Name one item that you do not camp without. Cub Scout style.

[tonkatim]

I am taking the Pack on the first overnighter in a very long while, 10+ years. So no one has any experience Scout camping but me and it has been 30 years since I Boy Scout camped.

What is something that you bring on a campout that is not on the list that makes 1)you happy 2)life in the outdoors more bearable.

Please- no pats on the head and say to take training. This is not that type of question. The answer might be a good luck totem or something even better.

[Reasonable Rascal]

Coffee pot and coffee, with creamer and sugar for those so inclined. I assume you will be using a propane or Coleman stove, so keep the pot perking and the adults happy.

Next is folding camp chairs. The kids can run around all they want - and they will - but the adults need to sit.

RR

[FrankJ]

Make sure the cubs sleep dry & warm.

Smores for the camp fire.

[tonkatim]

Most of the questions from the moms have been about the facilities. (well, that and electrical outlets, hot tap water and hairdryers)

I am going to buy a new toilet seat to bring. That way the moms will have a clean place to go. That and spend the first half an hour chasing the spiders out of the latrines.

I was asking for items that are not on any list but would be good to bring.

[6yearscouter]

Camping with cub scouts and moms that haven't been camping?

Let's see. this list migth get long, I don't think I can give you just one.

Things to make moms happy--- a sun shower, hung up with warm water put in it as needed, a soap on a rope and a towel with a dish pan as a hand washing station. Hand sanitizer and some baby wipes. If you give the impression that you want the kids to stay clean it will make a lot of moms happy. Also bring a 6-12 pack of soft toilet paper.

Extra bandaids in the first aid kid, all sizes. Also add in a couple of large index cards where you've written out an award for the most boo boos, and taped a bandaid on it that is spray painted gold. Give to the kid(s) that fell down the most and kept crying all weekend. give it to him at the campfire program so he'll feel extra special and quit whining.

Extra awards and patches over the ones you know they earned. Campout patches and thank you thingies (candy bars or similar) for the adults who end up helping you out the most.

Extra blankets, sleeping bags and a backpack with some dry shirts or socks in them in the appropriate sizes. they tend to overpack or underpack. keeping warm at night is the best, so the extra blankets and sleeping bags are ideal. extra garbage bags, an extra pot, can opener, spatula/big spoon/tongs, can of propane, lantern mantles, and some spare batteries may also come in handy.

Motrin for parent headaches and aches and pains from sleeping on the ground.

extra duct tape, rope, tarp, tent stakes, hammers, for the tents that need a bit of help. big safety pins for when the pull on the tent or sleeping bag breaks.

patience.

Lots more ideas for activities than you think you'll need. If the kids haven't been out in the wilds before, they may just be "bored" so add in things that don't take a lot of parent/adult oversight, but better than poking each other with a sharp stick. throw in some board games or cards for parents who can't sleep and stay up later talking.

smores, and if you are afraid of them falling into a big fire pit, bring aluminum pie pans, tongs, and charcoal with lighter fluid. light up some charcoal, get it hot and let them make their smores over top of the pie pans a safe distance away from the fire pit. need to do smores on the cheap? buy chocolate covered graham cracker cookies r better are the round keebler fudge stripes and melt marshmellows and stick in the middle--they'll still get just as messy.

lots of patience, may have already said that, but more is never a bad idea.

[Nuts4Scouts]

Before you run out and buy a toilet seat, or a sun shower (what adult who is leery of the outdoors will even use this out in the wide open with the bugs, racoons, skunks, and other people watching, especially in the cool Fall weather?), you need to take a hard look at your choice of campground.

For first time Cub campers you do not pick a campground with zero facilities. Look for something that has some comforts easily accessible. The first time I took my Pack camping I used a County youth camp that had two rustic cabins (one for males, one for females), plenty of field space for tents, and games, and a cookhouse with fridge, stove, sink, storage space, and tables/benches. Our site did not have showers, but with running water in the indoor bathrooms, you could at least easily wash your face and brush your teeth. We had about 15 families that weekend, and only 1 person walked over to the other camping area to use their shower. That person was not a mom. It was a dad, who was a den leader.

After they got used to using tents, another favorite spot for our Pack was a State Park youth camping area. It had no facilities other than a pit toilet, and water pump. However, a short walk away was one of the parks public campgrounds with a playground, and shower facilities.

You need to check the site out in advance, in person, to see what is there, and what you might need to provide.

What were you planning on doing with your home style toilet seat? Unscrewing the one that is currently there and attaching your own? How do you know it will fit? What happens if a camp Ranger notices that you have been taking apart the park's toilet facilities?

Pit toilets are fine. If the toilet's septic is put in correctly, and the campground is properly maintained, it will be fairly clean, and hardly smell at all. Bring a broom, extra rolls of toilet paper, a container of sanitizing wipes, and a spray can of NON-SMELLY odor neutralizer. Before your campers arrive, sweep out the place, wipe down the seat, and give it a good spray. It should be good to go. If you remind your campers to keep the lid down the smell will be kept down also. If you will be sharing the toilet facilities with other groups, don't leave your stuff in the toilet area.

There is no way that YOU, or your Pack, can provide everything that the Pack families could possibly need. When you make up a packing list make sure you put on it everything they will need to bring to be comfortable, including extra blankets, slip on camp shoes, camp chairs, and a tent floor covering (some old throw rugs).

Make sure everyone knows that if they want to stay dry, and keep their tent in good shape, they must NOT spray ANYTHING inside the tent. That includes bug spray, hair spray, or deodorant spray.

Also make sure that unless they want some unwelcome nighttime visitors - NO FOOD OF ANY SORT IN TENTS.

Remind them to change out of ALL clothes worn during the day before going to bed.

The Pack needs to make sure there is sufficient cooking/cleaning/cooling equipment. If you want to bring one thing that will make the most difference/impact, bring 1-3(depending on the number of campers) rain canopies. Ask your local Troop if you can borrow theirs. If it is rainy, having a dry spot to congregate can save a campout. If it is sunny, it provides needed shade.

[Nuts4Scouts]

Good luck totem silliness aside, this would have been a good question to ask at your Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation training!

[tonkatim]

Well, sorry about the silliness of the question and it was asked at Leader Outdoor Experience Weekend Training which encompasses all of the outdoor training including BALOO. Lets not forget that Cub Scouts has a lot more silliness in it than Boy Scouts.

The answer there... a lucky walking stick.

Just trying to get the Cub Scout portion of this board going.

The chosen campsite is a Council Family Campsite with latrines that have very small metal seats and lots of spiders. And most of the questions from the parents are about the facilities.

[wagionvigil]

And this is one child one parent camping? You are not taking the cubs like you would a troop Correct?

[smtroop168]

What is something that you bring on a campout that is not on the list that makes 1)you happy 2)life in the outdoors more bearable.


Wagion!

Actually I would have said me but I'm already on a number of people's "Lists"

[devryan]

In your case I would see if you could get some help from your Den Chiefs, or other older scouts and leaders who have knowledge of where you are going.

But I would bring plenty of bug spray, FLASH LIGHTS (item that most kids forget from our pack), snack items, seats for the adults at least, and some fun games that everyone can play to avoid boredom (why many kids quit I think).

Maybe you should consider trying to get adult leaders to go that are experienced, and not so picky to help the newer leaders.

[Quailman]

Earplugs

[wagionvigil]

if you let them have more than one flashlight you will regret it. And that is One for all of them.

[tonkatim]

It is family camping, Cub Scout style. As in, some of them are bringing the whole family.

I might need Wagion's help come Sunday as I will be climbing the walls for certain.

[FrankJ]

This is actually on the list, but, you need to camp in an council approved campsite. One thing that is required for approval is close by porcelain. Extra TP along with the required TP is not a bad idea.

Lighter fluid is not on the approved list of stuff to bring. (Actually you could bring it, you just cannot start fires with it.)

[Nuts4Scouts]

Toilet facilities are not required to be porcelain, just sanitary, and within 300 feet.

I really HATE lighter fluid! I hate the way it smells, and the way it tastes. Invest in a charcoal chimney or two instead.

Please do not dismantle your council camp's toilet facilities without the permission of your council and/or the camp Ranger. Yes, those metal seats are small, smaller than your regular seat at home. What happens when the seat you have put on slips off and someone gets injured?

Back to things to bring/do -

If you have the permission of your camp Ranger to take home sticks you might have the Cubs make their own walking sticks.

I would second the suggestion to bring some easy, fun, games for down time. A ring toss version of horseshoes is good, some small travel size checkers sets, cards, nerf balls. Our $1 store often has a throwing game that has two fuzzy paddles that slip on your hands that comes with 2 balls that stick to the paddles. Lots of fun for running, throwing, and catching!

You might consider glow stick necklaces for all youth. They are fun to wear, and it is way easier to see the kids at night. Again your local $1 store should have plenty in stock this time of year.

[Fred Johnson]

For "CUB SCOUTS" ...

- Pack owned disposable plates, bowls, cups (multiple sizes, coffee ones too, ..), forks, spoons, knives. Build a supply that can be used year after year. Bring enough for everyone. Don't plan on people bringing and/or washing their own dishes. Make it easy and quick.
- Purchase enough really cheap water cups.
- Multiple five gallon water containers. One with water. One with lemonade, or similar.
- Trash bags.
- Games. Volley ball w/ net. Frisbee. Football. Rubber balls for kickball. Hiking course. NO BASEBALL. (i.e. NO BATS). Ask parents to put away in a car if brought.. <-- Trust me on this.

- U.S. and pack flags. Use a flag pole ground spike sold by scout store. Or build your own flag pole. Or put a rope over a tree branch and a spike into the ground. Show your scout spirit.

And... most important....

- Flush toilets (ideally) or really really really really clean out-houses. My personal minimum acceptable standard has gotten lower with each year in scouting, but it's our 1st consideration and a deciding factor for those new to camping.

[wagionvigil]

you have to keep them busy to the extent they have little down time THIS INCLUDES THE PARENTS WEAR THEM OUT!

[cballman]

Dont forget to "feed them sugar and send them home"

[FieldSports]

Bread Snakes = 3/4" dowel cut four feet. Package of cresent roll dough. Rap dough around dowel leaving space inbetween dough. Cook over fire. Presto bread snakes

Glow Sticks - a must for evening

Hair Dryer and 5 miles of extension cord - lol

Ballons - Good for targets, races, water, etc. Just clean up scraps

Archery/BB - Ask ranger if it is offered. Belt loop can only be earned at a scout camp facility

Chocolate Mint - Put on each adults pillow. Good for a laugh. "They even served chocolate mints at this place"

Wooden Stave. I gave each of my tiger scouts a wooden stave on their first camp-out. I showed them mine with all the medallions for jamborees, hikes, etc. I had woogle on top from woodbadge, a feather from a pheasant found on a hike. I had deer antlers from a hunt. I told them it was the beginning of their time to take their staves on 'its" adventures. Of the six who started with me, five are now Eagles. They all still have their staves.

Have fun and be silly. The whole idea is to get the kids and parents excited about camping. It is in the here and now that you will have the same effect.