Our fall overnight camping event is Saturday, October 8 to Sunday
October 9, at the Sudden Pond campsite at the Harold Parker State
Forest. We had such a great time there in the spring that the committee
thought it would be nice to go back. It's a beautiful site and close
to home.
Please RSVP if you plan on attending, and please include your contribution for dinner on Saturday (see below).
Also,
if you have a canoe or kayak, and would consider bringing it to the
camp-out, please let us know by responding to this email. The boys had a
great time in the spring getting out on the water.
Where?
Sudden Pond Campsite at Harold Parker State
Forest, North Reading, Massachusetts. Driving time from Wakefield is
15-20 minutes. Directions to the site -- along with some pictures of
the site -- are posted on our website.
Click here for directions and a map.
Some pictures from our last visit are on our website,
check them out here.
When?
Arrival
is anytime after noon on Saturday; come whenever your schedule
allows. When you arrive, please check in with Ben or Jeff. We know folks have soccer games, etc on Saturday so if you'd
like to come early to set up your tent and then leave for your game,
feel free to do so.
You should have lunch before arriving at camp, as it will not be provided.
What to Eat?
The
dinner on Saturday is a potluck. You can either bring something that's
already prepared, or cook it on-site. There are several families that
like to cook in dutch ovens, or on charcoal grills. The campsite has
some fire rings with grates if you want to go that route. The pack
provides drinks (bottled water and juice boxes) and all the paper
goods. Breakfast on Sunday is light -- continental, if you will. Feel
free to bring something if you like.
Whatever you plan on bringing, please respond with an RSVP so we don't have too much of one thing.
The Schedule
The schedule for Saturday is as follows:
- 1:00 - 3:00 pm: Arrival, Setup, Fishing
- 3:00 pm - Pack Hike/Nature Scavenger Hunt
- 4:30 pm - Group activity/game. We will need parent volunteers to help set up dinner at this time.
- 5:30 pm - Dinner
- 7:00 pm - Cleanup, Dens practice skits
- 8:00 pm - Campfire. Skits, songs, the works.
- 10:00 pm - Lights out for Cubs. We ask for your cooperation at this time in making sure the boys are in bed.
Sunday
morning after breakfast we will go on a hike. Usually everyone is
packed up and on their way home by mid-morning, but we do have use of
the campground until 12 noon.
We encourage Scouts to sleep over, of course, but we understand that
some of the little guys might be overwhelmed. It's OK to come on
Saturday for the activities and go home to sleep.
Please Note:
- BSA regulations mandate that a child can not sleep in a tent
with an adult that is not his parent or legal guardian. Webelos are
permitted to sleep in tents (with other Webelos) without an adult.
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on BSA-sanctioned overnight trips.
- Due to the proximity of the campsite to the water, children must be
supervised at all times. We are counting on you, the parents, to keep
your children safe.
What to Bring:
- Sleeping Bag, pad and pillow
-
Tent. The Pack has some to lend; contact the Cubmaster if you'd like to borrow one. There is no cabin at this site.
- Flashlight
- Rain coat or poncho
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
-
Winter hat and mittens/gloves
-
Change of clothes
- Chair for Fire-side
- Fishing pole and tackle
- Mini First Aid kit
- Bug Spray
Finally...
Everyone must be aware of ou
r Pack pocketknife policy:
As for toilet facilities, the camp has porta-potties. You may want to bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
Given our past experience, the weather always seems to rear its ugly
head, but somehow, it usually ends up working out. So unless there's a
major storm, the overnighter is on, "rain or shine".
If you need any more information, please call your den leader or respond
to this email. On the weekend of the camp-out, you can reach Jeff via
cell phone at
781-258-3298.