The Do's and Don'ts of Camping

Camping

Even if you are camping-shy right now, do it for your boy – he’ll love you for it!

Camping is usually the highlight of a Cub Scout year. Camp outs 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, and a fun experience all round.

Camping do's:

• 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.
• Plan on it getting colder than you think (bring warmer sleeping bags than the forecast lows unless you are sure you know your sleeping bags).
  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 shake).
• 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:

• No alcohol anywhere, anyhow, anytime. – BSA rules
  
• No smoking in sight of Cub Scouts. – BSA rules
  
• 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.

• No pets
  
  
• Leave behind Nintendo DS's, 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

A suggested Camping equipment list (for you and your son)

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad / mattress
• Pillow
• Night clothes
• Rain Gear
• Personal medication
• 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.
• Camp chair per person
• Trash bag
• Flash lights (Preferably head lamps – less likely to get lost)