Webelos Woods
What is Webelos Woods?
Webelos Woods is an introduction to the world of Scouting through the camping experience, and is put on by the Scouts in Troop 200. The Boy Scout motto is “Be Prepared”. An outdoor activity with a Troop is a requirement for Arrow of Light (AOL # 4). The Troop will put on a campfire program Saturday night, which is often a Flag Retirement burning. Class A uniforms are required for this ceremony, but Class B's are used for the rest of the weekend.
Some of the many things you may learn during this weekend is (program changes year to year):
- Troop-designed games
- Review a Model Camp Site
- Fire Safety
- Cooking
- Lighting Stoves
- Intro to GPS/Orienteering
- Basic First Aid
- Knots
*Suggested* steps for Webelos dens to participate:
- Only the boy and a parent/guardian. Helps get them used to being on their own more when camping. It's still family camping, though, so anyone is welcome to attend, but only Webelos should participate in Troop activities.
- Have the boys buddy-up in order to tent with a friend. Two-four per tent. This prepares them mentally, as Boy Scouts do not tent with parents. Later, they will be tenting with their friends in Boy Scouts anyways. This helps them get used to the concept. Small, cheap tents are ok. They will need a tent later in Boy Scouts anyway. A good one from REI will last longer and be more waterproof than a Wal-Mart special, but the boys may change their minds later as well. The important thing is that it is easy enough to setup by himself or with a friend (not parent). Parents are strongly encouraged to let the boys struggle and set up their own tent with their friends.
- Let the Scouts pick their own menus for the weekend and plan on having them plan/prepare/cleanup as much of the meals as possible (with adult supervision). Hobo meals work well for the boys to cut items and prepare the pouches at lunch. Store them in a cooler until ready to cook at dinner time.
- Scouts need to pack themselves using equipment lists on the Wiki. Parents can bring extra supplies if they're worried their Scouts forgot something.
- This is the boys weekend to do AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE to make the weekend run. Let the parents relax and stay out of the boys as they are responsible to do most of the work around camp.
Where is the location?
It is almost always held at Camp Reeves in Carthage NC, approximately 1.5 hours south of Cary. Camp Reeves is part of the Occoneechee Scout Reservation ("OCR") right next door to Camp Durant. It is a primitive camp, which has a single spigot for potable water, 2 Porta-johns and no bath house facilities. The Dens camp just North of field #2, but not in it. There is ample room for parking right next to your campsite.
Pass the Camp Durant entrance (on left, South side of the road), and the entrance to Camp Reeves will also be on your left. The address for Camp Durant is:
4637 Old Carthage Rd, Carthage, NC
Your GPS may have better luck with:
161 Camp Reeves Ln, Carthage NC
Once on the grounds, you will drive in to a T-intersection (dumpsters), bear right, follow the road to the Southeastern corner of Field #2.
Why should your scout and you go to Webelos Woods during the Webelos I year?
Going to an outdoor activity (camping) with a Boy Scout Troop is a requirement for Arrow of Light. In the Webelos program, you can work on Arrow of Light requirements when working on the Webelos badge requirements. So go ahead and knock this requirement off the list. My older son attended both times as Webelos I and as a Webelos II and loved it. Also, it is great for the parents too. The Boy Scouts come and pick up the Webelos and take them for 2 hours in the morning and in the afternoon. So you have free time for a few hours,
Do we camp with the Troop?
No, There will be separate campsites for the Troop and Pack. However these are very close and within walking distance. In general, the Webelos Dens form their own separate camp sites, although combining is fine.
Who can attend?
Only Webelos Scouts. Siblings are discouraged, but if they must attend, they must stay with the parent and will not participate in the Boy Scout activities.
Which meals do I need to plan?
Friday PM - eat before you show up at camp. It is worth noting that there is a well-known BBQ restaurant in Carthage, The Pik-n-Pig. There is also a Hardees, McDonalds and Subway in Carthage.
Plan group meals with the entire den for Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Let the boys pick the menu and involve them as much as possible in the planning, preparation and cleanup of all meals.
The Pack has two 6-person tents available in 2014 for loan, if needed.
Troop 200 Webelos Woods Planning Document
This document is provided by Troop 200. The doc does not change much year to year. Guidelines about what to bring and etc
