FATHER/SON CAMPOUT

June 19-20, 2004

Our Spring Campout is set for the weekend of June 19-20 (rain or shine) at Lewis Morris Park, Mendham, NJ. We've attached a map and a preliminary agenda to give you some idea of our planned activities and how to find the campsite. We've also attached a simple, personal equipment list.

All Cub Scouts must be accompanied by an adult.  The campout is primarily a "parent-child" outing so adults will be expected to share in all activities.  Note, Tiger Cubs are invited too!  Usually, each Den stakes out one of the several camp sites at the Lewis Morris group camping area - or doubles up with another Den.  There are a number of elevated platforms on which to pitch tents.  Early birds arriving at the campsite get the best pick.

 The campout is open to all male sibling children who are of Cub Scout age or younger.  They must be supervised by their parents.  Cub Scouts and parents must provide their own tents and sleeping bags. 

Equipment

Tents, sleeping bags and other camping gear can be rented or purchased at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in downtown Madison.  If you don't have a tent but expect to do at least a few other camping outings over the next few years, it really works out cheaper to buy an inexpensive tent from Sears or the Sports Authority.  More recently, one of our members had excellent luck finding a HUGE, high quality tent for $99 on the Internet.  You can find 4 person dome tents (a very good style tent - easy to set up, good headroom) for around $50 that are quite serviceable.  We recommend you don't get a two-person model, as these are very cramped when your personal gear is stowed inside - at minimum get a 3-person size.  Also make sure you get a model with a fly - you'll be glad you did if it rains.  Sleeping bags are convenient, but you can easily get by in the warmer weather with a couple quilts interlocked / layered together.  If you have any question about equipment please call John Hogan.  No promises, but we may also be able to borrow tents from one of the two Boy Scout troops in town.  Lack of equipment should not be a reason to decline attending this event.   And remember - it is just one night

Dinner

The Pack will pick up the cost of the dinner on Saturday night!  However, note that special drinks and other desired snacks are the responsibility of each Den.  Also, we should have disposable dinnerware (plates, cups, utensils) but please bring some of your own too as we sometimes run out, especially of cups).  There will be a communal three - tub dish cleaning station available (hot soapy water, two rinses).  You should plan on bringing some tap water in a gallon jug from home as well - the water from the site's hand pump has been brownish the last couple years -  we use it to wash but recommend not drinking it.

 Now, some Dens may have parents with cooking skills they want to show off - or there may be special dietary requirements for some folks - or you may hate hot dogs - so if you want to cook something special, Den by Den, or individually, please feel free to do so.  Costs for special food should be shared in the Den.  Advise you do partial preparation of special food at home (e.g., chopping carrots, mixing dry ingredients) as it gets a little difficult outdoors without nice kitchen countertops.

Breakfast

Breakfast Sunday morning will be prepared at the Pack level.  Anyone with a propane gas stove please call the Father Son Campout Coordinator since we'll need about 5 of these to keep the pancakes and sausages flowing.  The Pack will pick up the cost of Breakfast.

 

Questions 
Please call John LaBarbera if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions about the campout. 

 

DIRECTIONS: To get to the campsite, take Glen Alpin to Tempe Wick Road. Continue on Tempe Wick until you pass the main paved entrance to Jockey Hollow. Slow down. Less than a mile from the main entrance you will find a gated dirt road on the right (look for balloons). Enter here, and follow the dirt road about a half mile to the campsite.

The following rules will apply at all times while camping:

Agenda:

Saturday, June 11

12 - 3 PM            Scouts, adults arrive and set up camp

3 PM               Campout Opening Ceremony

3 - 5 PM          Activities - games in the meadow; short hike to "frog stream" (we'll have   or   coordinating these activities)

 

5 - 8 PM          Cooking dinner and cleanup.  N

8 - 10 PM        Campfire: ghost stories (any dads with special favorites please call John),

 

Sunday, June 12

7 - 11 AM            Breakfast (about 8:00 AM), camp cleanup, inspection, and departure

Equipment Checklist: