Do you have a Pack hike planned for this spring? If not, now is the time.
Planning a hike is not difficult. First, select a location. Try someplace different that you haven’t been for a couple of years. Ask at Roundtable if you aren’t familiar with many trails in your area. Or do an urban hike. If you live in a neighborhood with light traffic, a hike to a local ice cream shop and back will be a hit with your Cub Scouts. Or hike in a historic district.
Consider the hike length. For a pack hike, that your Tiger Cubs and Wolves will not have as much endurance as older Scouts. We generally stay in the 1 1/2 mile range for a pack hike. When I am going just with Webelos I plan a longer hike.
Be prepared. Get a trail map (or area map for an urban hike) beforehand. Know where the nearest emergency facilities are. Bring a small first aid kit with you. And send out a list of Outdoor Essentials for Cub Scouts to all of the families beforehand. Send them a copy of Hiking Belt Loop and Pin Requirements also, in case they are interested in earning it on the hike. Also, remind the parents that Cub Scouting is a family program and parents should accompany the Cub Scouts on the hike. Plan for a brief gathering at the trailhead to go over things like Hiking Safety (Frontcountry) and Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines .
While on the hike, remember it is not a race from start to finish. Allow plenty of time for breaks or to stop and look and interesting things along the way. Do a Outdoor Scavenger Hunt. The MISS Show podcast did a great show on adding variety to your hikes if you need more ideas.
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