Camping FAQ

Bring whatever you think you need to be comfortable! Here's a recommended basic packing list to get you started:

• A Tent (any tent will do; if the camp is at a Scout camp, such as Camp James Ray, Camp Wisdom, or Trevor Reese-Jones, there are wooden pallets you can [optionally] put your tent on... if you choose to use one, the pallets are 10 feet by 8 feet, and usually have a metal frame 5-7 feet high)

  • Don't forget stakes! (Or a hammer, but you can usually borrow a hammer from another camper)

• A Tarp (optional, but recommended, to put under your tent, to protect the floor from rocks/sticks, and help keep dirt, bugs, and cold away from your tent floor)

• Sleeping Bag(s)

• Sleeping Pad(s), Mattress(es), or Cot(s) (optional, but recommended, especially for the comfort of us old folks)

• Pillow(s)

• Camp Chair(s) (make the campfires a lot more comfortable)

• Flashlight(s)/Headlamp(s) (this is real camping - it gets dark in the woods!)

• Pack T-Shirt(s) (not required, but especially for larger events with other packs it's great to show pride for our unit)

• Class A Uniform (Blue/Tan Scout Shirt, Hat, Neckerchief, etc...) (also not -required-, but we usually dress in official uniform for flag ceremonies)

• Water Bottle(s)

• Backpack for/with Cub Scout 6 Essentials - Your scout will learn these if they haven't already, but they include:

  • Water, Snack, Sunscreen, Whistle, Flashlight, First Aid Kit

• Appropriate Clothing (check the weather for high or low temps and forecasted rain or snow)

  • It can never hurt to have a couple extra changes of clothes, just in case - you'd be surprised how well Cub Scouts are at finding dirt, water, mud, etc...

• Toiletries (Toilet paper, hygeine stuffs, wet wipes, etc...)

  • Showers are normally available at most places we camp, but to be brutally honest, most Cub Scouts don't bother... Cub campouts are only 1-2 nights.

• Medication(s)

• Sunscreen and Insect Repellant

• Mess Kit(s) (these can be fancy campsite kits, or just a plate, cup, and a spork)

• BSA Medical Form parts A and B (if we don't already have yours on file - feel free to ask/confirm)

• Any extra drinks, snacks, gadgets, portable batteries/chargers, etc...

• Some additional equipment we recommend if you happen to have it on hand (these comes from years of "I wish I would have brought..."):

  • For locations with lakes, fishing gear (be sure to check license requirements - KIDS under 17 don't need one in Texas, but you do!)

  • For summer Resident Camps, and some other specific events (you'll get a heads up), a swimsuit and towel

  • During warmer months, a battery-powered fan (Dewalt, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Rigid, Flex all make one)

  • CPAP if needed (be sure to talk to a leader about the availability of power at the campsite if you requrie a CPAP)

  • Hiking stick(s)

  • A laundry bag

  • A fly swatter (or something else to kill that one mosquito that will somehow make it into your tent and drive you nuts for the next 36 hours)

If you need any help with gear (need to borrow a tent or other gear, advice on what gear to choose or where to get gear, etc...) please let a leader know! We've got a few extra tents we try to have handy, and often leaders or other families may have extra tents or gear suggestions. The goal is for Scouts (and adults) to have fun; not to make them miserable if they forget (or don't have access to) something.

Most Cub Scout campouts are 2 nights. The Scouts will arrive at the camp Friday evening, usually already fed (there's not usually food provided Friday evening), and spend the evening setting up tents and socializing.

Saturday's schedule is normally dictated by the type of event: Den Campouts, Pack Campouts, or District/Council Events.

• Den Campouts: Webelos and AOL Scouts are the only ones allowed to camp as a den. These camps are only for members of those dens and their parents/guardians. At these, the focus is normally on learning the Patrol method and rank advancement, with some fun and games thrown in.

• Pack Campouts are events we plan as a pack, just for Pack 6 scouts, family, and friends. At these events, Saturdays normally consist of a few organized activities, some delicious food, and a lot of time for Scouts to have fun exploring, playing, and socializing among themselves. Often there will also be some time for dens to get together and do advancement-related activities. Saturdays usually wrap up with a campfire, often with s'mores and/or marshmallows.

• District and Council Events are organized by, you guessed it, Districts and Councils. They contain many (often hundreds of) scouts, from many different Cub Scout packs in the area. These events are usually much more organized, with most of the Saturday full of fun scheduled activities. There is usually some free time thrown in as well. These events can be a lot of fun for the Scouts, because they often contain activities that can't easily be done at smaller events, such as swimming, horseback riding, BB guns, Archery, and large group games. Saturday night campfires at these events are normally much larger and include both the Scouts and leaders peforming skits, songs, jokes, and ceremonies.

All of these events normally wrap up Sunday morning with the Scouts waking around 7-8am, packing up their camp, cleaning their campsites, and headed home.

Usually... YES! As mentioned above, camping is one of the most fun things Scouts get to do, and campouts are GREAT recruiting events! If your child wants to invite a friend or sibling to come to a campout, they are certainly welcome! There are a few caveats to be aware of, though:

• Their friends (or cub-scout-aged siblings) can't be in scouts for free ;). They're welcome to join us for an event or two, but they can't continue to come to events over and over without being registered. If they want to attend multiple events, have them talk to one of the pack's leaders, or have them click the JOIN button at the bottom of this page!

• We must have a Medical form (part A and B) for the friend or sibling - this is for insurance and safety purposes. If something were to happen, it's important the leaders on site know any allergies, contacts, and medical concerns.

• Check with a leader in advance to ensure the friend or sibling is allowed to participate. There are -some- events where friends and siblings are not allowed and all participants must be registered members of Scouting America. These are usually some of the larger council/district events.

• Friends and siblings must abide by the tenting restrictions (below). Specifically, youth may not tent with adults they aren't related to, and unrelated youth tenting together must be the same sex and no more than two years apart in age.

• Perhaps best of all, if your Cub Scout brings a friend to a scouting event, they can earn a special Recruiter Award for their uniform!

For the safety of your Scout(s), Scouting America is VERY STRICT and CLEAR on who can share a tent.

• Cub Scouts MAY share a tent with a Parent(s), Legal Guardian(s), or Sibling(s).

• Cub Scouts MAY NOT, under any circumstances, share a tent with any adult who is not a Parent or Legal Guardian.

• Cub Scouts MAY sleep in a tent by themselves, or with other Cub Scouts, IF:

  • Cub Scouts sharing a tent must be the same sex (a male cub scout cannot tent with a female cub scout)

  • Cub Scouts sharing a tent must be no more than 2 years apart in age (a cub scout who just turned 8 cannot tent with a cub scout who is about to turn 11)

No problem! Most of our camping expiditions are two nights; we generally meet up at the location on Friday evening (usually around 6-ish, already fed), set up camp, have a fun Saturday full of activities, perhaps a campfire, and then pack up and head home Sunday morning (usually around 9-ish).

Feel free to attend as much of the event as you're able! You can arrive late on Friday (just let a leader know), skip Friday and come for the fun on Saturday, only camp one or two nights, or just come for Saturday, leave in the evening, and not camp at all! We only ask that you let a leader know your plans so we can properly account for the scouts that will be on-site at any given time. This is important for insurance and safety reasons.

Cub Scouting is a family program. If possible, please make sure your Scout has a parent or guardian present. The actual -requirement- is based on your Cub Scout's rank:

• Lions and Tigers are REQUIRED to have their Adult Partner (Parent or Legal Guardian) present at all Cub Scouting events. This is a Scouting America requirement.

• For all other ranks, if needed, you can try to work with another parent (or at least two registered leaders) to take responsibility for your Scout for the campout. If another parent will be in charge of your scout, please let a leader know. Also, keep in mind (important especially for younger scouts) the tenting rules described above.

• For Webelos and Arrow of Light den-level campouts, each Scout should attend with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). A Webelos or Arrow of Light Scout whose parent or legal guardian cannot attend a Webelos den or Arrow of Light patrol overnight camping trip may participate under the supervision of at least two registered leaders. The leaders and a parent or legal guardian must agree to the arrangement, and all Youth Protection policies apply.

Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and Bears may NOT camp on thier own as a Den. A scouting overnighter must be organized as a Pack, District, or Council level event.

Webelos and Arrow of Light dens MAY organize a den-level camping event, just for their den(s). All cub scout camping rules still apply:

• Anyone sleeping in the same tent MUST be:

  • Immediate family OR

  • Same gender AND within two years of age

• Cub Scouts can not camp more than 2 consecutive nights.

• The camp site must be a council-approved camping location. Contact a pack, district, or council leader for the approved list. All approved sites have been vetted using the camp site approval form, which can be viewed here.

• There MUST be at least two leaders present for the entire event. If there is a female cub scout present, at least one of those leaders must be female.

• There MUST be at least one BALOO-trained leader present for the entire event.