June 2006 בס '' ד Packing Suggestions for Scout Kinus NOTE: 4 TH REVISION Feel free to call Ann-Sheryl White (732-985-5114) with suggestions/comments/corrections. As you can see this is the 4 th revision we keep trying to revise this as we learn more from year to year. 1. NO FOOD! This includes candy, snacks, leftovers from the car trip to camp, etc. The raccoons and other critters (and bears oh, my!) have been known to leave a mess in tents and campsites after their picnics. NOTE: Once I reused some ziplock bags that seemed clean to me to pack cards, checkers, siddur, novels, Cub Scout handbooks, etc. Evidently the animals smelled food because they ate through the plastic bags, shredded the paper, and left a mess but didn t find food. HOWEVER Snack in the car on the way may be helpful as dinner is after Friday night services. Please throw out leftovers at the mess hall; don t leave them in your car, campsite or latrines. (Thank you.) MEDICATIONS Scented medications such as liquid amoxicillin can be safely locked in the kitchen. 2. WATER BOTTLES These are essential. Bring a refillable bottle, with your name on it. (It s ok to have water bottles at the campsite.) 3. GLOW STICKS AND TWINE to make a loose necklace; one per person for Friday night. Buy the kind with an eye, not a hook on the top, and not a simple stick. (See figure at right.) Party stores sell them, and sometimes you can find them at grocery or drug stores. Also, yellow, white and green are the brightest. (Other colors are fun, but not as helpful.) Start these last thing just before Shabbat to help with visibility at night. An extra glow stick hung in the tent before Shabbat is a good, safe (no fire hazard) nightlight that will not keep you or your children awake at night. NOTE: You will see some glow sticks attached to trees on the paths to the latrines and on the path from the dining hall to the A field. These glow sticks are for lighting the public paths; please do not remove them. Cub Kinus Packing List 1 Revision of 6/4/2006
Many people hold that glow sticks are not a Shabbat violation to wear. (There is an eruv, so that should not be considered part of the problem.) However, if you are concerned, then please be certain to ask your own Rabbi before coming to camp. Glow sticks definitely cannot be started during Shabbat. The amount of glow does not increase or decrease with shaking. Once the glow stick is started, it glows until it is used up. 4. FLASHLIGHTS At least one per family will make life easier on Saturday night. Be sure to check the batteries and bulb before coming to camp. Since Shomer Shabbat families won t touch the flashlights until after dark on Saturday, pack them where you can find them (e.g., outer pocket of a duffel bag). 5. MAT + SLEEPING BAG + PILLOW PER PERSON this applies even if you are in a cabin or lean-to. Pillow is optional. If you are short on trunk space just bring a pillowcase and stuff it with your sweatshirt and clothes. NOTE: Air mattresses are not recommended. Also, those sleeping on bunks in cabins may want a tarp or an old, flannel-backed cloth to cover the metal springs. 6. FIRST AID KIT There is a medic on staff. However, an extra Band-Aid and wipes in a parent s pocket help for the inevitable scratches and scrapes. A pair of tweezers could be useful, too. 7. TICK AND BUG SPRAY Helpful to bring. But never spray in the tent or cabin. CAUTION: Some types are NOT recommended for children because the chemicals are strong. Only use on top of clothes never directly on skin that will be covered by clothing. This is a significant health hazard!! 8. SUN SCREEN Bring it and use it! For both #7 and #8: Whether you use sprays, lotions, or nothing on Shabbat is up to you and your Rabbi. Please check before coming to camp. Cub Kinus Packing List 2 Revision of 6/4/2006
9. PONCHOS/RAINCOATS A must for everyone. The weather can be different at camp than at home, and it takes only one scattered shower or thunderstorm to make you wish you had rain gear. NOTE: The $1.00 versions last about one minute. This is worth the investment for a good one. 10. STURDY SNEAKERS OR SHOES AND BOOTS Bring an extra pair of shoes if you don t have boots and can t borrow. Leave open shoes/sandals at home. It is strongly recommended to have boots. 11. SCOUT UNIFORM Scouts of all ages should be in uniform for lunches, dinners, and Shabbat services. (In the Scout world, a neat uniform is considered formal dress and acceptable for Shabbat. If you prefer regular Shabbat clothes like white dress shirts, that is fine, but remember that you are outdoors.) 12. SHORT PANTS are not advisable. Long pants protect from insects, scrapes, sunburn, and poison ivy. Short sleeves are equally unadvisable, but most of us prefer them too much to leave behind. 13. UNDERWEAR Use your judgment. An extra pair of socks is often helpful. 14. LIGHT JACKETS, long sleeve shirts, and long pants. Bring clothes that you can layer. Temperatures usually drop at night, often sharply. 15. TOWELS You don t need large towels (no swimming or showers). However, small towels for washing hands and face are useful. It s good to put towels into zipper plastic bags (a) in case of rain, and (b) so that everything else in your duffel bag doesn t get damp after use. 16. PERSONAL TOILETRIES Soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper (provided, but you may want your own), disposable seat liners (for those not accustomed to outhouses), tissues. Also, remember personal items such as Lactaid capsules or prescription medications. 17. PAJAMAS Sweat clothes work well, especially since you might have to hurry out of your tent at dawn (or earlier) with a child needing the toilet. 18. SHABBOS SPECIALS Candles and matches optional. Tea light style works best, and you won t have to worry about going to recover your travel candlesticks Saturday night. Many families go to the mess hall just before Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night) services and light their own candles on the mantle of the fireplace. Fire safety rules prohibit candles from being lit in cabins or at tent sites. Cub Kinus Packing List 3 Revision of 6/4/2006
Siddurim, chumashim, tallit (and tefillin for Sunday) Pack in plastic zip bags! Orthodox and Egalitarian services run concurrently Friday evening and again Shabbat morning. (The groups wait for each other, and join together for Kiddush and meals.) Orthodox and Egalitarian services are also held Saturday afternoon/evening and Sunday morning. Limited numbers of books are available at each service. You may prefer to bring your own, especially if your child is used to a certain style book. Note: volunteers are needed for leading services and reading Torah. Please volunteer; it will be appreciated! Havdalah supplies are not necessary, as this is done in a large group. DO NOT BRING ANY ALCOHOL!! Alcohol is strictly forbidden at all Cub Scout and Boy Scout events. Grape juice is provided for Shabbat blessings. Eruv: There will be an eruv around the parts of the camp that we will be using. You are responsible for knowing where the boundary is! (In recent years there has been an eruv map posted in the dining area.) Thanks to Sheldon Freidenreich, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 55, our brother Shomer Shabbat scout troop in Highland Park, for spending an entire day erecting the eruv before Boy Scout Kinus, checking and fixing it again before Cub Scout Kinus, and then another couple of hours taking it down Sunday. Any adult willing to volunteer even an hour to help Sunday morning would be greatly appreciated. 19. RECREATIONAL STUFF Anyone not planning to attend Jewish services will want to bring a game or books to help occupy their children at these times. Frisbees, baseball equipment and balls tend to get lots of use. Sunday morning the lake is open for fishing. Experienced fishermen help the parents and children. They will provide free bait and will hook it for you if you are squeamish. If you have a basic pole bring it. If not, they ll help you rig a stick with some line and hook (which they will provide). Storybook or cards or other quiet activity is good for a brief rest during Saturday afternoon (and is indispensable in case of rain). You might want a disposable camera for Saturday night/sunday morning. Cub Kinus Packing List 4 Revision of 6/4/2006
20. TICKS AND POISON IVY When you return home, everyone needs to check for ticks, and to take a shower to scrub off any oils from possible poison ivy. The person doing the laundry should also wash his/her hands after touching the laundry, in case any oil from the poison ivy is on the dirty clothes. Please don t let this topic deter you from coming. If you have any concerns, just ask Ann-Sheryl or Sheldon. 21. Leave jewelry and nice stuff at home. You don t need it. 22. A fanny pack or a small back pack is essential for older Boy/Girl Scouts and may be helpful for younger scouts or parents. For everyone they are a good place to keep your water bottle and personal first aid kit, a catch-all so you don t lose things (scout books, flashlights) as you move around the campground. 23. A few items for older Scouts: pen and paper, Scout handbook. For those planning to help with the eruv or with a service project: work gloves. For Boy Scouts: signed merit badge blue cards. LAST BUT NOT LEAST: 1. The week preceding camp, we welcome volunteers to help the caterer prepare our food in Teaneck. No experience necessary! For information, speak to Ann-Sheryl or Sheldon. 2. Once Kinus is done and you have had a good time, your feedback and help planning for next year s events are welcome. 3. Label everything. Every year after clean-up there are lost and found items that can t be returned because we don t know the owner. Families pack up tents Sunday morning. However, most people stay through lunch. Allow at least 1½ hours driving time. Camp isn t that far, but we all know that Friday afternoon NJ traffic can be difficult and slow. Cub Kinus Packing List 5 Revision of 6/4/2006