Camping

Camping is an integral part of the Scouting experience and individual growth. Pack 174 goes on a minimum of two Full-Pack, overnight family camping trips every year. We are lucky to live near Camp Patiya, a BSA campground 20 minutes from downtown Boulder—the perfect safe and convenient environment for Scouts to foster their camping skills and appreciation of the outdoors.

Participation

Cub Scouting is family oriented. Our camp-outs are open to registered scouts, their parents/guardians, and siblings.

Each participant must provide a filled out a “BSA Annual Health and Medical Record” to Pack leadership. We only accept paper copies of these forms, and they stay locked up at all times.

Equipment

Even though we camp in a controlled environment with access to running water and restroom facilities, Scouts and their families need to prepare for the alpine environment. Each person should bring the following items:

  • Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Layered Clothing (plan on warm days and chilly evenings/nights. Gloves and stocking caps are often useful)
  • Appropriate Footwear (open-toed shoes, sandals, and crocs are not appropriate)
  • Flashlight
  • Water Bottle
  • Sun Protection
  • Mess Kit (at least a plate, bowl, & silverware. Add a suitable cup for coffee as needed!)
  • Daypack with the Cub Scout Six Essentials (whistle, trail snacks, water bottle, flashlight, sun protection, small first aid kit)
  • Camp Chair (not essential, but nice to have)
  • Tent (typically shared by the members of a family)

If you need to borrow any gear, reach out to leadership in advance and we’ll do our best to help.

Food

Big meals (dinner and breakfast) at Pack 174’s overnights are mess style, planned, managed and paid for through Pack funds. Scouts and parents are expected to help out running the chow line and cleaning up afterward. We have all the cooking gear, we just need elbow grease to get everyone fed.

Pack 174 also runs a traditional Scout cracker barrel—snack meats, cheese and crackers—before lights out to fill up stomachs and keep Scouts warm at bedtime. In between meals snacks, however, are provided by the Scouts and their families.

Activities

Campouts are an excellent opportunity for Scouts to complete required outdoor Adventures to earn their rank badge. Much of the overnights revolve around these organized events. However, we also partake in a number of other activities outside rank requirements, such as gaga ball, capture the flag, hiking, flag retirements and campfire programs. The last is a point of pride for Pack 174 and the songs, skits, jokes and run-ons are a highlight of many Scouts’ camping experience.