Outdoor Activities

Hiking

One of Cub Scouting’s Core Values is “Health and Fitness.” Getting kids outside and moving is essential to their good physical — and mental — health. More and more studies show that children who spend more time outdoors are healthier and happier, both as children and adults. Also, it’s a blast!

Pack 46 has a hike planned for every month for 2011-2012. We choose hikes that are varied and fun and offer a great variety of hiking experiences. They are usually easy to moderate in difficulty and less than 3 miles in length. Most are located within a 30 mile radius of Fayetteville.

Some of the places we have hiked in the last couple of years include: Devil’s Den State Park, Withrow Springs State Park, Lake Fayetteville, Tanyard Creek Trail, Lake Wedington Recreation Area, and Rock City.

Camping

Pack 46 prides itself on the fact that we camp a lot for a Cub Scout Pack, and we have a great time doing it. For 2011-2012, we have five campouts planned for the year. We like to keep the “outing” in scouting.

Cub Scout camping is family camping. Each Cub Scout must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, but the whole family (parents and siblings) are welcome. Siblings are welcome at Council and District camping events, too.

Even if you’ve never camped before, Cub Scouts family camping is fun and easy. We are usually parked near our campsite — there’s no backpacking! You need a tent and usually a sleeping bag and pad make things comfortable, but you can get by on most campouts with a couple of blankets).

Camping Costs

Other than acquiring camping gear (and you can borrow or rent until you’re sure what you need and what works for you), Cub Scout camping is very affordable as far as family entertainment goes.

Pack campouts generally run about $6 per person (with a maximum per family) to cover food, campground, and other expenses. We try to keep pack campout fees as low as possible.

District and Council camps tend to run about $45 for 1 Cub Scout plus 1 parent, with additional kids running about $15 each and parents $10 each. T-shirts are extra (and run about $15).

Camping Frequently Asked Questions

What sort of gear do you need for Cub Scout camping?

Not all that much, actually. All Cub Scout camping is group car camping (no backpacking). You need:

• tent
• sleeping bag (1 per family member)
• sleeping pad, air mattress, or cot (1 per family member)
• mess kit (1 per family member)
• camp chairs (1 per family member)
• toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrush, biodegradable soap, toilet paper, etc.)
• Sunscreen
• flashlight and spare batteries
• clothing appropriate for the weather, including a hat and rain gear

Camping Opportunities

In addition to several pack overnighters, we participate in two Council or District campouts.

Cub Adventure (October)

In October, we have the Razorback District’s Cub Adventure at the Washington County Fairgrounds. We’ll camp along with other packs from the district for two nights. The district provides activities on Saturday, capped by a big campfire program after dark, but we eat and camp together as a pack. Assistant Cubmaster Justin Baugh is the coordinator for this campout.

Pack 46 Fall Pack Overnighter (October)

The last weekend of October, we’ll have our fall pack overnighter at Devil’s Den State Park, just south of Fayetteville. We’ll have activities on Saturday, capped by a cookout and a campfire program after dark. We’ll have breakfast Sunday morning, then cleanup and head home by noon. Assistant Cubmaster R.T. Hughen is the coordinator for this campout.

Pack 46 Spring Campout (March)

We’re going to make another attempt (after getting flooded out last spring!) to camp and fish at Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Missouri (about 1 hour from Fayetteville). We’ll fish all day Saturday (including instruction and Fishing Belt Loop and Pin help), have a big cookout then an awards ceremony and campfire Saturday night, camp over night, cook and eat a big breakfast (and maybe sneak in a little early morning fishing!), then clean up and head home.

Spring Family Camp at Camp Orr (April)

In April, we have the Council’s Spring Family Camp at Camp Orr on the Buffalo River, near Jasper, Arkansas. Food is provided as part of the registration fee at Family Camp, but we camp together, though there are many other packs from across the entire Council there.

Pack 46 Graduation Campout (May)

In May, we head out to Lake Wedington for our Pack’s Graduation Ceremony (where the boys advance to their new dens), we have our Raingutter Regatta boat race, a cookout, and overnight camp.

Twilight Camp (June/July)

This is a four-evening version of day camp (held 5:30 to 9pm). Lots of belt loop and rank badge activities (including archery and BB gun shooting). Lots of fun. It’s usually the last week of June (and maybe a day or two of July).

Cub Scout Resident Camp (July 5-8)

A long weekend (Thursday through Sunday) at Camp Orr, near Jasper, Arkansas. Webelos are the center of this weekend, but all Cub Scouts can attend. Webelos go on an overnight hike and campout away from their packs on Friday night.