Short-term Unit Camping

Pack Overnighters

Pack overnighters are pack-organized overnight events involving more than one family from a single pack, focused on age-appropriate Cub Scout activities and conducted at council-approved sites. If nonmembers (siblings) participate, the event must be structured to accommodate them. BSA health and safety and Youth Protection guidelines apply. In most cases, each youth member will be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. In all cases, each youth participant is responsible to a specific adult.

Adults giving leadership to a pack overnighter must complete the Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) to properly understand the importance of the program intent, Youth Protection guidelines, health and safety, site selection, age-appropriate activities, and sufficient adult participation. Permits for campouts are issued locally. Packs use the Local Tour Permit Application.

Have you found a great site for a Pack Overnighter?  Get it approved with a Pack Overnighter Camp Site Approval Form.

Webelos Den Overnight Campouts

Webelos Scout overnight campouts introduce the boy and his parent or guardian to the basics of the Boy Scout camping program. These events SHOULD be conducted under the leadership of a Webelos den leader who is trained in Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders, an outdoor-emphasis training provided by the district or council. In most cases, the Webelos Scout will be under the supervision of a parent or guardian. In all cases, each Scout is responsible to a specific adult. BSA health and safety and Youth Protection guidelines apply.

Webelos dens are encouraged to have several overnight campouts each year. These campouts are parent-son events, under the direction of the Webelos den leader. At the den overnight campout, the Webelos den leader may be assisted by the assistant Webelos den leader and the Webelos den chief. Sometimes, additional leadership from a Boy Scout troop may join you.

Webelos dens are also encouraged to participate in joint overnight campouts with a Boy Scout troop. However, a parent or guardian of each Webelos Scout should still attend. 

Boy Scout Weekend Camping

Boy Scout Troops and Patrols engage in a wider variety of weekend camping programs:

Day hikes�Reasonably short hikes (3 to 10 miles) in terrain without a lot of elevation gain or loss.

Service projects�Daylong projects that may be related to conservation, food collection, building shelter, or healthy living activities.

Patrol activities�A Boy Scout patrol or Varsity Scout squad may hike or camp with other patrols or squads in the unit or, with the permission of their Scoutmaster and parents or guardians, may hike or camp on their own.

Weekend overnights�Troops that plan and carry out outings once a month attract and retain boys at a much higher level than those that have fewer outings during the year.  Troops camp at a wide variety of properties: council-owned camps, state parks, national forests, private property, commercial campgrounds, military bases, lakes, rivers, and public lands.  Weekend campouts often involve skills instruction, competetive activities, advancement opportunities, and fun!

Qualified Leadership 

Two-Deep Leadership Required

It is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that trips and outings may never be led by only one adult. At a minimum, two registered adult leaders or one registered adult leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age, are required for all trips and outings. Sufficient adult leadership must be provided on all trips and outings based on the total number of youth attending.

Standards for Privacy on Trips or Outings

All volunteers and adults attending Scout outings are expected to conform to behavior that reflects Scouting's high standards and traditional values. Male and female leaders require separate sleeping facilities unless they are married and appropriate facilities are available.

Male and female youth participants must not share the same sleeping facilities. When tents are used, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian. When housing other than tents is used, separate housing must be provided for male and female participants. Adult male leaders must be responsible for the male participants, and the female leaders are responsible for the female participants.

Adult leaders need to respect the privacy of the youth members in situations where the youth are changing clothes or taking showers, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults need to protect their own privacy in similar situations.

Although it is not mandatory, councils are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. In camps where separate facilities are not available, separate shower schedules for males and females should be posted. Use the buddy system for latrine use by having one person wait outside the entrance, or use signs on doors to signify "occupied" or "unoccupied."

Outdoor Activity Tips

The Scoutmaster Handbook, No. 33009C

Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416D

1. Obtain permission from parents or guardians for activities that are held away from the regular unit meeting places.
   
2. Understand the local council's policies regarding filing tour permits for unit outings. File a local tour permit application, No. 34426E, when necessary, or if the trip is longer than 500 miles, file a national tour permit application, No. 34419. For more information on tour permits, see Tours and Expeditions, No. 33737D.
   
3. Be sure to have enough adult leaders for the activity.
   If feasible, check out the site before the activity. Check on reservation procedures, restrooms, availability of adequate drinking water, and any potential hazards.
   
4. Use the buddy system. Coach the boys in advance on what to do if they get lost.
   
5. Carry a first-aid kit and make sure someone is qualified to use it. Be prepared with emergency procedures.
   
6. Arrange adequate and safe transportation.
   
7. Always leave a site in its natural condition.
   

Accident and Sickness Protection

For questions about current camper accident and sickness insurance, please contact your local council.

Leave No Trace

Every Scouting activity should be planned with Leave No Trace principles in mind. Leave No Trace is a method that prepares Scouts to make ethical choices in the outdoor environment and to respect the rights of other outdoor users, as well as future generations. It's an awareness and an attitude rather than a set of rules. It applies in your backyard or local park as much as in wilderness or backcountry areas. The principles of Leave No Trace are:

• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly (pack it in, pack it out).
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize campfire impacts.
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors.

For more information refer to the Principles of Leave No Trace, No. 21-105. Also see Teaching Leave No Trace on the BSA Web site at http://old.scouting.org.

Safety

To assure safer outings, the BSA has developed four leader training opportunities. The foundation for safety in any Scouting outdoor program is qualified supervision and discipline, and these two elements are the first and last points for each safety training opportunity. Because fitness is critical to all outdoor activities, it is also included in each safety emphasis.

Safe Swim Defense

• Qualified supervision
• Physical fitness
• Safe area
• Lifeguards on duty
• Lookout
• Ability groups
• Buddy system
• Discipline

Safety Afloat

• Qualified supervision
• Physical fitness
• Swimming ability
• Personal flotation equipment
• Buddy system
• Skill proficiency
• Planning
• Equipment
• Discipline

Trek Safely

• Qualified supervision
• Physical fitness
• Plan ahead
• Gear up
• Communicate clearly and completely
• Monitor conditions
• Discipline

Climb on Safely

• Qualified supervision
• Qualified instructors
• Physical fitness
• Safe area
• Equipment
• Planning
• Environmental conditions
• Discipline

For more detailed information on these training opportunities visit the BSA Web site or refer to Safe Swim Defense, No. 34370A; Safety Afloat Training Outline, No. 34159C; Trek Safely, No. 20-125; or Climb On Safely, No. 20-099B.