Camping Guide

Pack 696 typically camps as a unit two times a year. Once in the fall and once in the spring. Scouts in the WEBELOS and Arrow of Light dens are allowed to camp more often in addition to the pack campouts. Below is a guide on how to enjoy camping if you have never done so before. We also have several den leaders who are experienced campers to offer help. Don't have a tent? That's okay we have a few loaners to share.

    1. Always use a ground cloth – tarp or plastic sheet. This helps keep out ground moisture and helps hold heat in your tent. Heat in a tent comes from your body heat.

    2. Set up on as level a location as possible. Avoid swells that will channel water under your tent.

    3. Make sure that the edges of the ground cloth are completely tucked in under your tent. If you can see it, rain water running off your tent will collect on top of the ground cloth and run between the ground cloth and tent floor. This could allow water to wick up into your tent.

    4. Sleeping bag – choose one rated for the temperatures during your camping trip. A sleeping bag works by keeping your body heat in. You can add a blanket inside your sleeping bag to increase the insulating value. Also remember if you get into a sleeping bag fully dressed you will get cold. You can put your clothes at foot of your sleeping bag so they will not be so cold the next morning.

    5. Sleeping pad – When you lay down in your sleeping bag you compress the insulation on the bottom of your bag. Use a foam sleeping pad under your bag to replace the lost insulation value. If you use an air mattress or cot, remember that this lifts you off the ground and allows cold air to circulate under you. In cold weather you sleep warmer on a foam pad on the ground.

    6. Heaters of any kind are not allowed in tents for any Scout Camping.

    7. NO FAMILY PETS ARE ALLOWED AT CAMP.

    8. NO OUTSIDE GUEST ARE ALLOWED AT CAMP.

    9. Six Essentials are required for all scouts in attendance. Water will be provide by the pack for refilling water bottles. We do not provide water bottles. Personal snacks are okay. NO FOOD should be in your tent.

    10. Your Unit leadership is happy to answer any questions leading up to the campout.