Camping Guide

A PDF version of the Camping Guide is available HERE

Pack 850 Camping Guide

Camping takes you on exciting adventures into the natural world. You'll learn to live with others in the out-of-doors. You'll learn to be a good citizen of the outdoors. Camping is fun, and it's good for your mind, body, and spirit. It helps you learn to rely on yourself—on your own skills and knowledge. When you take your cub camping, they also develop skills that will be used later as a scout in a troop.

At Pack 850, we love to camp, and all camping is family camping. The entire family is encouraged to attend and participate. There are generally three types of camping activities.

1.     Council sponsored camping where council plans the activities, usually has a theme and the pack can meet, greet and mingle with other packs.

2.     Pack Camping where we go on our own and plan our own activities; and

3.     The end of year camping event which usually involves additional activities such as visiting a theme park, water park, cave, national monument, or other special event.

About this Guide

This guide is designed to address the needs of the first-time camping or novice camper. It provides the basic information to make your first and all camping adventures as fun and painless as possible for you.

Basics

Since we know that your cub will eventually transition to a troop, many of the recommendations will be focused on you spending your money wisely by purchasing equipment that your cub can use throughout their entire scouting life.

If your scout is an Arrow of Light, their equipment needs will be a little different and specific since we will be getting them ready for their transition to Scouts BSA.  The purpose of the Arrow of Light rank is to prepare the scout for a smooth transition into SCOUTS BSA (YES!!!). Our older scouts will be doing more this year than ever before. Scouting is fun with a purpose!

So, you are attending your first campout! There are a few things you need to make sure are taking care of to make sure all goes well.

·      Make sure the completed parts A & B Health & Medical form was filed within the year

·      If there are any water activities planned, make sure the last swim classification evaluation taken was within the year

·      Make sure payment is make for the campout

The Camp out Routine:

·      Most campout start on Friday evening and go until Sunday around 2 pm.

·      You are expected to have already eaten when you arrive at the campsite on Friday evening

·      On arrival, check-in with your Den Leader or any Den Leader if yours has not arrived and follow their directive to assist in getting camp set-up.

·      Once camp is set-up stow your gear in your tent.

·      Have fun!

·      At the end of the campout, you will be released when the campsite breakdown has been completed and the area has been policed to the campout leader’s approval.

Finally, you will need supplies and camping gear - Many of the items will also be used when your cubbie crosses over to the troop and the recommendations reflect that. Make sure to take care of your gear. All clothes and items should be labeled with your name (you can find numerous options by doing a quick search on amazon for iron-on labels for clothes ranging from $5-$15).

What do I need?

The First priority is shelter! That means a tent.

Size: Since cub scout camping is family camping, your tent will need to be large enough to accommodate your entire family (when your cub becomes an AOL, they will sleep with other cubs in tents provided by the pack). It should accommodate more than what you need but not so large that it requires a cart or dolly to transport.

The graphic illustrates how companies measure their tents. In this case, when they say it’s a 4-person tent. As you can see there is no space for backpacks, cooler, additional gear, etc. Keep in mind, the larger the tent, the more complicated it usually is to erect and may require more people. Another consideration to keep in mind in reference to size is, “can you erect the tent at home to dry?” If it is raining at the end of a campout, you may have to break it down and put it away wet but once you get home you will need to erect the tent so that it can dry. Storing a tent wet will lead to mold, mildew, bad odor and the breakdown of the fibers which will lead to leaks.

Construction:

Material: Tents used for cub scout camping are usually made of polyester or a nylon combination. Polyester tents are generally less expensive and heavier. They usually do not stretch much when wet and, if maintained properly, will last a long time. Nylon tents are generally lighter, more expensive, considered to be stronger but will stretch when wet which will require that you re-adjust it to prevent sagging.

Poles: The tent must be constructed so that you feel not only comfortable but safe. Tent poles provide the shape and structure of the tent. Some tents have metal poles while others have fiberglass; each has its pros and cons. Metal poles are stronger, but bend, are heavy, and bulky. Fiberglass poles are lighter, more flexible, but break easier. Remember, the size and shape of the tent will determine how much wind resistance or how much of a sail it will be and should figure into your decision.

Sleeves: The poles are attached to the tent with sleeves or clips. Tents that have continuous sleeves are easier and faster to erect than those with partial sleeves. Clips are the quickest and easiest, but the clips are susceptible to breakage.

3-season vs 4 season tents: For Florida camping, look for a tent with the most amount of mesh to allow for ventilation. This will mean a 3-season tent. 4-season tents are more for camping in snow or colder climates.

Single-wall vs double-wall tent: Try your best to stay away from single-wall tents. During the night, the temperature difference between the inside of the tent and the outside causes condensation. Condensation that can drip on you in the middle of the night. Double-wall tents or tents with a fly cover create an insolation space between the inside and outside reducing the change in temperature and thus reducing the chance or amount of condensation inside the tent.

Floor & Seams: Make sure the tent you select has a bathtub floor and that all seams are taped. This will help prevent water leaking into the tent.

Ground sheet (footprint): To protect the longevity of the tent and to protect the tent floor from punctures, you should have a groundsheet or footprint. Some tent companies sell a groundsheet for their tents. Whether you purchase the commercial groundsheet or use a tarp or plastic sheathing, the important part is that it be the correct size. The groundsheet should be the same size as the tent or slightly smaller. It should never stick out from under the tent! If it rains, the rain will land on the exposed groundsheet and lead to water getting trapped between the tent and the groundsheet which can then cause it to leak into the tent.

Second priority is food and water

Pack meals for the event are planned in advanced and all pitch in to help with the cooking, cleaning, etc. If your family has certain food needs, just let us know and we will try to accommodate as best we can. Some cubs have allergies, some only eat carbs, some only eat meat, some are vegetarians, etc.

Additionally, every family should have a personal cooler and a way to keep it at least 3” off the ground to help keep the dirt, bugs & insects out. Fill it with as much ice as possible and refill it as needed. Nobody wants to get sick! Keep that cooler closed and out of direct sunlight! A scout is Thrifty.

Snacks: bring the stuff your family likes, we need to keep cubs’ energy levels up during all the activities we do.  

Your cub will need a mess kit which consists of a plate, bowl, utensils, cup and a mess bag to store it all in. We strive to reduce our impact on the environment and do our best to stay away from single use mess items like paper plates, plastic forks, etc. Your cub will have to properly clean their mess kit, place it in the mess bag and hang to dry.

Yes, there’ll be s’mores! Maybe even something else…

WATER! We adults should be drinking at least a gallon per day if not more and our cubs need to also stay hydrated! Look for a canteen or water bottle (we call it your water source) that is not so big and heavy that your cub does not want to carry it. It should have a clip, case or some kind of lanyard, so it is with them always. If the cubs have it with them, they are more likely to drink! Heatstroke and heat exhaustion will ruin a campout. Remember, if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated! Drink up! 

Third priority is health & safety

Lighting. At campouts, lighting is limited. Each scout must have a headlamp or flashlight (make sure to have spare batteries). We prefer head lamps; it’s really useful and it keeps your hands free. Lanterns to light your tent and tent area should be battery powered LED lanterns. Yes, gas powered lanterns are cool, but they have their drawback like, they are not allowed inside of tents, you need gas, mantles, a lighter, etc. also they can be tipped over, cause burns, start a fire and break easily. LED lights are sturdy and use very little power. Use of battery powered outdoor LED string lights can provide ambient light and makes it easier to find your campsite at night when you’re coming back from the showers.

Medications. All campers must have a current (less than a year old) SA Medical form parts A & B on file. This will allow for quicker and more efficient treatment in the event of an emergency. If your cub or any in your family requires prescription medication, make sure to have sufficient on hand for the duration of the campout. If any of your medications requires refrigeration, make sure to plan for it and make sure to let the camp leader know so they can plan to have extra ice on hand in case it is needed. Bring any over-the-counter (OTC) medications you may need such as NSAIDs like Tylenol and aspirin, anti-emetics for nausea and vomiting, anti-diarrheal, anti-itch cream, aloe, Solarcaine, etc. Make sure to have OTC medications in age/weight appropriate dosage for all in your group. Scout leaders cannot give cubs over the counter medications unless you have approved it by indicating approval on the medical form.

Sun protection. Sun burn is the short-term effect of not protecting yourself from the sun and can end an otherwise amazing campout! Prolonged and consistent exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun can have negative long-term effects on our health. Make sure your cub and all in your group have; head protection like a hat, use UV rated shirts, apply and re-apply age-appropriate, sunscreen. If the campout includes water activities, make sure the sunscreen is reef safe.

Bug protection. We love to camp, and we camp overnight so bugs are part of the experience. Where we are camping will dictate the primary bug threat. If we are camping by the water sandflies or “no-seems” is the primary threat. If we are camping in the woods, mosquitos are the primary threat.  DEET is widely considered the most effective insect repellant for the widest selection of insects. DEET comes in a range of percentages from 4-100%. The percentage of DEET in the repellant will affect its effectiveness and duration. DEET has been known to cause some skin irritation and in high concentration, damage some materials. If you choose to use an insect repellant with DEET, use one you have used before. There are other repellants that are natural and don’t contain the chemical DEET.

Personal hygiene. Each member of your group should have a personal hygiene kit consisting of basic items like toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, hand-sanitizer, toilet paper (we discourage the use of wipes) and deodorant. You cub’s kit should be self-contained and small enough to fit in their pack. Additionally, your cub’s towel should be a camp towel that is quick drying and packs down small.

Forth priority is comfort

Remember! We are in cub scouts and we want our cubs to learn to be in and with nature so when we say comfortable, we mean “what do the cubs need so they can focus on having fun” The more you bring, the more you have to pack, the more you have to set-up, the more you have to breakdown, the more you have to clean and maintain, the less fun it is and the less you look forward to the next campout.

Sleeping. Most families use air mattresses/sleeping pads but make sure you have a way of inflating them without electricity and have a patch kit, others prefer cots. In deciding, take into consideration two things; your cub will not be able to use a cot when they bridge over to the troop so you may not want to spoil them now and, when purchasing your tent, cots take up considerably more room than air mattresses/sleeping pads.

Your cub will live in a sleeping bag when they cross over to the troop, so it is best to start them off in a sleeping bag. Adults can use sheets, blankets and pillows if they want. Sleeping bags are made of either natural fibers like goose down or synthetic fibers. Synthetic fiber sleeping bags are recommended for cub/scout camping since they generally provide comparable warmth and shed moisture as well or better than natural fiber sleeping bags but require less maintenance.

Sleeping bags have a temperature rating. The temperature ratings refer to the measure of a sleeping bag's capacity to keep you warm in specific temperature conditions. This crucial indicator helps you select the appropriate bag for your campout while ensuring you remain adequately insulated throughout the night. The temperature rating system typically consists of two main ratings - comfort and limit.

• Comfort rating: This indicates the lowest temperature at which an average person can sleep comfortably in a given sleeping bag.

• Limit rating: This signifies the lowest temperature at which a person will stay reasonably warm through the night without taking comfort into account.

Recognizing that your personal body heat and gender impacts your temperature rating selection. Each person’s body metabolism and heat generation varies. This will affect how your body perceives and regulates temperature. A good factor to consider is how your body regulates temperature when normally sleeping at home. Do you radiate heat in your bed or are you always seeking more warmth under the covers? Factors like these can help you gauge whether your personal perceived comfort level should err more on the higher or lower end when comparing sleeping bags with different temperature ratings.

Additionally, gender plays a significant role in temperature regulation, as women generally tend to feel colder than men due to physiological differences. Considering these individual variations is key to choosing a sleeping bag temperature rating that aligns with your specific heat-retention needs, ensuring a restful and rejuvenating sleep during your outdoor adventures.

Generally speaking, for the climate, weather, elevation and time of year we camp, a sleeping bag rated to +40 degrees is more than sufficient.

Camping chairs are a must! Believe it or not, there are no recliners or comfortable couches out there in the wilderness! Each cub must have a camping chair since they will be using it regularly during campouts in activities, campfire programs, etc. Their camp chair must be the kind that gets as small as possible but still easily holds their weight because once they cross over to the troop, they will be carrying it with their pack.

Six Essentials. What are the Cub Scout Six Essentials? These are items every cub should carry in their personal gear when going on hikes or campouts. Later, when a cub enters Scouts BSA, they will learn about the Scout Basic Essentials, unofficially known as the Ten Essentials. So, what are the Six Essentials?

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

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

3. Head light or flashlight: for emergency use only

4. Trail food: can be made as a den activity prior to hike or campout

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

6. Whistle: also for emergency use only

When should a cub carry these items? On any hike or campout with the den or pack. By encouraging cubs to pack and carry their own personal gear items, you’re preparing them for Scouts BSA. How should a cub carry these items? Cubs should carry their Six Essentials in a small fanny pack or backpack. Parents and leaders should emphasize that these are tools, not toys, and that cubs must take care not to lose them and that they should be used only when needed. 

Everything else

Fun stuff. Bring (almost) anything you’d like. Our Pack has seen telescopes, pogo sticks, rockets, golf clubs, binoculars, bikes (if allowed at campsite), scooters (if allowed at campsite), etc. Anything that can keep these kids going and away from electronics. Please make sure to read the Pack’s electronics policy!!! The Rule of thumb is to bring whatever you like with the appropriate safety gear. Example, if it is allowed and you’re going to bring a bike, you’ll bring the helmet too, right?

Electronics (Please read our Pack’s electronics policy available on the website): This is a double-edged sword here, electronics these days are a necessity and a nuisance. Our Pack rule is no cub will have them while we are at a campsite/ground unless needed for an activity. They are a distraction to all and keep the cubs from enjoying nature and all its glory. I’d suggest leaving them for the drive to and from. There is lots for the cubs to enjoy outside, there’s nothing worse than seeing a cub zombie-like with a device in their hand playing a game. About the only time we permit electronic devices is to go GEOCACHING!

Geocaching: Geocaching is a kind of treasure hunt with a GPS device or phone with the APP and a multi-billion-dollar satellite. Really cool, these things are everywhere! Some geocaches can only be found on space stations! This is an activity that can be enjoyed by young and old. Some types of geo-caches are travel bugs, micros, swap’s, puzzles, etc. We’ll go over in more detail at a campout.

Sodas: Sodas are not for cubs. They have way too much sugar and dehydrate them. Water and the occasional flavored electrolyte replacement powder is all the cubs will need to keep them hydrated and going.

I’d like to help, but I don’t know what I can do…

Jump in! We all need help. If your cub’s den is responsible for preparing a meal, let’s get it going. If your cub’s den is responsible for an activity, help gather the required equipment and get the activity organized. There are many ways one can “HELP THE PACK GO”! Donations of time, items, gear, whatever! Just lets us know how you’d like to help or we’ll offer some suggestions!

What’s appropriate?

There’s a lot. Most is common sense, some not so common. Everyone who signed an application, is required to take “Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT)”, this is not limited to leaders only. All of us should be SYT trained. Safeguarding Youth Training gives us many tools to recognize bad signs helps us have an idea of how to better look after our own (everyone) and how to place as many barriers to abuse as we can. It takes about 60 minutes (online) and is essential to us all. A lot of scenarios can be avoided if we know what to look out for. Imaging devices, phones, cameras, etc. have no place near showers and bathrooms! Another zero-tolerance zone. Usually our campgrounds have separate facilities; if not, a “schedule” will be made for different sexes. No taking pictures where a person can expect privacy; this means even in someone’s tent. A scout is reverent.

Only your family is allowed in your tent, No matter what! Especially in a leader’s tent. Tents are for changing and sleeping, unless you’re doing one of these, you should be doing something else fun outside of your tent.

What do we do during a campout?

Lots of stuff. We usually have a schedule and if an event plan was made it can be found there. That being said, we must remain rigidly flexible and be able to pivot when the circumstances dictate. Every campground has its own amenities. Some have pools, fishing, hot tubs, geocaching, hiking trails, biking trails, climbing trees, playgrounds, canoes, etc. and we will plan activities to best use them.

Weather…

Yes, in Florida (the sunshine state) the weather can be a little unpredictable. It does rain; but usually not for long. It may rain at the campsite but not 50 yards away. You get the drift. Raingear is recommended; like a poncho or a rain suit since we just add the rain into the mix as part of the fun to be had. Things change if we have lightning or thunder. If we experience hazardous weather, we will move to a hardened shelter like a bathroom, community shelter or cars.

Plan B, C, D…

Always have a plan B. Weather isn’t always favorable, tents fail or are missing essential parts, batteries run out, injuries happen, cubs go through activities way faster than expected, etc.

Be prepared!

What not to bring?

Drugs, alcohol, smoking paraphernalia and such. These campouts and all the activities we do are to bring the family and us closer together. We are zero tolerance here! If you partake of these, you will be asked to leave! No refunds! The program is for the cubs (big and small), they don’t need parents acting like fools. It’s only for the weekend (2-4 days tops). If you do need to smoke, do it away from sight of the cubs and remember to be considerate in your outdoor manners (pick it up!). Guns and firearms, really? Leave them at home!

Checklist

Here is the checklist of required equipment for Cub Scout Camping (This list is specific to Cub Scout camping and will be different when your scout bridges over to a Troop):

• Tent: The tent should be large enough to house your entire family comfortably but not so large that its weight makes transporting it difficult or its size requires an inordinate amount of people or time to set-up.

• Ground sheet (cloth): A plastic sheet that goes between your tent and the ground to protect it from rocks, twigs, branches or other debris that may puncture the underside of your tent causing it to leak and allowing cold damp air to enter. The Ground sheet should be about 1”-2” smaller than the footprint of your tent.

• Sleeping Pads, inflatable air mattresses or cots: Sufficient to provide a sleeping area for the entire family. It is important for your sleeping comfort to get off the ground. If you choose an option that requires inflation, you must provide your own hand or battery powered pump. There is no electricity available at most camp sites!

• Sleeping Bag (two-season, rated to +40 degrees) or blankets & camp pillow: appropriate to the expected weather conditions and temperatures.

• Mess Kit: Reducing waste and its impact on the environment is a key part of Scouting. For this reason, the Pack requires every member to have a mess kit (Plate, Bowl, Cup, Spoon, Knife & Fork) that can be washed and hung to dry. Paper goods are kept to a minimum.

• Canteen or Water Bottle (water source): Every member must have a water source that can be carried on hikes or kept close at the ready during activities.

• Small Backpack: to be used as a daypack to carry water source, rain suit, headlamp, snacks and other supplies during hikes and other activities (Six Essentials).

•  Headlamp or flashlight: enough for each family member, make sure to have enough spare batteries.

• Tent Lamp: Battery powered, no gas or fuel burning lamps allowed in tents.

• Camp Chair: enough for each family member.

• Toiletry Kit & Camp Towel: to keep personal hygiene Items, bag should be able to be hung and camp towel should be quick dry or microfiber material.

• Rain Suit or Poncho: A rain suit is preferred when hiking.

• Baseball cap or another head cover: If your cub ops not to wear the SA approved baseball hat, care must be given to ensure that the head gear has no offensive markings or labels.

• Sun block & bug spray: Sun block should offer both UVA & UVB protection, should be water/sweat-proof and should be convenient to carry so it is always close at hand for reapplication. The SPF factor should be the highest available that meets the above stated requirements. If you will be in or around the water, the sun block should be reef safe. Bug spray must be selected carefully. Sprays with the chemical DEET have proven to be the best performing for keeping even the largest and most aggressive mosquitos at bay in the largest diversity of people, however, DEET is a very potent chemical that can cause skin irritation and damage to some materials. If you decide to use bug spray with DEET, a good rule of thumb is to select one with a concentration between 25% and 30% and test it on your cub for skin irritation before the campout. There are DEET free bug sprays and lotions available. You will have to select what is best for you and your cub. Another great way to keep the mosquitos, chiggers, sand fleas and ticks away is to spray your cub’s clothes with permethrin (follow instructions carefully). This reduces the amount of bug spray you have to apply to your scout.

Sample Graphics