What is a Contingent?

CNI Summer Camp Contingents

In Scouting, a contingent is simply a team of Scouts and leaders who attend a camp or event together. They represent their Group, Zone, or Region and live, cook and take part in activities as one unit during camp.

For example:

• Morrinsville Scout Group are part of the Eastern Waikato Zone, alongside groups like Matamata, Turua, Thames, Paeroa, Waihi, Whitianga and Whangamata.

At a large camp, these Scouts would usually camp together in a “contingent group”.

Contingent Structure

A contingent is made up of both youth members and adults, organised to make camp safe, fun and well run:

• Youth Members: Up to 36 youth in one contingent (no more than 36).
• Leaders/Adults (6–8 people):
• Contingent Leader – overall in charge
• Assistant Leaders / Adult Helpers – support the Scouts and Cubs
• Kitchen and Health & Safety support – manage meals, welfare, and safety
• Ratio: minimum 1 adult for every 6 youth (no more than 8 adults in total)

Adult Supervision

To keep everything safe and manageable, adult-to-youth ratios apply:

• Cubs: At least 1 adult for every 6 Cubs
• Scouts: At least 1 adult for every 2 patrols
• An extra Leader/Adult to help with cooking (or assist Cubs at mealtimes) is strongly recommended.
• All Leaders/Adults are expected to be fit enough to join youth in activities.
• If this isn’t possible for medical reasons, the Camp Programme Director must be told before camp so extra support can be arranged.

Facilities at Camp

Each contingent has its own “mini village” inside the camp:

• A dining tent for meals and gathering
• A separate cooking tent for food preparation
• Youth tents within the secure contingent area
• Leaders/Adult tents nearby but separate, so youth have independence while leaders remain close

Minimum and Maximum Numbers

• There is no set minimum for Troops or Packs. However, if a group is very small, they may be asked to share a site with another group so everyone has the chance to attend summer camp.
• The maximum recommended size for each contingent site is 36 youth and 8 leaders.

In short, a contingent is the Scout family you live, cook, and adventure with at camp. It ensures youth have the support they need, while still gaining independence, learning skills, and making new friendships.