The Outdoor Program
Outdoor adventure is the promise made to boys when they join
Scouting. Boys yearn for outdoor programs that stir their imagination
and interest.
Learning by doing is a hallmark of outdoor education. Unit meetings
offer information and knowledge used on outdoor adventures each month
throughout the year. A leader may describe and demonstrate a Scouting
skill at a meeting, but the way Scouts truly learn outdoor skills is to
do it themselves on an outing.
At the Cub Scout level, the outdoor
program consists of camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming.
Camping at the Cub Scout level introduces
boys to the outdoors and helps them develop outdoor skills at an
age-appropriate level that will be applied more thoroughly as a Boy
Scout. As Cub Scouts progress, the opportunities for outdoor adventures
become more challenging.
At camp, scouts can learn how to appreciate
the outdoors, sleep under the stars, cook their own food, play scouting
games, participate in campfires, and have a lot of fun. Several camping
trips will be planned throughout the year.
Hiking is one of the most exciting parts of
the outdoors program. BSA policy allows all scouts may participate in
hikes. However, Cub Scouts may only participate in day hikes. No
overnight hikes. Hikes maybe completed as an entire pack or in their
individual dens. Some of the hikes that the scouts may attend are home
hikes; stop, look, and listen hikes; craft hikes; city hikes; and
historical hikes.
Scouts typically go swimming while they are
at camp. All swimming events are supervised by an adult who is over 21
years old and have taken Safe Swim Defense training from BSA. All
swimming events are also supervised by professional lifeguards. During
swimming events, all scouts are divided into three ability groups:
non-swimmers, beginners, and swimmers.