The Golden Arrow District covers the majority of the SW side of Houston. Based on prior years attendance, we should have between 350 - 500 cub scouts attend this event over the two weeks. As part of the Districts outreach program, they provide camperships for approximately 15-30 Cub Scouts from the Gulfton Project. These Scouts are part of their non-traditional unit, their families are primarily Hispanic, at our below the poverty line, and transient in nature (live in apartments and move every 6-12 months). There are over 2,000 Scouts (Cub and Boy Scouts) in their Gulfton Project. Scouting is provided to them as part of an outreach program in HISD. Twilight Camp is run by approximately 50 volunteer staff members and 100 adult volunteers. We anticipate over the duration of Camp that approximately 1,200 - 1,300 people will be at St John's.
Twilight Camp is run in two sessions: June 2-6 and June 9-13. Staff will need access to the site the weekend before and after camp for setup/breakdown. Twilight Camp runs from 5:30pm - 9:00pm. Since this is such a large event, this will mean that St John's will be offline for any large night time events during camp. This is a Cub Scout event (1st -5th grade boys). Twilight Camp also uses Boy Scouts (11-18 years old) as volunteer Den Chiefs. This allows the Boy Scouts to get service hours towards rank.
Here are some bullet points about Twilight Camp (TC) provided by James Ragan, who serves on the camp staff:
1. Twilight Camp is run in two sessions: June 2-6 and June 9-13. Staff will need access to the site the weekend before and after camp for setup/breakdown. TC runs from 5:30pm - 9:00pm. Since this is such a large event, this will mean that St John's will be offline for any large night time events during camp. This is a Cub Scout event (1st -5th grade boys). TC also uses Boy Scouts (11-18 years old) as volunteer Den Chiefs. This allows the Boy Scouts to get service hours towards rank.
2. TC should have no impact to events held prior to 5:30pm during the week. TC will have no access the site on Sundays between 6:00am and 1:00pm. Any event that normally falls on a weekday night (hand bells, choir, Troop and Crew Meetings, Sub-committee meetings etc...) will have the small parking lot located next to the sanctuary reserved for church use only.
3. TC will have no access to Building I or II. They will need access to McPhail Hall every night for two reasons. One, McPhail Hall will be TC emergency evacuation site should their be inclement weather, and they are planning on teaching the Showman pin for the Webelos, which they would like to use the stage for a puppet show. McPhail Hall access will be limited only to the large common room. TC will have no access to the kitchen or library. TC is an outdoor event and will utilize all of the green space that St John's currently has, as well as the green space at Westbury Methodist.
4. TC will remove their trash offsite every night.
5. Approximately ten (10) port-o-lets will be provided by TC.
6. Storage of all camp materials will be stored and secured in a 10'X20' roll off container every night. During the day, the only TC related materials visible from the street besides the port-o-let and storage container will be 3 flag poles, canopies, and center stage (which is planned to be a pirate ship).
7. The Boy Scouts of America will provide St John's with a liability insurance policy naming the church as an additional insured during the duration of the event.
8. TC will make an appropriate donation to the church to cover the electricity used in McPhail Hall.
9. All adult volunteers participating in TC are required by BSA to attend a mandatory four (4) hour training session specifically related to the TC operations and safety procedures, be a registered member of BSA, pass a background check, and complete youth protection training.
10. TC will be inspected by BSA during the camp to verify that it is being run under the current National Camp Guideline and possible by the State of Texas. For the last six (6), TC has been certified as a National Accredited Camp, based on each year's inspection. TC has side letter agreements with HPD, HFD, and the closest Hospital advising them of the times, location, and type of event that is being held. All attendees, children and adults, are covered under BSA medical insurance for this event.
We look forward to hosting the Twilight Camp and appreciate the great exposure it will give our church!11. TC also has a MD on call and has a first aid station that is manned by an RN onsite during the event every day.
