Spring 2022 Cavern Tour + Camping Trip

APR. 2-3, BLACK ROCK PARK (LCRA)

We will camp overnight on Saturday, April 2 to Sunday, April 3 at Black Rock Park, about 90min NW of Austin on Lake Buchanan.

Before our camping activities begin, we will meet at Longhorn Cavern State Park (The National Cave of Texas) to do a guided tour. We will meet at 9:30am at Longhorn State Park. Plan for a 60min drive to Longhorn State Park (and a 30min drive to Black Rock Park after).

• Each tour begins with a quick safety briefing. You will not be permitted to join the tour after the safety briefing begins.

• There are no restrooms in the cavern. Please visit the restrooms in the Visitor Center before the tour.

• Tours run rain or shine. Dress comfortably and wear closed-toe shoes with good traction.

• Cavern temperatures range up to 68 degrees Fahrenheit / 20 degrees Celsius year-round.

• There is no food or drink allowed in the cavern. Unflavored water is OK.

• Only trained service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted to enter the cavern or park buildings. Pets must be attended at all times; do not leave pets alone in vehicles.
  You will be walking/standing for approximately 90 minutes.

• Due to the historic nature of Longhorn Cavern State Park, visitor facilities and cavern walkways are not wheelchair accessible.

• There are 52 stone steps down to the cavern entrance and back up again.

• Depending on your height, ducking may be required at several points on the tour. The two lowest points along the tour route are 4' 4" and 4' 8".

• Most tours include a brief lights-out demonstration.

There is no cost for this cavern tour, thanks to our Scouts amazing fundraising efforts. Family are welcome to join us on the tour, even if they can’t stay for the camping overnight. The tours last about an hour—wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket if it’s cool.

Longhorn Cavern State Park and Black Rock Park are a 30min drive from each other.

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BEFORE YOU GO

☑️ All adults who attend an overnight trip must have completed the latest Youth Protection Training. Yes, it is required.

☑️ All attendees—adults and scouts—need to have a Scout BSA Medical Form completed/updated. Click here to download the form as a PDF. It can be filled out in Adobe Acrobat or by hand. A physical copy must be delivered to Ben at the campout (or before).

☑️ Reserve your spot: pay your tent and “grub” fee online. Deadline: Sunday March 27 (Blue & Gold)

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AGENDA

Saturday

9:30am Arrive at Longhorn Cavern State Park
10am First tour departs (30 people max)
10:15am Second tour departs (30 people max)
10:30am Third tour departs (30 people max)
12noon Eat a pre-packed lunch onsite or make a stop en route to camping
1pm -2pm Arrival and campsite setup
2pm Opening Ceremony
Afternoon: Den Activities
6pm Dinner
7pm Campfire Prep / Practice Den Skits
8pm Campfire

Sunday

8am Breakfast
9am Scouts Own Service
9:30am Cleanup, strike camp, and departure

GOOD TO KNOW

There will be a reserved camping sites available for those who want to arrive on Friday, April 1, and camp an extra night. This is completely optional, and you are responsible for your own food on Friday night/Saturday morning. It’s only a 30min drive to Longhorn Cavern State Park from the campground. Contact Ben and pay an extra tent fee if you would like to reserve one of these spots.

Camp sites and parking: The Pack has already made the campsite reservations. We have sites 22, 25-28. We DO NOT have sites 23 or 24. Please park using the map below.

Park in yellow areas first, and then red overflow parking if necessary.

There are restroom facilities, a playground, and an optional (paid) miniature golf course onsite.

Meals will be provided for Saturday Dinner and Sunday breakfast. The Tiger and Bear dens will be leading meals for this trip.

Coffee will be provided for adults (and anyone is welcome to learn how to help brew).

Arrival: Our opening ceremony is at 2pm. We recommend arriving at least an hour head of that to claim a site and set up your tent. There will be some opportunity later in the afternoon to continue to settle in, but it’s far better to get your tent pitched well before 2pm.

What to bring

Class A uniform (Cub Scout uniform shirt, neckerchief, and hat) for Opening / Closing Ceremonies
Class B uniform (Pack t-shirt) for the rest of the weekend

A tent! Need to borrow a tent? Contact your Den Leader.

A reusable cup, mug, water bottle, and/or canteen.

A camp chair.

A fishing pole (*optional)
Note: Fishing does require a license in LCRA parks.

Click here for a complete packing list (including what not to bring!)

 

Longhorn Cavern State Park
6211 Park Road 4 South
Burnet, TX 78611

(512) 715-9000

Black Rock Park
3400 TX-261
Buchanan Dam, TX 78609

(512) 369-4774

 

2022 Blue & Gold Banquet

Our annual Blue & Gold Banquet will take place on Monday, March 27, from 5:00-6:30pm, at Covenant United Methodist Church. We plan to eat outdoors, but may move inside if there is rain. The event will feature a BBQ dinner and our Arrow of Light scouts in a crossover ceremony. We’ll also celebrate our Pack’s achievements and BSA’s birthday. We will also showcase the past year’s activities and Scouts in a photo slideshow.

All Scout should attend in Class A uniforms. Friends and family are invited to join us.

Meal tickets are only $10 for anyone over the age of 4. Scouts in uniform eat for free!
Cash/credit will be accepted at the door, or you can click here to pay online now.

Our dinner menu will include:

• BBQ brisket

• Baked beans (vegetarian)

• Potato salad 

• Bread

• Pickles, peppers, onions

• PB&J and bread

• Lemonade and Ice Tea

• Homemade Cupcakes

It will be a special night for our Arrow of Light Scouts, our Pack, and all of our families.

Fall 2021 Camping Trip

OCT. 16-17, BASTROP STATE PARK

We will camp overnight on Saturday, October 16 to Sunday, October 17 at Bastrop State Park, about 45min east of Austin. Activities begin at 2pm on Saturday, so please arrive at least an hour earlier to set up your tent site.

There will be a few reserved camping sites available for those who want to arrive on Friday and camp an extra night. This is completely optional, and you are responsible for your own food on Friday night/Saturday morning. Contact Ben if you would like to reserve one of these spots.

BEFORE YOU GO

☑️ All adults who attend an overnight trip must have completed the latest Youth Protection Training. Yes, it is required.

☑️ All attendees—adults and scouts—need to have a Scout BSA Medical Form completed/updated. Click here to download the form as a PDF. It can be filled out in Adobe Acrobat or by hand. A physical copy must be delivered to Ben at the campout (or before).

☑️ Reserve your spot: pay your tent and “grub” fee online. Deadline: Sunday Oct. 3

AGENDA

Saturday

12noon-1pm Arrival and campsite setup
2pm Opening Ceremony
Afternoon: Den Activities
6pm Dinner
7pm Campfire Prep / Practice Den Skits
8pm Campfire

Sunday

8am Breakfast
9am Scouts Own Service
9:30am Cleanup, strike camp, and departure

GOOD TO KNOW

Camp sites: The Pack has already made the campsite reservations. We have sites 27-42 in the Deer Run Camping Area for our pack.
Click here for the park map
Note: Site 29 is a “walk-up” reservation, and we will try to reserve it as well, but it may get reserved by anyone on Saturday.

A maximum of two vehicles may occupy a site. Please plan on bringing just one vehicle (each site can have two vehicles parked) and keep in mind that we need to have two tents at every site, minimum.

We also have sites 19-21 reserved for the Arrow of Light den in the Piney Hill Camping Area. (Friday + Saturday night)

There are restroom facilities, a playground, and plenty of trails in the park.
Click here for the trail map
Note: Orange Trail is closed.

Meals will be provided for Saturday Dinner and Sunday breakfast. The Arrow of Light den is leading meals for this trip.

Coffee will be provided for adults (and anyone is welcome to learn how to help brew).

Arrival: Our opening ceremony is at 2pm. We recommend arriving at least an hour head of that to claim a site and set up your tent. There will be some opportunity later in the afternoon to continue to settle in, but it’s far better to get your tent pitched well before 2pm.

What to bring

Class A uniform (Cub Scout uniform shirt, neckerchief, and hat) for Opening / Closing Ceremonies
Class B uniform (Pack t-shirt) for the rest of the weekend

A tent! Need to borrow a tent? Contact your Den Leader.

A reusable cup, mug, water bottle, and/or canteen.

A camp chair.

A fishing pole (*optional)
Note: Fishing does not require a license in state parks.
Click here for Bastrop State Park’s fishing tip sheet

Click here for a complete packing list (including what not to bring!)

 

Bastrop State Park
100 Park Road 1A
Bastrop, TX 78602

(512) 321-2101

Latitude: 30.110149
Longitude: -97.286864

Our Virtual Campfire: All the fun, without the smoky smell in your clothes

Just because we can’t go camping together, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy one of everyone’s favorite Scouting pastime: the evening campfire.

On Saturday, April 18 at 6:30pm, we’ll come together via Zoom to enjoy a program of jokes, songs, skits, and fun… just like a real campfire. Check Scout Track, or ask your Den Leader, if you need the Zoom link.

To help us plan the evening’s fun, parents: please fill out the form below with your Scout’s contribution to the program by Friday, April 17.

Need help finding great ideas? Try looking through resources like these for jokes, skits, songs, and more.

Cancelled: Spring 2020 Camping Trip

⚠️ Following the guidance of the CDC and the actions of Austin ISD, we—sadly—will not be camping as planned. Regarding registration payments, there are two options:

1. We will automatically carry your payment forward as a credit for the Fall campout. No action required.

2. If you would prefer a refund, please fill out this form.

We will consider alternative outdoor plans, if possible, for the Spring and communicate as soon as possible.

MAR. 28-29, INKS LAKE STATE PARK

We will NOT camp overnight on Saturday, March 28 to Sunday, March 29 at Inks Lake State Park, about one hour northwest of Austin. Activities begin at 2pm on Saturday, so please arrive at least an hour earlier to set up your tent site.

There will be a few reserved camping sites available for those who want to arrive on Friday and camp an extra night. This is completely optional, and you are responsible for your own food on Friday night/Saturday morning. Contact Kathy if you would like to reserve one of these spots.

BEFORE YOU GO

☑️ All adults who attend an overnight trip must have completed the latest Youth Protection Training. Pack leaders should have already completed this, and other adults may have completed YPT before our Fall Overnight Trip, but if you haven’t completed training since February 2018, it is required.

☑️ All attendees—adults and scouts—need to have a Scout BSA Medical Form completed/updated. Click here to download the form as a PDF. It can be filled out in Adobe Acrobat or by hand. A physical copy must be delivered to Kathy at the campout (or before).

☑️ Reserve your spot: register by paying your tent and grub fee online.

AGENDA

Saturday

12noon-1pm Arrival and campsite setup
2pm Opening Ceremony
Afternoon: Den Activities
6pm Dinner
7pm Campfire Prep / Practice Den Skits
8pm Campfire

Sunday

8am Breakfast
9am Scouts Own Service
9:30am Cleanup, strike camp, and departure

GOOD TO KNOW

Camp sites: The Pack has already made the campsite reservations. There are restroom facilities in the park. A maximum of two vehicles may occupy a site. Click here for the Trail Map.

We estimate that we are slightly over capacity for camp sites. Please plan on bringing just one vehicle (each site can have two vehicles parked) and keep in mind that we need to have two tents at every site, minimum.

Meals will be provided for Saturday Dinner and Sunday breakfast. The Bear and Tiger dens are leading meals for this trip.

Coffee will be provided for adults (and anyone is welcome to learn how to help brew).

Arrival: Our opening ceremony is at 2pm. We recommend arriving at least an hour head of that to claim a site and set up your tent. There will be some opportunity later in the afternoon to continue to settle in, but it’s far better to get your tent pitched well before 2pm.

What to bring

Class A uniform (Cub Scout uniform shirt, neckerchief, and hat) for Opening / Closing Ceremonies
Class B uniform (Pack t-shirt) for the rest of the weekend

A tent! Need to borrow a tent? Contact your Den Leader.

A reusable cup, mug, water bottle, and/or canteen.

A camp chair.

A fishing pole (*optional)
Note that this is a State Park and so you do not need a fishing license to fish from a pier or the shore. Inks Lake has their own Fishing tip sheet.

Click here for a complete packing list (including what not to bring!)

NEW! What not to bring

Bikes, scooter, rollerblades, roller skates, skateboards, or similar.

 

Inks Lake State Park

3630 Park Road 4 West
Burnet, TX 78611

(512) 793-2223

Latitude: 30.737356
Longitude: -98.369007

Scout Sunday

Our chartering organization, Covenant United Methodist Church, has invited all Pack 421 scouts and their families to attend their Scout Sunday celebration on March 1.

There are two services: 9am or 11:15am with each service lasting about 1 hour.

Scout who attend should wear their class A uniforms, and may choose to volunteer to greet people at the doors. There will also be a chance to participate in a service project in-between services.

This is not a mandatory event. Families from all faiths are welcome to attend, and could be a great way for some Scouts to experience a different faith tradition.

It’s a great chance to open a conversation about an important part of the Scout Law: A Scout is Reverent.

2020 Pinewood Derby

Scouts are encouraged to use their own creativity and engineering ideas as they customize wooden cars for either speed, looks, or both! As you go you’ll just need to stay within the Pack’s rules, to avoid disappointment at check-in or on race day. Click here for our Pack’s Pinewood Derby Rules.

BUILD

We will host one build night in conjunction with our Pack Meeting on Monday, January 20. This makes the entire build process go more quickly , since not everyone has the right tools in their own home. Ask your Den Leader if your Den will also have a separate build night.

We will only do two things at the Pack Meeting:

1. cut the basic outline/shape of the car

2. drill holes for the car's standard nail axles

To prepare for the Pack meeting:

1. Bring your Pinewood Derby kit to the Pack Meeting
   If you didn't receive one yet, we will have more on hand.

2. Have your scout sketch the profile of their car's shape on the side of the car. You can print a template for your Scout to start sketching ideas before they mark the wood block. Pencil is highly encouraged.

3. Write their name and den on the bottom of the wood block.

We will not be sanding, attaching wheels, adding weights, painting, or any other build activities at the Pack Meeting. There's another 10 days after the Pack Meeting for further independent assembly and finishing touches.

For more ideas and a rabbit hole of information regarding Pinewood Derby, click here.

WEIGH-IN: FRIDAY NIGHT

Weigh-in for all cars begins on Friday evening, January 31 between 6-7:30pm at Davis Elementary’s Cafeteria.

Don’t wait until Saturday morning to get your car weighed in, as adjustments can take a little time. This also make for a smoother Saturday morning, and our event will start and end sooner if we have everyone weighed-in on Friday night.

At weigh in, leaders will:

• check the vehicle’s weight (remember, it cannot exceed 5.00 oz)

• check for any other rules violations

• ask for the car’s name (make sure your Scouts think about this before Friday!)

RACE DAY: SATURDAY

The Pinewood Derby race begins at 9am on Saturday, February 1 and we should be finished by 12noon. Dress: Class A uniforms.

1. Each Scout’s car will race against their own Den in a series of heats. Each car will race multiple times, in different lanes, to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each Den.

2. The top 3 cars from each den will race in the Pack-level heats to determine overall placement as the Pack’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fastest cars.

3. Siblings & Outlaw Races: All siblings are welcome to bring their car and we will race them as their own “den.” The same applies with any parent or Scout which has created an “outlaw” car (one that doesn’t abide by the rules).

AWARDS

In addition to 1st-3rd Place awards for each Den and the overall Pack, we will have creative awards for the following:

• Most Patriotic Car

• Most Original Car

• Best Camouflaged Car

• Best Antique Car

• Car of the Future

• Judge's Favorite Car

• Most Creative Car

• Best Craftsmanship Car

• Top Movie or TV Themed Car

• Outstanding Use of Decals

• Best Lego Car

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ABOUT PINEWOOD DERBY

An annual tradition, Cub Scouts work together with their parent or adult mentor to build their own custom race car! They begin by choosing a car design, then carve it out, and detail it with paint, decals, and other accessories to compete in their pack's own Pinewood Derby. It's s a wonderful learning experience centered on teamwork, ingenuity, and sportsmanship—all for the thrill of the race and a lifetime of great memories.

Fall 2019 Overnight Trip: A Night Under the Sea

Nov. 9-10, Moody Gardens

Last updated on Nov. 6

We will spend the night in the Moody Garden Aquarium and discover a world much different from our own! Discover ocean habitats, creatures that live within them, and relationships they share during our night expedition. The evening includes a variety of activities with an animal encounter and a tour of the Aquarium Pyramid.

Reservations are now closed. Contact your Den Leader if you have last-minute changes.
$50 per attendee.

All Scouts—including Lions—are now eligible to attend! We contacted Moody Gardens, and they agreed to update their policy to fit the Scouting ages. They also have expanded our group size to 150 people. We ask that Scouts and only one parent per family sign up until the October 21 Pack Meeting. After that date, all siblings (ages 5-13) may sign up, along with a 2nd parent (if you wish).

Required Forms.
Please complete and return all forms to Candace.

Youth Protection Training is required of all attending adults. Forward your completion certificate. It may take a few hours to be sent to your email address upon completion.

Annual BSA Medical Release Forms are required for all Scouts attending. Click here to download.

• Check-in will be at 6:15pm on Saturday, November 9. The program begin promptly at 6:30pm

• Meet at “Aquarium Ticketing” Click here for a map

• You are responsible for carrying your own gear – be sure to pack light!

• We will sleep indoors—pack a sleeping pad, air mattress, or cot, sleeping bag, and pillow. See Moody Garden’s recommended packing list below.

• A late night snack and continental breakfast will be provided.

Scroll down for the agenda and packing list.

 

Moody Gardens

One Hope Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77554

(409) 744-4673

Plan accordingly: From Austin, this is a minimum 3.5 hour drive, with tolls.

What to Pack

To make the most of the night, please plan to bring the following:

• Sleeping bag & pillow

• Comfy clothes & shoes (you can bring a change of clothes

  for sleeping)

• Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hand towel, etc.)

• Class B uniform (t-shirt)

• Air mattress or cot (optional)

• Eye mask (optional)

• A positive attitude & a sense of adventure!

What to Leave at Home

• Items of value (laptop, tablets, etc)

• Selfie sticks

• Alcohol

Agenda

Timing is approximate—except for check-in. Don’t be late!

6:15 pm – 6:30 pm – Group Arrival & Check-in—Meet at “Aquarium Ticketing” Click here for a map
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Guided Tour
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Habitat Presentation
9:00 pm – 9:45 pm – Pizza Snack (consists of 2 slices of pizza and a can of Sierra Mist per person)
9:45 pm – 10:45 pm – Late Night Tour (optional)
10:45 pm – 11:30 pm – Themed Games and Activities (optional)
11:30 pm – 12:00 am – Prepare for Bed

12:00 am – Lights Out

7:00 am – 7:45 am – Wake-up Call & Breakfast (small donuts, breakfast breads, fruit, juice, coffee)
7:45 am – 8:00 am – Group Check-out & Departure

We are welcome to re-enter the pyramid at 10:00 am

Questions?

Email Bill

Fall 2019 Camping Trip

OCT. 12-13, PACE BEND PARK

We will camp overnight on Saturday, October 12 to Sunday, October 13 at Pace Bend Park, about one hour west of Austin. Activities begin at 2pm on Saturday, so please arrive at least an hour earlier to set up your tent site.

There will be a few reserved camping sites available for those who want to arrive on Friday and camp an extra night. This is completely optional, and you are responsible for your own food on Friday night/Saturday morning. Contact Kathy if you would like to reserve one of these spots.

BEFORE YOU GO

[ ] All adults who attend an overnight trip must have completed the latest Youth Protection Training. Pack leaders should have already completed this, and other adults may have completed YPT before our Fall Overnight Trip, but if you haven’t completed training since February 2018, it is required.

[ ] All attendees—adults and scouts—need to have a Scout BSA Medical Form completed/updated. Click here to download the form as a PDF. It can be filled out in Adobe Acrobat or by hand. A physical copy must be delivered to Kathy at the campout (or before).

[ ] Reserve your spot: pay your grub fee online by October 3. We are currently at capacity. Everyone is still welcome to attend Saturday afternoon’s activities, dinner, and campfire but we cannot accept any more tents.

AGENDA

Saturday

12noon-1pm Arrival and campsite setup
2pm Opening Ceremony
Afternoon: Den Activities
6pm Dinner
7pm Campfire Prep / Practice Den Skits
8pm Campfire

Sunday

8am Breakfast
9am Scouts Own Service
9:30am Cleanup, strike camp, and departure

GOOD TO KNOW

Camp sites: The Pack has already made the campsite reservations. We have sites 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12-18, and 20 reserved. There are restroom facilities in the park. A maximum of two vehicles may occupy a site. Click here for the Trail Map which also notes the location of the campground.

We estimate that we are slightly over capacity for camp sites. Please plan on bringing just one vehicle (each site can have two vehicles parked) and keep in mind that we need to have two tents at every site, minimum.

Meals will be provided for Saturday Dinner and Sunday breakfast. The Arrow of Light den is leading meals for this trip.

Coffee will be provided for adults (and anyone is welcome to learn how to help brew).

Arrival: Our opening ceremony is at 2pm. We recommend arriving at least an hour head of that to claim a site and set up your tent. There will be some opportunity later in the afternoon to continue to settle in, but it’s far better to get your tent pitched well before 2pm.

What to bring

Class A uniform (Cub Scout uniform shirt, neckerchief, and hat) for Opening / Closing Ceremonies
Class B uniform (Pack t-shirt) for the rest of the weekend

A tent! Need to borrow a tent? Contact your Den Leader.

A reusable cup, mug, water bottle, and/or canteen.

A camp chair.

A fishing pole (*optional)
Note: State parks allow fishing without a license.

Click here for a complete packing list (including what not to bring!)

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Bastrop State Park
100 Park Road 1A
Bastrop, TX 78602

(512) 321-2101

Latitude: 30.110149
Longitude: -97.286864

Summer 2019 Events

Our Pack will host three activities: one in each Summer month. Each event has its own pricing and sign up form. See the links below. As with all of our events, siblings are welcome (unless the event has specific age limitations).

Participating in one activity each month qualifies your Scout for the National Summertime Pack Award.

Scouts should wear their Class B uniforms (Pack 421 t-shirt)—if they have one—to ensure it’s easy to identify the group.

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indoor Rock Climbing at Austin Bouldering Project

Sunday, June 9, 4-6pm
Scout climbers are free
$12 per climber fee for siblings
$14 per climber fee for adults

Click here to RSVP
Questions? Contact Bill

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UT Tower Tour

Saturday, July 20, 4pm
Scouts are free
$6 per additional person

Click here to RSVP
Questions? Contact George

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Inner Space Cavern Tour in Georgetown, TX

Saturday, August 17, 1pm
Scouts are free
$16 per Adult / $9 for Siblings

Click here to RSVP
Questions? Contact Khaled

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Summer Camps

As a reminder, there are several types of Council or District-hosted Summer Camps your Scouts can attend. Click here for the 2019 Summer Camp details