Are you ready for some good, old fashioned fun?! The Pack Fall Family Campout is almost here!

Join us on at Chalco Hills Recreation Area on Oct 22nd.

We arrive at 5pm on Friday and will leave by about 9am Saturday morning.

Don't forget that this is also our Pack Meeting for October.

You don't want to miss the scouts performing skits and the fun campfire songs (also our new Bobcats will be awarded their patches). The entire family is invited for all the fun. Join us for our cookout, games, and treats – rain or shine. Food and drinks will be provided by the pack. All are invited to camp overnight, but if you cannot stay overnight please join us for the pack meeting and campfire...

As Scouts we should always “Be Prepared” for the weather. When it is cold and the ground is wet, a few simple steps can ensure fun outdoors.

https://boyslife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/6981/checklist-for-a-basic-cold-weather-outing/

WEAR BOOTS AND MITTENS. Keeping feet and fingers warm will help our Scouts have the most fun. With conditions calling for rain on Friday morning, please make sure that you and your Scouts have insulated boots and non-cotton socks. Every year we see Scouts come to the campout in their daily athletic shoes. Those shoes soak up water, make socks wet, and lead to cold and painful toes. In temperatures in the 30s, that can lead to frostbite. Please be sure to have waterproof shoes or boots. Water resistant gloves (preferably mittens) will keep your scout in good spirits when temperatures drop.

AVOID COTTON. Your standard denim jeans and cotton sweatshirts are great when it is dry. Where we are camping the ground is grassy and kids tend to get wet. If it rains, those clothes soak up moisture immediately. As the evening goes on you have to use extra energy to stay warm because your cotton clothing is stealing your body head trying to get dry. Wear a synthetic base layer and a wool or fleece sweatshirt under a good raincoat or water-resistant winter coat. Same goes for cotton socks--Avoid them. As soon as they are damp it makes keeping your feet warm more difficult.

BUY RAIN PANTS! This is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to keep warm, without the bulk of wearing snow pants. Rain pants can slide over your jeans or fleece pants, often with side zippers or snaps that allow you to do so without taking off shoes or boots, keeping you dry and also repelling the wind that pulls head away from your body. These are far more effective than a poncho.

EAT MORE! Your body will use energy to make heat when it’s cold. We will have snacks and dinner and dessert planned. But if you have a picky eater in your family bring their favorite foods and let them have as much as they want. Let them have a Snickers bar (or whatever their favorite food is) before they go to sleep. The calorie fuel will keep their internal engine running all night long so they can keep up their body temperature.

No doubt cold weather can make camping less fun, but being prepared and properly equipped can make a big difference! Cold Weather Camping Badges are awarded to any Scout that stays overnight if temperatures reach 32 Degrees!

If you would like to camp, but do not have a tent, please contact your den leader or email the pack. Several families have extra tents and would be happy to help you out.

Directions

41°09'34.2"N 96°09'36.8"W

https://goo.gl/maps/ioeYTKceS9m6zSot6

Tentative agenda for the campout:

Campout Schedule

5:00-6:00 Camp setup

6:00-6:30 Nature Hike (1 mile)

6:30-7:30 Dinner/S’mores

7:30-8:30 Pack Meeting (Skits & Bobcat Award Presentation)

8:45-9:30 Flag retirement ceremony

10:00 Lights Out

Saturday Morning

07: 00 Wake up and break camp

Breakfast of Donuts and Coffee/Hot Chocolate provided

Suggested items to bring:

• tent

• sleeping bag

• pillow

• flashlight

• bug spray

• Class B pack t-shirt (uniforms are unnecessary) (any t-shirt is fine if you don't have the pack t-shirt)

• appropriate clothes (sweatshirt, jeans)

• rain gear (just in case)

• snacks

• medications

• camera

Optional items:

• camp chair

• canteen

• football, Frisbee

• lantern

• air mattress or cot

• first aid kit

• "substitute food" if your child has food allergies

Please no TVs, radios, alcohol, or weapons (excepting a scout approved pocketknife for those scouts who have a Whittling Chip).

See you there!