Fort De Soto State Park – Camping Agenda

Dates:  October 14 through October 16

Friday (October 14)

Saturday (October 15)

Sunday (October 16)

Directions to Fort De Soto State Park

The park is approximately a 45 minute drive from Ruskin. Take Highway US-41 South to I-275 North. Follow I-275 North (Toll road) to Exit 17 on the left.  Merge onto US-19 North/34^th St South towards FL-682 West/Pineallas Bayway/St Pete Beach.  Turn left onto 54^th Ave South/Pinellas Bayway (Toll road).  Then turn left onto Pinellas Bayway (last toll road).  As soon as you enter the park (across the bridge) the campsites are on the left.  If you pass the entrance to the boat docks on the right, you went too far.

  
If you get lost or have any questions, please contact Tim Brown at 813-841-5077.

Here is a link to the Google map.

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Ruskin,+FL&daddr=Fort+de+Soto+Park,+Tierra+Verde,+FL&hl=en&ll=27.657379,-82.578735&spn=0.243275,0.438766&sll=27.72063,-82.43315&sspn=0.000672,0.001671&geocode=FZ_8pgEdgisW-ynVwnO619HCiDEZq_2PutJIDw%3BFXJppQEd-bQR-yFj2NP1kli-1g&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&t=m&z=11

Suggested Packing List

In packing for your camping trip, the following equipment is suggested as the minimum necessary to make your experience comfortable:

Shelter / Bedding

􀂉 Tent (poles, pegs, extra rope, etc.)

􀂉 Ground sheet

􀂉 Poly tarp for rain cover

􀂉 Air mat or foam (If you do not want to sleep directly on the ground)

􀂉 Sleeping bags and pillows

Equipment / Camp Tools/ Miscellaneous

􀂉 Lantern

􀂉 Portable chairs

􀂉 Portable table

􀂉 Flashlights and extra batteries

􀂉 Matches

􀂉 First Aid Kit (the Pack has one)

􀂉 Calamine lotion and Benadryl

􀂉 Backpack or daypack for hiking

􀂉 Camera and film

􀂉 Fishing pole, tackle and bait

Kitchen

􀂉 Campstove and fuel (if you plan on cooking) (the Pack is providing all meals)

􀂉 Cooler and ice

􀂉 Bottled water for drinking, cooking, washing, etc.

􀂉 Paper towels, garbage bags (rope to tie your trash up in a tree) and large ziplock freezer bags

􀂉 Disposable plates, cups, napkins and silverware

􀂉 Cooking pots, pans, bowls, utensils and potholders, as needed

􀂉 Water basin, dish towel, biodegradable dish soap, scouring pad, etc.

􀂉 Extra food (snacks and beverages)

Clothing / Personal Items

􀂉 Scout Handbook

􀂉 Notebook and pencil

􀂉 Scout uniform “Class A” (to be worn at the Pack Meeting Saturday night) 

􀂉 Layered clothing including sweaters, sweatshirts, shirts, pants, shorts, etc.

􀂉 Outerwear appropriate for the elements, including hat and gloves

􀂉 Extra pair of shoes or hiking boots and comfortable/warm socks

􀂉 Underwear

􀂉 Toilet paper

􀂉 Sunglasses

􀂉 Rain poncho

􀂉 Sweats or other sleepwear

􀂉 Sunscreen and insect repellent

􀂉 Toiletries including soap, toothpaste and brush, etc.

􀂉 Toilet paper and/or baby wipes

􀂉 Extra plastic bag or container

􀂉 Clothesline

􀂉 Swimsuit and towels

Pack 662 Camping Guidelines

Camping is an outdoor activity and as with any outdoor activity there are items and other things that you need to be aware of to be safe. This list will by no means be comprehensive. The best advice for any outdoor activity probably is to think about everything you do, before you do it and see if it makes sense. Below is a list of some of the most common things regarding safety and guidelines.

Fire Safety (these rules MUST be adhered to)

1. A good rule for the boys concerning fires is that anything they place into the

    fire must stay in the fire. This prevents the waving around of hot sticks and the  

    accidental starting of any fires.

2. No flames may be taken into any tent.

3. Fires are to be cold to the touch when we leave the campsite.

4. No tent should be placed closer than 15 feet to any fire ring.

5. A full and marked fire water bucket should be near every campfire.

6. No Sunday fires. Help enforce this rule by explaining to your son that no one

    will be around to extinguish the fire and ensure the coals are cool to the touch.

Animal Safety

1. Leave any animal or insect alone, (if you don’t bother it, it will not bother you)

    animals usually win any encounter

2. You must hang your trash in a tree and store your food in a container that

    cannot be accessed by animals to avoid masked park bandits (commonly

    known as raccoons)

3. The scouts should not be allowed to gather firewood without adult supervision.

    Critters like to live under downed branches, etc. Typically, there are posted

    rules prohibiting gathering firewood; please bring some!

General

1. Ensure a medical form has been filled out for each participating camper;

    Scout, parent(s), sibling(s), Grandparents, etc… If there is not a current

    medical form on record you will not be able to camp.  Gail Sisouphone should

    have copies of all Medical Forms.

2. No pocket knives (unless you have the whittling chip).

3. Pets are typically allowed (however, we need to check the camp location

    rules).

4. No electronics at the campsite or in the tents, such as; gameboys, TV’s

    I-Pods, CD players etc...

5. Smoking is to be discreet and away from view of the boys.

6. Use the Buddy System at all times (two or more scouts together).

7. Campsites must be clean and free of trash when we leave (Leave No Trace).

    Take your trash out nightly or hang high in a tree. Dispose of trash at the exit

    trash bin or in provided containers only.

8. Adults, use the two deep rule at all times (two or more adults present with any

    scout unless you are the parent).

9. Please be on time to any and all scheduled activities.

10. Observe camp specific speed limits and all cars should be parked in

      designated parking only.

11. Scouts should not cut trees, shrubs or flowers or disturb the eco system.

      The look and do not touch rule should apply.

12. The Camp Ranger (Staff) has the final say. Please follow all directions from

      them (or members of the Camping Committee) immediately.

13. Closed toe shoes MUST be worn in the campground. Beach shoes are

      recommended for the beach.

14. No Alcohol.

15. Review the BSA Camping guidelines at http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/