Outdoor Camping

What to Expect

Pack 59 is a Family Pack, and our camping events are open to the entire family. In fact, at least one legal guardian must stay with the Scout on a camping trip in the Cub Scout program.

Our outdoor adventures in Cub Scouts are planned by our Leaders and Committee and parents like you. There are always at least two BALOO-trained (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) and registered adults, meaning they passed background checks and attended multi-day in-person training to ensure our Scouts have safe and fun outdoor adventures. They also have ongoing virtual training on youth protection and severe weather. Being a family pack, it also means we have male and female leaders in accordance with Scout BSA policy.

Our outdoor camping trips are typically three days. We arrive Friday night and leave Sunday morning. A typical loose agenda will be:

Fri - Make Camp, BYO Dinner, camp fire
Sat - Group Breakfast, BYO Lunch, Group Hike, Group Activities & Crafts, Group Dinner, Group Smores & Snacks & Cracker Barrel / Fire, Lights Out
Sun - Group Leftover Breakfast, Break camp, Group cleanup

While we camp for three days, you do not need to attend for all three days. You can attend for any portion, any night or nights, or a day portion only and no overnight (although an overnight may be a requirement for an Adventure for you Scouting Rank for your Den). An invite will go out ahead of time with a specific sign up along with an email with a specific menu and agenda closer to the event.

General Rules

Vehicles are not permitted back at the campsite, so we recommend a wagon to bring your gear back from the parking area. A Scout is Kind - so we recommend helping others carry equipment back.

A Scout is Trustworthy - Only Scouts who have passed the knife skill Adventure for their current rank can bring a pocketknife on an outdoor camping trip. Any adult, not just a registered Leader, can ask for proof of this completion, and can take away the pocketknife if they see the Scout using it in an unsafe manner. Fixed blade knives are not permitted for use in Scouting, including camping trips (adults or Scouts), with the obvious exception being kitchen/chef knives.

A Scout is Courteous - we do not wonder through other peoples' camp sites. We also do not run through our camp sites as we could trip over tent guy wires or other hazards like lit fire pits.

A Scout is Clean - We will pack up the site and leave it cleaner than how we found it, including packing out all trash we find, even if it wasn't ours.

In accordance with the Guide to Safe Scouting, and rules at most Scout Reservations at which we camp, there are NO: firearms, fixed blades, fireworks, or other explosives permitted; no alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs (regardless if they are legal in that state) for adults or scouts; event without at least two registered leaders at a minimum of one BALOO trained (we recommend two); tent may be shared by anyone other than siblings and legal parents/guardians.

Most importantly, have a great time! A Scout is Cheerful, after all!

Where We Camp

We typically try and camp closer to our chartered location for both shorter travel and to stay within our district as this keeps our cost down. Camping at in-district Scout Reservations has lower to no-cost to us and thus is preferable.

What to Pack

Camping at Scout Reservations can be a lot of fun. But it is sometimes daunting to know what to pack. So here is our recommendations. Remember to always check the weather for the camping location on a reputable site and pack accordingly.

Families are responsible for items on the left column while the Pack will bring the items on the right (shown for reference and documentation for handing down to committee members).

Some items we recommend leaving at home are electronic devices (enjoy nature) and your pets (dogs not permitted due to insurance purposes).

Be sure your medical form Parts A & B are brought for all attendees (adult & scout).

Scout / Family Responsibilities

Forms

❑ Medical forms Parts A &B for every person participating

Food Equipment

❑ Cup, bowl, plate, knife, fork, spoon, mesh bag

❑ Reusable towel

❑ Meals not listed on menu/agenda for specific event (remember never keep food in your tent for safety)

❑ Water bottle

Camping Equipment

❑ Tent or hammock (The Pack may have some extra tents. Inquire if you need one. Email cubmaster.pack59@gmail.com)

❑ Waterproof ground cloth or plastic sheet

❑ Sleeping bag, pillow, air mattress or pad

Clothes Bag

❑ Cub Scout uniform for pic

❑ Poncho or raincoat

❑ Warm jacket or coat

❑ Pajamas or sweatshirt, sweatpants

❑ Underwear

❑ Shoes suitable for trail walking

❑ Hat or cap

❑ Gloves (if necessary)

❑ Extra socks, shoes, other extra clothing

Family Gear

❑ Folding camp chairs

❑ Football, frisbee, cards, board game (but nothing with small pieces)

Toilet Kit

❑ Toothpaste, toothbrush, comb

❑ Washcloth, towel

❑ Hand/Face Soap

❑ Extra plastic bag

❑ BYO toilet tissue (optional)

Six Essentials (and more)

❑ Flashlight, batteries

❑ Sunscreen / Sun protection

❑ Water / water bottle

❑ Whistle

❑ First Aid (boo boo) kit

❑ Insect repellent

Extras (Optional)

❑ Binoculars (probably not helpful)

❑ Sunglasses

❑ Notebook and pencil / Card Games

❑ Nature books

❑ Folding knife (adults or those with Whittling Chip / proof of completing knife safety adventures only)

❑ Map of camp site

Program Options (Optional)

❑ Fishing gear

Quartermaster Responsibilities

Forms

❑ Forms binder for all attendees

❑ 3-hole punch

❑ Pens

❑ Map of camp site

❑ Check in paperwork

❑ Roster (printed & electronic)

Food Equipment

❑ Clothesline for hang drying individuals' foodequipment mesh bags

❑ Kitchen knives, serving spoons, mixing spoons, etc

❑ Cutting boards

❑ Camp stove & Black Stone

❑ Propane tanks, hoses, fittings

❑ Mixing bowls & measuring cups

❑ 3 wash bins

❑ 2 water coolers

❑ Soap (camp safe)

❑ Sanitizer tablets and/or bleach

❑ Hand sanitizer

❑ Coffee brewing equipment & kettle

❑ Trash bags

❑ Aluminum foil

❑ Sponges

❑ Paper towels for clean up

❑ Tablecloth or covering

❑ Food handling gloves

❑ Some disposable plates, spoons, forks, plates, napkins (not enough for everyone for every meal and not a replacement for everyone to bring their own mess kit)

❑ Cooler with ice

Camping Equipment

❑ Potentially large canopy for cooking area, pending weather and availability

❑ Axe for firewood

❑ Fire starter

❑ Firewood (on site)

❑ Fire extinguisher

Food & Activities

❑ Event-specific food & snack menu will be sent ahead of time

❑ Event-specific agenda with crafts and activities will be sent ahead of time

❑ Coffee

Toilet Kit

❑ All Cub Scout camp sites must have working bathroom or porta-potty facilities

First Aid

❑ Extended first aid kit

Google Sites

Report abuse