TROOP 1

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

PIKES PEAK COUNCIL

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

ACTIVITY PLAN

WHAT:   Great Sand Dunes National Park Camping Trip 

Please RSVP to the Adult Leader, ASM Jim Crossley. email to jim.crossley@hotmail.com

WHEN:   Friday to Sunday, October 10-12, 2025.  Meet in the school parking lot by the troop trailer between 4:00-4:25PM, depart at 4:30 pm Friday.  Return will be approx. Noon on Sunday.  We will attempt to call parents when driving through Pueblo.  

WHERE:  Great Sand Dunes National Park and Great Sand Dunes Oasis Campground,

Link: Great Sand Dunes Oasis- Great Sand Dunes National Monument (greatdunes.com)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:  About 170 miles, about 2 hours 45 minutes driving time.

Take I-25 to Walsenburg, about 86 miles on I-25.  Take exit 52 to Bus I-25 south.  (The Subway is at 228 Main, which is Bus I-25.)  From the Subway, continue a few blocks south on Main/BusI-25 to U.S. 160.  Turn right (west).  Go about 57 miles west on U.S. 160 to CO 150.  Turn right (north) on CO 150.  Go about 16 miles to the Great Sand Dunes Oasis Campground and turn right.

DESCRIPTION:  Visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park to do hiking and/or sandboarding. We will also plan a night hike in the park. Staying at Great Sand Dunes Oasis Camp Ground which is about 2 miles from the park entrance. Oasis has running water, bathrooms and showers.

COST:  Camping fees will be split among the group, about $10-$15 per person depending on how many attend.  Food costs will also be divided among the group, about $10-$15 each.  Bring approximately $10-$20 for a dinner meal (KFC or Taco Bell) for the drive on Friday night. (please bring this money with you). 

Optional items: renting a sand surfboard is $20 daily.

EQUIPMENT:  See below for list. Troop will provide group cooking equipment.

WEATHER: Forecasted to be in the high 70s and lows in the mid-40s,  Sunny and Dry.

FOOD:  Food will be planned, prepared, and purchased by patrols.  Scouts must bring their own plates, mug, and utensils. Meals to be planned by Scouts:  Saturday: breakfast, lunch, dinner; Sunday: breakfast.

For dinner Friday bring money for meals in Walsenburg, about $10-$20.

NOTES:  All participants, Scouts and adults, must turn in a completed troop permission form and have a health form on file with the troop.

ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Scouts can work on rank advancement, such as cooking, camping and related merit badges.

UNIT LEADERS FOR THIS ACTIVITY: 

ASM James Crossley, 719 646-6051

ASM Robert Baker, 719 282-5622

PACKING LIST

Sleep Gear: 1-3 person tent max size, sleeping bag, pillow/blanket, tarp (We will still require Scouts to have their individual tents due to COVID)

Day Gear: Day Pack: Water Bottle (x2), Sun screen, hat/cover, sun glasses

Camping:, Mess Kit, Cup, Toiletries, Towel, Camp Chair, Headlamp, (All cooking gear & stoves provided by the troop) There is running water, bathrooms and showers on site

Clothing: Seasonal, At least one changeover for shirt, pants, undergarments, sweater/jacket, camp shoes

Money:  $20/Scout for food going (dinner -Taco Bell/KFC and returning (lunch), $20/Scout for sandboard rental.  Any extra $ - there is a shopette on site for snacks/drinks.

Optional: Jet Boil, hammock (if there are trees!)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY:

·         4:00-4:20pm – Arrive at St. Paul’s near the troop trailer and leave for Sand Dunes

·         4:30pm - Depart St Paul's

 6:30pm – Dinner at Subway in Walsenburg

·         8:30pm – Arrive Great Sand Dunes Oasis Campground, (719) 378-2222 , Mosca, CO.

o   Set up camp

·         10:30pm – Lights out

SATURDAY:

·         7:00am – Wake up / Breakfast prep

·         8:00am -  Eat breakfast / Clean up

·         9:00am – Sand Dunes Activities

·         1:00pm – Picnic lunch

·         2:00pm – Sand Dunes Activities

·         3:30pm – Head back to camp

·         4:00pm – Work on requirements for rank or merit badges

·         5:00pm – Dinner prep

·         6:00pm – Eat / clean up

·         7:00-8:30pm – Night Hike (2-3 miles)

·         10:00pm – Lights out

SUNDAY:

·         7:00am – Wake up / breakfast prep

·         8:00am – Eat / Clean up

·         9:00am – Pack up gear

·   ·      9:30am - Depart

·         12:00pm –Arrive at St. Paul’s

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