camp is to send them a letter (yes, simple, old fashioned pen & paper letter).  Letters will be collected at the office each day by myself or one of the other leaders and then distributed to the boys.  It takes a couple of days for letters to make it there, so please feel free to send one before your son leaves for camp.  It can be a huge deal for the boys to a simple letter or postcard at camp so please take advantage of this opportunity.  The letters should be addressed as follows:
Name of Scout
Troop 188
Camp Mitigwa
1820 Magnolia Dr.
Woodward  IA 50276

If there are any questions or concerns please feel free to let me know.  Summer camp is a big deal for the boys, and a new experience for many of you.  We want to make this the best possible experience we can, so please let us know if you need anything.  There are no stupid questions, so please feel free to ask about anything that you're unclear on.

We currently have 38 boys signed up for Summer Camp, but I've spoken with a couple more families about camp but have not yet gotten merit badge choices or payment from those people.  There is still time to sign up for Summer Camp, but we're getting close to the cutoff, so if you want to sign up, or believe that your son should be on this list, then please let me know ASAP.  A document with the merit badges that each boy is registered for is below.  If there are any concerns about merit badges then please let me know.