So for April we drove down to Little Sahara Sand Dunes for our monthly campout. We planned to play capture the flag, explore the dunes and experience an 800 foot tall sand hill!
Unfortunately during this trip we saw how dependent our scouts are on us - and we've facilitated the whole dependency! Our older scouts were so willing to help in whatever needed to be done, that the younger ones have gotten used to not needing to help. Now that the older scouts are moving on, we're going with just the younger ones that aren't used to helping out in the kitchen and such. We try and try to get them to help out in the kitchen but they're lazy! I need to clarify that not all of them are, but a good majority are. One of the boys we asked to wash dishes after dinner (just one pot and a ladle) didn't know what to do. He said that it's his sisters job to do the dishes at home, so he's never done it! I had to show him exactly what to do in order to get it done! We had to hound the boys to work together to get their tents set up and taken down.
So we've decided to do things a little differently next time - the way it should be done. We're going to let them plan out the meals, and the cooking and cleaning schedule - and post it so all know what their jobs are. We're not going to hound them about setting up their tents - if they don't get them set up they will just have to sleep under the stars. We'll be available for consultation, but will let them run the show. I've gotten into the habit of planning out the activities and such, and end up doing the kitchen stuff so that we will have time for the activities. Next time I'll let them plan it all out and if we don't have time for the activities that's just too bad.
Wish me luck.
