Boy Scouts of America

Trail to adventure Blog

Official Blog of the National Outdoor Programs and Properties Subcommittees
Frame 61@3x

Trail to adventure Blog

Official Blog of the National Outdoor Programs and Properties Subcommittees
Frame 61@3x

Latest Edition

January/February 2025

Sponsored Content

[Sponsored Content]

Dear Scouting America Leaders,

As you prepare for the changes to the National Camp Standards that took effect on January 1st, we understand that keeping your camp environment safe and compliant is a top priority. The new policy will require all upper bunks to have guardrails, designed to reduce the risks of injury and enhance the safety of campers. This is the perfect time to evaluate your camp’s bunk beds and ensure they meet the new standards, and we’re here to help!

Why Our Heavy-Duty Metal Bunk Bed Frames Are the Best Choice for Your Camp

At HeavyDutyBunkBeds.com, we specialize in providing durable, safe, and compliant bunk bed frames designed to withstand the high demands of camp environments. Here’s why our heavy-duty metal bunk bed frames are the ideal solution for your camp:

  1. Built for Safety and Compliance
    Our bunk beds come equipped with sturdy, fully integrated guardrails that meet or exceed the required height and safety standards, ensuring your camp is compliant with 2025 National Camp Standard FA-717.

  2. Bed Bug Resistant Design
    Our frames are designed with welded tubes on all four sides, creating a solid and smooth surface that prevents bed bugs from entering or nesting in the frame. This added feature makes it much easier to keep your camp environment safe and hygienic. The welded construction also eliminates gaps that could serve as hiding spots for pests, offering peace of mind to camp staff and parents alike.

  3. Durability That Lasts
    Our heavy-duty metal frames are engineered to withstand years of high-traffic use in camp settings. Constructed from high-quality materials, they are rust-resistant, strong, and built to handle the rough and tumble of camp life, ensuring that your investment lasts for many seasons to come.

  4. Easy to Maintain
    Designed for easy assembly and minimal maintenance, our metal bunk beds are perfect for busy camp staff. The robust construction ensures that the frames remain secure, while the simple design makes it easy to clean and inspect for safety over time.

  5. Comfort and Stability
    Your Scouts deserve a comfortable, stable, and secure place to rest after a day of activities. Our bunk bed frames provide a solid foundation for mattresses, ensuring campers sleep soundly without worrying about wobbling or instability.

  6. Cost-Effective for Camp Budgets
    We understand that camps operate on tight budgets, which is why we offer competitive pricing for our heavy-duty metal bunk beds. You get superior quality and durability at a price that fits your camp’s financial needs.

Ensure Your Camp Is Ready for 2025

With the new bunk bed safety policies that went into effect on January 1st, 2025 (NCAP Standard FA-717), now is the time to upgrade or replace your old bunk beds to ensure your camp is fully compliant. Our heavy-duty metal bunk bed frames meet all the necessary safety standards, are built to last, and provide your campers with a secure, comfortable environment for restful nights and exciting days ahead.

Reach out to us today to learn more about our products, request a quote, or schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you ensure your camp stays safe, compliant, and ready for whatever adventure comes next!

Best regards,
Dick Bouman

EM:  Dick@essuniversal.com
PH:  616.229.0597
www.HeavyDutyBunkBeds.com

Ps. If you have any questions about the new regulations, our bed bug resistant frames, or our bunk bed frames in general, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re happy to assist you in making the best choice for your camp!

CLICK HERE to view video testimonials from camp directors
CLICK HERE to view a video preview of the Dallas Single Over Single Bunk Bed

[Sponsored Content]

Camping

It is no secret that the success of your summer camp hinges on the quality of your staff. Enthusiastic, skilled, and dedicated camp staff can turn a good program into an unforgettable experience for Scouts. But how can your council find the right candidates? Let’s talk about some strategies for effectively recruiting summer camp staff, highlight top job sites like Jobs.ScoutLife.org, and share tips for crafting compelling job postings. 

1. Leverage Scout-Specific Job Boards 
One of the best places to begin your search is within the community of those already passionate about Scouting. Scouting America maintains an excellent website for posting camp jobs at Jobs.ScoutLife.org. This site provides a platform where councils can connect with people who already know and appreciate the Scouting program. You can post jobs for your camp and see what jobs are available.  

When posting on a Scout-specific job board make sure to: 

  • Be Descriptive: Clearly outline the position, responsibilities, and skills required. 
  • Highlight the Perks: Camp jobs offer more than pay-promote benefits like leadership development, outdoor skills training, and the chance to make a difference. Make sure to highlight these aspects.  
  • Post Early: Get ahead of the hiring season by posting positions in the fall or early winter to capture early applicants. Now is not too soon.

2. Expand Your Reach on General Job Sites 

While Scout-specific platforms are optimal, you should also consider posting on general job boards, such as Indeed or ZipRecruiter, or seasonal work-centered venues like CoolWorks. These websites will help you find candidates both inside and outside of the Scouting world who are ready to have a life-changing summer adventure. Some of these sites may require subscription or charge fees but a little spending here can help you not be in crisis mode later. 

3. Tap into Local Colleges and Universities 
Tons of college students are looking for meaningful summer work that means more than just earning a paycheck.

Reach out to: 

  • Career Services: Ask to post on campus-sponsored job portals. 
  • Outdoor Programs: Reach out to departments focused on recreation, leadership, and education majors. Some schools even have an outdoor recreation major with students looking for internships.  
  • Student Organizations: Clubs such as outdoor adventure groups, leadership societies, or Scouting-related organizations can be an excellent fit. 

4. Engage Your Alumni and Volunteers 
Active and former Scouts, camp staff alumni, and council volunteers can be some of your top ambassadors.

Encourage them to: 

  • Share Openings: Ask them to share job postings with their networks.  
  • Recruit Friends: Incentivize them to refer qualified candidates. 
  • Join the Team: Many volunteers may be eager to step into a paid seasonal role. 

5. Leverage Social Media 
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are potent tools for recruiting staff.

To maximize social media: 

  • Post Engaging Content: Share photos or videos of past camp staff in action. Use the staff themselves to help you create this content.  
  • Tag and Share: Tag local Scout groups, councils, or outdoor enthusiasts. 
  • Run Ads: Use targeted ads targeting people with interests in camp, outdoor, and leadership employment. These are marketing dollars well spent on your camp. This can help you more than investing in an out-of-date camp video.  

6. Write Killer Job Postings 
A great job posting can make all the difference. Here are a few tips: 

  • Use an Attention-Getting Title: Instead of ”Camp Counselor,” or “Summer camp staff” how about “Outdoor Adventure Leader” or ”Scout Skills Specialist.” 
  • Be Specific: Include duties, pay, location, and how to apply. 
  • Sell the Experience: Highlight what’s unique about the camp, such as waterfront activities, high adventure programs, or conservation projects. 
  • Call to Action: Invite candidates to apply and let them know why they won’t want to miss the opportunity. 

7. Job Fairs and Events 
Attend local job fairs, with an emphasis on seasonal or outdoor recreation-related events. Bring visuals -a banner, videos, testimonials of your staff- to help describe your unique camp culture. 

8. Establish a Pipeline for Recruitment Year-Round 

Year-round, stay in contact with returning and prospective staff through the following ways: 

  • Keep in Touch: Send newsletters or other information related to camp opportunities 
  • Off-Season Opportunities: Include prospective staff in council activities throughout the year. 
  • Building a Leadership Pathway: Design programs to develop the skills of older Scouts and young leaders with the potential for future staffing. 

9. Start Early and Stay Focused 

Recruiting summer camp staff is a year-round job that demands imagination and follow-through. Through utilizing online platforms such as Jobs.ScoutLife.org, tapping social media, and networking through local institutions, your council will recruit the team for a fantastic next camp season. 

For more information, resources, or assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to the Outdoor Programs team at the outdoorprogram@scouting.org 

Camping

For those looking to add an exceptional program feature to their summer camp in 2025, take a look at the International Camp Staff Program (ICSP)! The aim of the program is to bring American scouts into contact with Scouts and Scouters from across the globe. Scouts can learn first-hand from international camp staffers about their nation’s Scouting program, their culture, and their customs. For many, this could be a Scout’s first chance to meet someone from another country, creating a summer camp experience they will remember forever.

The great service rendered by the international camp counselors is that they bring to camp the flavor of international Scouting and give significance to the world brotherhood ideal. Many young Scouts do not realize that Scouting is a worldwide program with over 50 million members in over 170 countries.

A great article on the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) website (https://www.scout.org/news/3-benefits-international-friendship) says having friends from different parts of the world can change our Scout’s lives. International connections and friendships can help Scouts in their personal development and fulfilment. They will learn to appreciate commonalities and differences, expand their perspectives, develop new skills, and maybe even enjoy unique travel experiences according to the article.

Three big benefits of having international friends are gaining a global vision, improving communication skills and feeling at home around the world. Scouting is about helping our future leaders be prepared for their futures.

Through the ICSP, participating Scouts are likely to learn about a new culture, traditions, habits, foods, language, ideas and more. Scouts will laugh as they overcome communication barriers and learn that a smile is the universal language.

The International Camp Staff Program is approved, certified and continually reviewed by Scouting America. Many will remember that previously this program was a function of the International Department. With the restructuring of Scouting America, the ICSP is now a function of Scouting America’s International Committee however, the goals, purposes and objectives of the program remain the same. What was once an entirely in-house program, now requires some specialized services by an external visa vendor, arranged through the ICSP team.

Councils are billed $520 by the visa vendor, but not until they have selected an international camp staff participant and notified the ICSP Team. Local councils should have prospective international staff members participate in a Zoom interview and sign a staff agreement just like US staff members.

Want more information? Please submit any questions, concerns or suggestions you might have through the interest form at https://bit.ly/ICSPCouncils2025.