October 19-20 : Bastrop State Park

WHERE: Bastrop State Park, 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX 78602. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the drive from northwest Austin depending on traffic. We will be camping in the Deer Run camping area. All campsites have potable water but no electric, so if you have devices that need recharging or power (e.g., CPAP), bring a battery power pack. The campground has restrooms with flushing toilets, running-water lavatories, and showers.

WHEN: Opening ceremony begins at 2:00 PM on Saturday, but you may arrive as early as noon to set up your family tent. Most families try to arrive at least an hour before opening ceremony, although there will be time to set up your tent between activities later in the afternoon if necessary. Our program ends on Sunday morning around 10:30 AM, but your day pass to the park is valid all day, so you are welcome to stay in the park as long as you like on Sunday. For the full program and agenda, see below.

FRIDAY CAMPING (optional): If your family would like to arrive and camp on Friday night, the Pack has reserved some campsites that you may use so that you do not have to move your tent for Saturday. See the sign-up instructions at the bottom of this page for how to register for Friday camping. Keep in mind that you will need to bring your own food and gear for cooking on Friday night and for breakfast and lunch on Saturday. The official program for the campout does not start until the opening ceremony on Saturday afternoon, so you will be on your own until then. (NOTE: Davis Elementary School has its Dolphin Boo Fest on Friday night, so we expect turnout for Friday camping to be light.)

FOOD: The Pack will provide evening dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, thanks to the AOL den which is organizing the cooking. Grub fee is $12 per person (age 4 and under is free). If anyone has special food needs, please let the AOL den leader know at least 1 week in advance. You may bring your own snacks and drinks, but be discreet (or generous) if any items could be perceived as special treats by fellow Cub Scouts. Alcohol is strictly forbidden at Scout events.

PARKING: We will ask (via email) for your vehicle information a few days before the campout so that we can register your car with our group. When you arrive at the state park, tell the gate attendant that you are with Cub Scout Pack 421 and that the Scout leaders already have your entry and parking pass. They should wave you through. Drive to the the Deer Run camping area (exact campsite numbers will be shared closer to the campout date) and then immediately find a Pack leader to get your pass which must be taped to the inside front windshield of your vehicle.

ACTIVITIES: Activities on this campout will include hiking, stargazing, campfire, s’mores, and working on adventure requirements with your den. We will not be fishing because the main lake at the park is not near our campground and is closed in any case for restoration after a dam failure. Your access pass to the park is good all day on Sunday if you want to stick around after closing ceremony for more hiking or exploring as a family.

CAMPFIRE: We will have a communal campfire. Please talk to the Cubmaster in advance if you, your scout, or your family would like to lead a song or magic trick at the campfire. Don't be shy! It’s lots of fun. As part of the program, each den will be asked to perform 1 skit. Each Scout will also be invited to tell a few jokes, max 2 per scout. (Note: If the burn ban for Bastrop County is still in effect on our campout dates, then the communal campfire will be burning propane instead of wood. Almost as fun, less mess. Such is life in Central Texas sometimes.)

PACKING: Refer to our standard Packing List on the Pack website for suggestions of what to bring and also what not to bring. Scouts are expected to wear their Class A uniform for opening and closing ceremonies. The pack T-shirt should be worn at all other times with a jacket or long-sleeve shirt over it if needed. In addition, each Cub Scout should bring a fanny pack or small backpack with their six Cub Scout Outdoor Essentials to take on a den hike. Closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times in camp and when hiking (no Crocs or sandals except in the showers).

MEDICAL FORMS: Every youth and adult participant must have a BSA Medical Form (Parts A, B1, & B2) on file with our camp Medic. If you turned in forms for the San Antonio Sleepover, we already have them on file and they are good for 12 months. Otherwise, bring a hard copy of the completed med forms and turn them in to a Pack leader upon arrival at the campout. Remember, we need med forms for every person, adult or child, no matter their age.

YOUTH PROTECTION: All adults staying overnight must complete online Youth Protection Training (YPT) before coming to the campout. This training must be repeated every two years, so if you don’t remember when you last took it, log in to My.Scouting.org to make sure your YPT certification is still valid. (NOTE: Additional YPT requirements apply for adults staying overnight if they are not the parent or legal guardian of a Cub Scout, such as a grandparent, aunt/uncle, or sibling age 18+. If this applies to anybody who will be attending with your Cub Scout, please inform Pack leaders at least one week in advance so that we can take care of those additional requirements.)

WEATHER CONTINGENCY: If the forecast calls for light or intermittent rain, then we will likely proceed with the campout. But if there is a high chance for heavy rain or thunderstorms, then we may need to cancel or reschedule. If that happens, we'll let everyone know via email by Thursday evening, October 17. Our alternate rain dates are October 26-27.

CAMPOUT AGENDA:

Sat. NOON - 2:00 PM / Arrive and set up family campsite
Sat. 2:00 - 2:45 PM / Opening ceremony and announcements
Sat. 3:00 - 5:30 PM / Den hike and advancement activities
Sat. 6:00 - 7:15 PM / Dinner and practice den skits
Sat. 7:30 - 9:00 PM / Campfire and s’mores
Sat. 9:00 - 9:30 PM / Stargazing (if clear skies)
Sat. 10:00 PM / Lights out
Sun. 8:00 - 8:45 AM / Breakfast
Sun. 9:00 - 9:15 AM / Scouts Own service
Sun. 9:15 - 9:30 AM / Closing ceremony
Sun. 9:30 - 10:30 AM / Strike camp, cleanup, load trailer
Sun. 10:30 AM / Depart

Sign-up Instructions:

1. Go to the Pack's online store at https://cub-scout-pack-42...uare.site/
2. Find the “Grub Fee - Fall 2024 Campout" item and add it to your cart, increasing the quantity ($12 each) for every person age five or older. Fill out additional questions as required.
3. Find the “SATURDAY NIGHT ONLY - Fall 2024 Campout” store item ($20 per family) and add it to your cart. Fill out additional questions as required.
4. Optionally add the “FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY - Fall 2024 Campout” store item ($20 per family) to your cart.
5. Navigate to your shopping cart. Make sure all items are in the cart with the correct quantity. Then complete payment. You should get an email confirmation after you complete your order. If not, then let us know right away because we need to check that your order was processed correctly.

Contact the Pack leaders if you have any questions or if you need to cancel your reservation. The last day to cancel for a refund of tent and grub fees is Monday, October 14.