CUB SCOUT PACK 232 - WINTER CAMPING 2020 INFORMATION PACKET February 7-9, 2020

General Information The Pack’s winter camping trip is one of the highlights of the scouting year. This year we are going to Rotary Scout Reservation (http://rsrbsa.org/RSR/Short_Term_Camping.html) in Averill Park, NY from February 7-9, 2020. It is about a 30 minute drive from Glenmont. The camp is located at: 279 Davitt Lake Road, Averill Park, NY, 12018.

Directions Take I-90 East to Exit 8. Travel straight through 4 traffic lights on Route 43 East (the fourth being in West Sand Lake at the intersection of Route 43 and Route 150). Shortly after you pass the Bonded Concrete Company, take a Left on to Route 351. At the second traffic light (blinking light), take a Right on to Plank Road (County Route 40). Continue 1.5 miles to the top of the hill. Take a Left over the bridge onto Blue Factory Road (County Route 79). Take the next Left on to Davitt Lake Road. The camp is at the end of the road on the left.

Cell phone reception in this area should be alright but don’t count on it.

There is a minimal charge of $20 a person to defray some of the cost of the food and supplies for the weekend. A parent or guardian is required to accompany their family’s Scout(s). If you have not paid, please give a check to Joshua McWilliam at the Pack Meeting on January 21! Rotary Scout Reservation is a BSA-owned camp site. We will have 4 cabins: Jeff Uline Lodge (sleeps 30), Seneca Lodge (sleeps 24), Dearborn cabin (sleeps 12), and Siek cabin (sleeps 12). All four cabins are heated with propane forced air and have electricity. The cabins are located in close proximity to each other and near the lake. You will NOT be able to unload at the cabins and will need to park in the parking lot. If you are assigned to the Dearborn, Seneca or Siek cabins please be advised that you will have a 1/3 mile hike from your vehicle to the cabin. Depending on weather conditions, this may be an icy trail. It will be dark and through the woods so please plan accordingly (Headlamps, Ice Cleats, Lightweight Packs, etc…). Pulling your gear on a sled usually works well. Scouts must use the Buddy System. No Scout should be allowed to make the trek between cabins without an Adult. See attached camp map for the layout of the camp. There is not a lot of room to “run around” in these cabins, and everyone should be prepared to be outside as much as possible. It is Winter Camping, right? “Bathrooms” are located outside – they are “latrines(outhouse).” They did build a new deluxe outhouse this year. There is no running water but they do have water at the camp office near Jeff Uline Lodge.

SCHEDULE Below are some further details regarding the trip:

Arrival – We can arrive as early as 6pm on Friday. If you cannot arrive on Friday night, please let Clif Arneson (518-852-6791), or another attending adult (e.g. Rob Pattison at 518-944-5794) know by text message or cell phone. Same thing if you are going to be more than 1 hour late (we don’t need to be sending out a search party at 8 p.m. on Friday). We are planning to have dinner (Pizza will be brought in) and then the Scouts and adults can play games (NO ELECTRONIC HAND-HELD GAMES [I-phones, I-Pads, Nintentdo Switch/DS/Game Boy, ETC.]) in their cabins. We will probably have a movie on the outdoor porch at Seneca that everyone can watch. Lights out by 11:00pm.

Saturday – Wake up, breakfast. Clean-up and be ready to go out by 9 or 9:30am. Games, hikes, sledding (helmets are required by BSA for sledding), hockey, broom ball, skating on the Lake and ice fishing if the lake is sufficiently frozen, campfire, and outdoor fun. You can do whatever you would like, but please try STICK TOGETHER WITH OTHERS. We will go on a hike around the lake. After the hike, we usually return to the cabins for lunch at around noon or so. Afternoon, sledding or other outdoor activities. Return to cabins around 5pm for dinner. After dinner, we will do one big campfire with treats. We may also use this time to hold a very informal “Pack Meeting” and do some cub scout adventure requirements. Games, movies, cards, etc. Lights out at 11:00pm.

Sunday – Wake up, continental cold breakfast. Clean-up – this is mandatory. No one can leave before clean-up is done. All garbage must be brought to a dumpster on-site. I may need an adult or two that have trucks to help with the garbage. We must leave the place as we found it. As the Scout saying goes, “Leave No Trace”. Most people leave after breakfast, although we have until 10:00am in the cabins. You are welcome to do more outdoor activities.

WHAT TO BRING Lots and lots of layers of warm clothing (nothing made of cotton), hats, snow pants, thermals, boots, and gloves/mittens. Extra socks (trust me on this). Bring some extras but leave those in your vehicle if you can. Slippers or sneakers for the cabins. Space is limited though. Try to pack as lightly as you can keeping in mind the space. Please label the scout’s clothes if you can – stuff is bound to get misplaced or mixed up. Sleeping bag, pillow, and blankets – everyone must have a sleeping bag and extra blankets as needed. Wood bunks are provided in all four cabins. You may also want to bring a foam sleeping pad (your back will thank you), old comforter/blankets or something else for the bunks or put under your bags (air mattresses recommended but remember you may have to carry them 1/3 mile). Ear Plugs (it could be a symphony of snoring at night) A BSA Medical Form Parts A&B for BOTH the Cub Scout(s) and Adult in each family. Toiletries (including chap stick/blistex) A BSA permission slip for each attending Cub Scout Head lamp, Flashlight or lantern. Extra batteries. Ice fishing gear (optional) Cub Scout Manual Yaktrax or Ice Cleats for boots Backpack for hiking if desired. Sled and other winter sporting gear such as ice skates (leave in your vehicle). However, if you plan on sledding, please bring a helmet for the scout as it is required by BSA. Water - Everyone is required to bring at least one gallon of water per person coming. If you have two in your party, we need 2 gallons, if 3 people, 3 gallons. Extras are helpful. PLASTIC CUPS WITH SCOUT’S NAME AND ADULT’S NAME ON THE CUP Toilet Paper and Hand sanitizer – please bring one roll per family, bring hand sanitizer and use frequently. Baby wipes/sterile if you prefer. NO RUNNING WATER IN CABINS OR OUTHOUSES. One snack/dessert to share, and any personal snacks/drinks you like (it does not have to be enough for everyone – example, box or two of Oreos, brownies, chips, popcorn, etc.). Bring a game the Scouts like – cards, board games, etc. (NO ELECTRONIC HAND-HELD GAMES, IPads/IPhones/IPods, Nintendo Switch/DS/GAME BOY, ETC.)

WHAT NOT TO BRING

Alcohol – No alcohol can be brought onto a BSA scout camp and alcohol cannot be consumed during a Cub Scout event. Anyone found to be consuming alcohol during the camp out will be asked to leave.

MEALS - Please let Clif Arneson know if there are any food allergies or special diets required. We are still working out the details, but we will be asking (or assigning) parents to oversee and prepare each meal. Everyone is expected to pitch in and help with cooking and clean-up as needed.

Menu - subject to Change, this just gives you a rough idea:

Friday Dinner: Pizza, Drinks – soda, punch, lemonade Saturday Breakfast: Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Cereal, Drinks – Coffee, OJ/Juice, Milk Saturday Lunch: Chicken Noodle Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Fruit, Drinks Saturday Dinner: Ziti with red sauce, meatballs, Garlic toast, Salad, Drinks – Milk, Punch Sunday Breakfast: Donuts/Pastries/Cereal, Drinks – Coffee, OJ/Juice, Milk

Any questions please email Clif Arneson at cliftenarneson@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 518-852-6791

Camp Map Poster http://rsrbsa.org/RSR/Resources_files/RotarySR_Poster_18x12.jpg