Hiking Stick Program

Program Goal:

This program invites the scouts to be more active in the outdoors, to learn more about the environment, practice “Leave No Trace,” and learn what type of wild animals and birds live in their local area. So, why did your child want to join Scouting? Did they want to explore the outdoors, learn how to use a map or read a compass, experience camping, and go hiking in fun and exciting locations? If you answered yes, then the Pack Hiking Program is for them.

As your scout begins hiking, and starts learning the guidelines for Leave No Trace, how to use a map and compass, or even the history of the local parks they will be in, they will be earning mile credits. A scout earns one mile credit for every mile hiked. The goal is for your scout to have fun while hiking. To enhance this experience, he will be able to earn the symbol of the Hiking Program, the Hiking Stave or Stick as well as other rewards pertaining to his participation and milestones. Most young children, love hiking sticks. Take a child on a hike and one of the first things he or she will do is, look for a stick to walk with. Find a good hiking stick and that child will guard it from others and even take it home. Our Hiking Stick Program is meant to tap into this interest and convert it into something, which can benefit the Pack and enrich your scout’s experience in the Cub Scouts.

When will the Hikes Take Place?

Once a month
Weekends or holidays
3-hour outings during the school year, 4-6-hour day trip during the summer
No regularly set time or date, Saturday or Sunday, morning or afternoon
Flexible and meant to accommodate scouts with pre-existing weekend schedules
Weather-dependent so changes on short notice should be expected
Will never overlap with other Pack activities.

Who Can Participate?

All scouts from any dens on any hike, with or without their den-leaders
Parental participation is encouraged but not required, unless your scout is a Lion or Tiger
Siblings, friends and neighbors, but not without parent if under 21
Only requirement is to follow our pack’s Rules of Hiking.

Basic Hiking Rules

1. Always use the buddy system

2. Leave No Trace

a. Plan ahead

b. Stick to the trails

c. Leave what you find

d. Respect other visitors

e. Trash your trash

3. Trail Rules

a. Hike on the Right, Pass on the Left

b. Respect Nature’s Peacefulness

c. Stay with the group, never wander off

d. Watch for cyclist and horses

4. If you get lost

a. Stay Calm and stay put

b. Answer if you are called

c. Blow your trail whistle

Where Will Hikes Take Place?

Local and regional area parks within about one hour’s drive from Boerne
Variety of hiking perspectives: Historic sites, wildlife, birdwatching,
plant & aquatic-life, geology, geo-caching, orienteering, scenic and high vistas
Trip agendas with trail descriptions, ratings, maps, and directions for each hike
No separate meetings other than the actual hike.

How Does the Hiking Stick Program Work?

Hikes will always follow BSA guidelines and be at least “two-deep”. This means two adults, with at least one parent of a scout on the hike, and a second who is current on all three BSA training courses: Youth Protection, Leadership, and Weather Hazards.

Hike lengths typically range 2 – 7 miles.
Parents must sign a release form and check in and out their scout with the hike leader
All hikes will depart from the meeting location as scheduled.
Scouts can choose between their class A & B shirts. It’s good to be identified as a scout.
Scouts will be responsible for carrying their own gear – so keep it light!
Scouts should have the Cub Scout Six Essentials with them on ever hike.
- - Small first aid kit ( band-aids, moleskin, one small tube of antibiotic)
  - Water
  - Flashlight
  - Trail food
  - Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
  - Emergency whistle
  - On warmer weather hikes, a small water bottle is not enough for even the smallest scout so please be sure that the scout and parent-guardian have plenty of fluids.
  - On longer hikes we will typically eat lunch on the trail (practicing “Leave No Trace” at all times). Scouts may carry day packs and water bottles.

During the winter, dressing in layers is always a good idea.
Consider keeping a rain poncho with you. If it rains you have it, if it doesn’t it makes a good sun shelter.
Siblings may participate. It is up to the parent-guardian to decide if younger children can maintain a consistent pace and can hike the designated distance. Only scouts will receive hiking awards.

An adult leader is assigned to the “tail” position. No one is allowed behind this individual. The Pack hikes as a unit. We start together, break together, etc., with everyone following the same trail. We may allow an older Scout to “Lead”. We will usually work in map reading and use of a compass with them, where we have a route that can be read. It’s up to the scout to determine which fork to take to stay on the designated route, or if a new trail needs to be transitioned; they will, however, have their decision confirmed by a leader.
Hiking mileage will be awarded only for Pack, Den, or Scout Council sanctioned events.
Individuals will not be credited for miles hiked on vacations or family outings. However, participation in charitable walks such as “The Walk to End Alzheimer’s” or the “Scout Strong Fun Run" may be considered for mileage. This is at the discretion of the pack leadership and approval should be obtained prior to registering for such an event.
All mileage that is earned must be recorded by the hike leader to receive credit. It is the scout’s responsibility to sign-in at each event.
“Number of Hikes” and “Top Hiker” will be recorded per scout year.
All monthly hiking stick awards will be awarded at the end of each hike.
Awards received for “Number of Hikes,” “Top Hiker” and “Miles Hiked” will be awarded at Pack meetings.
Hiking awards for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hikes, as well as “Miles Hiked” will only be awarded once.
No dogs allowed on pack hikes.

How Much Will this Hiking Stick Program Cost?

This program is intended to be frugal. Aside for the expense of small awards, there are no other costs involved. Because not every scout will join, participating scouts will be asked to contribute to the program’s cost. There may also be park admission fees for adults or per vehicle. Many parks will admit scouts either at reduced rates or free of charge. Entrance fees will be announced with each hike.

Hiking Stick Example

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