This for the 2024 program year Cub Scout updates. This new program takes effect on June 1, 2024. See more details about the overall program updates here.
The Bear Let’s Camp Adventure is a great way for Scouts to explore the outdoors. This adventure teaches them important outdoor skills and safety measures. Scouts learn how to prepare for camping by understanding what to pack and how to set up a campsite. These activities help them become more confident and self-reliant.
During the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure, Scouts work together, using the buddy system to ensure everyone’s safety. They also learn to pick a good spot for setting up their tents and to explain their choices. These skills are important for any outdoor activity and teach Scouts how to make smart decisions.
Camping also helps Scouts appreciate nature. They spend time outside, away from screens and the busy city life. This exposure to nature helps them understand the importance of protecting our environment. It also gives them a chance to see wildlife and learn about different plants.
By participating in the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure, Scouts and their families get to enjoy fun and educational experiences together. These activities help build lasting memories and teach skills that will help Scouts throughout their lives.
Requirements for the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure
Bear Let’s Camp Adventure Requirements
- Review the buddy system and how it works in the outdoors.
- Pack your Cub Scout Six Essentials for the campout.
- In addition to your 6 Cub Scout Essentials, show the personal items you need for your campout.
- Help set up a tent. Determine a good spot for the tent. Explain why you picked the spot.
- Attend a Council or District Cub Scout overnight camp or attend a campout with your Pack.
Printable requirements for the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure
Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure
Resources for the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure
The Buddy System
The buddy system is a safety rule where each Scout has a partner. These partners keep an eye on each other during activities, especially outdoors. This helps make sure everyone is safe and nobody gets lost.
For the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure, you can make learning the buddy system fun and engaging for the Scouts. Here are some ideas:
- Buddy Up Game: Make a game where Scouts must find a buddy who has a matching piece of a puzzle or a similar item. This teaches them to quickly identify and stick with a partner.
- Role-Playing: Set up scenarios where the buddy system is important, like walking through a pretend forest. Have the Scouts act out what to do if they can’t see their buddy anymore.
- Buddy Checks: Periodically, during the activity, call out “Buddy Check!” The Scouts should quickly find and stand next to their buddies. This practice helps them stay alert and aware of where their buddy is.
These activities make learning about the buddy system interactive and memorable.
Cub Scout Six Essentials
The Cub Scout Six Essentials are items every Scout should carry on outings to stay safe and prepared. Here are the six essentials:
- Water bottle – To stay hydrated.
- Flashlight – For seeing in the dark.
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses) – To protect from sunburn.
- Trail food – Like granola bars, to keep energy up.
- First aid kit – For minor cuts and scrapes.
- Whistle – To signal for help if needed.
To teach Scouts how to pack these essentials, you can use these creative ideas:
- Packing Relay Race: Create a fun relay race where Scouts run to a packing station, pick one essential item, and run back to start packing their backpack. This helps them learn quickly what needs to be packed.
- Essentials Scavenger Hunt: Hide the six essentials around your meeting area and have the Scouts find them. Each Scout or pair can then explain why the item is essential for a campout.
- What’s Missing? Game: Show the Scouts a backpack with some items missing. Let them figure out what’s missing from the six essentials and why each item is important.
These activities for the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure make packing the six essentials a fun and engaging learning experience.
Personal Items
For the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure campout, Scouts need to bring personal items in addition to the Cub Scout Six Essentials. These personal items make camping more comfortable and safe. Here are some typical personal items:
- Clothing: Bring enough clothes for the weather, including a warm jacket and rain gear.
- Sleeping bag: Needed for sleeping comfortably and staying warm at night.
- Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap help keep Scouts clean.
- Towel: Useful for drying off after washing or swimming.
- Insect repellent: Helps keep bugs away.
- Personal medication: Important for Scouts who need special medicine.
See a complete suggested camping packing list here.
To teach Scouts how to choose and pack these items, you can:
- Checklist Challenge: Give each Scout a checklist of personal items. They can mark each item as they pack it. This helps them learn not to forget important things.
- Personal Item Show and Tell: Have Scouts bring one personal item and explain why it’s important for camping. This helps them understand not just what to bring, but why.
- Pack It Right Demo: Demonstrate how to pack a backpack efficiently, showing where to put heavier items (near the bottom) and how to distribute weight evenly.
These methods help Scouts learn to pack effectively and understand the importance of each item they bring on a campout.
Set Up a Tent
Setting up a tent is a key part of camping. It’s important to pick the right spot for the tent to make sure Scouts are comfortable and safe. Here are some criteria for choosing a good tent spot:
- Flat ground: Look for a level area so you can sleep comfortably.
- Dry ground: Avoid low areas that might collect water when it rains.
- Shade: If possible, find a spot under trees to keep the tent cool during the day.
- Distance from water: Set up the tent at least 200 feet away from lakes or rivers to protect water sources and avoid flooding.
- Away from hazards: Avoid placing the tent under dead trees or large branches that could fall.
When teaching Scouts how to pick a spot for their tent, you can:
- Spot Selection Walk: Take a walk with the Scouts around the campsite and discuss the pros and cons of different spots. This helps them understand what to look for.
- Role-Playing Scenarios: Create scenarios where Scouts must choose the best spot based on different camping conditions, like rainy weather or in a heavily wooded area.
- Setup Tents: Let Scouts set up their tents in the spot they choose. Discuss the choices afterward to reinforce learning.
This part of the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure helps Scouts learn to think critically about where they set up their tent, considering comfort, safety, and environmental impact.
Go Camping
Attending a council or district Cub Scout overnight camp, or a campout with your pack, is the final requirement for the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure. This experience helps Scouts learn to live and work with others in an outdoor setting. It’s a great chance for them to use the skills they’ve learned, like setting up a tent and using the buddy system.
Here’s why attending these campouts is important:
- Teamwork: Scouts work together, building teamwork and leadership skills.
- Skills Practice: They get to practice camping skills in a real setting.
- Fun Activities: These campouts often include fun activities like hiking, campfires, and games.
- Nature Connection: Scouts spend more time outdoors, which helps them appreciate nature.
To prepare Scouts for these experiences, you can:
- Pre-Camp Meeting: Hold a meeting to discuss what to expect at the campout, what to pack, and review the schedule of activities.
- Skill Refresher: Before the campout, review important camping skills, like packing a backpack or setting up a tent.
- Post-Camp Recap: After the campout, have a discussion with the Scouts about what they learned and enjoyed.
These steps ensure Scouts are prepared, engaged, and get the most out of their camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure
What are the Cub Scout Six Essentials?
The Cub Scout Six Essentials are items every Scout should bring on campouts: water bottle, flashlight, sun protection, trail food, first aid kit, and a whistle.
Why do we use the buddy system?
The buddy system keeps Scouts safe by making sure each Scout has a partner to watch out for them, especially outdoors.
What should I bring besides the Six Essentials?
Bring personal items like extra clothes, a sleeping bag, toiletries, a towel, insect repellent, and any personal medications.
How do I choose a good spot for my tent?
Look for flat, dry ground away from water and hazards like dead trees. A spot with some shade is also good.
What happens at a council or district Cub Scout overnight camp?
Scouts participate in organized activities like games, hikes, and campfires, practice camping skills, and learn to work together with other Scouts.
A Scout’s Guide to the Great Outdoors
The Bear Let’s Camp Adventure is designed for Cub Scouts to gain practical skills and confidence in camping. This adventure encourages Scouts to understand and enjoy the outdoors. It starts with reviewing the buddy system, teaching Scouts to look out for one another and stay safe.
Scouts then learn to pack the right gear, including the Cub Scout Six Essentials—necessary items for any outdoor activity. They also learn to consider what personal items they might need for a specific campout, like extra clothing or a sleeping bag.
Setting up a tent correctly is another key component of the Bear Let’s Camp Adventure. Scouts choose a spot for their tent and learn to evaluate the location based on safety and comfort. This teaches them about outdoor safety and environmental care.
Finally, attending a council or district overnight camp or a pack campout allows Scouts to put all these skills into practice. They engage in fun activities that build teamwork and leadership.
The Bear Let’s Camp Adventure not only teaches Scouts how to camp but also instills a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of protecting it.
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