Snow Camping
Boy Scout Snow Camping
For most Scouts and adults, snow camping is the ultimate wilderness experience. There is nothing in the world like hiking on snow shoes through a wintery forest with a pack on your back, establishing a campsite, and sleeping in your own shelter. Sometimes, you even get to wake up and dig your way out of a snow cave that has been covered by an overnight snowfall. While this kind of adventure can be intimidating for some, Scouts who are lucky enough to have this experience will remember it forever.
Scout in a snow cave
This is not to say that every boy with a pair of snowshoes and a good attitude should venture off into the snow. It takes training, equipment, and conscientious leadership for a successful outing. And not all snow camping trips are the same level of difficulty. Click here for a description, from easiest to hardest, of the kinds of trips you might consider.
Many Troops have three training sessions for Scouts (and adults) prior to the outing. Attendance should be manditory. Then there is the pack check. Everything on the list should be there. (Everything not on the list should be left behind.)
These three documents can be the basis for the training sessions. For each, a Scout might take responsibility for presentation.
Snow Camping Equipment List 2010
Snow Camping First Aid & Nutrition
Snow Camping Shelters and Camps 2010
Scroll to the bottom and you will find a video that expalins how to dig a snow cave.
Many Northern California Troops snow camp near Bear Valley in the Sierras. Drive to the end of Hwy 4 and park at the entrance to Alpine Lake. That’s as far as you can drive because the road is not plowed after that. You need Sno Park Passes for each vehicle that is parked (even for the afternoon). They can be purchased online – click here. Alternatively, Sno Park Passes can be purchased in Arnold on your way up to Bear Valley at SNAC, which is right after you enter Arnold. (If you pass the shopping center with the Round Table Pizza, you have gone just a little too far.) Vehicles will get ticketed at any Sno Park if they do not have a Parking Pass or if they do not have a front license plate. Be warned.
Groups do not need camping permits in Winter but they always require Fire Permits. For more information, call the Calaveras Ranger Station at 209-532-3671.
Do you know what to do if a Scout (or yourself) falls through the ice into freezing water? Watch these educational videos and increase your chance of survival. They are powerful and extremely informative. Click on the link: http://www.yukonman.com/cold_water.asp Even though these videos demonstrate survival after falling through the ice in winter, many of the same principles apply during the summer months if you end up in a cold-water lake.
To get a better understanding of what you might experience on a real snow camping outing, read the following stories:
Boy Scout Snow Camping Evacuation
Snow Camping can be dangerous, especially if the weather turns bad or Scouts come unprepared. By far the most common problems come from the adults, who think they can “wing it” because they know how to take care of themselves. The best thing a trek leader can do with an adult who shows up at the pack check without the required equipment or with a bad attitude is to leave them at home!
Please leave a comment about your snow camping experiences and where you have gone.
Your turn. Have you ever been camping in the snow?
We snow camp every year and the Scouts love it..I am taking my 10 year old daughter snowcamping next week…she is very excited. We go to the Big Meadow area on Hwy 4.
YEAAAAAA I will post another comment on here after snowcamping. This will be interesting.