Camp T cabins, itinerary, packing list

PLEASE READ THIS ALL THE WAY THROUGH CAREFULLY. I don't want you to miss out on important info, especially since this year's trip will be a little more scheduled with the two badges for those who are doing them.

First, for the girls, no electronic devices (cell phones, iTouches, kindles, iPads, etc.). It's a lot more fun for the girls to socialize when they're at camp, play,  dance, etc., than to be staring at a screen. It's fine of course for them to them to have these for the car ride. If you're accompanying your daughter to camp, please make sure she doesn't have an electronic device while there -- including in the cabins at night. If your daughter is riding with someone else to camp, make sure she knows that any electronic devices will be held for her while she's at camp by whoever is in charge of her. I'd prefer not to be holding a bunch of these so if each adult can be responsible for their own kid's devices and anyone else's who they might have driven to camp, I'd appreciate it!

(Brookfield Zoo has the same no electronics rule for kids, FYI, for when we go on the overnight there in October).

I mention this first because it's tough for kids to get a real "camping" type experience if they're all huddled around a screen. This has happened on a few of my son's Boy Scout trips -- despite the rules -- and he has mentioned it when he returned home! They can survive 24 hours without their devices. ;-)

For people who haven't been to Camp T. before, it's about a 1 hour and 40 minute drive to Brookston, IN., and they are one hour ahead of us on eastern time. So it's always a good idea to plan on an early departure from Munster on Saturday morning to have lots of time to explore all there is to do at camp!

Itinerary for Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday September 20

Anytime after 9 a.m. eastern -- check in to the Trading Post at Lake Village and tell them you're with Troop 10265. They sometimes give out wristbands to identify you and get you into camp program areas, meals, etc. The Trading Post is where you'll be for camp extras such as riflery tickets ($1 each), the "Horse Fan" badge ($19), candle making. 


Please read our itinerary below before you "book" yourself into candle making and realize later you can't make that time. 


If your daughter is doing the "Horse Fan" badge at camp she is automatically part of a trail ride. We will do this badge right after lunch at 1 p.m. and if you, as an adult, want to also be a part of the trail ride, you'll need to reserve a spot for 1 p.m. and pay for that when you check in ($9). There are only 7 spots left in addition to the girls in our group so first come, first serve for adults. Once it's filled, it's filled.


9:00 a.m. - 11:45 am -- Camp program areas open. If you're doing the horse fan badge after lunch, morning would be a great time to explore other camp areas such as riflery, candle making, boating, slides, climbing towers, arts and crafts area, etc.


12:00 pm -- Lunch


1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. -HORSE FAN BADGE at River Village Barn


3:30 -- 5 -- Explore other program areas at camp (candle making, slides, boating, climbing towers, riflery)


5:30 p.m. -- Dinner


6:15 -- ARCHERY BADGE(I have asked them to keep this short and sweet! Still waiting to hear back from them on whether this will be in Lake Village or River Village)


7 p.m. -- Get ready for campfire back at our cabins with other Girl Scouts from FHH! We'll take photos, etc. I have glow in the dark face paint, glow in the dark nail polish, glow sticks, etc. Our theme is "Girl Scouts Glow!" REMEMBER YOUR GLOW IN THE DARK T-SHIRT! We will have a "signing party" where girls from our troop will sign the back of each other's t-shirts with different colored sharpies.


7:30 p.m. -- Campfire with skits/ singing run by camp staff etc.


8:30 p.m. -- Roasting marshmallows for S'mores to share with all FHH troops :-)


9 p.m. -- Return to cabins and immediately go to sleep. (ha ha)


11 p.m. -- 7 a.m. -- Officially Camp "Quiet Hours"




Sunday September 21  


8 a.m. Breakfast


9 a.m. -- Optional Chapel (location to be announced at breakfast)


9 a.m. -- Noon -- Program areas open (If you didn't get a chance to do something Saturday or had so much fun you want to try an activity again, now's your chance!)


Noon -- Check out. You don't need to officially check out but this is when we have to leave camp.Lunch is on your own on the drive home or once you get home.




YOUR CABIN (each cabin sleeps 15 -- usually 7 bunk beds and one single bed by itself)


LAKE VILLAGE CABIN ONE: 


Natalie/Ava
Jennifer Moore/Kayley
Jennifer Pruzin/Sarah Pruzin/Sara Progler
Diane/Jilli
Michele/Tori




LAKE VILLAGE CABIN TWO: 


Susie/Julianna
Mary/Naomi
Nicole/Elena
Barb/Margie
Linn/Lindsey
Anna/Vanya
possibly Clare if she doesn't stay in cabin three with her mom/sister


The other FHH troops will be next to us in cabins 3 through 6. 




WHAT TO PACK:


Your Daughter's Glow in the Dark T-shirt!!


A flashlight for you and one for your daughter (we are in Lake Village and the bonfire at night is often in River Village -- it's very dark walking back to the cabins afterward without a flashlight)


A change of clothes for Sunday and extra underwear and socks 


PJ's or sweats to sleep in


BOOTS (Rainboots are fine) -- something you don't mind getting muddy -- for the HORSE FAN badge -- girls are going to be in the barn, tacking and grooming the horses and riding. If you don't have boots you could bring an old pair of tennis shoes or hard soled shoes that you don't mind getting muddy.


Long pants for riding


Rain poncho and/or hat and/or umbrella in case of rain


Sweatshirt or jacket for evening campfire


Bug spray, sunscreen


Water (there is a "store" at the Trading Post with vending machines, but it's nice to have water for when you're walking all over camp).


Snacks if you want but avoid candy! You don't need to pack any snacks because Trading post does have some snacks things for sale. We will have lunch and dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday at camp. For those who are pickier eaters they always have a salad bar with lots of choices and, at breakfast, cereal and yogurt as alternatives to the main dish.


A Sleeping Bag and or sheets and a few blankets. A pillow. Camp bunk beds have plastic covered THIN mattresses, just to warn you. ;-) I usually bring a fitted sheet to put over the mattress.


Toothbrush and toothpaste. There's usually soap in the bathroom but bring your own  just to be on the safe side.


If you're going to shower you'll need a towel, shampoo, etc.  I usually wait until I'm home to take a shower but people also do shower at camp. 


The cabins have shared bathrooms/showers attached.




WHAT NOT TO BRING!!


NO FLIP FLOPS OR SANDALS -- Camp has lots of mulch, dirt and gravel and trails through the woods. Believe me, you don't want to be wearing sandals or flip flops or watch your daughter stop every few seconds because "there's something in her shoe." Tennis shoes or boots are best.


FANCY CLOTHES -- Forget it, they're going to get dirty. It's camp. ;–)


Here's the Official Packing List from Camp Tecumseh (more detailed than mine):

Clothing 
Dress at camp is casual; we suggest the following for each guest depending upon the time of year: 
1 pair of pajamas
2 pairs of shoes (1 pair of tennis shoes, 1 pair of boots) Daily change of socks and underwear, plus 2 extra of each Heavy & lightweight shirt – one for each day
2 sweaters/sweatshirts
Daily change of pants/jeans and/or shorts, plus 1 extra pair Jacket or coat
Rain wear – poncho or rain coat 

Bedding:
Each person will need a sleeping bag OR 2-3 blankets & sheets
Pillow 


Toiletries/Personal Care Items:


Shampoo 
Bar of soap
Hand soap
Hand towel and/or wash cloth Towel
Toothbrush & toothpaste 

General Items: 


Alarm clock 
Flashlight Wrist watch 
Comb/Hair brush Deodorant Chapstick Sunscreen Medications 
Bug Spray 

Optional Items:

Camera & extra film, batteries
Fishing pole & tackle
Board games, playing cards
Bible
Water bottle or travel coffee mug
Portable “campfire” - Camp does not allow ground fires! 




What NOT to bring: 

• ALCOHOL or other controlled substances 
  
• Knives 
  
• Axes and/or saws 
  
• Aerosol cans 
  
• Bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, razor scooters, snow sleds 
  
• Firearms, archery equipment, etc. 
  
• Fireworks 
  
• Glass bottles 
  
• Pets 
  

Here's a link to Camp Tecumseh's website for more info:http://camptecumseh.org