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Here is some information
about this year's Fall Family Camping event.
Pack 1417,
It's a great day for scouting. Our first camping event is
right around the corner. Fall Family Camping is scheduled
for Friday, October 8th through Sunday, October 10th. The
theme for the camping weekend is "Scouting Around the
World." Some of the events scheduled are : Archery,
Highland Games, Boomerangs, Animal Tracking, and the Scout
Campfire. This email outlines the details for the event.
-Check in on the 8th is 5:00 PM or later. My advice is to
make sure you are there before sunset.
-Check out on Sunday is shortly after the morning flag
ceremony (sometime around 9 or 10 AM)
The cost for the event is $10 per scout and sibling.
Siblings under 5 are free. SIGN
UP DEADLINE IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH. I will
need payment and signed medical forms by this date in order
to register the pack properly. I will accept payment at the
pack meeting or you can drop it by my house. My address is
4546 Forest Peak Circle, Marietta GA 30066 (Highland Point
subdivision). If you need to fill out a medical form, the
link to download the form is:
http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34605_Letter.pdf
Only parts A and C are required for this event. A separate
medical form is needed for each family member attending
along with copies of your insurance card.
This year fall family camping will be held at Bert Adams
Scout reservation near Covington, GA. Plan 90-100 minutes
with no traffic. The following link is to directions to the
camp.
http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=14157
Once in the camp you will need to find the check in table.
The folks at the table will be able to tell you that
campsite we are assigned. Usually there are signs guiding
you to the check in table or you should be able to follow
the line of cars. If all esle fails, there should be folks
around to ask. Cell service is spotty so you may or may not
be able to call ahead. Once you know the campsite use the
map at the following link to find the camp.
http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.aspx?id=14158
If you have not been to a family camping event before,
here is a document of what to pack. This camping is
basic camping and you willbe able to drive your car to the
campsite. In other words, don't worry about packing light.
I think I have outlined the basics but feel free to bring
whatever you like. As mentioned in the document, food not
an organized part of the event. Many times, dens get
together and organize food as a group. If you are
interested in doing this, please talk with your den leaders.
I know this may seem like a lot of information (especially
for the first time scout parents). If you have any
questions, please call me at 678-777-5847 and I can walk you
through it. Last year this event has just over 1000
campers. It is THE big event the district puts on in the
fall. I would encourage everyone to sign up. I think this
year will be a blast.
See you camping.
Kevin Heineman
Some questions you may have: 1. What about meals? Plan
to eat Friday supper, all three meals on Saturday, and
Sunday breakfast. Everyone is responsible for their
own meals at Family Camping. What usually happens is
that dens will get together and pool their resources, and
plan group meals together. If there are not many going
from your den, reach out to other dens to help share the
load. Bring snacks and drinks. And don't forget a
portable water bottle - it's required! 2. Where do we
sleep?
We'll be assigned a campground, possibly before we head
up there. If not, we'll know when we check in. Ask at
the entrance when you come in, or call someone's cell phone
if you know they're getting there before you. The
campsites normally have a few platforms that will fit a 3-4
person tent, and there should be plenty of spots to pitch a
tent on the ground. Bring a "ground cloth" to go under
your tent. A plastic tarp works well. Spread it out and fold
it so that the edges are just smaller than the footprint of
your tent. This will help protect you from ground seepage
while not pooling runoff from your tent if it should rain.
Experienced campers also like to rig tarps overhead, for
shade and possible rain canopies. 3. Bathrooms? There
will be a latrine at our campsite, and a cold water spigot.
There will also be porcelain toilets and hot showers
available if you don't mind a walk. Be sure to get the
door code from somebody in charge if you plan to use them.
4. Uniforms? Travel to the campground wearing Class A
uniforms and wear them for the evening flag ceremony on
Friday night. Wear Class B (pack t-shirt) on Saturday,
but plan to change into Class A for the flag ceremony and
campfire activities. Wear Class A on Sunday morning
for devotional and check-out. 5. What will the weather be?
It's Georgia, plan for anything. This time of year, the
nights and mornings are usually pretty chilly. Have a warm
sleeping bag, and may an extra blanket or two. Ground pads
or air mattresses help keep the chill away. Have warm
clothes for the mornings, but layer so that you can peel
down as the day warms up. Also be prepared for rain
with a poncho or raincoat, since the activities will happen
rain or shine. | 
