I need Boy Scout trip ideas

[Mic]

My son's Scout troop will be camping in July at FW...that's right, JULY!! The trip was changed from the first week of June to July, so we are still deciding who will camp and who will "cabin". Another concern is earning badges, since the boys are going to WDW in lieau of summer camp. We have 1 youth group(Scout) program booked through Disney, but finances do not allow us to book a second one, so I am looking for ideas for badges we can earn while at Disney that won't cost a fortune. Most of the boys have the basics: swimming,first aid, fishing, etc. from previous camps. I was thinking we could schedule horseback riding at FW for those that want/need it, and have the boys fix dinner one night for everyone for another badge. Other than that, I'm at a loss. I would appreciate any ideas, especially from Scoutmasters, as I am just the "Uh, Mom!"

 

[Beachmom]

You will be alright in July, just be sure to bring the biggest tarps you can find to make rain shelters. When we had our family reunion, we put a giant one up that covered the entire gravel pad, just tie it to the trees. As far as badge ideas, they could definately do cooking, including the meal planning and shopping part at the grocery store. Can you take a day trip to Kennedy Space Center to get the space badge? Also there is a store in Orlando called Outdoor World. They have a shooting range and a bow and arrow range I think. They might help the boys work on some badges. Good luck.

 

[dis4fun]

We took 82 people to WDW Thanksgiving week 2001. Boy and Girl Scouts (ages 5-19). I planned and organized the whole thing through the Disney Y.E.S. Program. Boy, what a trip!!

A couple craft projects back at the camp in the afternoon might be an idea. Also, plan to spend plenty of time in World Showcase at Epcot. I am sure you can find ideas of things to tie in with the food and culture there. They would liklely enjoy doing the passport at World Showcase and maybe even the mask, depending on their ages. Don't forget the campfire sing-along and movies at Fort Wilderness.

Have a great time!!

 

[leprechaun]

The real question is who will want to work on MBs. If you would like to offer a couple that's one thing, but the scouts may have different ideas. You could offer some of the easier ones like :
Pets
Fingerprinting
Fishing
Leather
Wood carving
Basketry
Camping

This is such an awesome experience that some scouts might not have otherwise have, you could gain more respect if you let them enjoy themselves.

How about an evening program, or maybe a Court of Honor at disney would be cool?
Just a couple of ideas.
Good luck I'm jealeous
YIS

 

[Mic]

Thanks so much for the suggestions so far!

Beachmom---I completely forgot about those 3 PM rain showers that Florida summers are known for(and the oppressive humidity that follows)!

dis4fun---I was really pushing for a Thanksgiving trip(mostly for the cooler weather), but we do have to be mindful of our school schedules. Even missing 2 days of school is more than some parents will allow. How cool it would be to eat our Thanksgiving meal at picnic tables outside at FW, especially if our little men fixed the meal.

leprechaun---Luckily for our troop, we already have the fishing,camping,wood carving,basketry(basketweaving),leather,swimming,and first aid from the last 2 years at summer camp. And a sheriff's deputy volunteered to teach the boys fingerprinting a few months ago, so we have that as well.Also, last year, all the boys except one earned their photography badge, so we can't tie that one into the trip(and it would have been easy to do that)! I'm really doing all I can to keep things as simple as possible, but there are 2 sets of parents that insist we do a lot of extra stuff. To keep things in perspective, I'm trying to come up with some creative ideas for a few(2-3) badges, in addition to the 1(bird studies, I think)we will earn through Disney's program. My family goes to Disney several times a year, and I feel it is my duty to make this trip a success for the families of the boy scouts. I did suggest we split the boys(about a dozen) into 2 groups and let each group fix dinner for everyone 1 night. Our first stop after setting up camp will be Winn Dixie, so the boys can plan the menu before we leave home, plan the budget, and get the items they need once we arrive. But I think planning more than 2 nights' activities will cut down on their fun time, however, another mother wants to cook at the Fort every night.

Keep those ideas coming... I know you guys are the experts!

 

[02camp]

How about Citizenship in the Nation/World? You may need to do some preliminary work before the trip but these are Eagle required and with all that Epot has to offer, they could be very meanigful for the boys. A scavenger hunt within the parks is another idea. Forestry along FW's nature trail is another possibility. Let 1 adult leader volunteer to be the MB counselor for each badge or activity so no one is overwhelmed and can't enjoy the trip. Remember the buddy system and have fun.

 

[dsanner106]

I would also try citizenship in the world, American Cultures and also soil and water conservation with Epcot in mind. The Land and The Sea will cover a lot of the last one along with some work at the camp. Take odometers along, and plan some hikes for the hiking merit badge. You will be doing plenty of walking anyway, why not make it part of a plan.

Drew Sanner
Troop 297
Georgia

 

[MDonley]

Typhoon Lagoon might help with Snorkeling, BSA.
I'd bet you could come up with some awesome Orienteering plans in any of the parks (either for class requirements or the merit badge)
Astronomy at night
Space Exploration at NASA
Golf
Collecting - sounds like pin trading might work
Coin collecting (EPCOT has a card for sale called "Coins of the World" for a start)
I'd bet those working on 2nd Class would love to participate in the flag raising ceremony on top of the Wilderness Lodge!
Unfortunately, using the water mice to get a Motorboating merit badge might be stretching it. LOL
I wonder if FW would allow them to do some sort of a service project?

 

[leprechaun]

If you have the swimming MB, snorkeling can be done at the FW pool in one hour swim time and 1/2 hour class time
Don't forget WDW is big on landscaping, Landscape Architecture is about four hours
Theater. I think there may be an actor or two that could help the scouts put on a closing show back in camp.

There certainly is alot to do that could be tied into MB's
Good luck, but for kids sake have fun.
YIS