Hiking Adventures

Let's take a HIKE!

Every month Pack 310 will host a hike or encourage families to go for a hike in different locations across the region.  For dates and locations see the pack calendar.

What is the Hiking Program?

The hiking program is an opportunity for scouts to explore natural areas in our state and earn fun rewards for mileage accomplishments.  This program also ties in educational opportunities so that additional achievements can be earned. 

What are the Hiking Program Goals?

This program invites scouts to be more active in the outdoors, to learn more about the environment, to practice “Leave No Trace,” and to learn what type of wild animals and birds live in the local area.  

As your scout begins hiking and starts learning the guidelines for Leave No Trace, or how to “Trek Safely”, how to use a map and compass, or even the history of the local parks they will be in, they will be earning mileage credits. The goal is for your scout to have fun while hiking and to enhance their outdoor experience. 

Hiking Program Rules

▪ A scout may join the hiking program any time during the year.

▪ All Lions & Tigers must have an adult hike with them

▪ Adults providing transportation for any Wolf, Bear, or Webelos scout must hike with those scouts.  No drop-offs at hiking locations allowed.

▪ All adults hiking are responsible for their scout (or transported scouts) and their needs, such as bathroom breaks, snacks, water, etc.

▪ Family members may participate in hikes.

Hiking Program Benefits

▪ Very outdoor oriented

▪ Helps ready Scout for Scouts BSA. By their Webelos year, they are very comfortable in outdoor situations.

▪ Increases participation in the Pack. Scouts look forward to earning their rewards such as beads and mileage awards.

▪ Reinforces safe cub scouting rules, such as using the buddy system along trails, etc.

▪ Numerous opportunities to meet Scouting requirements for additional awards and life lessons.

Are There Any Recognition Items?

Scouts will earn items to display on their hiking sticks as they participate in the hikes.  The decorated hiking stick shows others what the scout has accomplished.  Below are some of the awards each scout has the potential to earn: 

• Hiking Patch @ 2 Miles

• Rocker Patches to add on to the Hiking Patch @  5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 miles hiked.

• Every mile from 2 to 99 they get a little foot of a different color that hangs on the hiking stick. 

• Receive hiking stick at 25 miles hiked. (If scout already has a hiking stick they receive a colored woggle for their stick.)

• Receive a colored monkey fist at 50 miles with a new one every 25 miles after receiving the first.

• Receive a leather wrap for their stick with their name and date earned on it at 75 miles.

• At 100 miles they get a survival kit and added to a pack plaque that has all the names who've reached that level.

Miles hiked with family count as well but a total of 60% of the miles must be with scouts to count for an award. Only hikes in "nature" count, not walking around neighborhoods or cities. To count family miles, they have to turn in a worksheet within a month of the hike with the dates and places hiked and a brief description of the hike (what happened, what they saw, etc).

Rank Medallions: Each year, when a scout participates in at least 4 hikes, they will earn a metal medallion that represents their rank in cub scouting that year.  

Additional Information About The Hiking Program

When will Hikes Take Place?

▪ Once a month/Twice a month

▪ Never conflicting with other Pack activities.

Where will Hikes Take Place?

▪ Area parks and trails

▪ Within a 60 minute drive, unless voted upon by group to travel further.

▪ Places to participate in and learn about the following: service projects, bird watching, geocaching, geology, history, wildlife, and scenic views.

What to Wear and Bring to a Hike?

▪ Remember your Cub Scout Six Essentials

1. First-aid kit: adhesive bandages, moleskin, gauze, antibiotic ointment, etc.

2. Water bottle: filled and large enough to last until it can be filled again

3. Flashlight: for emergency use only

4. Trail food

5. Sun protection: sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater and a hat

6. Whistle: also for emergency use only

7. Hiking Stick

▪ Dress appropriately for the weather.  Remember that scouts are always prepared.  A rain poncho, jacket, gloves may be necessary. Wear socks and sturdy shoes or hiking boots. (We will cancel a hike due to lightning)

▪ Daypack/Backpack

▪ Bug Spray (when necessary)

▪ Additional items are helpful, but one leader should always have these on hand: First aid kit, cell phone, map or hiking area

How Much Does the Hiking Program Cost?

The hiking program is included with being a pack member.  There may be an occasional entrance fee or program fee as well as traveling expenses.

What Should I Expect On a Hike?

The length of hikes will range typically 1-5 miles. Older Scouts may opt for longer with appropriate leadership and youth protection requirements met.

Lions and Tigers have no problem with 2-4 mile hikes. Just ensure that the parent/guardian has plenty of water along, and a few snacks (for both of them). Lions and Tigers are required to have a parent/guardian on the hike with them at all times.

All hikes MUST have TWO deep leadership to proceed.  This means that an adult is assigned as the lead person of the group, so any obstructions or dangers on the trail are noticed.  We may allow an older Scout to “Lead”, allowing this scout to work on map reading and use of a compass. Additionally, an adult is assigned as the last person in the group.  No one is allowed behind this individual. This ensures that no one gets left behind.  The Pack hikes as a unit. We start together, break together, etc., with everyone following the same trail.

On longer hikes, we will typically eat lunch on the trail (practicing ”Leave No Trace” at all times). We will let you know if this is planned.  Scouts will carry water bottles and may use day packs.

On warmer weather hikes, a small water bottle is not enough for even the smallest Scout. Please be sure that the Scout and parent-guardian have plenty of fluids. Sunscreen is always a must along with a hat (brimmed hat is preferred).

During winter, prior to departure, double-check the dress of the Scouts to ensure they are properly prepared.

What Are the Leave No Trace Rules?

As we hike, Scouts will follow the “Leave No Trace Rules” at each outing. 

▪ Plan ahead.

▪ Stick to trails.

▪ Manage your pet.

▪ Leave what you find.

▪ Respect other visitors.

▪ Trash your trash

How Can Families get Involved?

▪ Be ready, willing, and able to hike with your scout.

▪ Plan and prepare for the hike.

▪ Be enthusiastic about the adventures you will share with your scout.

▪ Be a role model for your scout by accomplishing the never-ending trail and difficult terrain in a positive manner.

▪ Come prepared with information about the local area that you may be able to share with the group.

How Should Hikers (Scouts and Family) Behave While on Hike?

▪ Have Good Manners/Respect Nature- Families can share the values of leaving nature undisturbed and intact for others to enjoy. We can explore new ways of living “low-impact” lives that extend beyond the time we spend in our parks. Getting along with others and conserving the environment are good manners and should be learned and shared with the scouts.

▪ Be enthusiastic!-  The hike may seem never-ending or the hill may seem insurmountable to your scout, but taken one step at a time, it will be quickly beneath your feet. The example that you set will be the model that the scouts will follow.

▪ Have fun!-Make up some games for the scouts to play, look for animals, share our world. Don’t be in a hurry, enjoy it!

What Are the Trail Rules?

▪ Stay on developed trails. Cutting across switchbacks can trample down vegetation that holds topsoil in place.

▪ Travel single file on most trails-leave some space between you and the person ahead of you.

▪ Hikers coming up the trail have the right of way.

▪ If you meet a person on horseback, stop where you are, and stand quietly while the animals pass. This will prevent the horse from being spooked.

▪ Do not pick, cut, or abuse any plants or animals. You are a visitor in their home.

▪ Develop a low-impact (Leave No Trace) wilderness ethic for and in your group.

▪ Leave all gates the way that you found them.

▪ Do not repair trails or remove logs, branches, or boulders from the trail without prior approval.

▪ Abide by all the rules and regulations of the area in which you are hiking. Report any infractions to the authorities.

▪ Do not operate any audio devices, including radios, musical instruments or other noise-producing devices in a manner that will disturb other persons.

▪ Pick up any litter that you may see or encounter on the trail or campsite. A Scout leaves an area better than when they found it.

 Cub Scout Pack 310 is part of the Cradle of Texas District of the Bay Area Council and Chartered by the Bess Brannen PTO.

We serve Boys & Girls in the Lake Jackson and surrounding areas. We serve students from Bess Brannen Elementary School, as well as other local area campuses!