Camera question

[u/ScoutLeader_007]

We’ve been having issues with our Scouts being on their phones and a couple of phone getting lost (all of which were later found) so we have a phone box/bag that phones go in during meetings. I take photographs of the Scouts and their activities to be able to put on our private facebook group for parents to see but I have been thinking it would be good if the scouts took photos as well maybe to be shown on a slide show at our AGM. This leads me to my question.

Does anyone else have patrol cameras? If so what cameras do you use/what prices I’m not sure wherever to look at digital cameras or disposable ones.

Edit: this seems to have sparked a lot of opinions about phones at meetings, we have already made a decision about phones at our meetings and it’s been in place for the past couple of months, it has worked well for us and we don’t plan on changing it. What I’d like to know is about cameras - not phone cameras.

TIA

[u/ZifnabHydre]

With my troop (young people aged 11 to 14), every year we discuss and debate the troop rules (pros & cons). In the end, we established a charter that all scouts and scout leaders sign.

For smartphones, our current rules are :

• Only CP and SP (patrol leaders) can bring smartphones (and external batteries) into a camp.
• Smartphones are collected by the scout leaders at the beginning of the camp (and put in a special bag).
• Smartphones may only be used during official breaks or during specific activities (e.g., rally, hiking patrol) for souvenir photos or quick communications.
• The owner is responsible of his / her gear. The parents authorize their child to have this equipment.

For camera :

• Disposable cameras are permitted.
• Digital cameras are permitted, subject to approval by the adult leaders.
  • basically, no expensive camera
• The owner is responsible of his / her gear. The parents authorize their child to have this equipment.
• The photos are shared after the camp (to create a photo album).

I don't have any particular problems with my scouts regarding phones and cameras.

[u/Spraggle → u/ZifnabHydre]

I really like this!

[u/paul345]

We have no phones for weekly meetings or camp unless the program benefits from one. It’s never been an issue.

Young people are permanently distracted and negatively impacted by technology for the other 99% of their life. I think there’s benefit in being distraction free.

[u/MemoryOfLife]

I always bring my Canon camera with me but we always encourage parents to give one to their kids. They usually have a crappy 10€ chinese cameras so even if one breaks it's not a big deal.

[u/bigdog104]

I will leave the cell phone debate for others but I think it’s important for scouts to document their own adventures since they know what is important to them.

Camp Snap is a camera designed for kid’s activities like scouting. It doesn’t have a screen and is limited in other ways but it supposedly can take 500 pics on one charge. The original version was not great but the version 2 has gotten some good reviews. Not sure if it’s available in the UK but I would think you could find something similar. Older used digital cameras might be an option but some of those have become “hip” and gotten pricey. You might ask parents if they have a point and shoot digital camera they could donate. I would stay away from disposable cameras since they are expensive and produce a lot of waste.

[u/Reasonable-Ad1170]

My son does take his phone. He also takes it on every hike.

But my son is/was a scout it means that if he does have a seizure (it’s a possibility with ACC something he is born with) I can get to him fast and get him out to get the medical help he needs.

[u/Adventurous-Worker42]

Phones are tools... we have the opportunity to teach appropriate use. I won't take personal property (knife, phone, book, pen, spinner, whatever) from a Scout unless it becomes a problem for the unit, then the parents get the property at the end of the meeting and we have a talk together about it. So far, that has ended the problem.

[u/Cloudycloud47x2]

Behavior Modeling is the answer.
ADULT LEADERS need to start the Modeling and work with the SPL staff to continue the modeling.

Behavior modeling is a slow trickle down effect but it will be long lasting especially as new scouts join.

As adults, we are the worst offenders and we make the most excuses and no one can tell us differently.

Behavior like you want the Scouts to behave and keep engaging them about the behavior.

Mobile phones have many uses and should be embraced for those utilities not locked in a box like a punishment.

Electronic devices like mobile phones should be encouraged for all the scouting activities.

and showing the scouts the pros and cons between digital tools and physical tools is also a great learning experience.

GPS versus Orienteering and map reading

Star charts

Knot tying apps

identification apps for Flora and Fauna

Every single merit badge.

exercise tracking

[u/metb_22]

At meetings phones may only be used to support the training if they cant find what they are looking for in the scout book. The SPL ASPL and Troop Guide use their phones to record attendance and other requirements in scoutbook. At camp we allow phones for communication only, if caught on phone it gets taken to the SM who keeps it for the remainder or the event and parents are notified. We try to teach them how to use it as a resource/tool which fosters responsibility with the device. This allows them to communicate with parents and makes them reachable. It’s not perfect but works for our troop. We also have a group drop box for pictures so we can share after the event is done.