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Outings Outings are an important part of Troop 494's activities. Almost all of our outings involve an overnight stay. We plan an outing for every month and we plan two one-week outings per year. Every outing requires a Local Tour Permit and adult leadership with current Youth Protection Training is required. There are basically two types of camping trips: Backpack vs. car camping. In a nutshell, backpack trips means all equipment and food needs to be packed in, while car camping means that there is only a very short distance from the drop area to the campsite. Outing coordinators should contact adult leadership to determine if leaders with additional training are required for the outing. Types of outings: Outings can be placed into 2 basic categories: One where you have to carry ALL of your gear and food (backpacking), and the other where there's easy access to vehicles bring your gear and food (i.e. car camping.) The first step in planning any outing is to determine whether it's a car camp outing or a backpacking outing. This has a great deal of impact on the food and supplies chosen, including the need for a backpack, hiking boots and total weight of gear. Backpacking Campsites are usually remote and could be as much as a day's hike away. All food and equipment need to be backpacked in. Another important factor is the availability of water and whether it's potable. Backpack stoves are used for cooking and limited utensils and pots are available. Backpack trips require a balance between what's being taken vs. the overall weight being carried, with careful attention to the essentials. Food is usually dehydrated and type of food chosen should minimize use of utensils and cookware.
Car Camping Campsites are very near to the drop site so gear can be easily transported. This means items such as coolers, Dutch ovens, chairs, and camp stoves can be used and for facilities with fire pits, we can bring charcoal and firewood. Backup supplies can be left in the cars and backpacks are not necessary. Car camping can easily be combined with a wide range of other activities listed below.
Boating Boating outings can be day trips but will more than likely involve overnight camping. Equipment and food will be taken to the campsite drop off area.
For boating outings, an adult leader with SAFETY AFLOAT training is required and all scouts need US Coast Guard certified floatation devices. Some outings may require the scout to have BSA Swimming certification (1st Class swimming)
Cycling Although cycling events can be day trips, we often will combine them with an overnight outing. When cycling, minimal equipment is needed as the gear and food can be taken to the camping site. Cycling outings do require some basic and additional essentials such as water, first aid kit, bike repair kit, helmet, map and compass. The troop participates on road bike trips as well as mountain bike trips. Safety for the type of area must be reviewed (city street, busy highway, mountain biking, etc.)
Swimming Usually our swimming outings are combined with other outings. For proper swimming safety, the activity needs to be: a) directed by a leader with SAFE SWIM DEFENSE training; b) require all participants to be fit; c) Three swim areas identified (non-swimmer, beginner and swimmer); d) Lifeguard; e) Lookout with visual access to all areas; f) Swimmers separated into three ability groups; g) All swimmers with buddies; h) Discipline by all.
Other Other types of outings may include rock climbing, fishing, archery or rifle shooting, other water sports (surfing, snorkeling, etc.) spelunking, tree felling, etc. Camping is a part of these outings. Exceptions are live aboard programs for the USS Hornet and USS Pampanito, lodges for ski trips and other activities where lodging is provided.
Please take a look at the Outings Website for tons of information covering a wide range of outing planning information. The URL is http://www.angeltowns3.com/members/outingplanner/index.htm It has information about campsite (state, county, federal and private), boating, hiking, backpacking, boating and a lot more.
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