Parents Guide to Summer Camp
PARENTS GUIDE TO SUMMER CAMP
Parents need to be prepared for summer camp so they know what to expect and how the camp operates. You are welcome to download the Dan Beard Council’s Information for Scouts and Parents which summarizes important information from the Camp Friedlander Leader’s Guide that parents need to be aware of.
Mail Service / Care Packages
Mail to campers is welcome and encouraged. It will be distributed daily to troop leaders. Mail service can typically take a few days to arrive, so be sure to plan accordingly. Please send encouraging letters, but avoid sending pictures and telling your son that you miss him as this can lead to homesickness.
Mail should be addressed to:
(Scout’s Name)
Troop 281, Lakeview Campsite
Camp Friedlander
581 Ibold Rd.
Loveland, OH 45140
Emergency Phone Calls
There is phone service at camp, but only emergency calls are accepted for campers. The emergency phone number for Camp Friedlander is (513) 831-8311.
Campers are discouraged from making calls home, as this tends to disrupt the troop schedule and lead to worsening if the Scout is homesick. If one of the troop’s leaders believes that it is necessary for your son to call home, permission will be granted. An adult leader must accompany a Scout while he uses the phone. Please do not allow your son to bring a cell phone to camp.
Merit Badge Prerequisites
Not all merit badge requirements can be completed at summer camp. Scouts are expected to have completed their merit badge prerequisites prior to arrival at camp if they would like to earn certain badges. Parents should review the prerequisites list and encourage their Scout to complete these requirements prior to camp.
Visitors
Parents and other visitors will not be turned away if they wish to observe the programs and facilities at Camp Friedlander. However, we have found that visiting parents are very disruptive to the Scout’s schedule. If a Scout is homesick, seeing any parent – even another Scout’s parent – will make them feel much worse. Therefore Troop 281 strongly discourages parental visits before Friday night. If visiting, everyone is required to sign-in at the Camp Office upon arrival and will be given a visitor wristband to wear.
Guest meals at camp are available. Meal tickets can be purchased at the Camp Office: breakfast is $5, lunch is $6, and dinner is $7. Children 6 and under eat free.
Family camping is not permitted at Camp Friedlander. The only children under 18 permitted to stay overnight are registered Boy Scouts with a troop.
Early Release of Campers
In order to release a camper prior to Friday night, an Early Release form for the Scout must be submitted upon arrival at camp. If it is not on file with in the camp office at the time of release, all Scouts leaving camp will be required to be signed out personally by the Scoutmaster. There are no exceptions to this policy. Click here to download a copy of the Early Release Form.
Family Night on Friday
Friday night is Family Night at Camp Friedlander! Families are encouraged to visit their Scouts beginning at 5:30 pm. Dinner is served in the Dining Hall between 5:30 and 7 pm, and the cost is $7 per person. Families are also welcome to bring their own food. After dinner, the camp will have open program areas and a closing campfire program. Bring your staduim chair, flashlight and some mosquito repellant. All are invited!