Our monthly campout for October is our yearly backpacking treks. Backpacking is a fun and enjoyable experience that anyone can do, even if you have never backpacked before! We will be going over important information and tips about backpacking in the weeks leading up to camp. Our youth and adult leaders are here to help everyone best prepare for camp so that they will have a successful, safe, and fun trip! We really encourage as many of our Scouts as possible to join us for backpacking, as it’s a great way to learn some important skills and prepare for future high adventure opportunities.
Sign-ups are available on TroopWebHost. For this camp, we split up into two different crews based on age:
Our Beginner Crew (6th & 7th graders) will be meeting at Chapman Elementary School at 8:00 AM on Saturday morning, October 18th, and going to Quail Hollow Park to participate in our traditional Beginner Trek. This is a great opportunity for our younger Scouts to have a positive and fun backpacking experience. Please read the information in the following link for additional information on Beginner Trek, why we structure it the way we do, and the importance of encouraging your Scout to participate:
Our Advanced Crew (8th-12th graders) will also be be meeting at Chapman Elementary School at 8:00 AM on Saturday, October 18th, traveling to Findley State Park, in Wellington, for their backpacking trek.
For both camping locations, we will need some parent drivers. If you are available to drive to or from camp, please sign up for either the Saturday or Sunday Camp Driver options on TroopWebHost for either the Beginner Crew or the Advanced Crew.
Remember, Scouts are responsible for bringing their own food for the weekend. Here are some suggestions/tips for backpacking food:
You will need to bring one non-cook lunch, one dinner, one breakfast, and a limited amount of snacks.
Please pack each meal separately into its own ziploc bag, so that it can be found easily on the trail (the bag can then hold the trash from that meal). Also, everyone needs to bring a string bag to put all of their food in overnight. We store the food in cars, and it’s easier if everyone has one bag to store with all of their food. Don’t forget to bring a mess kit for eating (cup, plate/bowl and spork) – bring only what you need for eating your food, and pack it in a ziploc bag.
A fall backpacking gear list can be found in the Beginner Trek link above. Here are some additional gear notes:
-Everyone needs to bring two filled one-quart water bottles with them, and have the ability to carry at least two quarts of water in their backpack.
-The troop will be supplying hiking maps, as well as a couple of compasses per hiking group, but Scouts are welcome to bring their own compass if they would like.
-Everyone going on the Beginner Trek should bring a camp chair to use at the campsite. We will drive them over to the campsite, so don’t pack them in your backpack.
Parents, while it’s your role to support your Scout, please remember that it’s a Scout’s job to pack his own backpack and assemble the food that he will need on the trek. This way, he will be familiar with the gear and food he is bringing, and where to find it in his pack.
Backpacking Camp is a great way to spend time with friends, enjoy the outdoors, and earn some hiking miles! If you have any questions about camp, please do not hesitate to talk to an adult leader.
