We’re coming up on the month of October and Troops 612 and 2612 have a rollicking campout planned.
Continue reading October camp-inTag Archives: camping
July camping
Many troops have simply failed during lockdown, stopping all operations, even as their Scouts continue to get closer to aging out. Not Troops 612 and 2612. We’re continuing to try to advance in the face of the pandemic, and we’re working on figuring out the best ways to replicate the Scouting experience, at home. That’s why we had our campout on the 18th.
Troop 612 and their flying machines
This weekend was an overnight event at SACRC in Union City. While the camping wasn’t as woodsy as we’re used to, the opportunity was just what we needed. And while this did include an overnight experience, it was close enough to home to be a single day outing as an option.
Saturday started off with everyone getting a chance to fly high-quality remote-controlled planes. A scout would get a lesson in how planes flew, how the controls worked and what rules to follow.
While flying was fun, it wasn’t all fun and games. Due to technical difficulties, we did have two casualties right of the bat.
Some of these airplanes are very detailed. One dropped a parachute, others had contrails, and there were even a helicopter and something that looked like a jet-glider hybrid that had to be thrown to launch and skidded to a stop when landing.
Later that day when the winds were too strong for flying, the scouts when a little 2-mile hike to practice their orienteering. The terrain wasn’t very challenging but even the little levy and twisty trail were enough to show how easy it was to get lost.
After the hike through the beautiful Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, the scout patrols started making dinner. Some patrols played it safe and simple while others challenged themselves to try something new.
But have no fear, the adults always make the best meals.
Once night came, all was quiet and we could enjoy the feeling of isolation while only being 1,500 feet from a residential neighborhood.
In the morning the scouts had breakfast and a chance to fly a drone or where a VR headset that gave them a drone’s eye view. Then we broke camp and headed home which was all of 16 minutes away.
Backpacking Practice
The Scouts had a chance to try backpack camping – lite. While the scouts had to pack their bags as if they were going to be backpacking into a campsite, the reality is they just had to hike a quarter mile – downhill.
So what’s the difference between backpack camping and car camping? How much you can carry.
Typical car camping includes bring ice chests, camping stoves, folding chairs, huge tents, canopies, suitcases, cots, etc. But with backpack camping, you have to carry everything you need. Sleeping bag and pad, just enough clothes for the trip, your own mess kit, dehydrated food and compact cooking burner, water, toilet paper, etc.
On this particular trip, we didn’t make the kids carry their own tents but they will on a full backpack trip. Then they would have to team up and distribute each scouts loads so that someone carries the tent and others carry part of their load.
Even though this wasn’t full-fledged backpacking, it did teach the scouts the importance of what to bring, and what to leave and how much a few ounces here and there can add up.
But this trip wan’t all work and no play. Aside from the usual camp fun – throwing footballs and frisbees, telling adventure stories, and exploring the outdoor woods – we also took the scouts (by car) to the top of Mount Diablo where they were able to experience great views and learn a little history. They also enjoyed museum store treats and saw a baby snake.
If you get the chance, be sure to visit the museum and check out the views for yourself.