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As Cub Scouts we Camp as a family, at council-approved locations; Usually we have two Pack Campouts one being held in the fall and one in the Spring; these being a one or two nights event but with the opportunity to participate just as a day activity where we try to cover all the outdoor rank requeriments.
Other camp opportunities includes Council-organized family camps where the council provides the staffing and program. These events are often referred to as parent/pal, mom and me, or adventure weekends.
Camping Equipment
Camping Equipment
This checklist will ensure you have everything you need for a successful camping trip with our cub scout pack.
If you are missing anything on the list, let your camp organizer know ASAP so they can get you borrowed gear. Our pack has many items you can borrow. And if we don't own it, I bet we know someone who does. :-)
Pro Tips:
Borrowing is a great way to try before you buy.
Buying used is easy. Check out NextDoor, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, etc. for great deals year round.
There are often limited places to charge your cell phone, so a portable charger can be handy.
Ask the pack leaders for advice. They are a wealth of information.
Taking the BALOO course (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) is a great way to learn more about camping and the cub scout program.
Camping Checklist.pdfCircle Ten Camps
Circle Ten Camps
Circle Ten council has 4 camps we use. Complete information can be found here: https://circleten.org/posts/28102/circle-ten-camps
With 371 acres, there is plenty of room for a great camping experience close to Dallas. As one of the oldest camps in Texas, this camp is filled with lots of camping history. Many Dallas natives spent a week of their summer at Camp Wisdom. Because of its location, the camp is ideal to host many district and council events.
Lead Ranger: Dan Minnick
(972) 298 - 3177
6400 W Red Bird Lane, Dallas, TX 75236
Map of Camp Wisdom/Billy Sowell Scout Camp/Shirley Sowell Cub World and Program Areas
Camp James Ray is located on Lake Texoma near Pottsboro, Texas. This 540 acre camp offers camping, hiking, canoeing, sailing, rifle, shotgun and archery ranges, swimming, and 11 year-round campsites. If hiking and exploring are what you want, take a hike across Homesites Road. You can enjoy our many trails with lots of wildlife. Lake Texoma is famous for sand bass and stripers. Come explore miles of shoreline on Camp James Ray which will provide some great fishing and many opportunities to see the geese that call the area home! Don't forget to bring your fishing gear and cameras!
Lead Ranger: David Carson
Ranger: Frisco Reid
(903) 786-2591
The Clements Scout Ranch is home to Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp and Camp Meisenbach. The ranch has a herd of horses just waiting to be ridden. Trail rides can be reserved on Saturday only. Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp and Camp Meisenbach have some of the best-stocked fishing lakes in the State of Texas. Just bring your rod and reel along with some bait, and you just might land yourself a giant largemouth bass.
Lead Ranger: Kevin Slater
Ranger: Dale Wiseman
(903) 675-3781
Camp Constantin/Jack D. Furst Aquatic Base is located on Possum Kingdom Lake in Palo Pinto County, near Graford, Texas. This camp has over 385 acres and covers six miles of shoreline that look towards the majestic Castle Cliff on Possum Kingdom Lake. Activities include hiking, rifle, shotgun, archery, canoeing and swimming in one of the clearest lakes in Texas.
Lead Ranger: Shae Smith
(940) 779-2131
What are the Cub Scout Six Essentials?
What are the Cub Scout Six Essentials?
These are items every Cub Scout should carry in his personal bag when going on hikes or campouts.
Trail food: Like trail mix, or other healthy snack.
First aid kit: adhesive bandages, butterfly bandages, moleskin, individual packages of antibacterial cream, gauze, non-latex gloves, individual packages of antibacterial wipes, alcohol wipes.
Whistle: for emergency use only.
Water bottle: filled and large enough to last until it can be filled again
Sun & Skin protection: sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater and a hat. Don't forget the bug repellant!
Flashlight: for night and emergency use only
What should I sleep on?
What should I sleep on?
It’s difficult to say absolutely and without reserve that either a camping cot, sleeping pad, or air mattress will suit every single camper in any camping situation. Everything depends on the personal preference of the camper and the specific camping trip you’re undertaking.
Air Mattress
Air Mattress
An air mattress is nice in the cool-warm weather. Reminder to pack your pump and a charged battery.
Tent space is another consideration. Most Twin and Full-size air mattresses easily fit into a standard, one- or two-person tent, but larger sizes may be too wide and/or long. Size is not as much of a factor for tents that accommodate more than two people — but measuring the interior of a tent prior to purchasing a camping air mattress is strongly recommended.
Finally, it’s important to remember that cold temperatures can increase the risk of deflation during the night. For this reason, a camping mattress should be sturdy enough to reduce the risk of escaping air. Also, if you are using it in cold weather, you will need something insulating between the mattress and your sleeping bag (like a wool blanket).
Sleeping Pad
Sleeping Pad
Camping sleeping pads come in a few varieties – self-inflating, air, and closed-cell foam, which all have their use cases and benefits. Air pad and closed-cell foams are usually lighter weight and easier to transport, while egg crate mattress pads take up more room. Simply place the pad beneath your sleeping bag to help even out the ground and provide a plusher sleeping surface.
Cot
Cot
Cots can be comfortable to sleep on. Being raised off the ground, they are good for both warm and cold weather. For warm weather, air can flow under you. If cold weather, it keeps you off the ground. But you should always have the same amount of padding underneath your cot, as you have to cover yourself.
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Bag
Any of the above options will most likely require a sleeping bag as well. Scout's Life has a great article about sleeping bags; I hope you find it useful.
Additional Reading
Additional Reading
What should I eat on?
What should I eat on?
Each person should have their own mess kit.
Each mess kit should include:
1 dinner plate
1 bowl
1 insulated cup/ mug
1 set of utensils: Knife, Fork, and Spoon
1 mesh storage bag
You can make these with plastic dishes you have at home or buy a cheap one from a dollar store.
Pro Tip: The Scout Shop sells ugly mugz. These are great for camping AND you can get them branded at summer resident camps.
TYPES OF TENT
TYPES OF TENT
Before investing in a tent, be sure to borrow a few to try them out and understand what you like & don't like.
Dome Tent
Dome Tent
They have two poles that cross each other in the center and bend down to reach the corners of the tent. A rainfly rests on top of the poles for added protection from the elements.
Pros:
Lighter than other tents
Decent amount of headroom
Easy to set up
Cons:
Tend to catch wind
Not all include a vestibule
Limited on size
Pop Up Tent
Pop Up Tent
These tents are designed with spring-loaded poles that “pop” into shape in just a few seconds. They are made to be lightweight, super convenient, and quick to set up.
Pros:
Superfast set up
No poles to mess with
Small packed size
Cons:
Can’t handle wind
Lack stability
Not for extended camping
Cabin Tent
Cabin Tent
Made up of aluminum poles and waterproof polyester, nylon, or sometimes canvas rainfly encases the frame to form the walls and roof of your cabin.
Pros
Spacious
Inexpensive
Great for families and large groups
You can stand up in them!
Cons
Heavy
Complicated to set up
Tend to be cheaply made
What size tent should I get?
What size tent should I get?
First, determine how many people will be camping.
After you’ve determined how many people your Cub Scout tent will need to house, add one or two to that number. For example, you decide that you need a tent that will house 4 people, get a 5 or 6 person tent. That’s because you’ll need room for backpacks, boots, and other items that you bring along.
Here's typically suggested sizes:
If you’re tall (over 6 feet) or like additional space, consider a tent with a floor length of 90 inches (rather than the more typical 84–88 inches).
What season tent should I get?
What season tent should I get?
Having a Cub Scout tent that is rated for multiple seasons could be important to ensure that your family will be protected in all weather conditions.
1-2 Season Tent is meant for warm weather and none to mild precipitation, usually for the summer and a thin layer of waterproof coating. It is meant to keep you cool during the hot weather.
3 season tent will allow you to take better advantage of camping seasons, these can handle moderate rain and wind from the spring and the fall, keeping you fairly cool in the summer and even a bit of snow. Since We live in Texas, and we camp in the fall and early spring, a three-season tent would be your best bet.
4 Season Tent can be used all year; the tent is built with strong poles and sturdy material and could stand in inclement weather; thus more expensive than the other two options, and because of its thick insulation, doesn't allow air movement and it will be uncomfortable in Texas hot weather. Our sub scouts will not need these.
Season 5 Tent it's designed for extreme weather, which our cub scouts won't have the need to it.
Tent Rules & Maintenance
Tent Rules & Maintenance
Eat outside. If you eat inside, the crumbs will attract ants and other small insects.
Store food in your vehicle or hanging in a tree. Do not store food in your tent. Raccoons and other animals may ruin your tent attempting to reach the food.
Immediately after a campout, when you get home, set up your tent and sweep the floor.
If the tent is wet from rain or dew, wait until it is fully dry to put it away.
Reseal your seams. Even tents with taped floor and fly seams usually need some seam sealing, particularly along the zippers and around corners. Under normal conditions, a tent needs treatment every three to four years.
Additional Reading:
Additional Reading:
Tent Buying Guide https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/140155/tent-buying-guide/
4 Tips to Make Your Tent Last https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/ask-the-gear-guy/29380/four-tips-to-make-your-tent-last/
How to Choose Tents for Camping https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/family-base-camping-tent.html
Family Camping Tent Sizes https://www.campetent.com/family-camping-tent-sizes.html
Sleeping Tips for Campers https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/camp-sleeping-tips.html
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