Tell me your fun Cub Scout family campout ideas!

[jodifla]

I'm looking for hints and suggestions to plan a fun family campout in a few months. Our pack has about 40 boys and their families. We'll be at a BSA camp and have the usual: tent camping, archery, bb guns, fishing, swimming, fire at night.

We need to pick out a theme and do meal planning. We arrive Saturday right before lunch, so we need Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, snacks, and Sunday breakfast. Also looking for games and other activities.

TIA!!!

 

[minniebeth]

I'm looking for hints and suggestions to plan a fun family campout in a few months. Our pack has about 40 boys and their families. We'll be at a BSA camp and have the usual: tent camping, archery, bb guns, fishing, swimming, fire at night.

We need to pick out a theme and do meal planning. We arrive Saturday right before lunch, so we need Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, snacks, and Sunday breakfast. Also looking for games and other activities.

TIA!!!

Yikes, isn't all the camp activities enough, lol? I know when my son comes home from a Boy Scout campout, he's exhausted.
The kids love all the activities you mentioned, but in addition, the packs/troops we know have in the past incorporated a theme into the weekend~ They've done an Amazing Race type of theme, a Survivor type of theme, and and Iron Chef theme where teams cook off against each other.

Kids are broken up into teams and they use some of the existing activities such as fishing, archery and the bbs as competitions between the teams. Also incorporated were orienteering activities where the adults would go out ahead of time and plan a course where the boys have to use compasses to find a series of points on a map to get to the end first. (A lot of work ahead of time, but the kids loved it!)

As for games, the boys love to play Ghost in the Graveyard with flashlights at night and play cards as well. Sometimes if the budget is going well, they have crafts like rope making, leather crafting (another hit).

Sorry I can't be more specific, I'm more of a Girl Scout mom with the details, but maybe it's a start for brainstorming ideas~

Good luck planning, I'm sure they will have fun no matter what they do!

 

[JamesMom]

Hi! I'm Pack Commitee Chair for our pack of 65 and we're camping this weekend!
As for meals, we have sack lunches for arrival day since everyone will be busy setting up camp and not want to mess with a fire. Then we do a Pack good turn, usually a small service project (one year build benches, this year clean out shrub beds) in exchange for a free camp site (we don't camp at Council campgrounds, too expensive). Then the dens do their thing to earn belt loops or electives and practice skits/songs for the campfire. Our den lin the fall campout earn our Hiking beltloops, last year Fishing. Dinner is a den affair and the parents within that den are responsible for meal planning, fire, supplies, etc., usually hot dogs, beans & chips. The Cubmaster plans the campfire and then it's s'more time back at the den campsites and lights out. Morning is den breakfast (donuts) followed by prayer service and pack up and go home.
We don't a have a theme, just a good time!
Remember "Keep it Simple, Keep it Fun!"

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Is the weekend set up as a programmed event (eg by the camp- rotating through stations, etc?) Ours keeps the boys pretty busy and there isn't a need to plan too many acitivities (food, for sure.)

If it's not- verify that you have access to those program areas. Packs can rent out sites at our boy scout camp, but if there is not a scheduled event- the shooting areas are not staffed. (And you *must* have a BSA certified shooting instructor to use them.)

Food - Sat lunch, I would have everyone bring a sack lunch. You'll have enough excitement getting everyone's tents set up and homey and boys running around checking everything out. Don't try to add cooking into the mix


Sat Supper- Something the boys can cook "themselves" is great- hot dogs on a stick, foil dinners, pizzas or quasidillas on a tin can stove... When I was a den leader, we relied too heavily on adults cooking all the food. Yes, it was easier, but you miss a huge opportunity to let the boys learn. (Makes for a much easier transition to boy scouts, as well!) There's valuable lessons.

We always did an apple crisp in the dutch oven for dessert- it's easy and delicious. (Bring canned whipped cream to top. One of my favorite cub memories is one dad INSISTING he could keep ice cream cold enough in a cooler to use on top. Fail! )

Obviously, with the numbers you've got, you need to divide them by den or whatever to cook in shifts or whatever. {Unless you are blessed with alot of stoves/equipment.} You could check with your local boy scout troop to see if they have stuff you could borrow if you are going to try to cook on stoves vs the fire. Actually- are there any den chiefs in your pack? USE THEM! They're used to outdoor cooking and all and are a valuable asset.

Breakfast- the keep-it-simple route (particularly if you have alot of inexperienced campers) would be just to do some cereal and fruit.

 

[jodifla]

thank you MinnieBeth. Great ideas in here. I'm a former Girl Scout, so the whole Cub Scout thing is new to me.

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Just a few questions if you don't mind?
How old are the boys and are they all from one Troop? I know BS's aren't classified as "Troops" but don't remember what they are called. I am a former GS leader. And our Troop loved camping.

 

[jodifla]

The boys range from 1st grade to 3rd grade. It will be a first overnight for many of them.

We do have adults BSA certified in archery, bbguns and swimming.

The past two campouts encounter really bad weather, and they had to pack up and leave in the middle of the night! We're hoping we get to spend the whole night.

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm looking for hints and suggestions to plan a fun family campout in a few months. Our pack has about 40 boys and their families. We'll be at a BSA camp and have the usual: tent camping, archery, bb guns, fishing, swimming, fire at night.

We need to pick out a theme and do meal planning. We arrive Saturday right before lunch, so we need Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, snacks, and Sunday breakfast. Also looking for games and other activities.

TIA!!!

How about having everyone bring a bag lunch for Saturday? When my Girl Scout troop used to camp, we would always start our campout on Friday afternoon, and we always always brought a bag lunch. We were busy enough getting everything set up when we arrived that it was just much easier to eat the bag lunch rather than worrying about cooking on top of all the set up.

 

[jodifla]

Has anyone done sub sandwiches the first day??

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Just a few questions if you don't mind?
How old are the boys and are they all from one Troop? I know BS's aren't classified as "Troops" but don't remember what they are called. I am a former GS leader. And our Troop loved camping.

Girl/boy "translation"-

Cub dens are equivalent to girl scout troops (eg ballpark 10 kids of the same age). All the dens in one town (or area of the city if a bigger area) are put into a pack. A girl scout equivalent would be if all the Daisies, Brownies and Juniors in a town met together once a month (or, in this case, camped.)

I REALLY wish the girls' program did this. It gives them alot more continuity to see what the "big kids" (or even other kids their own age) are doing.

We have GS neighborhood campouts, but those are far too many girls IMO. Just-the-town would be so much more manageable (says she who always ends up on the planning committee!)

 

[Dashzap]

Just a few questions if you don't mind?
How old are the boys and are they all from one Troop? I know BS's aren't classified as "Troops" but don't remember what they are called. I am a former GS leader. And our Troop loved camping.

Cub scouts are in a Pack, and are elementary school aged. Boy scouts are middle school to age 18, and are in Troops.

 

[jodifla]

Hi! I'm Pack Commitee Chair for our pack of 65 and we're camping this weekend!
As for meals, we have sack lunches for arrival day since everyone will be busy setting up camp and not want to mess with a fire. Then we do a Pack good turn, usually a small service project (one year build benches, this year clean out shrub beds) in exchange for a free camp site (we don't camp at Council campgrounds, too expensive). Then the dens do their thing to earn belt loops or electives and practice skits/songs for the campfire. Our den lin the fall campout earn our Hiking beltloops, last year Fishing. Dinner is a den affair and the parents within that den are responsible for meal planning, fire, supplies, etc., usually hot dogs, beans & chips. The Cubmaster plans the campfire and then it's s'more time back at the den campsites and lights out. Morning is den breakfast (donuts) followed by prayer service and pack up and go home.
We don't a have a theme, just a good time!
Remember "Keep it Simple, Keep it Fun!"

do people bring their own sack lunches, or do you provide them?

 

[Dashzap]

Orienteering or geocaching

 

[MichelleinMaine]

do people bring their own sack lunches, or do you provide them?

BYOS

You don't even want to get into figuring who can have peanut butter, who can't have cheese, who turns up their nose at wheat bread, etc etc. Not a huge deal for kids (and adults) to bring their own. Particularly since this is a first campout for many, the simpler you can keep things, the easier it will be. (They're happy just to be together in the outdoors, don't have to get elaborate with things!)


You could do drinks either way- BYO or tell them you'll have a couple big jugs {the huge sports-team sized with a spigot} of lemonade/water.


*every person attending should be required to bring a water bottle- ideally of the reusable- type. If you have a cub carry around a bottle water, they will inevitably use it as a football, to hit trees with, smash it between two rocks {you name it!} The bottles don't hold up to that abuse! It's best if it has a caribiner to clip to a belt loop, or on a strap. They need to carry them themselves and have a way not to lose it. (Famous last words!) Obviously encouraged to drink alot, as well. They get so excited and wound up in the activities, they do forget to stay hydrated.


Just thought too- do you have someone in the pack who is BALOO trained (eg to take boys camping?) I know many turn up their nose and say they know how to camp. You do get some good cub-level ideas at BALOO though.

*clarifying BALOO = basic adult leader outdoor orientation, not the lovable bear from Jungle Book. I wasn't thinking the forum I was on!
But- of course, the original cub program was all based on the Jungle Book {book, predates the movie} anyway, so not a coincidence that's the name!

 

[minniebeth]

The boys range from 1st grade to 3rd grade. It will be a first overnight for many of them.

We do have adults BSA certified in archery, bbguns and swimming.

The past two campouts encounter really bad weather, and they had to pack up and leave in the middle of the night! We're hoping we get to spend the whole night.

I agree with some other posters (on community board as well) with this age group, keep it simple. I was thinking when you asked for suggestions, that perhaps you were looking for some fresh new ideas for boys that have already had several campouts and were looking for something new.

At this age, they don't need too much on an agenda since they are still too young to do a lot independently and will need structure.
Just putting up their tents, unpacking and organizing their gear, etc. are activities in themselves. If the adults are doing it all for them, sure, they will need something to do but this should not be the case~ they should be pitching in, learning how to do it along with the adults.

They all will love the bbs/fishing, etc.!
Not sure if there is an age for the bbs or archery, but if any of the boys are too young, fishing and some of the leather crafting I mentioned before seem to be a hit with the boys that age. Also, someone mentioned working on beltloops which the boys like to do too. And an adult can work on them getting their woodchip through learning about pocketknife safety. They all LOVE that!

Someone mentioned bringing a bag lunch, which is just easier to do, but my personal opinion, is that part of Boy Scouts is learning how to do things on their own, so instead of having mom pack them a lunch to bring, why not have all the supplies needed to have the boys make their own lunch, even if it is sub sandwiches or PBJ. No cooking just yet, teaches the boys to be independent, and solves the problem of the boys who forget their bag lunch.
May be more work for the adults running the campout, but it is part of the whole experience for them to learn! Fun to watch too

As for other meals, other mentioned the foil packet meals which are great,
walking tacos (taco or sloppy joe meat spooned into frito bags with shredded cheese on top), pie iron meals (grilled cheeses, pizzas, apple/cherry pies) are great for that age boys to help out with.
For desserts, s'mores, pie iron pies, banana boats (a banana split long way stuffed with mini marshmallows and mini choc chips wrapped in foil and slow cooked over the fire)

Breakfast keep it simple like others said, cereal, bagels, pop tarts, muffins, etc. Always hot chocolate!

Since the boys are younger, they will go to bed earlier than the older boys but rise earlier too. Great time to head back to fishing for awhile.

I love the campouts at that age, so much fun!

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

The boys range from 1st grade to 3rd grade. It will be a first overnight for many of them.

We do have adults BSA certified in archery, bbguns and swimming.

The past two campouts encounter really bad weather, and they had to pack up and leave in the middle of the night! We're hoping we get to spend the whole night.

In my opinion these are the best ages. They're excited to learn. I agree with all the previous posters especially MichelleinMaine. Get these boys involved in everything Starting with the planning. I am a former GS Leader and was always surprised by the lack of "involvement" many girls from other troops had.

I would Theme the Camp Out. How about Go Green/Recyle. Again, start them out young thinking about the enviroment. Make a contest to see who produces the least amount of trash.

Agreeing with everyone. Everyone packs their own sack lunch for Saturday use as many reuseable containers as possible. There will be to much to do setting up. Keep dinner easy. I love foil dinners. piece of chicken, corn on the cob, baked potatoe. Or even simpler is the hot dogs on a stick with beans and corn on the cob. And this is all done over the fire. For dessert
you can do Smores, you have to have Smores. or Camp fire banana boats I
'm also a HUGE fan of tin can cooking and solor cooking.
There are so many things you can do with this can thoughout the weekend. First pack individual cooking supplies in them, make "kick the can ice cream" and then use that same can to cook on. When done you can see who fits the most of their trash in the can. But, don't forget to take the can of trash with you when you leave.
Solor Cooking: Have them each build their own solor oven before camping. This is a great family project. They can each prepare their own dessert in the oven and then share it with the group. (but make sure you have extra desserts just in case they don't come out good).
These two cooking methods with go well with the "go green"
Sunday breakfast. Keep it light. Remember you now have to pack up and clean up. Cereal,fruit,donut holes and juice. Our troop made it a tradition to always stop somewhere for a "real" breakfast once we leave camp.
As for snacks. Have the boys make a prepackaged trail mix before camping. Devide them up into ziplocs and everyone is given a couple bags.

Don't forget to divide up the grocery list and the chore charts. This is a nice time for the boys to show their family what they've learned and an even better time for the boys to work w/their family.
I love the idea of a treasure hunt using the compass'. They can also be picking up trash along the way.
Most important...HAVE FUNHAVE FUN,HAVE FUN

 

[RF536]

FYI - Cub scouts can only do shooting sports at council sponsored events such as Day and Resident Camp. Below is from the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Cub Scouting Standards
Cub Scouts are permitted to participate only in the following shooting activities.

Archery and BB gun shooting are restricted to day camps, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camps, councilmanaged family camping programs, or to council activities where there are properly trained supervisors and all standards for BSA shooting sports are enforced. Archery and BB gun shooting are not to be done at the pack level.

Tiger Cubs, Wolf Cub Scouts, and Bear Cub Scouts are not permitted to use any other type of pistol or firearm, including pellet guns.

Webelos Scouts are permitted to use air rifles at Webelos resident camp in accordance to BSA national standards for resident camp.

 

[jodifla]

FYI - Cub scouts can only do shooting sports at council sponsored events such as Day and Resident Camp. Below is from the Guide to Safe Scouting.

Cub Scouting Standards
Cub Scouts are permitted to participate only in the following shooting activities.

Archery and BB gun shooting are restricted to day camps, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camps, councilmanaged family camping programs, or to council activities where there are properly trained supervisors and all standards for BSA shooting sports are enforced. Archery and BB gun shooting are not to be done at the pack level.

Tiger Cubs, Wolf Cub Scouts, and Bear Cub Scouts are not permitted to use any other type of pistol or firearm, including pellet guns.

Webelos Scouts are permitted to use air rifles at Webelos resident camp in accordance to BSA national standards for resident camp.

This isn't what we've been told.

In fact, I was just at a boy scout jamboree in the fall at a boy scout camp, and all the cub scouts were using bbguns and doing archery.

We are setting this all up through our Boy Scout Council, and they are completely aware of everything we are doing, and have even assigned us the bbgun and archery ranges.

 

[3boymthr]

You have some great ideas for food. You asked if anyone had done subs. Our pack has done subs. We actually ordered take-out subs from a local deli's catering menu. They called it their great divide and you got 30" sub which was easily cut into 6 inch subs in one type for @$15 each. We got three different kinds. Italian, Ham and Cheese and Baloney and Cheese. Between those, bug juice and some chips our work was done.

For activities, aside from the archery and bb gun shooting I recommend planning some other non-skill activities. Setting up camp will take time but it won't take all day. We do a pack campout every june and outdoor activities include fishing, volleyball, badminton, bug finding/identification and pick up games of soccer and baseball. Since this will be a pack event I highly recommend the volleyball because they can earn the belt loop. Another belt loop that you could try to tackle with them - kickball. It's a new belt loop this year and all it will take for planning is a ball and some of those throw down plates or some cones that I'm betting someone in your pack already has.

I have to say some of the best activities I've seen have come out of the electives in the back of the handbooks. Just last week my den played Pie Pan washer Toss an elective in the back of the Wolf book. A few foil pie pans - some candy eggs instead of washers (cause I have some "enthusiastic" boys who tend to get hurt - one of them still got hit in the eye but at least it was semi-melted chocolate and not a metal washer). We added a few variants to the game like put the pan on the ground and see how far away you can stand and still get your egg in the pan without it bouncing out and we had half an hours worth of entertainment. One the best things for the kids was at the end they each got to eat a "egg". I had several of the boys ask if they could take the pie pans home they were having so much fun with them. There are also have some other great ideas like ring toss and some great crafts in the backs of the books. Pick an activity from each scout level and not only do you get some great easy peasy (and inexpensive) ideas but the boys get rewarded for their participation by elective points which count toward arrrow points/beads.

One suggestion for your campfire - Boy Scouts are wonderful at campfire activities - we often get a couple of boys to help out. We've found they can keep the entire pack in stitches for hours with skits and tell some fun ghost stories and they'll do vespers and taps. Ask your local troop if they have any boys who might like to participate by leading campfire activities. It can be a win-win for both the pack and the Boy Scouts as in addition to making things easy for you the Boy Scouts can complete a merit badge requirement for Communications (an eagle required badge) and they can earn community service hours.

For our campouts we tend to skip "themes" because it just makes it more complicated and expensive - though in a way I guess you could say our theme is fun in the great outdoors.

 

[JamesMom]

BYOS


Just thought too- do you have someone in the pack who is BALOO trained (eg to take boys camping?) I know many turn up their nose and say they know how to camp. You do get some good cub-level ideas at BALOO though.

*clarifying BALOO = basic adult leader outdoor orientation, not the lovable bear from Jungle Book. I wasn't thinking the forum I was on!
But- of course, the original cub program was all based on the Jungle Book {book, predates the movie} anyway, so not a coincidence that's the name!

Per BSA camping guidelines, at least ONE BALOO trained adult MUST be onsite at ALL times or the campout can't happen. Two or three is preffered because if for some reason the one and only BALOO trained person can't make it, gets sick or has to leave for any reason - the WHOLE pack has to leave.
It is an investment to be trained (7 hour class on a Sat), but it is worth it. We have four trained in our Pack and I plan to take the training when it fits my scheudle.