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 ones get properly cold after dark — bring more layers than you think.

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. The whole pack, 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. Boulder Creek, Rob Hill in the Presidio and Memorial Park at Loma Mar have hosted us in past years.

Cub Scout day camp

Run each summer by the council and district. Games, sports, archery, crafts, storytelling and organized activities. Reserve early.

Resident camp

A week-long camping experience, generally for Webelos. Archery, BB shooting, swimming, boating, campcraft. Sites are 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

Cub Scout camping is family camping. 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 particular trip, arrangements can usually be made with another family’s parent; talk to your den leader early.

What to pack

Not all of it every time — but if you have everything here, you’re prepared. Don’t buy it all: borrow from another pack family who isn’t going on this trip, or rent from somewhere like Sports Basement. As your family gets more experience you’ll pick gear up cheaply at garage sales and on Craigslist.

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 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 somebody in the pack will have a spare of whatever you’re missing. Email pack345sf@gmail.com.