Category Archives: Camp

Family Opportunity: Pack Family Campout 7/31-8/2

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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

CUB AND WEBELOS SCOUT RESIDENT CAMP

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CUB AND WEBELOS SCOUT RESIDENT CAMP

Cub and Webelos Scout Resident Camp is the ultimate Cub Scout camping experience! Scouts, the leaders, and parents/guardians stay overnight for three days at Laurel Highlands Council’s Cub Scout Resident Camp – Camp Independence at Heritage Reservation. Activities include many of the favorites from day camp like BB guns and archery and also include swimming, boating, campfires, climbing, and more. Webelos Scouts get to do even more!

At resident camps, Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts camp overnight. Every year, the resident camp has a different theme and different adventures. This year’s theme is Wild West!
CAMP INDEPENDENCE

Located at Heritage Reservation in Farmington, PA and opened in 1991, Camp Independence is the ultimate adventure for Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, and their families.  From our incredible staff to the 270-acre Lake Courage, to Ft. Washington, the ship, or Webelos Discovery Area, Camp Independence has adventure around every turn.

**DATES**

Current 1st and 2nd graders (tigers and wolves) always go together to the cubscout session and current 3rd and 4th graders (bears and webelos) always go together to the webelos session.   

This year resident camp for “CUBSCOUT SESSION” is June 17th through June 20rd (Sun through Wed) 

This year resident camp for “WEBELOS SESSION” is June 20th though June 23rd (Wed through Sat). 

 

Just look at it in regard to the kids’ current ranks or grades as of today.

**COST**

The cost for camp is $215 for a kid and $120 for adult (early bird is $200 for a kid and $110 for an adult).  So if both parents wanted to go with one kid, the early bird cost would be $420. 

A few items that require your attention are listed below. The pre-camp process is going to be a little more burdensome than in years past because the council now has a much stricter clearance process for all adults attending camp.

Early bird payment is due in full by March 23, 2018.  Give check/scout withdrawl form to Deekota.

Medical Forms (A and B pages only)

The medical forms that need to be completed for each adult and boy attending camp can be found at:

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/healthsafety/pdf/680-001_ab.pdf

I will also need a copy of the front and back of the health insurance card for each adult and boy attending camp.

Please email copies of the completed forms (medical form parts A and B; front and back of insurance card; and supplemental form) for each adult and boy to Deekota Yadav ( deekota.yadav@gmail.com ).

I would like to have all completed forms back by May 1, 2018.

Background Clearances

Each adult attending camp needs to complete three background clearances this year. Fortunately, they are easy to obtain on line. As noted below, this process will only be burdensome if you have lived in PA for less than 10 years.

You need the following clearances:

1.State Police Record Check: You can use this link to obtain on line:

https://epatch.state.pa.us/

2.Child Abuse History Report. You can use this link to obtain on line:

https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home

3.Volunteer Verification. If you have lived in Pa for at least ten years, just complete the attached form. If you have lived in Pa for less than 10 years, you will need an FBI fingerprint check. You can use this link to obtain one:

https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index.htm(select the department of human services link)

Youth Protection Training

Each adult attending camp must complete the BSA Youth Protection Training. This can be done on line and takes about 30 minutes or less. The website is:

http://www.scouting.org/Training/Adult.aspx

You will have to create an account in order to complete the training.  You can print out a certificate at the end of the training.

Please email copies of the completed forms (state police, abuse, volunteer verification and youth protection training) for each adult to Deekota Yadav (deekota.yadav@gmail.com)

I would like to have all completed forms back by May 1, 2018. If you are already an adult leader for the pack or another organization, you may already have these clearances. If so, I will need copies.

Mandatory Parents Meeting

We will be having a mandatory parents meeting before the trip. Deekota will be setting this up and letting us know. If you cannot attend the meeting, you will need to contact Deekota to go over a few issues prior to camp.

Pre-Camp Swim Test (for adults and cubscouts)

We are in the process of scheduling the test with South Fayette Middle school and will let you know as soon as we have confirmed a date.

Resident Camp 2017

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Cub Scout and Webelos Scout resident camping is a council-organized, theme-oriented, overnight camping program.  Pack 843 will be attending Resident Camp at Heritage Scout Reservation, Camp Independence.  Cub scouts will be camping for 3 nights, and Webelos for 4 nights on these dates:

Camp Archery

Cub Scouts (Current Tigers and Wolves):  June 25, 2017 – June 28, 2017

Webelos (Current Bears and Webelos I’s):  June 28, 2017 – July 2, 2017

Cost for the camp will be $315 for cub scout (early bird rate is $290); and $415 for webelos (early bird rate is $380)  This price includes the scout and one parent.  Full payment due by 3/15/17 for the early bird rate.  Some camperships are available for those with financial need.

For more information, contact:

Mark Gubinsky

mark@gubinskylaw.com
412-860-6931