Are you ready for your first Cub Scout Campout? Never been camping before? No worries. The veteran families in the Pack will be happy to help you out and pass along the knowledge they have gained from previous campouts, trial and error, and the families that came before them. Check out the links below for first time campers.
Never been camping? Click Image above!
Why Camp?
Parents who aren’t big on the outdoors often ask “Do we have to do this? Is it mandatory?” Well, in some cases, yes, camping is mandatory for some scout ranks. But there are a lot of reasons to give it a try, and the earlier you start with your scout, the more comfortable they will be with camping. Check out this article on the benefits of camping. (And don’t let them bring the electronics!)
If your scout is older and wants to go to district summer or winter camps, there’s a lot of good reasons for this time away from home as well.
What do we need?
Every Scout should have the Cub Scout Six Essentials.
Scouting Magazine has an excellent post with tips for first time campers.
Is there a list somewhere? Why yes, there are! Several actually, depending on where you’re going and in what kind of weather.
But here’s a good one to get you started.
At the minimum, you will need a tent, sleeping bags, a daypack, food and drinks, any medical or dietary needs, bug spray, sun protection, water bottles or canteens, flashlights and headlamps, toiletries, changes of clothes, rain protection, trash bags, folding camp chairs, and any weather related items.
There will be no cabins or structures in which to sleep. Every family should provide their own tent. I suggest making sure whatever tent you purchase you make sure that you opt for options with an optional weather/rain cover included, even on warm nights, this helps keep the dew out of your tent. Please also bring a tarp to put under the tent (ground moisture seeps up), the tarp should not extend beyond the footprint of your tent (otherwise it collects water which could seep into your tent). You may want to also bring a mallet to help knock tent pegs into the dirt.
If you’re just getting started camping, a simple Walmart tent is a good choice.
If you need a CPAP machine to sleep with, or some other power needs, a small portable power station often comes in handy. Few of the campsites at Avondale have electricity, so if you require power, consider a Jackery or Bluetti station.
Everyone who goes on the campout should complete BSA Forms A&B. If the Campout will be longer than 72 hours, Form C is needed, but Cub Scouts rarely go beyond 48 hours. The forms are kept for a year and are renewed each year.
Where are we going?
For the Scouts of Pack 136, we typically camp at the Avondale Scout Reservation, at the Camp McGee site. Check out the maps of the site.
What are we doing?
Each Cub Scout rank has a requirement that must be done outdoors. A campout is a great time to get these things done! There is also a wide array of outdoor crafts, games and activities that scouts can do, some of them that help build scout skills like knot tying and navigating.
| Scout Rank | Requirement |
| Lion (K) | Let’s Camp – Lions Mountain Lion |
| Tiger( 1st Grade) | Let’s Camp – Tigers Tigers in the Wild |
| Wolf (2nd Grade) | Let’s Camp – Wolves Paws on Path |
| Bear (3rd Grade) | Let’s Camp – Bears Bear Habitat |
| Webelos I (4th Grade) | Let’s Camp – Webelos Webelos Walkabout |
| Arrow of Light (5th Grade) | Outdoor Adventurer |
Some Fun Activities for Campouts
Japanese Style friendship bracelets
Make an Outdoor Safety Necklace
Try making a Pioneering Project from sticks and rope!
Make a shelter from a tarp and rope!
Construct a Baden-Powell Scout Stave walking stick
Or make one a little more simple
Safety
Keeping the kids safe is our priority, and everyone has to pitch in! Remember, on Scout events and campouts, there is no alcohol, drugs (unless prescribed), smoking or vaping, or abusive language or behavior. Anyone who violates these requirements will be asked to leave. The Ranger at the site is the final authority on the property.
In the meantime, check out these important links:
Cub Scout Approved Activities by Rank
Every family should have a good First Aid Kit!
Every Scout should have a good personal First Aid Kit
Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting once said “A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.” He also said “We are not a club or a Sunday school. We are not a club or a Sunday school class, but a school of the woods.” Camping is a great way to unplug, spend time as a family, and learn some useful skills. See you on the trail!
Cub Scout Pack 136 
