Fall Campout 2023

Pack 159 at Bee Cave Armory, Austin, TX

Join us for a special Veteran's Day Weekend Campout at the historic Bee Cave Army Armory in Austin, Texas. In this overnight adventure, Cub Scouts of all ranks will embark on an adventure that celebrates the great outdoors while paying tribute to our brave veterans. Through nature hikes, hands-on crafts, campfire cooking, and stargazing beneath the Texas sky, we honor the spirit of service and camaraderie that our veterans embody.

Details

Date: 9:00 AM 11/11/23 – 10:00 AM 11/12/23

Place: 401 Saint Stephens School Rd S Austin TX 78746

Who: All Scouts and families are welcome (no pets)

Cost: $10.00 per family member, max of $60/family

Paid online prior to campout: https://pay.pack159.org

Covers campsite, activities, three meals (Sat Lunch, Dinner, and Sun Breakfast), S’mores, snacks, and some drinks

Information

We will collect BSA Medical Forms for each participant. Medical forms are valid for one year, so you will not need to fill out another form for the Spring Camp in March.
Please fill out forms A and B for each attending member of the Scout’s family. You don’t need C (no physical required)! These forms are to be turned in at the check-in station which will be at the pavilion.

Protip: The BSA Med Form PDFs are electronically fillable. Families are encouraged to fill it out, save, then print. These med forms are a staple with Scouting, and they are asked for year over year at any Scout camp for insurance purposes and general Scout/family safety.

Youth Protection Training:

All adults attending must have current Youth Protection Training. It is available entirely online and takes maybe an hour. Please provide a copy of your current YPT certificate upon check in with your medical forms. YPT training is valid for two years, please check your expiration date if you have already completed it.

Campsite Layout and Arrival:

Tent sites are on a first-come, first-served basis. We will assign areas for dens. For families with multiple Scouts in multiple dens, you will be permitted to decide which den area your tents will be set up.
Please be mindful of common areas, walkways, and terrain. Utilize the information in your scout handbook and talk with your scouts about how to choose your tent placement, factors to consider, and execution. Scouts should participate in all parts of the decision-making, as well as help with tent set-up.
Parents are encouraged to make a plan prior to arrival with all family members regarding expectations upon arrival. Encourage scouts to participate in car unloading and tent setup before they enjoy free time. Having a plan with well-communicated expectations will help scouts stay on task and promote efficiency upon arrival!
The Buddy System will be in place upon arrival and throughout the entire time we are camping. This should be one of the first things your Scout does upon arrival. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/11/07/buddy-system/

Sites & Amenities:

There are ADA-compliant bathhouses on-site with flush toilets and shower facilities.

Campfires

· Although there are fire rings, there will be one central campfire ring in use for the Pack. Do not start your own fires. The Pack and Webelos Den will plan and execute a gathering around the fire on Saturday night.

· The Pack will provide s’mores on Saturday night.

· All attendees are strongly encouraged to help keep children, theirs or otherwise, safe when near the fire.

Scout Dress Code

· Scouts are free to wear Class B uniforms (aka Activity Uniforms / Pack t-shirt) during free time and throughout the day.

· Class A uniforms (aka Field Uniform) are to be worn by Scouts during flag ceremonies. We do flags at the open and closing of the day/weekend. We highly encourage bringing a clothes hanger or two to keep the Scout’s uniform neat. Scouts are required to tuck in shirts and wear pants/shorts with belt loops (e.g. no athletic shorts). Blue jeans, khakis, slacks or Class A bottoms are acceptable. A Scout is Clean.

Skits, Run-Ons, and Songs

For Saturday night entertainment during the campfire program, we will be doing s’mores and skits.

Den leaders, please be aware and plan accordingly. We ask that each den prepare a skit and either a song or run-on. The following are helpful resources:

The BSA says, “Be sure that every feature of a campfire program upholds Scouting’s highest traditions.”

Trash – Leave No Trace Pledge

Cub Scouts take the Leave No Trace pledge! Please do your best to keep trash to a minimum. Leverage garbage bags around camp. Consider posting a garbage bag in your Den’s camping area.

Meals

· Water Bottles: Please bring a reusable water bottle for each camper in your family.

· Mess Kits (reusable plates, utensils): As of Spring 2024 we will require each Scout to have a mess kit. For now, while we are strongly encouraging mess kits, we will be providing paper goods for each meal as not every family will have these items.

· Hot Cups: We will have some hot cups for coffee. We strongly encourage you to bring your own mug or be mindful to reuse your cup to cut down on trash.

· Snacks: the pack will provide snacks and fruit throughout the day.

· The basic menu plan is pre-determined. There may be slight variations subject to availability when the team goes grocery shopping. The pack will provide gluten free and dairy free options, however if you have any other dietary restrictions or allergies, please alert the pack committee or your den leader as soon as possible.

· If there is something special you require, please be prepared to bring it.

· Water and lemonade will be provided throughout the campout in community 5 gal Igloo orange/white coolers.

· Scouts as well as parents are expected to help at mealtimes. Please determine amongst your Den the duty you will be assigned. Volunteer assignments are flexible and based on rank attendance (i.e., if there are few, others will step in)

· Fruit will be available throughout the weekend; however, snacks will be put away at non-mealtimes.

Schedule

Saturday

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Arrival and Camp Setup

Scouts, families, and leaders arrive at the Bee Cave Army Armory, learn about its military history, and set up their tents, emphasizing camping gear and the importance of preparedness.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Opening Ceremony

· Recite the Pledge of Allegiance

· Recite the Scout Oath

· Recite the Scout Law

· Recite the Outdoor Code

· Opening message from Scoutmaster Steve

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: War Games

· Capture the Flag

· Red Rover

· Fitness Relay

· Red Light, Green Light

· Medic Race

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch

· Lunch provided by Den with Parent Supervision

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Den Meetings

· Dens hold their own special meetings, working on badge requirements.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Free Time

· Chicken Baseball

· Explore

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Scavenger Hunt

· Scouts track down all the items on the list.

· Awards will be given for the fastest completion and best teamwork.

· Special award to be given for special item found.

5:30 – 6:30 PM: Dinner

· Dinner provided by Den with Parent Supervision

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Clean Up

· Each Den cleans up an area of the camp site.

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Campfire and Skits

· Scouts perform skits, tell jokes, sing songs.

8:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Campfire Snacks and Stargazing

Everyone roasts marshmallows for s'mores while listening to stories of heroic veterans.

9:00 PM: Quiet Time

10:00 PM: Lights Out

Sunday

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast and Pack-up

Scouts prepare breakfast, demonstrating their cooking skills and fulfilling requirements related to camp meals.

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Closing Ceremony

Scouts lead the closing ceremony, reciting the Scout Oath and Law, and expressing gratitude to veterans for their service.
Awards will be given out.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Leave No Trace

Scouts work together to Leave No Trace.

10:00 AM: Departure

What to Pack

· Wagons!!! We are not a primitive campsite, but it’s a bit of a trek from the car to the site.

· Tent / Tent Spikes

· Tarps

· Sleep Bag & Bedding (extra blankets are always good)

· Air Mattress / Sleeping Pad

· Pump for Air Mattress

· Portable power bank

· Ear Plugs

· Rain Gear: check the weather!!
Poncho’s, closed-toes shoes, rain boots, rain jackets, etc.

· Cold Weather Items: bring even if the weather forecast is warm. It is Texas, pack for everything
Hats, gloves, jackets, extra socks, thermals, extra blankets.

· Sunglasses and Hats

· Hiking Gear
Appropriate shoes and clothing, small daypack with your Six Essentials

· Class A and Class B uniforms

· Camp Chairs

· Individual Water Bottles - PLEASE!!! Our goal is to reduce single-use plastic cups.

· Mess Kits (the pack will have plastic utensils and paper goods as back-up)

· Lanterns, flashlights, fun lights for your tent?

· Headlamps: headlamps with a red-light feature are good for preserving night vision for stargazing and not blinding others. Also great for being hands-free!

· Extra Batteries

· Sunscreen & Bug Spray

· Toiletries

· Personal First Aid Items & Medications (Pack 159 has a fully stocked First Aid Kit)

· Body Wipes / Baby Wipes

· Personal Food & Drinks
Camp has potable water, but bring your own if you prefer bottled.

· Activity Items for Free Time

· Football, soccer ball, sporting equipment and whatever else your family enjoys! The pack will have games and sports equipment as well.

Note: Scouts should not bring or have pocketknives at Pack campouts, even if your Scout has earned their Whittlin’ Chip. Sorry, older Scouts. Save it for when you crossover.