Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure for 2024

This for the 2024 program year Cub Scout updates. This is a preview and is not official information yet. This new program takes effect on June 1, 2024. See more details about the overall program updates here.

The Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure is an fun opportunity for Cub Scouts to explore the outdoors and learn valuable skills. Through this adventure, Wolves gain hands-on experience in camping and outdoor activities. This not only makes their Scouting experience more enjoyable but also teaches them important safety practices and teamwork.

In the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure, Scouts learn the essentials of camping, such as using the buddy system and preparing for outdoor activities. These skills are crucial for ensuring their safety and comfort while they are away from home. The adventure encourages Scouts to be responsible and organized, qualities that will help them in many areas of life.

By participating in a campout with their pack or attending a council or district overnight camp, Wolves experience the beauty of nature firsthand. This helps build a lasting appreciation for the environment and fosters a sense of adventure. It’s an excellent way for Scouts to bond with their peers and families, creating memories that last a lifetime.

The Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure is designed to be both educational and fun. It empowers Wolves by building their confidence and self-reliance. As they master new skills and overcome challenges, they grow more capable and enthusiastic about exploring the great outdoors. This adventure is a foundational step in their journey as Scouts, setting the stage for more complex challenges and adventures ahead.

Requirements for the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure

Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure Requirements

1. Learn about the buddy system and how it works in the outdoors.
2. Know the Cub Scout Six Essentials.
3. In addition to your Cub Scout Six Essentials, list the personal items you need for your campout.  
4. Learn a camping skill.
5. Attend a Council or District Cub Scout overnight camp or attend a campout with your Pack.

Resources for the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure

Buddy System

The buddy system is a simple safety rule: always have a partner with you when you’re outdoors. This helps ensure that if one person gets hurt or lost, the other can help or go get assistance. For Wolf Cub Scouts, who are usually 7 or 8 years old, this is an important rule to learn and practice.

• Buddy Up Game: Pair up the Scouts and have them tie a short piece of rope between them. They must move around an obstacle course without untying themselves. This fun activity shows them how to stay together.
• Role-Playing: Set up scenarios where one buddy needs help, like tying a shoe or finding a lost item. The other buddy helps out. This teaches them how the buddy system works in real situations.
• Buddy Checks: Before starting an activity, have each buddy pair check that they have all their gear. They can also check in with each other at regular intervals during a hike or campout.

This requirement for the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure helps Wolf Scouts understand how the buddy system helps keep them safe while having fun outdoors.

Cub Scout Six Essentials

The Cub Scout Six Essentials are a set of items every Scout should carry when they go outdoors. These essentials are chosen to help Scouts be prepared for unexpected situations like getting lost or facing bad weather.

Here are the Cub Scout Six Essentials:

1. First Aid Kit: Small and portable, for treating minor injuries.
2. Water Bottle: Filled with water to stay hydrated.
3. Flashlight: For seeing in the dark. Extra batteries are also good to carry.
4. Trail Food: Snacks like nuts or granola bars to keep energy up.
5. Sun Protection: Sunscreen and a hat to protect from sunburn.
6. Whistle: To signal for help if they get lost.

To help Wolf Scouts learn about these essentials for the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure, try one or more of these:

• Essential Relay Race: Create stations for each essential where a task must be completed, like applying sunscreen or treating a pretend cut. Scouts race to finish each station correctly.
• Packing Challenge: Give Scouts a list of items and include things that are not essentials. They must choose only the six essentials from the list. Discuss why each item is necessary.
• Scavenger Hunt: Hide the six essentials around your meeting area. Scouts must find and explain the use of each item when they find it.

These activities make learning about the essentials fun and interactive, helping Scouts remember what they need to carry and why each item is important.

Personal Items for Camping

For a campout, Wolf Scouts need to bring some personal items in addition to the Cub Scout Six Essentials. These items will make their camping experience comfortable and enjoyable.

Here are some suggested personal items:

• Sleeping Bag: Keeps them warm at night.
• Pillow: For a good night’s sleep.
• Change of Clothes: Extra clothes in case they get wet or dirty.
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste: For brushing their teeth.
• Towel: For drying off after washing or swimming.
• Sturdy Shoes: Good for hiking and playing outside.

A suggested packing camping list is available here.

Here are some fun activities to go with this Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure requirement:

• Pack It Right Game: Have Scouts practice packing a backpack with all the items they need. Discuss each item’s purpose and how to pack efficiently.
• Personal Item Bingo: Create bingo cards with pictures of each item they need to bring. As you discuss each item, Scouts can mark it on their card. This helps them learn in a fun way.
• Show and Tell: Ask Scouts to bring one item from the list to a meeting and explain why it’s important for camping. This encourages learning from peers and reinforces the importance of each item.

These activities help Scouts understand what they need to bring and why each item is important for a successful campout.

Camping Skills

Learning camping skills is an important part of the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure. These skills help Scouts become more independent and confident in the outdoors.

Here are some camping skills suitable for Wolf Scouts:

• Setting Up a Tent: Teaches Scouts how to shelter themselves outdoors.
• Building a Fire: Shows how to safely start and maintain a fire for warmth and cooking. (Always under adult supervision.)
• Cooking Basics: Simple cooking methods like roasting marshmallows or hot dogs on a stick.
• Using a Map and Compass: Basic navigation skills to help them understand directions and location.

Try one of these ideas to make it fun:

• Tent Pitching Relay: Make teams and have a race to set up and then take down a tent. This makes learning fun and gives practice in working quickly and cooperatively.
• Fire Safety Skit: Have Scouts perform a skit about the dos and don’ts of fire safety. This reinforces the rules in an engaging way.
• Outdoor Cooking Demo: Prepare a simple recipe together as a den. Scouts learn about outdoor cooking and enjoy tasting their creation.
• Treasure Hunt: Use a map and compass to find hidden treasures around your meeting area. This teaches navigation in an exciting way.

These activities not only teach valuable skills but also make the learning process fun and memorable for the Scouts.

Go Camping

Attending a council or district Cub Scout overnight camp or a campout with your pack is a key requirement for the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure. This experience allows Wolf Scouts to apply the skills they’ve learned and enjoy spending time outdoors with their friends.

Here are some points on why attending these campouts is important:

• Practice Skills: Scouts get to use their new camping skills in a real setting.
• Build Friendships: Spending time together helps strengthen bonds between Scouts.
• Experience Nature: It’s a chance to see wildlife and explore different environments.
• Fun Activities: Campouts often include games, hikes, and campfire stories.

To make the most of this camping experience, consider these ideas:

• Campfire Program: Plan a campfire evening where Scouts can tell stories, perform skits, and sing songs. This builds camaraderie and is a lot of fun.
• Group Hike: Organize a hike during the campout. This could include a nature scavenger hunt where Scouts look for specific plants, rocks, or animals.
• Skill Competitions: Have friendly competitions in tent pitching, fire building, or cooking. This encourages Scouts to show what they’ve learned and practice their skills.

These activities for the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure help make the camping experience memorable and enjoyable, while also reinforcing the skills and values important in Scouting.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure

What should my Scout bring to the campout?

Your Scout should bring the Cub Scout Six Essentials: a first aid kit, water bottle, flashlight, trail food, sun protection, and a whistle. They also need a sleeping bag, pillow, change of clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, and sturdy shoes. See more about packing for camp here.

How does the buddy system work?

The buddy system means each Scout has a partner at all times during the campout. This helps keep them safe. If one buddy has a problem or needs help, the other can assist or get an adult.

What kind of camping skills will my Scout learn during the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure?

Your Scout will learn skills like setting up a tent, building a fire (with adult help), cooking outdoors, and using a map and compass.

Do parents need to attend the campout for the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure?

BSA guidelines for Cub Scout unit camping state that parents are expected to camp with Wolves. There are occasional exceptions, but generally a parent needs to be there.

What activities will Scouts do at the campout?

Scouts will participate in activities like hiking, learning about nature, practicing camping skills, and enjoying campfire programs with stories and songs.

What if my Scout has dietary restrictions?

Let the camp leaders know about any dietary restrictions well in advance. They can help make sure there are suitable food options available. You might be asked to provide supplemental food.

How can I prepare my Scout for their first campout?

Talk with your Scout about what to expect, practice setting up a tent at home, and pack together using the list of essentials and personal items. This preparation can make the campout more enjoyable and less stressful for your Scout.

Camping Fun 101

The Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure is a thrilling experience designed for Wolf Scouts, typically 7 or 8 years old, to introduce them to the joys of camping. This adventure is part of the Cub Scout program and focuses on teaching Scouts basic outdoor skills and safety. It’s a fantastic way for Scouts to learn while having fun in nature.

In th Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure , Scouts start by learning the buddy system, which teaches them the importance of sticking together for safety. This is a crucial skill for all outdoor activities. They also learn about the Cub Scout Six Essentials—items they should carry on every outdoor adventure, including a first aid kit, water bottle, flashlight, trail food, sun protection, and a whistle. These essentials prepare Scouts to handle many situations they might encounter while outdoors.

Additionally, Scouts are encouraged to think about other personal items they might need for a campout, such as a sleeping bag, pillow, and change of clothes. This helps them plan and pack efficiently. Another exciting part of the adventure is learning a camping skill. This could be setting up a tent, building a fire, cooking outdoors, or using a map and compass. These skills not only boost their confidence but are also practical for many future outdoor adventures.

The Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure culminates in attending a Cub Scout overnight camp or a pack campout. This experience allows Scouts to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting. It’s a great opportunity for bonding with fellow Scouts and building memories that last a lifetime.

Overall, the Wolf Let’s Camp Adventure is a foundation-building experience that instills a love for the outdoors, teaches essential safety skills, and enhances teamwork among young Scouts. It’s not just about camping—it’s about growing, learning, and having a blast with friends!