Troop 2 Family Camp
Camp French on Lake Lopez, May 27 - 29, 2023
This year’s Memorial Day Weekend Family Camp will be at Camp French on Lake Lopez in Arroyo Grande. We rent the entire camp to provide an expansive, secluded, and picturesque setting under massive oak trees. There is a large, enclosed dining hall with room outside for additional tables and chairs and a full, industrial-strength kitchen.
COST
Cost for the weekend includes Camp French rental, five excellent meals, canoe transportation and Lake Lopez fees, plus all activities. The troop subsidizes these expenses to reduce the cost to families. The cost this year:
-
$80 Adults & Guests
-
$50 Scouts & Siblings (under 18)
WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
A brief overview of the weekend’s activities is listed below. People start arriving Friday afternoon, but the bulk of travel happens Saturday morning. To avoid traffic and arrive on time, an early start on Saturday is recommended (before 8:00 a.m.). Families are responsible for their own meals until the wonderful Saturday evening meal. No alcohol is permitted at camp. All participants must be fully vaccinated
SATURDAY
7:15AM: The troop trailer plus a team of parents, having arrived Friday, leave camp to purchase food and supplies.
10:00AM - 1:00PM: Arrive at camp (look for T2 posted arrows as you approach the camp). Check in at the welcome table in the parking lot, then set up tents. Different tenting areas will be designated for parents vs. Scouts. After unloading, all vehicles should be moved to parking area.
1:30PM: First lineup. All Scouts must be at camp. Staff sets up activities.
2:00 - 4:30PM: Patrols participate in a variety of fun competitive games and activities.
2:30PM: Activities for Troop 1.5 and Scout-age siblings (meet at the flagpole).
4:30PM: Practice for flag ceremony. Any Scout who needs a flag ceremony for rank is invited to participate.
5:30PM: Flag ceremony. Scouts in uniform
1:00 - 5:30PM: Parents set up kitchen and prepare dinner under the guidance of our expert chefs. Each parent will be assigned to help with two meals (actually a great opportunity to meet other parents and share conversation).
4:30 - 5:30PM: Hors d’oeuvres are available in the dining hall.
6:00PM: Dinner for everybody except Scouts in the dining hall.
4:30 - 6:30PM: Scouts prepare and eat their own dinner by patrol.
8:00PM: Campfire. Hilarious(?) skits and songs by patrols and staff plus a campfire story by Dr. Marcy.
10:00PM: Taps. Lights out, all quiet.
SUNDAY
6:00AM: Parents responsible for breakfast report for duty.
7:30 - 9:00AM: Scouts prepare and eat their own breakfast by patrol.
8:00AM: Breakfast for everybody except Scouts in the dining hall.
9:30AM: Travel to the waterfront.
10:00 - 12:00 noon: Family Regatta. A variety of fun canoe races for both Scouts and family members. Moms, dads, and siblings will be engaged in each of the races, such as “Drag the Dad”, “Save the Mom”, and “Family Cruise”. Siblings can play in the sand and water. Everybody who goes in or on the water must be wearing a PFD and closed-toe water shoes.
11:30AM: Parents responsible for lunch report to dining hall.
12:30PM: Lunch in the dining hall. Everyone eats together for this meal.
2:00 - 3:00PM: Chapel for all Scouts and parents. Rousing songs and interesting presentations. Song words are provided, so everybody sings! Scouts in uniform.
3:30PM: Parents responsible for dinner report to dining hall. More conversation and more slicing and dicing make the afternoon pass quickly.
4:00 - 4:30PM: Family Race. An exciting patrol competition involving hula hoops, bananas, burlap bags, whipped cream pies, and watermelons for family members of all ages. This takes place in the field just beyond the campfire bowl.
4:45PM: Mothers’ Club meeting, grass area behind dining hall. Hors d’oeuvres are available in the dining hall.
4:45PM: Practice for flag ceremony. Any Scout who needs a flag ceremony for rank is invited to participate.
5:45PM: Flag Ceremony followed by dinner. Everyone eats together for this meal. Scouts in uniform.
8:00PM: Campfire. More skits and songs. There is also an auction at which patrols use the special Myanium bucks earned over the weekend to bid on boxes that contain candy, or not. The lovely Vanna makes her appearance to hand out boxes.
10:00PM: Taps. Lights out, all quiet.
MONDAY
6:00AM: Parents responsible for breakfast report for duty.
7:00AM: Beg in taking down tents and packing up.
8:00AM: Breakfast in the dining hall. Everyone eats together for this meal.
9:00AM: Parents begin breaking down the kitchen, cleaning up, and packing the trailer. Leftover food is put out for parents to make lunches. Tents are struck and everything is packed in vehicles.
10:00AM: Camp sweep.
10:30AM: Return to waterfront with cars packed ready to go home from there. BUT DON’T GO HOME YET.
11:00AM: Scout Regatta. Patrols compete in a variety of canoe races including the notorious PL solo. Fun to watch and cheer for your Scout’s patrol.
12:30PM: Load canoes and equipment on trailers. Say your goodbyes and head home after a wonderful weekend.