Pack 153 Family Camping Guide

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Camp Purposes

Pack Policies

The Pack observes the following rules as dictated by BSA Policy or the Pack committee. The guidelines are for the safety of all participating adults and all children. Failure to comply with these rules could result in the noncomplying family leaving the Campout.

• Parent/child requirement – BSA Family Camping is for the Cub Scout and his entire family. There must be an Adult partner for each Cub Scout.
• Adults – Adult partners must be 21 years or older.
• When you arrive, notify your Group Leader. If you leave the campout at any time of day or night, please notify your Group Leader.
• Health forms – All campers, adults and youth alike, must have appropriate Health Forms filled out. For most situations, A & B health forms are appropriate. Download here
• Permission slips – all youth (under 18) are required to have a permission slip from their parents or legal guardians for non-Council events
• All permission slips and health forms should be turned in to the Den Leader no later than seven (7) days prior to the campout.
• Health information – The Pack leader must be made aware of all medical conditions for all campers including all adults and all youth.
• Youth sleep in family tents or tents with other Cub Scouts – As per the “Youth Protection” BSA Policy, you may only sleep in a tent with your own Cub Scout. The scouts may share tents based on gender. No coed tents except family tents.
• Bathrooms – BSA Policy requires adults and Cubs not to share the restroom facilities at the same time. You must follow 2-deep adult leadership rules.
• Tent camping – Tents are used on all campouts. No RV’s, trailers, vans, etc. are allowed.
• Fuels – BSA prohibits any Scout from handling liquid fuels or gas fuels. Adults that own such fuels may use them if permitted by the camping facility.
• Use fire rings – If campfires are allowed, they may only be used in designated fire areas. Scouts prefer using a previous fire ring to reduce impact to nature.
• No open flames – Fires, gas lanterns, etc. may not be used inside your tent at any time.
• No weapons – Firearms, archery equipment, gas nor air filled BB or pellet guns, slingshots, etc. are strictly forbidden on the Campout.
• Knife handling – No Cub Scouts (nor other child under 18 at the campout) may be allowed to carry a knife unless they have earned and carry their Whittling Chip card. All knives are to be handled in a manner consistent with the Whittling Chip requirements.
• No sandals – Closed toes shoes and socks are required for all campers including adults.

Pack 153 Family Camping

• No alcohol or controlled substances -Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited on campouts. You will be asked to leave the Campout if discovered with any of these.
• No smoking- Per BSA Policy, adults must not smoke within the camping area nor view of any youth.
• No pets – Pets are forbidden on campouts except service animals with certification.
• No electronics: TV’s, and electronic games of any kind are not permitted on campouts. The only permissible uses of electronics are for safety or camp skills learning purposes (e.g. cell phones, emergency radios, GPS units).
• No running – No running except when authorized by Camp Staff for a specific game.
• Pack trash out – Each Unit is responsible for its own trash. You should take all trash home with you. We encourage you to use the campsite’s trashcan
• Cleaning up the campsite. Take only pictures and leave only footsteps
• Pack Family Camping Suggestions of items to pack:

Each Person _Sleeping bag, pillow _Hat _Extra Socks _Fork, knife, spoon, plate, cup _Pajamas or sleepwear _Jacket, gloves, and warm cap _Durable, closed toed shoes _Canteen or water bottle _Toiletries _Appropriate Cub Scout Book _Cub Scout/Cub Scout leader uniform _Flashlight – with extra batteries _Tent Sleeping pad (for comfort – foam, cot, etc.) _Healthy snack _Prescription Medicine

Each Family _Tent _Rubber mallet & rope/string _Ground cloth or tarp _Clothes _Camp chair(s) _Bug spray _Sun screen _Cooler _Dish cleaning items _Wet Wipes _Powder _Toilet paper _Cookware “if needed”, _Food for camp _Trash bags

Family Camping Helpful Hints

• Water! Water! Water! Keep the Scouts hydrated – adults, too
• Keep the Scouts busy at all times Don’t allow them to run wild
• Always have an adult assigned to be in charge
• Have a plan “B” for activities if the weather is bad
• Pack children’s clothes in a bundle ready for the day – socks, underwear, shirt, pants – altogether. Wrap elastic around the clothes to keep them together. Pack them in water proof Ziploc bags, from there into backpacks.
• Let each child have their own bag for their clothes (backpacks are great; they get use to carrying them prior to crossing over to boy scouts). They can pull out a bundle of clothes easily by themselves.
• The first ingredient of a successful outing is a good plan. Consideration should be made of times, destination, activities, personal equipment. Make a checklist of items your camping includes, and then check it each time you leave home. Nobody is enough of an expert to think of everything. Among items most often forgotten: flashlight, batteries, water bottle.