Pack 843 Families,

We had so much fun on our Pack Family Campout at Raccoon Creek State Park that we are doing it again!  This campout will be held September 11-13 at the Sioux 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.

We are setting up a fun schedule of events which will include a hike, star gazing, swimming, fishing, boating, a scavenger hunt, crafts, Dutch oven and campfire cooking, games and much more. We will also work on some advancement requirements on this trip.

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.

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 the hike.

Here is the link to Sign-up Sheet. Please let us know if you are interested in camping with the Pack, or joining us just for the day. If you have any questions, please email Deb Whitewood at whitewoodd@msn.com

Stay tuned for more information!

We had a wet but wonderful Pack Family Campout at the end of July with twelve families camping at Raccoon Creek State Park Sioux Group Camping Area. The Scouts enjoyed learning how to build their tents, cooking their own meals, hiking to the Mineral Springs, kayaking and swimming at the lake, and playing games with each other.

Despite the limitations presented by the COVID-19 virus, the Scouts and their families enjoyed some safe socialization and relaxing time in nature. Feedback from this trip was so positive that we are planning another Pack Family Campout in mid-September.