Can Beavers camp in tents? Usually the answer is, "If it takes the form of family camping." That may conjure up a nightmare vision of organization, but the Scouters of the 23rd Nepean A Colony, Ont., decided to try it and were happily surprised by their success.

First we needed to meet certain requirements.

1. Obtain group permission to hold the camp (we did this before we sent home notices).
2. Ensure that each child is accompanied by a parent or authorized guardian.
3. Get signed permission to attend from every Beaver.
4. Ask group to reserve camping equipment for the weekend.
5. Make sure leaders wear uniform at all times so that parents can easily identify them.

We selected the first weekend in June for the camp and attracted 54 people; seven leaders, 25 Beavers, 15 fathers, one Keeo, four Scouts, one service team member, and the group committee chairperson.

Each camper received a kit list suggesting what clothing, toiletries, supplies (e.g., crayons) and equipment to bring. The mandatory items included sleeping bag, ground sheet, flashlight with spare bulb and batteries, and mosquito repellent. Optional items were a pillow, Beaver blanket and sleep toy. We suggested parents bring along a camera and asked Beavers to arrive at camp in uniform.

Before the camp, we also distributed a list of camp rules.

1. Parents are responsible for their own children.
2. Parents and Beavers will help with camp duties.
3. Parents and Beavers will be on time and participate in all activities.
4. Meals, snacks, etc., will be provided. Please do not bring additional food to camp.
5. Inform leaders of problems or injuries promptly.
6. Lights out means no noise.
7. Keep camping area and tents clean.
8. No smoking or fires in tents.
9. No alcohol.
10. Ensure that Beavers maintain personal hygiene.

At the end of the list, we added a special note defining free time. One-on-one time between parents and Beavers, free time was designed to give leaders a chance to be alone with their own sons, too.

In the planning, each leader was assigned specific tasks and had a list of designated props and materials to bring. We laid out the activities in a formal time sheet, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and ending at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

To help with kitchen duties, we recruited four Scouts. This was a stroke of brilliance. They prepared and cooked meals and mug-ups for the whole camp and earned 36 service points for their labour.

The campers met at the school at 9 a.m. to load kits and food, then left in convoy for Fitzroy Harbour Provincial Park. After opening ceremony, most leaders used what was left of the morning to set up camp while two leaders and Keep ran games for the Beavers.

After lunch, the Beavers made a flag craft and worked on group skits. The afternoon's highlight was a nature walk and scavenger hunt between 2 and 4, after which everyone had a half hour free time followed by pre-dinner games.

Because Beavers get very hungry out-of-doors, we scheduled dinner for 5 p.m., then set aside another half hour of free time after clean-up and followed it with an hour of games.

An informal campfire with skits by lodges, leaders and Scouts, songs, and toasted marshmallows was a great hit with Beavers and parents. After lights out at 10, parents and leaders stayed up telling stories and jokes and talking over the day's fun. The Scouts thoughtfully provided a midnight snack, and I understand that those still awake at that time were trying to judge the identity of the loudest snorer in camp.

Sunday breakfast at 7 a.m. allowed time for crafts before getting into uniforms for a 15 minute Scouts' Own. Then it was out of uniform for games and campsite breakdown before an early lunch and changing back into full uniform. It took about an hour for site clean up and inspection, and a formal photograph taken at the closing ceremony signalled camp's end at 1:30.

Parents' comments tell us that both they and their Beavers enjoyed the camp a lot. They appreciated the steady flow of juice and the quality of the meals and snacks, and were also impressed by the well run program.

Leaders' evaluation indicated they felt their Wood Badge training had paid off in a successful camp. They all had fun and felt the sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing an activity has gone well. And they agreed that the camp had the added benefit of letting them get to know parents better.

Can Beavers camp in tents? The answer is a resounding "yes". Just pick the right time of year and plan well ahead.