160 6th graders...

I would run, screaming, from the scene and keep running until I hit a rock wall or the ocean, then re-evaluate and decide if I need to keep going.

Sue, shuddering

Thanks for the tips Art. We're going to build them into our routine! (Especially after having to give our troop leader my first ever prarie flower because i left a water bottle behind on our last camp - too busy keeping track of everybody else!)

Sounds like a perfectly executed F.B.L.P. to me.

Bringing extra ponchos could be viewed as coddling or setting yourself to take care of everyone every time BUT I'm an optomist. Some people will never learn and will always depend on others to take care of them, but there's always someone in the group who just needs a little life lesson to get it. Good for you so anticipating the "teachable moment" for your group, Martin!

Could you have a pre-event meeting where you get to see and check that everyone has the correct gear?

From experience This rarely works no matter how many times you make lists and check what people have THO the good part is if you do so you wont have to worry about bringing spare stuff just your sack of Itoldyaso's

We make our Scouts and Cub Scouts bring their packed gear to the troop or pack meeting the week before the trip. Everything gets pulled out, checked over and repacked, Then we throw the packs into the troop trailer. They then have one more week, and one more meeting, to be sure they have everything. Then they have to root through the trailer and repack everything wich is a TOTAL pain. Nobody's forgotten anything yet, at least on the way TO camp. Coming home with everything is a different story.

The challenge we have is with the younger kids. They have to camp with a parent or guardian, so we leave it up the adults to pack on their own, with a checklist from us. Somebody always forgets something or second guesses our list. "Why on earth would we need 6 pairs of socks two nights out?" It usually only takes one trip for the inexperienced parents to make sure eveything on the list is checked off.

Nevertheless, we leaders always bring extra for just in case. It'a vitally important that the kids have fun and it's not their fault if mom and dad don't pack properly.

I'm a scoutmaster... and I'd have trouble with sequestering my gear for a week... My camping rain gear is my daily wear rain gear (and I have worn the rain pants to the office). Other parts of my camping kit get used frequently, especially clothing for winter camping.

Not really. I mean, they sent emails, letters and more before the event. All attending adults had to go to a pre-trip planning meeting two weeks before the trip. Short of packing FOR the kids and adults, I don't know what more could have been done.

And, please, again, the VAST VAST majority of the kids and adults were exceedingly well prepared.

Your title alone almost says it all....lol.