Camping

Cub Scout Family Camping is the epitome of “Front Country Camping” meaning that campsites are not true “hike-in” locations, and will also afford certain amenities (restrooms, potable water, etc.). If you’ve not camped before, or are not fond of “roughing it,” fear NOT! We have fun and make it as pleasant as possible.

RSVP
  • The RSVP serves to let us plan for food headcount. The dens will be shopping for, and preparing the meals, in accordance with the duty roster.
  • Special dietary needs will not be able to be met with the size of our group and the accommodations of the pack kitchen, so if you have special food considerations, we ask that you bring your own food – it can be stored at the pack kitchen.
  • Typically, a designated amount per person will be collected to go towards food costs and camping expenses.

Tenting

  • Pack Kitchen will be centrally located.
  • We encourage older scouts to tent together.
  • By BSA policy, adults may NOT tent with unrelated youth (children of which they are not parent or legal guardian).This includes Lean-tos
  • Please have your scouts assist in carriage, setting up, and striking camp as much as possible – this is their opportunity to learn and help.

Food

  • The Pack has a comprehensive camp kitchen, contained in its trailer, so it is not necessary to bring any stoves or cooking implements.
  • We do promote “Leave No Trace” guidelines, and want to leave as little an impact on the environment as possible, so we ask that the families have durable/reusable eating and drinking utensils and plates as opposed to disposable ones, as well as a hang bag for the items to air dry.
  • Due to the nature of the campout and outdoor cooking for large numbers, we cannot accommodate special dietary requests, so if there are food preferences or allergies, please bring substitutes as needed.
  • Food MAY NOT BE STORED in the sleeping/tenting areas.
    • All food must be secured in the pack kitchen area or in the trailer.
  • The dens are each responsible for a meal
    • Meal assignments are per the duty roster circulated at the time of the campout RSVP (meal responsibility is under “cook” column).
    • The den will plan, purchase, and bring the food, leaders will turn in receipts for reimbursement.
    • The scouts in the den are expected to help prepare and serve the food as much as their abilities and safety permit.

Bugs

  • Please use bug spray and treatments at your discretion – do not spray your tent with bug spray, however – it destroys the waterproofing.
  • Make sure to thoroughly check yourself every day and wash your clothes as soon as you get home.
  • Ticks are the predominant nuisance where we camp: Preventing Tick Bites

Duty Roster

Each den will have a responsibility for cooking and clean-up, assignments will be according to the rotation established in the duty roster.

A Scout is Helpful – folks may be asked to pitch in if a unit is short-handed for the task or special circumstances. Be cheerful and pitch in!

Cooking involves:

  • Cooking area prep/setup
  • Trash bag(s) set out
  • Drinking & hand-washing water stations checked, water topped-off as needed
  • Serving/Dining area prep/setup
  • Heating water for cleaning team started, keep hot (not boiling)
  • Food processing (slicing, dicing, etc.)
  • Food cooking
  • Food serving
  • Stowage of food after prep/cooking as needed

Cleaning involves:

  • Setup of wash basins for camp (cooking AND dining)
    • 1st Warm soapy water
    • 2nd Hot rinse water
    • 3rd Hot sanitizing rinse
  • Replacing wash water as needed
  • Washing of cooking utensils, containers, cookware
  • Drying of cooking gear
  • Wipe-down cooking area
  • Stowage of cooking gear
  • Secure trash from cooking/dining areas
  • Check that kitchen and pantry are SECURE from critters/weather

ALL SCOUTS:

Before eating

  1. Wash hands before eating at wash station
  2. Top off water bottle before dining
  3. Bring mess kit to serving area
  4. Stay AWAY from kitchen/service area if NOT in cooking team
  5. Meal prayer before dining service starts

Seconds, if available

After eating

  1. Scrape uneaten food into trash
  2. Clean their own mess kit and towel or hang dry after eating
  3. Stow mess kit
  4. Top off water bottle
  5. Stay AWAY from kitchen/service area if NOT in cleaning team

Packing List:

  • Uniform (Class A and Class B “Activity” – see Uniform section for guidance)
  • Shelter
    • Tent (remember, a “2-person” tent fits like a 1-person tent!)
    • Ground cloth
  • Sleeping bags & sleeping pads
  • Pillows
  • Eating Utensils
    • Plates (non-disposable)
    • Cup/mug
    • Forks/Spoons (non-disposable)
    • Dry bag/swish bag (dollar store lingerie bag works perfectly!)
  • Water Bottle
  • Food (as decided/required by Den – check with your Den Leader!)
  • Flashlights (headlamps are recommended – they free your hands!)
  • Pocket Knives (for Bear scouts and older who have earned Whittling Chip – must bring chip!)
  • Insect Repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Toiletries
    • Toothbrush/paste
    • Soap
    • Washcloth
  • Needed Medications (keep epi pens or rescue inhalers with you AT ALL TIMES)
  • Camp chairs
  • Sunglasses
  • Weather appropriate layers (rain jacket, gloves/hat, etc.)

Optional Items

  • Two way radios (if you have them)
  • Sunglasses
  • Day pack
  • Roasting forks for Marshmallows
  • Lantern

Do:

  • Mark/label all your items – things will come loose, fall off, get set down, get picked up…
  • Waterproof your gear – stow items in plastic bags – Think of Murphy’s Law
  • Come with a cheerful camp spirit
  • Pitch in and help – it’s a team effort
  • Wear athletic shoes (close-toed shoes or boots)
  • Leave No Trace – trash your trash, leave the camp better than you found it

Do NOT:

  • Expect anyone to clean up after you
  • Wear flip-flops, sandals, crocs (this footwear is not good for scouting activities)
  • Bring alcohol or tobacco products (they are forbidden at ALL BSA activities).

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