Organized camping is a creative, educational experience in cooperative
group living in the outdoors. It uses the natural surroundings to
contribute significantly to physical, mental, spiritual, and social
growth.
- Camping contributes to good health.
- Camping helps campers develop self-reliance and resourcefulness.
- Camping enhances spiritual growth.
- Camping contributes to social development.
- Camping is an experience in citizenship training.
- Camping at the Cub Scout level
introduces boys to the knowledge and skills that they will learn and
apply more thoroughly as a Boy Scout.
Cub Scouting offers camping opportunities for Cub Scouts through day
camps, resident camps, Webelos den overnight campouts, council-organized
family camps, and pack overnighters.
Council-Organized Family Camps (Akelas)
Council-organized family camps are overnight events involving more
than one pack. The local council provides all the elements of the
outdoor experience, such as staffing, food service, housing, and
program. These are often referred to as parent/pal or adventure
weekends.
Council-organized family camps should be conducted by trained leaders
on sites approved by the local council. In most cases, the youth member
will be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. In all cases,
each youth participant is responsible to a specific adult.
The council must approve overnight activities involving more than one pack.
Summer Camps
Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Summer Camp is a council-organized,
theme-oriented program. It is conducted under certified leadership at a camp approved by
the council.
Each year, councils change their overall theme to offer different
adventures. Examples of themes include Sea Adventure, Space Adventure,
Athletes, Knights, Circus Big Top, American Indian Heritage, Folklore,
and the World Around Us.
Webelos Den Overnight Campouts
Webelos Scout overnight campouts introduce the boy and his parent or
guardian to the basics of the Boy Scout camping program. These events
SHOULD be conducted under the leadership of a Webelos den leader who is
trained in Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders, an
outdoor-emphasis training provided by the district or council. In most
cases, the Webelos Scout will be under the supervision of a parent or
guardian. In all cases, each Scout is responsible to a specific adult.
BSA health and safety and Youth Protection guidelines apply.
Webelos dens are encouraged to have several overnight campouts each
year. These campouts are parent-son events, under the direction of the
Webelos den leader. At the den overnight campout, the Webelos den leader
may be assisted by the assistant Webelos den leader and the Webelos den
chief. Sometimes, additional leadership from a Boy Scout troop may join
you.
Webelos dens are also encouraged to participate in joint overnight
campouts with a Boy Scout troop. However, a parent or guardian of each
Webelos Scout should still attend.
Pack Overnighters
Pack overnighters are pack-organized overnight events involving more
than one family from a single Pack, focused on age-appropriate Cub Scout
activities and conducted at council-approved sites. If nonmembers
(siblings) participate, the event must be structured to accommodate
them. BSA health and safety and Youth Protection guidelines apply. In
most cases, each youth member will be under the supervision of a parent
or guardian. In all cases, each youth participant is responsible to a
specific adult.
Adults giving leadership to a pack overnighter must complete
the Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) to properly
understand the importance of the program intent, Youth Protection
guidelines, health and safety, site selection, age-appropriate
activities, and sufficient adult participation. Permits for campouts are
issued locally. Packs use the Local Tour Permit Application (see the Forms page).