Subject: Guidance Concerning Family Participation at Camp Outs
From: Dave Dellarco, Akela
To: Pack 144 Parents
I have been approached by a number of Pack 144 parents on the question of family participation in camp outs. In order to provide clarity to the pack membership on this question, I crafted a policy statement for which I asked the Pack 144 Leadership Team (Akelas and Den Dads) to review and comment upon. In addition to this policy statement, I shared with the Leadership Team my personal views on the subject.
I am very grateful and impressed with both the thoughtfulness and responsiveness of the feedback I received from the Leadership Team. It was a wonderful demonstration of the power and wisdom of this collective group. What their feedback made very clear to me is this issue needs both an immediate response, and also some time to ponder the implications of other ideas or options. As a result, I am establishing the following guidance to direct us through this year, with the hope that we will be able to find time as a community to discuss this subject in a more broad fashion at the January and/or April Parents meetings. As you review this guidance, I trust that I can rely upon you to support this position over the course of this year. Thank you for your support!
Participation in Pack 44 camp outs are limited to a cub with one parent. The Akela recognizes circumstances may require a need for flexibility with this policy. As a result, the following exceptions to the “cub and one parent” policy are intended to provide the Pack with guidance on when it is appropriate to deviate from the “cub and one parent” formula.
1. In the event cub is able to participate in a camp out only if a parent brings a sibling(s) along with them, the sibling(s) is welcome to attend. In the event siblings are present, they will not be covered by Pack 144 insurance.
2. In regard to the Blake Island camp out specifically: In the event two or more cubs are from one family, two parents may attend the Blake Island camp out. The second parent, however, will be responsible for all costs associated with transportation and camping fees. In addition, the second parent will not be covered by Pack 144 insurance. If sibling participation is necessary in order to provide for participation by both parents, siblings may attend as well, provided they pay their own transportation and camping fees. Siblings will not be covered by Pack 144 insurance.
Rationale
The “cub and one parent” formula is the backbone of Pack 144. As such, it is very important for all members to do their best to honor this deep tradition. It is equally important, however, to foster participation in all camp outs by all cubs. As a result, it is important for the entire Pack 144 community to acknowledge that in order to facilitate the most complete participation in Pack 144 camp outs, it may be necessary, in rare instances, to deviate from the “cub and one parent” formula. In the event a cub is only able to participate in a camp out if a parent attends with a sibling(s), the sibling(s) is welcome to attend.
In regard to our Blake Island camp out specifically, the experience of “Den dilution” has been raised as a concern. “Den dilution” is what can result from instances where one parent with multiple cubs in Pack 144 has had to split time between two dens. This experience has been expressed as a liability to our den-building cohesion efforts, which is one of Blake Island’s hallmarks. To help insulate Dens from experiencing “Den dilution” because one parent cannot be in two places at once, an additional parent is welcome to participate – provided each parent directly supports a unique den, not the same den. If it is necessary for a sibling(s) to participate in the Blake Island camp out in order for more comprehensive den support can be provided through the efforts of both parents, siblings are welcome to attend.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Akela is asking the entire Pack 144 community to support and embrace this guidance with the understanding that its intent is to help ensure that no cub is shut out of participation in a camp out because a cub and parent can only attend if accompanied by a sibling(s) as well. Equally, Akela is asking the Pack to ensure that all measures are available to dens as they strive to establish strong bonds during the events at Blake Island. It is the intent of Akela to fully vet this guidance as time allows, but no later than the end of Camp Shelton in 2006.