Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Stratham Hill Park Campout and Pack Meeting Oct. 22

Pack 185's annual fall campout and pack meeting is scheduled for Saturday Oct. 22-Sunday Oct. 23 at Stratham Hill Park with bottle rockets beginning at 5 p.m.

A unique opportunity for Stratham's cub scouts to camp overnight beneath the fire tower, the event includes a pack meeting, bottle rockets powered by air and water, a potluck dinner, and a campfire at the top of the hill (pending fire permit) with s'mores, followed by the campout. Each scout camping overnight must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

This year, each family should bring at least one carved jack-o-lantern. The pack will provide glow sticks to illuminate the pumpkins so they can light the way up the trail to the fire tower.

Parents can arrive anytime between 3 and 5 p.m. to set up tents at the top of the hill near the fire tower. There is an access road that runs behind the smaller pavilion for easy and quick set up. Please drive slowly and watch out for bicyclists and wildlife if you drive up. It is also an easy hike up the trail from the pavilion but you should pack your gear so you don't have to make more than one trip.

Schedule


  • 3-5 p.m. - Set up tents, jack-o-lanterns, and prepare for pot luck under pavilion
  • 5-6 p.m. - Bottle rockets
  • 6-7:30 p.m. - Pack meeting and pot luck dinner
  • 7:30-9 p.m. - Campfire 
  • 9 p.m. - Campout, lights out


Duties

As in years past, each den has duties for each pack meeting. These rotate each month/meeting. For Oct. 22, duties are:

  • Opening ceremony & set up - Wolves (set up flags/chairs, lead Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, Scout Law)
  • Skit & clean up - Bears (perform rehearsed skit and make sure all trash/chairs, etc. put away)
  • Fire & prayer - Webelos (lead prayer, meditation or insight after opening ceremony, start and manage fire for campout)


Pot Luck 

Each den is responsible for providing at least two options for each menu course, meaning each den should bring a couple main dishes, a couple sides or salads and a couple desserts. The pack will provide bottled water, plates, and utensils. Webelos should bring s'mores ingredients for the pack. Den leaders will coordinate food commitments with families.

There are electric outlets at the pavilion for crockpots but you should bring an extension cord and power strip if you have a crockpot or anything else to plug in.

Bottle Rockets

Powered by air and water pressure, cub scout bottle rockets are built by each scout prior to the pack meeting and can shoot up two hundred feet into the sky. Chris Boulbol and Michael Tallone, leaders of the Webelos den, are heading up the bottle rockets extravaganza this year and will coordinate the launcher. 

To help your scout build his bottle rocket, you'll need two two-liter soda bottles. Find bottle rocket instructions here.

Campfire

Even if you are not camping out, all scouts are invited to enjoy s'mores around the campfire, which will be contained in a portable, metal fire pit. Webelos will be responsible for starting, managing, and extinguishing the fire safely. Firewood has been provided.

Campout

Each scout and parent will need a tent, sleeping bag, and warm clothing. Be sure your tent can be secured with tethers as it gets windy on top of ole Fire Tower Hill. Saturday's weather forecast as of Oct. 18 was for a low of 40° and 16 mph westerly winds. Perfect for sleeping in a tent but bring a winter hat and gloves. Sleep pads, flashlights or headlamps, and rain gear (or at least a rainfly) are also recommended. There is no planned breakfast for the next morning so feel free to wake up and go whenever you are ready. There will be a port-a-potty on site near the fire tower. Glow bracelets or necklaces are also handy to help keep track of your scout.

For any questions, please communicate on the Stratham Pack 185 Facebook Group or contact Cathy Tallone.