Camp Craft Crew

Grand Howl and flag break. Akela introduces Camp Craft Crew: "You already know the basics. Now we level up — clothing, weather, cooking, tents. By the end you will be camp experts."

Pile of clothing items at one end of the hall: base layers, mid layers (fleece), outer layers (rain jackets), hats, gloves, socks. Akela calls a weather scenario ("cold morning at camp", "rainy afternoon hike", "hot sunny day"). One Cub from each patrol races to dress a mannequin (or a willing Cub) in the correct layers. Pack judges correctness. Discuss: cotton kills — why synthetics and wool wick moisture.

OAS: camping.s2.plan-1

Four rotating stations (4 min each): (1) Read a simple weather forecast card and decide if camp goes ahead or what precautions to take, (2) Match weather symbols to risks (lightning = shelter, frost = extra layers, UV = sun protection, wind = secure tents), (3) Build a mini wind gauge from a paper cup and straw and test it with a fan, (4) Write a "weather warning" note for the Pack noticeboard about tonight's pretend forecast. Debrief: weather changes plans — always check before camp.

OAS: camping.s2.plan-6

Rub UV glow lotion on Cubs' hands to simulate germs. Cubs go about normal activities for 2 minutes (touching door handles, shaking hands, picking up equipment). Then shine a UV torch to reveal the "germ" spread. Wash hands with soap and water using the proper 20-second technique (sing "Happy Birthday" twice) and check again under the UV torch. Repeat with just a quick rinse to show the difference. Discuss camp hygiene rules: wash hands before cooking and eating, keep food covered, brush teeth, use toilet block, keep tent tidy. Each patrol creates a "Camp Hygiene Checklist" poster with the top 5 rules.

OAS: camping.s2.plan-5

Bingo cards with weather-related camping scenarios (e.g. "the tent fly is flapping", "puddles forming", "sunburn risk", "frost on the grass"). Leader calls descriptions; Cubs match to the icon on their card. First line wins. Reinforces weather awareness in a fun format.

OAS: camping.s2.plan-6

Circle up. Each Cub names the layer they would grab first on a cold camp morning and one hygiene rule they will follow at their next camp. Leader previews Night 2: fire, emergency plans, and tent skills. Prayer / Promise.

Grand Howl. Akela recaps Night 1 layers and hygiene. Tonight: "We handle emergencies, respect the bush, and master the tent."

Brainstorm on the whiteboard: "Why is a fire useful at camp?" (Warmth, cooking, light, drying wet gear, morale, signalling.) Then discuss: "Why can fire be dangerous?" (Burns, bushfire, smoke inhalation.) Introduce the rule: never approach the fire pit without a leader present. Show photos of well-managed vs. unsafe campfires. Patrols then sort scenario cards into "fire helps" and "fire harms" piles and present their reasoning. Connect to the Leave No Trace principle: use existing fire rings.

OAS: camping.s2.plan-3

Show two photos: a campsite where someone cut branches and cleared scrub, vs. one using an existing clearing. Cubs discuss the difference. Then give each patrol a small potted seedling and a card describing a damaging action (pulling bark, trampling, digging around roots). Patrol demonstrates the damage to the group (mime only — do not harm the plant!) and explains why it is bad. Each patrol then creates a "Leave No Trace Pledge" poster with three rules their patrol will follow at camp. Display on the wall. Debrief: stick to existing sites, do not cut live vegetation, leave the site cleaner than you found it.

OAS: camping.s2.plan-2

Three stations (5 min each): (1) Accident at camp — a Cub pretends to have a burn from the campfire. Patrol practises the response: cool with water, call a leader, comfort the patient. Discuss when 000 is needed. (2) Emergency call practice — each Cub picks up a toy phone and practises the Triple Zero script: state, suburb, campsite name, what happened. (3) Safety precautions checklist — patrol fills in a camp safety card: buddy system, boundaries, fire rules, first-aid kit location, leader contact. Leader signs off each completed card.

OAS: camping.s2.plan-4, camping.s2.plan-7, camping.s2.plan-8

Clear the hall floor. Each patrol sets up a dome tent from scratch (unpack, lay out, poles, clips, pegs, fly). Leader times them. Then they pull it all down, fold it, and repack it. Fastest correct setup and packdown wins. Discuss: at a real camp, a well-pitched tent keeps you dry and warm; a sloppy one leaks.

OAS: camping.s2.do-1, camping.s2.do-6

Each Cub writes one safety rule they promise to follow at camp on a sticky note and places it on the "Safe Camper Wall". Read several aloud and group similar ones together. Discuss: which rules are the most important? Leader previews Night 3: outdoor cooking and sleeping-bag care. Prayer / Promise.

OAS: camping.s2.do-6

Meet at the park. Buddy pairs confirmed. Leader applies sunscreen to any Cub who has not already done so. Hats on. Discuss: UV rating today, shade options, hydration plan. Set up a shade tarp over the cooking area.

OAS: camping.s2.do-4

Leader demonstrates lighting and adjusting a single-burner camp stove (or Trangia). Safety briefing: stable surface, no loose clothing near flame, never leave unattended, turn off gas when finished. Each patrol then cooks a simple meal: toasted sandwiches in a camp pan (bread, cheese, tomato). Cubs take turns flipping with a spatula under direct supervision. While waiting, other Cubs prepare salad in a bowl (pre-washed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber). Eat together.

OAS: camping.s2.do-2, camping.s2.do-5

Each Cub brings their sleeping bag. Lay them out in the sun (or a breezy spot) to air. While airing, leader demonstrates: shake out debris, spot-clean stains with a damp cloth, check the zipper, turn inside-out to air the lining. Cubs practise on their own bags. After 15 minutes of airing, roll and stuff bags correctly (stuff, don't fold — maintains loft). Discuss: airing after every camp keeps the bag fresh and the insulation working.

OAS: camping.s2.do-3

Set up a short obstacle course at the park: crawl under a shade net, run to a hat station and put on a hat, zigzag through cones (representing "seeking shade"), apply lip balm at a station, and sprint to the finish. Time each Cub. Reinforces slip-slop-slap-seek-slide in an active format.

OAS: camping.s2.do-4

Split into pairs. Each pair gets a scenario card with a camp situation (walking alone to the toilet block at night, running near a camp stove, leaving food out, storing a torch in the sleeping bag). They act it out the wrong way, then the right way, for the rest of the group. Quick debrief after each pair.

OAS: camping.s2.do-6

Clean the cooking area (wash pans, pack stove, collect rubbish). Leave the park spotless. Circle up: each Cub rates tonight on 1-5 fingers. Leader previews Night 4: the big review and celebration. Prayer / Promise.

OAS: camping.s2.do-5

Grand Howl. Akela: "Tonight is the final night of Camp Craft Crew. You have learnt so much — let's prove it!"

Relay race with a twist. Patrols line up. The first Cub runs to the far end, picks a trivia card, and answers it (e.g. "Name two layers for a cold camp morning", "What is the fire triangle?", "What do you do if lost?"). If correct, they run back and tag the next Cub. If wrong, they try a second card. First patrol to complete all cards wins. Questions cover all four nights: clothing, weather, hygiene, fire, emergency, tent, cooking, sleeping bag, sun safety, camp behaviour.

OAS: camping.s2.review-1

Each patrol receives two blank A3 sheets. On one they draw "Our Best Camp" — showing everything done right (correct tent pitch, tidy kitchen, buddy system, sun protection). On the other they draw "Camp Disaster" — showing everything wrong (tent collapsed, food uncovered, lost Cub, no sunscreen). Present to the Pack with explanations. Leader links each right/wrong to a specific Stage 2 requirement.

OAS: camping.s2.review-1, camping.s2.review-2

Sit in a circle. Akela reads five camp scenarios from the past four nights (e.g. "The rain started and the tent fly was loose", "We ran out of water on a hot day", "The sleeping bag was damp in the morning"). For each scenario, Cubs share what they would do differently next time. Leader captures suggestions on a flip chart. Celebrate creative and practical ideas.

OAS: camping.s2.review-2

Each Cub stands and shares: "My favourite thing I learnt or enjoyed across the four Camp Craft Crew nights was..." Leader acknowledges each Cub by name. If photos were taken during Nights 1-3, show a quick slideshow on a laptop.

OAS: camping.s2.review-1

Leader congratulates the Pack on completing Camp Craft Crew. Hand out "Camp Craft Crew" certificates or stickers. Acknowledge standout moments: best tent pitch, best camp cook, best safety answer. Each Cub shakes hands with their buddy and thanks them for being a great camp partner. Remind Cubs that their next real camp will be a chance to put it all into practice. Prayer / Promise. Flag down.