Even if you are camping-shy right now, do it for your Scout – they’ll love you for it!
Camping is usually the highlight of a Cub Scout year. Campouts are always fun occasions and the kids have a blast. We do fair weather, easy camping with cars not far from the tents.
Per Tiger Cub rules, all campouts have nearby access to running water and electricity. Most campouts have flush toilets, but occasionally we are limited to port-o-potties.
Food is usually coordinated between den members.
Camping Do's- Always watch out for your Scout and know where they are at all times. Enforce the Buddy System always (make sure your Scout is with a buddy – if your Scout 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 Scout to do as much of the work in camping as possible (help putting up the tent, carrying stuff, etc).
- Store food, candy, toothpaste in sealed bags or in your car.
- 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- Never sleep in a tent with a child who is not your own. – BSA rules
- No alcohol anywhere, anytime. – BSA rules
- No smoking. – BSA rules
- Never leave candy/chips or candy/chip wrappers or food of any kind in your tent or in clothes in your tent. Animals can smell it. Always store all such “smellables” in your closed car. This includes toothpaste, open Gatorade and other soda cans, etc. If in doubt leave it in your car.
- 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.
- Leave behind your Scout's Nintendo DSs, iPads, Phones, or other electronics / game systems. This is the Scouts’ opportunity to get away from all that. Besides, they could get damaged or lost.
- No precious toys/ jewelry – could get damaged or lost.
| Camping Equipment- Tent (inexpensive, large, family tents are best at this age).
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad / mattress (optional)
- Pillow
- Night clothes
- Pancho or rain suit
- Personal medication
- Long pants
- Fleece or other warm top
- Tennis shoes, hiking boots, or sturdy walking shoes.
- Change of clothes – in case of water or food accident…
- Sun Screen, hat
- Bug spray (optional)
- Cub Scout uniform
- 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. We are never away long enough to worry about showers.
- Camp chair
- Trash bag
- Flash lights (Preferably head lamps – less likely to get lost)
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Camping Equipment Purchase Locations
Academy - 183 near Oak Knoll
Walmart - 620 and 183 is the closest
REI - Gateway shopping center at 360 and 183
Cabelas – Buda, TX, about 20 minutes south of Downtown Austin on I-35