Pack 843 Families,
We are getting excited about our upcoming Pack Family Campout at Raccoon Creek State Park. The campout will be held July 31 through August 2 at the Sioux Group B Camping site. (You can join us for one night or both.) This is a primitive camping site with vault toilets and water nearby. There is plenty of room for families to set up tents and for the Scouts to play. There are no showers on site, but there are shower facilities at the beach where we will spend time on Saturday and Sunday. There is no cost associated with this campout as the Pack is covering the costs of the campsite.
We are setting up a fun schedule of events which will
include a 1.2 mile hike on the Mineral Springs Loop, star gazing, swimming,
fishing, boating, a scavenger hunt, crafts, Dutch oven and campfire cooking,
games and much more. We will work on some advancement requirements on this trip
and you are encouraged to view the attachment which details some of this
information.
We understand that this is a difficult time as we all
experience the limitations that surround the COVID-19 virus. The prevailing
thought is that camping is a minimal risk activity, on par with going to the
grocery store, but less risky than going to the doctor or to an outdoor
restaurant. We will be discussing with the Scouts the need for social distance
and cleanliness. We will be requiring all Scouts and family members to have a
mask available to use if the 6’ social distance cannot be maintained. Hand
sanitizer will be available in multiple locations. Finally we plan to have the
restrooms and water spout sanitized every 1-2 hours by a team of parent volunteers.
In order to mitigate concerns regarding COVID-19, all
families will bring their own food and prepare their own meals, with the
exception of the dinner on Saturday. We will have tin foil pockets for dinner
that evening which adult leaders will assist the Scouts in preparing in a
sanitary manner. If you would prefer to prepare your family’s own dinner meal
on Saturday, please let Deb Whitewood know so that we don’t over purchase the
food items.
We understand that some Scouts and their families would
prefer to not camp overnight, yet would like to join us for the activities on
Saturday. We suggest meeting us at the campsite on Saturday morning no later
than 9:30 AM so that you can join us for the hike, or at noon for lunch (pack
your own) and the lake activities in the afternoon. Please wear closed toed
shoes and bring a water bottle and small backpack for this hike.
If you have any questions, please contact Deb Whitewood at whitewoodD@msn.com. If your family would like to camp, but does not have a tent or other equipment, please contact Deb Whitewood at the email address above. Deb has plenty of equipment to lend out.
A few notes:
(None of these forms need to be signed by a
doctor.)
- Please remember to bring all necessary
medications to the campsite. Parents are responsible for securing medications
safely and administering them to their Scout. Refrigeration of medications is
available with Deb Whitewood, please contact her in advance.
- Alcohol is strictly forbidden at any BSA function.
Secondly, alcoholic beverages are not allowed in PA State Parks. Please do
not bring any alcoholic beverages on this campout.
- Ice and fishing bait are available for purchase
at the beach concession stand which is a short drive from the campsite.
- Knives are optional. Scouts may only use knives
or have them in their possession if they have achieved their Whittling Chip.
- Adults who will be actively fishing are required
to have a fishing license. Scouts do not need a license to fish. Deb Whitewood
will have fishing gear available for Scouts who would like to try fishing. Fishing
licenses can be obtained online at https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php
- It is strongly suggested to make advance
reservations for kayaks/canoes if you plan on boating on Saturday (from
1:30-4PM) or Sunday (from 10AM-12:30PM).
The phone number is (724) 899-4130. The
address is 430 Raccoon Park Rd, Clinton, PA 15026.
If you have not already signed up to camp with us, please
email Deekota Yadav at deekota.yadav@gmail.com
or signup on the Pack website at http://pack843.org/sign-ups/.
We need an accurate head count in order to provide the
dinner on Saturday. Also email Deekota if you would like to join us only for
the Saturday activities. Let her know if you are coming at 9:30 AM or at noon,
and if you are staying for dinner.
Sincerely,
Deb Whitewood & Deekota Yadav
