CAN A BRAND NEW SCOUT ATTEND?
Cedar Badge ILST is a great leadership development experience for all new leaders in a troop. But it’s not a great experience for first-time campers or a Scout new to Scouting! If the Scout has yet to attend a campout or has only one under the belt, the Scout should first obtain camping nights with the home troop. That’s the best place!
SHOULD MY SCOUT ATTEND CEDAR BADGE?
The best person to ask is the Scoutmaster. Check with him or her first! Cedar Badge does not replace a troop’s own youth leader training program.
MUST A LEADER OR ADULT ACCOMPANY THE SCOUT?
No. The training is for youths. Adult leaders do not have to attend the course with their Scout. Adults are welcomed to come and observe anytime — but beware! Staff may suddenly enlist you to help out!
WILL GIRLS CAMP WITH THE BOYS?
Girls will tent in an area separate from the boys. Patrols will be composed of boys and girls. A female adult leader will be on staff.
WILL THE SCOUT EARN A MERIT BADGE?
No. This is a leadership training course. They do earn a patch and certificate.
IS THERE AN EQUIPMENT LIST?
No. The letter to the Scout says to bring gear for an overnight camp in a park. See that letter for details. Scouts are responsible for their own belongings. Maybe put the Scout’s name on clothing and gear?
WILL THE SCOUT SLEEP IN A CABIN?
No. See the letter to the Scout about what gear to bring. Scouts will sleep in tents they provide. All Scouts will share a tent; no Scout will be tenting alone.
I FORGOT – WHAT TIME DOES THE SCOUT ARRIVE?
As early as possible — but make sure the Scout has eaten dinner first or while waiting in the parking lot. The course starts check-in at 6 p.m. Often we start early when the staff is ready to rock!
MY SCOUT HAS DIET RESTRICTIONS, LIKE EATING NOTHING HEALTHY. WHAT CAN WE SAY?
Cedar Badge will do its best to accommodate a Scout’s diet if it is a medical or religious necessity. If that is the case, please contact the Cedar Badge Scoutmaster a week before the course and we will make efforts to have a diet special for the Scout. We cannot guarantee special menu changes if we are informed on the day of check-in. Otherwise, this isn’t a smorgasbord. Our kitchen is small and there will be cross-contamination of nuts, meats and anything else involved in food prep.
HOW ABOUT WI-FI? IS THERE INTERNET?
Please DO NOT allow your Scout to bring the following: Any electronics (cell phone, iPod, tablet, video games, etc). Even though phone access is available at the facility Cedar Badge will be requiring the Scouts to unplug for the duration of the training. They will survive. If there is a situation that warrants parental contact, you will be contacted by the Cedar Badge staff.
HOW WILL THE SCOUT TAKE MEDS?
Carefully. The Scout will tell the adult staffer at medical recheck about medication. The Scout — not the staff — will be responsible for taking the prescribed medication. We will not take responsibility for reminding the Scout to take the meds.
IS THERE A TRADING POST?
No. This isn’t summer camp. Please do not send money with your Scout. There are no additional costs for this training.
WE HAVE A BUNCH OF SCOUTS ATTENDING. WILL THEY BE IN THE SAME PATROL?
Probably not. We assign Scouts to patrols based on time of check-in. That is why each Scout must bring a tent. Scouts WILL tent in pairs for safety reasons.
THE SCOUT IS NOT COMING TO CEDAR BADGE. NOW WHAT?
If the Scout is unable to attend the course please contact the Cedar Badge Scoutmaster. Contact information is on the flier (found on the council website). Be courteous: Let us know Friday night that the Scout is not attending. This way we don’t have to scramble to make calls about the Scout’s whereabouts. Refunds are not available at this point. Please see council policy on refunds in general.
THE SCOUT HAS TO LEAVE EARLY FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. THAT COOL?
Nope. No late arrivals. No early departures. To earn the Cedar Badge certificate and patch the Scout must remain at the course until dismissal on Saturday.
MY LITTLE SNOOKY-WOOKY CAN BE QUITE A HANDFUL! HOW WILL YOU HANDLE DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS?
Cedar Badge does not have discipline problems. It is the problem of the parents and Scoutmaster. We will contact parents to come to camp and pick up the Scout. We will contact the Scoutmaster to tell him his Scout was sent home. Refunds are not available at this point. Please see council policy on refunds in general.
