Cub Scout Pack 564 - Lilburn, GA

Preparing young boys and girls to become responsible, participating citizens, and leaders.

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Pack 564 Hiking Program

 

Courtesy Louren Kerns via Flickr

Let’s hike!

Getting out in nature. Learning new skills. Having fun. These are some of the best things about being a scout.

Pack 564’s new hiking program is designed to give scouts and their families more opportunities to do all of those things as we explore great hiking spots around metropolitan Atlanta and North Georgia. It’s open to all Pack 564 scouts and their families.

In addition to learning new skills and having fun, participating scouts will receive a custom patch after the completion of their first successful hike, followed by rockers or tabs designating various mile markers. At the 50-mile mark, scouts (and possibly adult hiking partners as well) will receive their very own customized hiking stick recognizing their achievement.

Dedicated scouts who begin this optional program as Tigers could potentially accumulate more than 150 miles by the time they cross over to Boy Scouts! They’ll also get the opportunity to learn and practice outdoor skills that will aid them as they move up in the scouting program.

Overview

Courtesy sypsyn/FlickrHikes will be offered monthly and will go on rain or shine. Hikes will average 2-3 miles, most of them on easy-to-moderate rated trails around the Atlanta metro area.

A few longer, more challenging or more distant hikes will be scheduled each year. All hikes will be led by at least two properly trained and equipped adults.

 

Rules

  • A responsible adult must accompany every scout (in other words, no drop-offs!)
  • Siblings are welcome, but must be accountable to a responsible adult. Sorry, but siblings won’t earn incentives
  • Participants must come properly dressed and equipped or may not be allowed to hike
  • Scouts should be expected to carry their own gear to the best of their ability
  • Scouts must use the buddy system while hiking
  • All participants (scouts, adults and siblings) should be familiar with Outdoor Ethics guidelines and be prepared to follow them on the trail
  • All participants should adhere proper trail etiquette (the group will pull off to allow smaller hiking parties to pass and give right of way to uphill hikers, voices set to quiet, etc)
  • All participants should know what to do if they become lost: STOP — Sit, Think, Observe, Plan
  • To receive credit for a hike, the scout — not their parent — should sign the hiking log book at the conclusion of the hike. This is to encourage scouts to take responsibility for their achievements.

Equipment list for each participant

It’s never a bad idea to be prepared, even for a short hike in a nearby park. Accidents can happen, cell phone service can fail, and if no one happens by, you can get in trouble quickly.

Everyone participating in a Pack 564 hike should come dressed appropriately for the weather and wearing proper footwear. Hikers wearing Crocs, flip-flops, etc. won’t be allowed to participate for safety reasons.

Additionally, scouts are expected to be prepared for hikes by bringing the following items (adults are encouraged to get in the habit of carrying the same gear):

  • A water bottle, Camelbak, etc filled with at least 32 ounces of water
  • A small snack
  • A loud whistle in case of emergency
  • A simple first aid kit
  • A light source
  • Sun protection and bug spray
  • Rain gear and extra clothing
  • Whittling Chip and pocket knife (Bears and Webelos)
  • Map & Compass (optional but highly recommended for Bears and Webelos)
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Any special items requested by hike leader

Courtesy John P via Flickr

Important notes

    • We’ll hike if it’s hot. We’ll hike if it’s cold. We’ll hike if it’s rainy. But we will cancel in the event of dangerous conditions like lightning or snowy/icy conditions that would make travel dangerous. We will not reschedule canceled hikes.
    • As with everything in Cub Scouts, parents are ultimately responsible to make sure the activity is suitable for your family. Take into account the health and fitness of everyone who will be going, the length and difficulty of the scheduled hike and environmental conditions (heat, cold, allergies). While many hikes will be comfortable for younger siblings and those who must hike at a slower pace, some hikes will be more fast-paced or challenging and better suited for older scouts and siblings.
    • We’re just getting started with this program, so some things may, and probably will, change. Be patient, please!
    • If you have suggestions of trails you’d like for us to hike, please let us know by filling out the form on the trail suggestion page.