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.