2017 Fall Family Camping
Schiff Nature Preserve
Who: Pack 133 Scouts
What: Family Camping – yes, moms and sisters are more than welcome!
When: Sat, Sept 23 – Sun, Sept 24
Where: Schiff Nature Preserve.
Why: To have some fun!
Saturday
Anytime – Site is open to pitch tents, explore, hike and play games…
Feel free to stop in early, setup up your tent and then return to any other commitments you may have for the day. Please be mindful of low lying areas if there is a forecast of rain. It is recommended that you use a tarp under your tent and a rain fly over your tent. Please note that there are no platforms.
Saturday Afternoon
Open time to explore …
We have some activities planned – see the Schedule of Activities. Your Den leader may also have plans to work on requirements. But with sporting events and other family commitments, feel free to come and go as needed. There are plenty of hiking trails throughout Schiff or just chill out around a campfire and play games in the field. Bring a frisbee, soccer or football or take the time to enjoy the outdoors with your Scouting family.
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Lunch – Bring Your Own
Dinner: BYO or participate in the Pack meal (foil packet burger, foil packet apple)
Breakfast: BYO or participate in the Pack meal
Clean-up
We don’t want any critters visiting
Each scout family is responsible to keep their own area clean and free of any garbage, food or “smellables” so as to not attract any bears, raccoons or other wildlife. No food should be kept in any tent!! Even deodorant and toothpaste can attract friendly four legged animals, so keep anything of question in your car or use a “bear bag”. .
Evening Campfire
Bring your skits, songs and cheers
As we settle in for the night, join us as we sit around a campfire and watch the embers glow. Our Scouts know several skits, cheers and songs, so be ready to perform them!
Additional Suggestions
For those of you who are new to Cub Scout camping, our campouts are open to all family members. Brothers, sisters, moms and dads are all invited!! However, it is the family’s responsibility for all camping equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, cookware, etc. But if there is something that you don’t have, just ask, we may have it.
Plan for rain, hope for great weather.
Ground cloths under tents are highly recommended, as is rain gear, extra clothing, jackets and hats. In the event of severe weather, pack leadership will make the determination to either call off the campout or break camp early. Our top priority is safety.
Feel free to bring any other comforts from home, sleeping pads or cots, your favorite teddy bear, a guitar, but please keep the electronics to a minimum. This is to be a time for you and your scout to enjoy the outdoors, unplug and get close to nature. Please do not bring radios, portable TV’s or other handheld entertainment devices. Cell phones should be used minimally or better yet, left in the car.
A Few Simple Rules…
Pocketknives – Only those scouts who have already earned the Whittling Chip Award are allowed to carry or use pocketknives, NO EXCEPTIONS!!! A scout who has his Whittling Chip should always carry his card and be able to produce that card when asked by any leader. If the card cannot be produced, the leader will confiscate the knife until the weekend is over. This is for the safety of all in attendance.
As per BSA regulations…
What: Family Camping – yes, moms and sisters are more than welcome!
When: Sat, Sept 23 – Sun, Sept 24
Where: Schiff Nature Preserve.
Why: To have some fun!
Saturday
Anytime – Site is open to pitch tents, explore, hike and play games…
Feel free to stop in early, setup up your tent and then return to any other commitments you may have for the day. Please be mindful of low lying areas if there is a forecast of rain. It is recommended that you use a tarp under your tent and a rain fly over your tent. Please note that there are no platforms.
Saturday Afternoon
Open time to explore …
We have some activities planned – see the Schedule of Activities. Your Den leader may also have plans to work on requirements. But with sporting events and other family commitments, feel free to come and go as needed. There are plenty of hiking trails throughout Schiff or just chill out around a campfire and play games in the field. Bring a frisbee, soccer or football or take the time to enjoy the outdoors with your Scouting family.
Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
Lunch – Bring Your Own
Dinner: BYO or participate in the Pack meal (foil packet burger, foil packet apple)
Breakfast: BYO or participate in the Pack meal
Clean-up
We don’t want any critters visiting
Each scout family is responsible to keep their own area clean and free of any garbage, food or “smellables” so as to not attract any bears, raccoons or other wildlife. No food should be kept in any tent!! Even deodorant and toothpaste can attract friendly four legged animals, so keep anything of question in your car or use a “bear bag”. .
Evening Campfire
Bring your skits, songs and cheers
As we settle in for the night, join us as we sit around a campfire and watch the embers glow. Our Scouts know several skits, cheers and songs, so be ready to perform them!
Additional Suggestions
For those of you who are new to Cub Scout camping, our campouts are open to all family members. Brothers, sisters, moms and dads are all invited!! However, it is the family’s responsibility for all camping equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, cookware, etc. But if there is something that you don’t have, just ask, we may have it.
Plan for rain, hope for great weather.
Ground cloths under tents are highly recommended, as is rain gear, extra clothing, jackets and hats. In the event of severe weather, pack leadership will make the determination to either call off the campout or break camp early. Our top priority is safety.
Feel free to bring any other comforts from home, sleeping pads or cots, your favorite teddy bear, a guitar, but please keep the electronics to a minimum. This is to be a time for you and your scout to enjoy the outdoors, unplug and get close to nature. Please do not bring radios, portable TV’s or other handheld entertainment devices. Cell phones should be used minimally or better yet, left in the car.
A Few Simple Rules…
Pocketknives – Only those scouts who have already earned the Whittling Chip Award are allowed to carry or use pocketknives, NO EXCEPTIONS!!! A scout who has his Whittling Chip should always carry his card and be able to produce that card when asked by any leader. If the card cannot be produced, the leader will confiscate the knife until the weekend is over. This is for the safety of all in attendance.
As per BSA regulations…
- Absolutely NO ALCOHOL will be allowed at the campsite, PERIOD!! You will be asked to camp!!! This is a Scouting event and a fun time to share with your Scout and family. Alcohol is not a necessity!!!
- No Smoking!! If absolutely necessary, only to be done safely and responsibly and out of the sight and smell of all scouts
- At least one parent must be in attendance at all times and must stay with their scout for the duration of the campout
- Scouts must tent with their parents only – one family per tent.
- All campers must conform to the Park Commission rules and regulations.
- Pop ups / mobile homes are not allowed
- Campfires to be built in provided campfire rings only. Some firewood may be on site, feel free to bring your own.
- Weapons and firearms are prohibited at all times.
- No cutting down or damaging live trees. Do not harm, injure, damage or remove any structure, plant or animal.
FAQ
When is the earliest time we can show up on Sat, 9/23?
The preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk so you can access the property at your convenience. If you will give us an idea of when you are likely to arrive, we will arrange to have someone meet you at the Nature Center and make sure you get settled.
When is the latest time the Scouts should depart by on Sun?
We do not have a time limit on when you will need to leave. We do, however, have a busy schedule that Sunday with a Volunteer Work Day and a Fundraising event scheduled. There will more than likely not be staff available for a formal checkout.
Will the gates be open should a Scout need to arrive late on Sat night or leave early on Sun morning?
The gates will be open during the entire period of your stay.
Will there be running water at the camp site?
We will not have running water at the camp site. We do have water available at the Nature Center, our check-in location, which is also where the nearest restrooms are located.
What are the rules concerning building a fire? Can the Scouts scavenge for firewood?
You can either bring up your own firewood or use fallen trees in the immediate area. There is a recently completed fire pit at our camp site which will be utilized for our fire.
Is there anywhere the Scouts should not set up a tent?
Our camp site location at Lookout Point is located at the junction of 3 trails on the Schiff property. Use your judgement and try to locate your tents off of the trail right of way. There is plenty of room at the site for tents so this should not be a problem.
Is there a dumpster for trash? A recycling receptacle?
There are no trash or recycling containers at the site. All trash and recycling should be taken out with you.
Are there picnic tables at the site?
There is one picnic table at the site.
How far is the site from the parking lot?
The camp site is approximately one-half mile from the parking lot of the Nature Center.
Are there platforms to set the tents upon?
No, there are no platforms.
Will the bathrooms be open during the time we are on-site?
We have arranged to have the Nature Center unlocked during our stay so that you can access the bathrooms.
The preserve is open to the public from dawn to dusk so you can access the property at your convenience. If you will give us an idea of when you are likely to arrive, we will arrange to have someone meet you at the Nature Center and make sure you get settled.
When is the latest time the Scouts should depart by on Sun?
We do not have a time limit on when you will need to leave. We do, however, have a busy schedule that Sunday with a Volunteer Work Day and a Fundraising event scheduled. There will more than likely not be staff available for a formal checkout.
Will the gates be open should a Scout need to arrive late on Sat night or leave early on Sun morning?
The gates will be open during the entire period of your stay.
Will there be running water at the camp site?
We will not have running water at the camp site. We do have water available at the Nature Center, our check-in location, which is also where the nearest restrooms are located.
What are the rules concerning building a fire? Can the Scouts scavenge for firewood?
You can either bring up your own firewood or use fallen trees in the immediate area. There is a recently completed fire pit at our camp site which will be utilized for our fire.
Is there anywhere the Scouts should not set up a tent?
Our camp site location at Lookout Point is located at the junction of 3 trails on the Schiff property. Use your judgement and try to locate your tents off of the trail right of way. There is plenty of room at the site for tents so this should not be a problem.
Is there a dumpster for trash? A recycling receptacle?
There are no trash or recycling containers at the site. All trash and recycling should be taken out with you.
Are there picnic tables at the site?
There is one picnic table at the site.
How far is the site from the parking lot?
The camp site is approximately one-half mile from the parking lot of the Nature Center.
Are there platforms to set the tents upon?
No, there are no platforms.
Will the bathrooms be open during the time we are on-site?
We have arranged to have the Nature Center unlocked during our stay so that you can access the bathrooms.
