A list of Council Approved Locations for pack camping is available from your DE or the Sunset Trail Cub Outdoor Chairman. New locations can be submitted for approval on Park Approval Form #13-508 that you can download HERE. Fill it out completely and give it to your Commissioner, the DE or the CS Outdoor Chairman.

You have probably got more sense than to pitch camp over a rabbit warren or on top of an ants’ nest or mole hill- but wherever you camp there's bound to be plenty going on under your tent….
Putting up tents can be a very noisy business and no matter how careful you are, you are bound to disturb the local wildlife. As you put down your ground sheet you will flatten the grass and disturb all sorts of small creatures. Many will move away but as warmth slowly builds up under the canvass, many more will be attracted to the site and activity will increase.
(1) Lesser Shrew. The Pygmy or Lesser shrew is the most common of five British species. You may see one scurrying along beside your tent at any time of the day or night. Shrews nest in underground burrows and feed on earthworms, wood lice, beetles and spiders.
(2) Common Vole. Keep your eyes open and you may see one of these little mouse like creatures as it moves around looking for berries and insects. Voles live in underground nests lined with grass and straw and are active by day and night.
(3) Worm. There can be millions of worms in a field and they are very important as they mix up the soil and let the earth breathe. Worms can be up to 30 cm long and they feed on leaves and decaying vegetable matter.
(4) Common Earwig. The common earwig has wings but rarely flies. It eats small, usually dead insects as well as leaves and fruit. Earwigs are active both day and night and will often be attracted by the warmth of a tent.
(5) Wood louse. Wood lice live mostly in damp and shady places, under stones and logs. They are active only at night and, liking dark and damp, they will often crawl under a tent where the temperature and humidity are just right.
(6) Two Pronged Bristletail. This harmless little insect lives in the soil, is wingless and feeds on decaying matter.
(7) Millipede. Millipedes eat dead leaves and decaying material. They are about 25 mm long and are easily recognized, despite their size, as they have two pairs of legs on each body segment.
(8) Centipede. Centipedes are fast moving, eating mites and small insects. Their flattened bodies help them to move quickly through loose soil, grass and leaf litter.
(9) Black Ant. The black ant is one of over thirty species in Britain, most of them living underground in nests.
(10) Yellow Meadow Ant. The yellow meadow ant makes small mounds or anthills. The mounds are built to catch the sun's rays and to provide a breeding site.
(11) Red Ant. The red ant nests under stones and in rotting wood. The three species of ant mentioned here are all known as dairying ants because they 'farm' aphids. Aphids, of which the best known are greenfly, are small and soft skinned. They congregate in large numbers on plants to suck up the juices. The ants 'farm' them to drink their 'honeydew', a sweet substance which the aphids excrete.
(12) Violet Ground Beetle. Often found under large stones, they eat other insects and worms.

(13) Green Tiger Beetle. This fierce, sharp jawed predator is often seen in early summer. The larva pupates in a burrow and catches ants and other small creatures when they come close.

• Pack children's clothes in a bundle ready for the day - socks, underwear, shirt, pants - altogether. Wrap an elastic around the clothes to keep them together.
• Let each child have their own bag for their clothes (a plastic garbage bag is good). They can pull out a bundle of clothes easily by themselves.
• Use as much 'disposable' as you can: plates, cups, utensils. This helps mother have a little vacation.
• Don't have a lot of money to get started? Look around your home, use what you have: Example, make bed rolls for sleeping bags.
• Have a "practice" camp out in your back yard. If you've forgotten something on your check list you can run to the house for it. Also, you'll see how your children will do.
• The first ingredient of a successful outing is a good plan. Consideration should be made of time, destination, activities, food, personal equipment and organizing group tasks.
• Take along an onion bag to hang your pots in after washing. It keeps them clean and up out of the way.
• Take cheeses, crackers, jerky, fruit (dried), candy bars, etc. for lunches instead of stopping to cook a full meal.
• Make a checklist of items your camping mode includes, then check it each time you leave home. Nobody is enough of an expert to think of everything. Among items most often forgotten: salt, matches, tool kit, flashlight, batteries, mantles, ample rope and cord.
• Use big plastic lawn bags for camp garbage. Anchor with a rock and/or tie one corner to a tree. Smokey Bear will love you!
• A small "toy" broom is perfect for camp use. Roll it up in the tent or tuck in a corner closet of the camper. It is small enough to get into tight corners.
• If you're Cooking over am open fire, coat the bottom of your pans with soap ahead of time, for ease in removing soot. This is an oldie but it really works.
• A small police type whistle can carry a long distance in the outdoors Buy one for each member of your camping group - with strict instructions to blow it only if lost or in an emergency. Great for small kids.
• Use empty plastic pill bottle (remove the labels) for matches, toothpicks, lantern mantles - or any other small item that might get lost or broken. These snap top bottles can really take rough going. Film canisters (35 mm) work well too - but they aren't see-through.
• Often the last thing you do before you leave camp site is wash up dishes and clean up gear. Use the dish water to make doubly sure the fire is out. Pour and stir.
• Nylon net makes a tough, fast drying dish cloth for camp work. A square doubles as a strainer, too.
• To make sure an easy hand washing station for camp, hang a large plastic jug from a tree, punch a hole in the side (just above the bottom) and whittle a wooden plug to fit. Attach the plug with a string, so it won't get lost, fill the jug with water and let it warm in the sunshine. Keep at the right height for small fry, hang a towel next to the jug and see how clean everybody stays.
• You can make a camp hotter heater by filling a square tin five gallon can with water, then setting it close to the fire. Add cold water occasionally to replace the warn to hot that you take out.
• Add half gallon milk cartons or plastic Clorox jugs filled with water and frozen as good ways to keep your ice chest cool but dry.
• A child's collapsible wading pool makes a neat camping bathtub. Set it up inside the tent (or out in the clearing if you're camped in the boonies), fill with water and let solar energy heat it for you.
• Dining flies are easy to set up and provide shade and rain protection for less than $30.00. They'll make life easier for tenters, camp owners, even motor home types.
• Tie or use a large safety pin - a sock to the tent opening and put in a small flashlight. If somebody has to get up in the night, the light will be easy to find (and put back). A magnetic flashlight at the door of the camper will serve the same purpose.

WHEN MY PACK GOES CAMPING

We almost always have a fishing derby.  We also play sports, like volleyball, ultimate, etc.  Some other activities could be a nature hike, boating (canoeing or rowboats), swimming, and for night time, astronomy.

For that many people, you can always serve the old reliables:  hot dogs and hamburgers.  To be honest, we usually have each family prepare their own meals.  On our next campout (in May), the 2 Bear Dens are planning to organize our meals, so we will be cooking together.

Nancy, Den Leader, Pack 97, Tidewater Council -   REC

My Own Idiots' Guide to Camping
Tony Shipley I relearned a lot of harsh lessons when I got back into Scouting.  I used to be a Boy Scout ages ago but I probably forgot more than I knew.  This is my short quick and ugly letter to our parents on what they need, why, and how to use it if they've never been camping.  Now mind you, this list isn't for the "Marathon Everything Fits on My Back and I'm Ready to Go Wrestle Grizzlies" kind of camping.  Its for parents and their kids for a week or less in somewhere somewhat domesticated.

1.  Tent:
DON'Ts - Don't get the megabuck humongous tent with...ahem... aluminum poles.  First off you need an associates degree in engineering to put one up. Second it takes you around 30 minutes to set it up IF you can figure out how to do so.  This is however an excellent tent for you if you:

A.  Like to get mad &
B.  Know lots of colorful expletives.

DO's - I recommend an 8x8 Dome Tent.  God bless them people that came up with nylon shock cords and graphite rods.  In looking for a dome tent I'd suggest a 2 pole tent, square.  A 3 pole hexagon tent isn't better, just a bigger hassle to put up.  For example I donated my boys tent to someone in the pack that didn't have one, and got our kids a new one.  Its an Ozark Trail tent, 8x8.  Huge vents, big door, huge rain fly.  Takes 60 seconds to set up if you have your act together.

Tips:
a.  Set up the tent in your yard so you know how it goes up.  And also so you can waterproof the rain fly.  Ripstop nylon won't leak except under 2 conditions in a rainstorm.

1. the nylon walls will act as a wick and suck water through them onto ANYTHING touching the walls inside.  Don't touch the walls inside your tent during the rain.
2. the seams on the rain fly have itty bitty holes made by the needle that poked the thread through to sew them.  Your tent may come with a tube of sealant; use it to seal the seams.  If not you can get it at KMart, etc...
3. if your tent got wet make sure you let it dry before you roll it up.  If for some reason you can't then set it up as soon as you get home.  Mildew is a pain to clean up after.

b:  Don't put your tent in the following places.

1. a slope.  I've figured out through careful scientific study that the coefficient of friction between a nylon sleeping bag, and the floor or ground sheet insufficient to keep you from sliding downhill.  Without a semi level base you'll soon find yourself scrunched up against a tent wall, your kids, your wife, or if your door is open....outside somewhere.
2. in a hollow....if it rains the hollow will fill up.  I have yet to find a tent that floats.

2. Sleeping Bag and cushion:
That's really up to you and it really depends if you are camping here in Texas or in Glacier National Park.  Get something warm, reliable, comfy.  You only need to seriously consider weight and type in a sleeping bag when going on a hiking trip.  Now as for cushioning, if its just me with the kids I take her bag along and use it as my cushion.  Its also handy if it gets REAL cold. I have a spare.  I'm trying out a swimming pool inflatable this weekend though.  Your local stores have lots of cushions, cots, etc. to choose from.  It basically boils down to how comfy you need to be and how much stuff you want to tote around.
 

3. I take 3 coolers with me:

• 1. Cold drinks & cold food.
• 2. Dry goods...bread, etc. - you get the picture.
• 3. Luxury items that may become a necessity quicker than you can say "Oh Crap!"  These are the following
• Shovel.  For putting out and covering up a campfire.  Leave no trace/minimal impact to your site.  A mound of dirt is more gentle on the eyes than a pile of carbonized tree parts. Also you might not have a toilet and   bidet handy so a hole in the ground works just peachy.  Cat holes should be dug 100 ft or so from any  water, people, etc. - and covered up.
• Flashlight - for finding your way in the dark to go dig that cat hole or just to find the latrine.  It gets dark in  them woods, and as my wife pointed out.  Can pinpoint those spiders in the latrine you don't want to sit on.
• Lantern -w- extra mantles and propane.  Or, if you don't mind the cost of batteries an electric lamp may be in order with extra batteries.
• Rope - Lots of uses.  I'm sure you'll think of one and be glad you brought some.
• A hefty bag.  Take your trash out please.
• Hatchet - self explanatory
• Lawn Chair - Some logs have ants, lawn chairs don't unless you plant your chair on top of an ant bed.
• Raincoat/Poncho.  In the woods, an umbrella is useless unless you enjoy having it torn apart in a thicket or have an overpowering desire to be a lightning rod.
• Toilet Paper...Duh.  Don't be smart and try using leaves.  You've heard of poison ivy perhaps?
• !!!!!! Bug Spray - Those little bloodsucking vampire bugs are a major pain.  A little Deep Woods Off helps even if it does make you and your tent mate smell like something fresh from a duping factory.
• !!!!!! First Aid Kit - Self explanatory.  You hopefully won't be expected to perform brain surgery but you can deal with the basics.
• Can Opener - you ever tried to get one of those tin cans open with your teeth?
• Percolator Coffee Pot - in case you are addicted to caffeine.
• My Personal Favorite:  A book for late at night.
• Cameras - No you can't take that bear home with you but you can take a snapshot if you aren't already running from the bear.
• One other thing.  Get a Boy Scout Handbook.  Has handy stuff in it that is not in your Cub Scout's book.  Plus it has neat activities to do.  For instance I'm taking some plaster of paris to make prints of animals with.

4. Cooking:

 
    This is up to you.  Some scout camping functions will feed you.  Some won't.  I love dutch ovens even though I don't have one.  I haven't progressed that far in my purchasing list but I assure you I'll get there someday.  But - a $20 aluminum camping cook set works wonders.
Fire: Directly related to cooking.  Make sure you have Prometheus's gift in some form.  Matches, IBC lighter, flint and stone.  Something that makes flame.  Your medium of fuel is up to you.  Firewood, coals, bunsen burner, etc.  Also check if there is a fire ban in your camping area.  Dry weather and an untended campfire is an invitation for disaster and Bambi doesn't look cute fried extra crispy.

5. List:
This is a general list of stuff given with the tent I just brought.  Its big, its huge, and you probably don't need it all but its something to think about:
 

Tent	First Aid Kit	Sleeping Bags	Pocket Knife	Rope & clothes pins
Tape	Suntan Lotion	Life Preserver	Ground Sheet	Insect Repellent
Hatchet	Sewing Kit	Ax or Shovel	Toilet tissue	folding table & chairs
Broom	Lantern	fishing gear	Air Mattress	Grill & charcoal
Pail	Water Jug	Wash basin	Fire Extinguisher	waterproof tarp
matches	flashlights	Camp Stove	Storage containers	pots & pans & dishes & cups
mirror	map	fire starter	Aluminum Foil	Stuff to handle food with and eat with
detergent	pot holders	paper towels	Water Container	garbage bags
Cooler	rain coat	Hammer  (contrary to popular belief the flat end of the hatchet is not meant  for using as a hammer.  You might cleave your face in 2 that way.)

Hope this helps.  Its not everything but its a good start.
CT-Tony Shipley, ACM Pack 51, Port Neches, TX

CAMP ACTIVITIES

If you camp at a State or Federal park, you may be able to take advantage of the programs there. However, you should plan a variety of activities that will appeal to all ages that attend and remember to set aside some time for people to just relax and have fun.

Hikes

How about an exploration hike so everyone learns the territory. Check to see if there are some local specialties that might appeal to your pack members. Click HERE for different kinds of hikes and also consider night hikes or before breakfast hikes for something different.

Games:

You will want to have a variety that suit kids of all ages as well as the adults. The old reliables like tug-of-wars, softball, and volleyball are always favorites. Or try some of the outdoor fun activities from our game page:
TIN CAN STILT RACE: Making the stilts is a Wolf Elective.
STEAL THE BACON: An active game for older boys.
THE FLYING DOUGHNUT: For those with lots of excess energy
SCAVENGER HUNT: Great for Family or Den teams.
THE STICK GAME: Any number can play, but you'll will need a stick for each one.
T-SHIRT RELAY:  Fun even for younger kids.
"HEAVE, HO, THROW!" RELAY: Life saving practice for Webelos.
TIRE ROLLING RELAY: Great fun for all.
CUP AND BOTTLE RELAY: Great for a warm afternoon - all ages.
WET GAMES: A Bunch of games involving water.
Nature Treasure Hunt: This can involve the entire pack.
THE SEARCH FOR BIG FOOT: A big team game.
TURTLE DERBY: A good one for younger guys.
SHARK: A game for large groups
SHIP TO SHORE:  Our neighbors brought this back from Ireland.

CAMPFIRES

Campfires may be large or small, formal or informal, storytelling or dramatic, mystery, Indian, stunt, songfest, or any combination of these. Host of all, the campfire program is important. It must have purpose, direction and a definite idea of what it Is trying to accomplish.

Use "Campfire Program Planner" No. 3696 as a guide in planning campfires. Decide who will do what, and how. Write down the plan, even to the song titles. Check all items in advance to be sure they are in good taste.

---

CAMPFIRE INGREDIENTS

 
 
 
 

Don't forget the Marshmellows!

Songs - Scouting, action, quiet, novelty and special occasion songs all can be used. The song leader should beat time and set the pitch before you start. The liveliest songs should occur early in the program, with the quiet songs saved until towards the end.

Stunts/Ceremonies- Campfire stunts are fun and can be action, humorous, mixer, magic, or educational. The opening ceremony sets the tone for the whole program so it must be good, and attract and hold the attention of the group. A fire lighting ceremony is part of the opening. Closing ceremonies should be quiet, inspirational and challenging. Quiet songs, such as "Taps", a benediction or prayer, Indian sign language closing, are good.

Stories - Storytelling is an art which almost anyone can acquire with practice. As long as the story holds together, the audience won't be too critical of your dramatic ability. It's the story they are interested in, not the storyteller.

The Main Event - The program needs a Climax - an event that will top off the evening and make it something to remember. This could be a Boy Scout, telling of his Jamboree experiences or tales of Philmont trails. It could be a story. It should be the high point of the evening.

Showmanship - Without showmanship, the campfire leader and all the songs, stunts and stories will fall flat. Showmanship is an indispensable ingredient that puts sparkle and life into a campfire program.

Follow the fire. When it leaps high, the program should be loud and lively. As the fire dies down, the program becomes quieter and serious.

Put the 'best' stunt last and the next best stunt first.
Vary the pace by scattering stunts by individuals in among the den stunts.
Dress up the campfire area. A tom-tom off in the distance is an excellent mood setter for an Indian program. Use ceremonial boards, candles, etc.
Crowd control is easier if you insist on silence as the group enters the campfire ring. Make sure there is sufficient light so they can find their seats.
Discipline is important. Squelch any horseplay immediately. Encourage enthusiasm, but maintain control.
Get everyone involved in songs or stunts.
Recognition should be a part of every campfire program.
Inspiration contributes to showmanship and is essential to a successful campfire.
Quiet as the embers die. Group can be asked to leave the campfire circle quietly.

Note: A pack campfire is an Impressive setting for a Webelos graduation. See "Staging Den and Pack Ceremonies".

Animatics

CAMPFIRE GAMES

Choose games that are suitable for all ages of those at you campfire.
 

• Never Ending Story It starts Once upon a time... then the next camper adds a line, and then the story is passed around and around and around.
• Charades: Players act out the syllables of a word or phrase while the others try to guess what it is. Divide the den into two teams. Write a word or phrase and give it to one team. Ask them to leave the room to plan how they will dramatize the charade. After a quick rehearsal, the team returns and presents its act. Give each member of the other team a chance to guess what is being dramatized. Suggest that the teams start with simple charades, such as "air gun," "cat tail," "football," and "fire eater." When they have had some practice, try more complex charades such as TV show titles, book titles, and particular places.
• I'm Going on a Hike Game. You start by saying "I'm going on a hike and I'm taking bread. You say something that starts with your first initial. Make sure only one or two know this is how you play. If the person takes the correct thing you say "oh, you can go." If they say something starting with the wrong letter, "Oh, you can't go." It's fun to see how long it takes everyone to figure out the secret.
• Famous Names: You have to think of a famous person (or someone everyone has heard of), both first and last name and the next person has to think of a famous person with the first name beginning with the last letter of the last name of the person mentioned before. EX. Bill Clinton, Charles Manson, Melanie Griffith etc. The idea is to get the next person stumped. You can't repeat the same name, and if someone gets a double letter name (ex. Marilyn Monroe) it switches directions - lots of fun.
• One Up One Down." The object of the game is to figure it out. Everyone sits around the fire and has a choice of three things to say; they can say "One up one down," "two up", or "two down." The way you know what to say is based on your hand/arm position. You say "one up one down" if one arm is up and the other is down, "two up" if both are above the waist, and "two down" if both are below the waist. It will take both younger campers and older campers a little while to figure out the "pattern." This game works best if only a few people know how it works. When no one gets the pattern, you can make your arm motions a little more obvious. Everyone will have a good time trying to figure out how the game works.
• I Like Coffee But I Don't Like Tea. The answer is that what you like are things that have double letters in them and the things you don't like don't. I like trees but I don't like flowers of I like butterflies but I don't like moths.

Back to GAMES

CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING:

• Wink Murder.
• Bird Beast or Fish
• Pioneer Went to Sleep

Service Projects:

• Your pack can combine the fun of a camp out with a Service Project like a tree plant or a Beach clean up. Check with the park ranger for opportunities.

Rainy Day Stuff:

• Board Games. If you have access to something like a lodge (e.g. Silver Springs State park) have each family bring a their favorite board game and set up tables to play. Monopoly is a Bear Achievement (13-F).
• Dining Flies. It's a real drag eating in the rain. Erect a tarp to cover your picnic table.
• Rain? Who Cares? If it's warm, you can have a lot of fun out in the rain. Just be sure that everyone has dry clothes to change into when you get back to camp (especially dry socks).

 

Star Watch:

• On clear moonless evenings, have a star watch. Find an older Scout or parent who is knowledgeable to lead it.

Belt Loop Extravaganza:

• Select several activities from the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program that may be new to most boys. Recruit some parents to run each one. Award the belt loops to participants at your camp fire.

Night Bug Hunt:

• As you walk along a dark trail, hold your flashlight against your forehead and shine it onto the shrubs and undergrowth several yards ahead of you. With a bit of luck, you will see the light reflected from the eyes of some of the creatures lurking there. Spiders especially are easily spotted. Don't try this after a rain because drops of water on the leaves form little lenses that reflect light.

 

LINKS

GORP: Ten Camping Commandments for Kids.
Roy's RVing: A Portable Campfire   If ground fires are not allowed.

BOOKS

• Kid's Campfire Book  Lots of good ideas for Cub Scout age campers.

Egg Carton Fire Starters:

Melt the paraffin (in a double boiler), put dryer lint or wood chips or sawdust into the egg carton cups, and then pour the paraffin over the wood, filling up the cup. Then we just rip off fire starter cubes as needed. Sharon Stanley I tried the lint idea last night.  I have a better idea.  Use cotton balls or pads. They catch easier, are cleaner and less messy than lint and wax. Mike Badley

We also teach not to use lint from colored fabrics, since a few people are sensitive to the dyes (one guy got sent to the hospital because of a reaction to the fumes). Granted this is VERY rare, but it's a big caution. I prefer using sawdust and paraffin, as mentioned earlier. I also have success with COTTON balls rubbed with petroleum jelly. You can store a ton of these squished up in a film canister. (Make that a million and two! uses...) When ready to use, pull out one jellied cotton ball, pull it apart (get that air into those fibers!), and use it as fire starter. My son made a bunch of them one time from the balsa wood shavings I brought home from Roundtable when we made Space Derby rockets. (By the way potato peelers work great on balsa wood!)

• Cooking Basics for Campers
• Love The Outdoors - Camp Cooking
• Camp Stoves and Ovens
• Camp Cooking

What's a camp fire without songs? Check to see who can bring and play a guitar or lead some great old song like Allouette or There's a Hole in the Bucket. The Cub Scout Song Book has a good selection or go to:

W. T. Smith