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Cub Scout Pack 280
(Colbert, Washington)
 
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Pack 280 Hiking Program



Mission
To provide Pack 280 with an opportunity to enjoy a challenging outdoor activity that is at once educational, challenging, non-competitive, and healthful; for Scouts, their families, and their leaders.

Coordinator 
Schedules monthly hikes at a variety of locations, presents an educational component at each hike, helps the Scout’s keep track of mileage, and provides a simple award for long-term participation.

Hikers
“Webelos Hiking” is not exclusive to Webelos Scouts. However, the hikes are designed to challenge the older boys of Pack 280. Bears, Wolves, Tigers, younger siblings and parents are 100% welcome to come along given that they are physically capable of keeping up. Some hikes will be easy and some difficult. Check the hike flyer for the hike’s difficulty rating. We will always hike to the speed of the slowest hiker.

Hike website post
For each hike there will be a website post containing all the pertinent information about the upcoming hike; i.e. driving directions, itinerary, difficulty rating, educational opportunities, hiking essentials specific to that hike.

Mileage Chart
Scouts can keep an accurate record of their hiking with the mileage chart below. When complete, it may be returned to the Hike Coordinator for a 50-Mile Award.

Educational Pre-Hike Subjects
Nocturnal vs. Diurnal animals (night hike)Geology: Basalt forms and fossils (Deep Creek), Frostbite and Hypothermia (winter hike), Outdoor Code & Frontcountry Guidelines, Ticks (spring hike), Moose (spring hike), Poison Ivy & Nettles (Spokane and Little Spokane River), Geology: Earth faults & Great Floods (Dishman Hills), Wetlands (Little Spokane, Feyrn Ranch, and Haynes Estate)

Benefits

  • Prepares Cub Scouts for the transition to Boy Scouts through outdoor experiences and physical activity
  • Provides numerous opportunities for education in safety, preparedness, and preservation
  • Strengthens appreciation for the natural world, and a person’s place in it
  • Develops leadership, self-reliance, and navigation skills
  • Creates memorable outdoor experiences that families can enjoy together
  • Attracts new boys to the Pack

Additional Hiking
Scouts can earn additional mileage during Den Hikes, Pack Hikes,  and hikes done at Scout Camp. 

We’ve updated our milage awards.

  • 25 Miles - Large Patch
  • 50 Miles - Ceramic plaque & Pocket knife
  • 75 Miles - Compass
  • 100 Miles - Walking Stick

Attachments
Icon File Name Comment  
mileage-record.pdf Mileage Chart  

Hike Coordinator’s Guide


Choosing a Hike

  • Pre-hike an area before bringing the Scouts.
  • Hikes should be one to eight miles in length, and take no more than four hours to complete.
  • Breaks should be provided along the way; to explore, to rest, and to eat.
  • Hikes should be challenging, but never dangerous.
  • Plan for variety. Each hike should be unique.
  • Mix variety with old favorites. The schedule should vary from year to year. We repeat favorite hikes annually, revisit others in alternate years, and add newly found locations.

Getting the Word Out

  • Create a Hike Flyer detailing the hike
  • File a “Tour Plan” with the Inland Northwest Council
  • Send the Hike Flyer to Pack via email
  • Upload the Hike Flyer and any maps to the Pack 280 Website
  • Add links to them from the “Webelos Hiking” page
  • Make a “Post” about the hike on the Pack 280 Website homepage

During the Hike

  • In rain, we will stay at home or return home. Rain is no fun unless it is very warm out.
  • In snow, we will stay relatively close to home, close to the trail-head, and on easy flat trails.
  • A minimum of two Adult Leaders will be present on every hike for it’s entirety.
  • An essentials check and a safety talk is performed before every hike.
  • The “buddy system” will be used where appropriate.
  • For night hikes, each hiker is assigned a number, and calls are made periodically to, “Sound off! 1, 2, 3, 4…”
  • An adult is always assigned to be the “sweeper” bringing up the rear. No one is allowed behind them.

Great Hiking Links

Washington Trails Association
Inland Northwest Trails Coalition
Spokane Conservation Areas
The Backpacking Club
USATF Trail Mapping Web-ware

In giving credit where credit is due, much of the information contained here was developed by Three Fires Council of Illinois. Pack 280 recognizes their contribution to our “Webelos Hiking” program.

Three Fires Council – Hiking Program

Ben Hunter started the Webelos Hiking Program for our Pack.


10 Essentials


Below is a list of 10 essentials that scouts should bring on every hike.

1. First aid kit
2. Filled water bottle
3. Flashlight
4. Trail food
5. Sunscreen and sun protection
6. Whistle
7. Map and Compass
8. Rain gear
9. Pocket knife
10. Matches or fire starters.

Trailhead Locations


View Webelos Hiking in a larger map