There are just some things that boys look forward to in Cub Scouts. There's BB Guns, Pinewood Derbies, and swim days... and then there's camping! Boys love camping... I mean LOVE camping! I MEAN THEY LOVE CAMPING!!! Open skies, campfires, hikes, songs, games, learning new things, sleeping bags, tents, skits, camp food & SMORES!

Even if you are a camping novice (who hasn't been?) or are "camping-shy" right now, do it for your boy – he’ll love you for it!

Camping is usually one of the brightest highlights of a Cub Scout year. Campouts are always fun occasions and the kids have a blast. We do fair weather, easy camping with cars not far from the tents. We try for great camp food, fun locations, and engaging events with an all around fun experience for everyone.

Your leadership has been trained to provide you and your family with training to not only stay safe, but to also help build everlasting memories. However, some tips to help you with your next trip into the woods -

Camping dos:

• Always watch out for your son and know where he is at all times. Enforce the Buddy System always (make sure your son is with a buddy – and knows he is - if he is not physically right there with you. They will need constant reminding).
• Do a trial set-up your tent before you get on the camping trip. Make sure it is complete and you know how to put it up. If you are familiar with its set-up pitch it anyway to inspect it for holes, mildew, mold, and other possible problems that might need to be addressed before the camp.
• While your tent is up for inspection, spray it with quality water repellant to help keep you dry. Remember to allow the repellant to fully dry before packing away your tent.
• Plan on it getting colder than you think. Sleeping bags have a temperature rating, which is usually on the tag. Some simply list the fill, such as 2lb or 3lb of fill. At night, temperatures in the 60's can be pretty chilly and the 50's can be uncomfortable if you're not prepared. A sleeping bag rated for 50-70F means that the minimum that the sleeping bag can keep you “comfortable” is 50F. However, that does not mean that you have to run out and buy a new bag just because of the rating. You can increase the rating by doing simple things such as: Wear a beanie to keep your head warm, wearing a light jacket as an added layer, thermal underwear, wrapping your sleeping bag in a blanket and/or using a sleeping bag liner.
• Always bring rain gear (Cub Scout camping is usually fair-weather camping but better safe than sorry)
• Always have a change of clothes to wear to sleep in. This is mainly to stop you getting cold due to moisture in the fabric and also in case you have come into contact with poison ivy.
• Always have a tarp to put under your tent. Make sure none of it sticks-out from the bottom of the tent or it will collect rain and make the inside of your tent wet.
• Get your son to do as much of the work in camping as possible (help putting up the tent, carrying stuff, etc).
• Store food, candy, toothpaste in your car NOT your tent.
• Air-out your tent, tarp, and sleeping bags as soon as you return home to allow condensation to dry-out (otherwise you get a musty smell that’s hard to get rid of).
• Store your sleeping bag loose when you get home, not in its stuff-sack, or it will lose loft (loft gives it warmth).

Camping don’ts:

• Never sleep in a tent with a child who is not your own. – BSA rules
• No alcohol anywhere, anyhow, anytime. – BSA rules
• No smoking in sight of Cub Scouts. – BSA rules
• Never leave candy/chips or candy/chip wrappers or food of any kind in your tent or in clothes in your tent. Animals can smell it. Always store all such “smellables” in your closed car. This includes toothpaste, open Gatorade and other soda cans, etc. If in doubt leave it in your car.

• Cub Scouts should not have knives in Tiger and Wolf ranks. Bears and higher ranks can only bring pocket knives if they have completed the “Whittling Chip” pocket knife achievement and if they also bring their Whittlin’ Chip card or badge. No knives with a blade longer than the width of a child’s palm. – BSA rules.

• Avoid 100% cotton clothing. Cotton stays damp and makes you feel cold.
• Leave behind Nintendo DSs, iPods, or other electronics / game systems. This is the boys’ opportunity to get away from all that. Besides, they could get damaged or lost.

• No precious toys/ jewelry – could get damaged or lost.

Click for details of Whittling Chip - Knife Safety for Cub Scouts

Camping equipment list (for you and your son)

• Tent (the Pack owns 3, 7'x7' man Pack tents to be loaned on a first-come-first-served basis to people who don’t have a tent. If loaned the tent must be cleaned and aired-out after the campout and returned complete).
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad / mattress
• Pillow
• Night clothes
• Rain Gear
• Personal medication
• Mess kit – cup, plate, bowl, spoon, fork, knife (or “spork”).
• Long pants
• Fleece or other warm top
• Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes.
• Change of clothes – in case of water or food accident…
• Sun Screen, hat
• Bug spray (optional)
• Wet wipes for quick hand cleaning.
• Water bottle filled with water at home. There will be water at the site but most people prefer at least to start on home water.
• Toiletries – toothpaste, toothbrush, soap and towel. We are never away long enough to worry about showers.
• Camp chair per person
• Trash bag
• Flash lights (Preferably head lamps – less likely to get lost)

Pack 371's Weather Policy-

We will not camp if there is rain, ice, high winds, thunder, lightning, unsafe conditions. On every camp trip leadership will provide a weather forecast the week before the event. Parents will have the option of voting on whether they wish to proceed so long as the weather isn't dangerous. If, 24 hours prior to the event's start time, there is the likelihood of severe weather the Event Leader will notify all campers that the event has been postponed or canceled.

First Aid Kit

Be prepared! Outdoor enthusiasts should always carry either a prepackaged first-aid kit or a DIY kit .

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Basic Care: Prepackaged first-aid kits available at REI typically contain many of the following items:

·         Antiseptic wipes (BZK-based wipes preferred; alcohol-based OK)

·         Antibacterial ointment (e.g., bacitracin)

·         Compound tincture of benzoin (bandage adhesive)

·         Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric preferred)

·         Butterfly bandages/adhesive wound-closure strips

·         Gauze pads (various sizes)

·         Nonstick sterile pads

·         Medical adhesive tape (10-yd. roll, min. 1" width)

·         Blister treatment (e.g., Moleskin, 2nd Skin, Glacier Gel)

·         Ibuprofen/other pain-relief medication

·         Insect-sting relief treatment (e.g., AfterBite)

·         Antihistamine to treat allergic reactions

·         Splinter (fine-point) tweezers

·         Safety pins

·         First-aid manual or information cards

Comprehensive Care: Carry all of the basic items listed above; add items below based on anticipated needs.

Water

You should carry a minimum of one (1) gallon of water, per person, per day, with you for drinking.