The boys typically have 2 options for summer camp.

Highly Suggested:

Purchase a Sterilite Footlocker from Walmart for your son.  It is approximately $20 in the store at Walmart and is the most inexpensive place to purchase it, as of June 2018.  Benefits include: 1.) keeps everything dry and locked away from critters, 2.) its an extra seat!, 3.) Fits perfectly under a cot, can be left outside of a tent because it keeps the water out, 4.) fits everything he needs for a week of camp, 5.) sort of keeps his stuff kind of, maybe, a little bit organized during camp, hopefully, 6.) AFTER camp, use it to store all his scouting gear from handbook to sleeping bag, from hot spark to mess kit, from bed roll to head lamps.

See an example below:

WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE CHURCH......Have all your gear packed in a footlocker with the following items packed in a DAY PACK: Water bottle, swim trunks, swimming towel, a SACK LUNCH, uniform shirt (we will wear traveling to camp).  Unload your footlocker and day pack onto the sidewalk for camp inspections by SPL.  Put on your scout shirt.

In Council Camp - Loud Thunder (usually in July)

This is open to ANY boy in the troop.

Please note that all first year scouts wanting to go to camp must stay in council and go to Loud Thunder.

Family Night Information:

    Loud Thunder: Wednesday, POT LUCK DINNER in our campsite, at 5:30pm, Order of the Arrow Call Out Ceremony at 7pm. This gets over late. Bring a dish to pass and your own place settings. We will have water, if you anything other than water, that is up to you.  Bring bug spray and either lawn chairs or blankets for dinner and the ceremony.  We encourage the ENTIRE TROOP to join us for the OA ceremony to support our gentlemen who are getting called out this year.

    NOTE*  Your son may be sad when he sees you. This is your chance to build up his courage and tell him how proud you are of him, how excited you have been to visit with him and can't wait to see him on Saturday. You will not be able to take him home on Wednesday.  Smile, hug and kiss him and after telling him how excited you will be to see him, walk away and don't cry until you get into your own car. :)

Mail: SEND YOUR SON MAIL!  Send him one letter on Saturday in secret and then again on Monday morning. You have no idea how much this means to your son.

                             Scout's Name, Troop 46

                             Camp Loud Thunder

                             9906 - 175th Street West

                             Illinois City, Illinois 61259

Out of Council Camp - Varies from year-to-year

This camp is for any boy who has attended boy scout camp in previous year(s).
We know that it is early in the year but there is a solid price break for committing before April 1.  Earlier signup also helps ensure your boy gets class choices.  I recommend looking at their website and the leader guide on the home page is a great reference for boys and parents.

For Both Weeks of Summer Camp:

We need adult support:

-Moms and dad’s are welcome and we have had lot’s of mom support in the past

-We need folks to help take boys up and take home. In the past we have had folks stay half weeks (front or back side) as well as the whole week.

-If you have not gone camping before you really need to take the time and get up there with your son.

-The troop covers all adult camp fee’s

Physicals:

-There is no room for error on this and is the single biggest challenge we have every year. Each boy and adult attending must have a physical and we would like to collect them no later than June 1st.

-Required forms are parts A, B and C. these forms can be found on the troop web site to be completed by your doctor.

-We cannot leave for camp without the completed form handed in because we cannot check into camp without the forms.

-We need 2 copies of each form.

Camp card money & Troop subsidy:

Don’t miss out on this opportunity!  The troop usually provides a subsidy or incentive to scouts attending summer camp.  The council often provides camperships for 1st year scouts based on need and application only.  Also the troop can provide financial assistance above and beyond the subsidy given to all scouts attending.  Contact the Committee Chair for financial need situations.  

More to come but this is the majority of what we need to begin our camp planning process. This part really is the hardest so it is all down hill from here.  Get with your son to discuss and begin planning what he would like to do at camp.

Loud Thunder Suggested Camping Packing List but also applies to out of council camps: