So why did your son want to join Scouting? He wanted to do out-of-door stuff, hike, camp, and explore the out-of-doors. One of the easiest ways to let our scouts enjoy the outdoors and teach them about the world outside of our homes is to go on a hike through one of the many places in our local area.  We can educate the boys about the world around them and also reinforce the Cub Scout principals along the trail.

We hold a hike every other month of the year. We will hike in all weather as safety allows. We have many opportunities in the local area to hike and a full schedule of hikes for the year will be put out so pack members can plan for the hikes. 

We will have two deep leadership, which means that at no time will there be less than two leaders or adults with the scouts at any time. We will also practice the buddy system, as well as, leave no trace.  The miles for this and all other hikes will be logged and count towards the mileage patches and walking stick that will be awarded for accrued miles.

After the first hike the Scouts will receive a hiking club segment in place of the 5 mile rocker. After 5 miles they will receive a miles hiked round patch. As miles are accrued, segments for 10, 20, 30 & 40 miles will be awarded to go around the miles hiked round patch. After 50 miles, the Scout will earn his 50 Miler Award as well as his very own walking stick. Adults who accrue 50 miles can also earn their own walking stick. Hiking miles will be logged in Scoutbook and can ONLY be accumulated through Pack events, NOT hikes done at home. For example, if the Scouts march in the 4th of July Parade, that's a Pack event which counts towards miles.

Check the event calendar for upcoming hikes.

Buddy System

 

Leave No Trace

Ø Know Before You Go (Plan ahead)

Ø Choose The Right Path (Stick to the trails)
Ø Trash Your Trash
Ø Leave What You Find
Ø Be Careful With Fire

Ø Respect Wildlife

Ø Be Kind To Other Visitors
 

Remember Compass Points

Ø Never Eat Soggy Waffles -- North East South West

Ø Sun Rises East, Sets West

 

Trail Rules

Ø Hike on right, pass on left

Ø Respect Nature’s peacefulness

Ø Stay with group-never wonder off

Ø Watch for cyclists

Ø Don’t startle horses

Ø Stay off ski tracks

 

If you get lost

Ø Stay calm and put

Ø Hug a tree

Ø Blow your trail whistle

 

Provisions

Ø Plenty of Snacks – they say an army travels on its stomach, so do Scouts!

Ø Plenty of Water – a lot of Scouts (and adults) aren’t used to drinking enough water. Keep an eye that everyone is carrying plenty of water and drinking it.

 

 

What to wear 

o Class B Uniform (Pack Tee)

o Dress for weather conditions

            Fall/Winter-cold (ears/hands/feet)

            Spring/Summer-sun

            Winter-(insulated/waterproof)

            Spring-(mid weight/waterproof)

            Summer-(light weight/waterproof)

            Fall-(mid weight/waterproof)

o Dress in layers (hooded sweatshirt)

o Gloves

o Coat (down filled best for winter)

o Hat (stocking cap best for winter)

o Comfortable shoes or boots

o Extra pair of socks

            (wool best for winter)

o Extra hat, pair of gloves

 

What to bring

o Trail pack or small backpack

      (tagged-name/home phone #)

o Trail whistle

o Compass

o Cell Phone (parents)

o Camera/Binoculars (optional)

o Sunglasses

o Sunscreen

o Kleenex

o Small notepad and pen

o Small first-aid kit

o Plenty of water (1-2 Qts.)

o Lunch on 5+ mile hikes

o Wet Ones/Purell

o Grocery plastic bag

o Insect Repellent

o Flashlight w/ extra batteries
o Snack

 

Note on winter hikes; assuming there’s snow, your scouts will have a great time, but they will get into the snow. You should plan for that to happen. Have spare gloves, hats and socks along (remember the Scout Motto: Be Prepared).