Camping with Pack 13

Camping with Pack 13

Holy Cow. We're camping. Our son is going camping with the Cub Scout Pack.

What do I bring?
What can I expect?
How can I be prepared?
I don't know what to do!!!!

Never fear - your Pack will take care of you.

Every pack camping event will have at least one BALOO (Basic Adult Leadership Ooutdoor Orientation) trained leader on the trip. This person has been trained by BSA to know some of the best practices that scouting has honed over the years, and they are responsible for making sure that everything goes as well as possible. Before any camping activity, the BALOO leader and the coordinator for the event will get together and decide what the Pack is doing for food - either communal meals or individual meals, and what (in general) the Pack will be doing at the campout. These leaders will be in contact with the people registered for the camping so that everyone has the best information possible.

Family camping with Cub Scouts has some strict rules. To support the BSA policy of two-deep leadership on all trips and outings, there are guidelines that address the sleeping arrangements of male and female adults and their scouts.

Except in EXTREMELY RARE situations (we haven't had one in the last 4 years), at least one parent/guardian is to be on the camping trip with the scout.
All leaders are expected to reflect high moral standards established by customs, traditional values, and religious teachings.
Married couples may share the same quarters (tents) if appropriate facilities are available. If not, then male and female leaders require separate sleeping facilities. (All of our Pack 13 camping events have facilities that will allow families to stay together.)
When tents are used, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his/her parent or guardian.
From the Guide to Safe Scouting...
- All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants.

How can I be prepared?

Check List

	Tent
	Tarp
	Sleeping bag
	Sleeping mat or air mattress (optional)
	Chairs
	Bug Protection
	Sun screen
	Appropriate clothing (including hats)
	Kid's Backpack
	Flashlights and/or Lanterns
	Entertainment
	First Aid
	Snacks/Food (meals?)
	Water

You'll need a tent, tarp, sleeping bags and chairs.

You'll want to make sure that your tent is large enough for your family if you plan on camping with them at any time, but small enough that you can easily carry it if you need to when it's disassembled. The tarp needs to be waterproof, and large enough to cover the ground under your tent. Without the tarp, if it rains, you WILL get water in your tent. If you are buying a new tent - the first night of the campout is NOT the best time to try and read the instructions and figure out how to set up the tent. If you can't set your tent up prior to the camping trip, at least glance through the instructions and make sure you have all of the parts.

Sleeping bags are no trivial matter. The "Scooby Doo" or "Spiderman" sleeping bags found at Walmart or Target will NOT keep your child or you warm enough if the night gets cold. Check the temperature ratings for sleeping bags. The lower the temperature rating, the colder it can be outside and still keep you warm. But don't go overboard.

Some adults also have back issues. A nice air-inflated Coleman air mattress can go a long way to making Cub Scout camping more enjoyable. For the younger kids you can get them a self-inflating cot to ease the lumpy ground. For sitting around a campfire, the collapsable lawn chairs (folding captain's chairs that collapse into a bag) are very nice, but get the lighter weight ones.

You'll want a little comfort, so dress appropriately and plan for being outdoors .

Camping means being outside. Bring bug spay and sun screen. Deet is the best bug deterent on the market, but many doctors don't suggest high concentrations for younger children. Read the percentages and talk to your doctor. Ticks are an issue when you camp, and can carry nasty diseases. Permethrin is a chemical spray that is directly applied to clothing PRIOR to the camping trip. Sawyer's Repellents makes a very nice spray, and it's available at Walmart and many sporting stores (Gander Mountain, REI, Dick's).

For daytime, you'll want cool clothing, good comfortable (rugged?) shoes, some clothing that you can put on in layers (hoodies, jackets, etc.), and definitely hats. While it is NOT REQUIRED that a scout wear his uniform for camping, many scouts love to wear them. They are sturdy and cool, and well suited for outdoors. We would suggest that you remove any pins or ribbons, and leave the brag vests at home. A nice alternative is the activity shirt (any day camp T-shirt is considered an activity shirt, and therefore uniform - and our Pack T-Shirt is also an activity shirt). If there is the SLIGHTEST chance of rain, bring extra socks. For sleeping at night, you also might want to bring along a winter-type hat, depending on the temperatures.

It also helps to bring a light daypack for carrying around a few items. Sometimes the kids make crafts at camping events, and you'll want something to carry these around, and you'll need somewhere to store your water and bug spray.

You'll want some entertainment and a flashlight or lantern.
Scouts will have a great time camping - just because they're camping. But there are "down" times where we just let the boys be boys. Are pack has a "no-electronic games" rule at events (Game Boys, etc.), but a deck of cards or other small games go a long way. If your scout has earned his whittling chip, he can bring a knife, so long as he follows the rules of safety. You'll want a good flashlight, with spare batteries - or possibly a tent lantern. An LED Headlamp is a GREAT addition to camping gear.

Lastly, you'll need to take care of yourself. It's helpful to bring a small First Aid Kit and you'll want snacks and drinks.

The pack has its own well-stocked First Aid Kit, but it never hurts to bring along some antibiotic cream and a couple of band-aids. The hand sanitizing liquid is really helpful as well. Did you know boys get dirty when they go outside?

Water is usually available at the campsites, but you'll want a good water bottle to cart around. Food is dictated by what the pack has planned. If the pack is preparing the meals and drinks, then you only have to worry about snacks for in between. Snacks must be in containers that can be put in the pack trailer (if available) so as to keep animals out (no food in tents). If you are preparing your own meals, bring appropriate cooking utensils (but the pack has some). We'll have a pack garbage bag at the campsite for refuse.
Don't forget the marshmallows

That's a lot of stuff. Can I park my car next to the campsite?
In most cases, no. At Rainbow Council, you park your car in the parking lot and haul your materials back to the campsite, which may be a good walk. The coordinator for the event will be able to tell you exactly what you will need for the camping trip and what will be provided. With that in mind, pack efficiently: don't pack too many extra things. Combine bags, and pack LIGHT materials - and the kids can help. We do have a trailer for the pack, but it is already heavily loaded with the pack's cooking supplies and other materials, so we can't load everyone's tents and sleeping bags into the trailer.

As always - if you have any questions regarding camping or preparing for camping, feel free to call the Markwells at 815-439-3538 or e-mail Mr. Markwell at kelly.markwell@gmail.com.

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