Your First campout

Generally, the first campout with our new scouts happens in April. We usually try to pick a spot close to home, and we usually keep it at a relatively low elevation so that we don’t experience low overnight temperatures. The Tuesday before a campout is reserved for menu planning, and before this first campout, we will also conduct a gear review.

Dress for the weather! Remember, the weather in Colorado changes in an instant. The best advice is to dress in layers. You can easily remove or add a layer throughout the day to stay comfortable. Tennis-type shoes are not recommended as feet easily get cold. Good, sturdy running shoes or hiking
shoes/boots are the best.

We leave for campouts on Fridays after school gets out. Please arrive at the Troop shed & trailer (at the northwest corner of the church) by 4:30 PM for a timely departure. You should either eat dinner prior to leaving or bring something that is car-friendly to eat on the road.

All scouts bringing prescription and/or over-the-counter medications MUST check their meds in prior to departure. Place all meds, in the original containers, in a Ziploc baggie with the scout’s name, medication, and dosage instructions. Inhalers and epi-pens may remain in the possession of the scout. If a scout’s parent is traveling with us, their medication may be left with the parent for safekeeping and administration.

When it is cold at night, do not use an air mattress unless it is a 4-season one (which have a special material in them); be sure to have high-density foam mats instead. A sleeping bag with a sleeping bag liner will keep you MUCH warmer at night. A wool blanket is always handy if you get cold easily. Also, plan to have a hat to sleep in that you do not use during the day (so it is dry) to keep your head warm.

Bring a daypack with your 10 essentials. The exception for our new scouts is not to bring a knife or any fire starter equipment. You must first earn your Fireman’ Chit and Totin’ Chip before you can carry these items.

We typically return to the Troop shed area at the church around 12:30 on Sunday. We try to have the scouts “phone home” when we’re about 30 minutes away from the church. Scouts must stay to help unload the trailer. You should check with the SPL before leaving after clean up.