About three times a year

Camping

Three pack campouts a year, day camp in the summer, and a full week of resident camp for the older scouts. The fall campouts get cold after dark.

Did you ever watch the campfire when the wood has fallen low, and the ashes start to whiten round the embers’ crimson glow? Tell me, were you ever nearer to the land of heart’s desire, than when you sat there thinking with your face turned toward the fire? — Anonymous

The kinds of camping

Pack campouts

Three a year, family-style — a scout camps with at least one adult family member. This year: Chabot Regional Park in September, Camp Tamarancho in February, and Camp Loma in the Santa Cruz Mountains in April.

Cub Scout day camp

Run each summer by the council and district: games, sports, archery, crafts, storytelling. Reserve early.

Resident camp

A week away, generally for Webelos. Archery, BB shooting, swimming, boating, campcraft. Often fully booked by January, so register early.

Camporees

Council and district events held roughly twice a year. Packs often camp with or near the troop their older scouts will bridge into.

A parent comes too

Every scout is accompanied by a parent, guardian or another adult family member, and BSA Youth Protection guidelines apply throughout. If you can’t make a trip, arrangements can usually be made with another family — talk to your den leader early.

What to pack

Not all of it every time. Don’t buy it all either — borrow from a pack family who isn’t going, or rent from somewhere like Sports Basement.

Shelter and sleeping

Tent for your family
Ground cloth or tarp to go under the tent
Sleeping bags for everyone — rated down to 20 °F
Sleeping pads, air mattresses or blankets to go beneath them
Pillows (optional)
Portable chairs or stools for the campfire program

Gear

Mess kit for the family — plates, utensils, cups, bowls, coffee mugs
A flashlight for each person, with spare batteries
First-aid kit
A water bottle or canteen for each person
Day pack
Toiletries, and toilet paper (half a roll in a plastic bag)
Bug spray
Garbage bags
A battery pack and cable to charge your phone

Clothing

Pack for one season colder than you expect, and wear layers.

Trail-running shoes or hiking boots — broken in and waterproofed
Sandals or flip-flops for public showers and late-night bathroom trips
Wool socks
Synthetic shorts or convertible pants; synthetic wicking t-shirts; underwear
Rain or wind jacket and pants, or a poncho; waterproof pants if rain is likely
Wool or fleece sweater, jacket or vest
Wool or fleece hat, and gloves or mittens
Pyjamas, sunglasses, a towel

The same list as a printable document

The pack provides

Cooking stove or fire, and cooking equipment
Some meals — watch for the email before each campout
Dish soap and sponges

First campout?

Tell your den leader — someone will walk you through it, and the pack will usually have a spare of whatever you’re missing.