Category: Campout

This weekend, me and 11 other boys went on a campout to Tennessee’s Craighead Cavern, which is a registered national landmark. After a 5 hour drive we arrived to the Lost Sea Adventure where we hiked a small distance in order to get to the natural cave entrance, within which we had to go down 132 carved out stairs.

Once we got down the stairs we entered the main area where we would be camping, which had three layers with small height differences. Then we went on a tour and learned about the cave. One of the things we learned is that it is one of the 3 caves in the U.S.A. to have anthodite formations, also known as cave flowers.

We then went on a boat ride through the underground lake. While on the boat we learned that the rainbow trout in the lake weren’t there when the lake was first discovered because they can’t reproduce due to the absence of flowing water, so the staff have to restock the fish in the lake about every 2-3 years.

After the tour was done we proceeded to the crawls, everyone had to do the easiest 3, and only about half of the troop did all 4 hard crawls afterwards.

On our way to the cave we visited the world largest knife store, Smoky Mountain Knife Works. Almost everyone was able to get something there, from simple pocket knives to katanas.

All in all, the cave rocked! Everyone had a great time and it was fun to learn about the cave’s history.

For more photos visit our Facebook.

To all Scouts going to CRK

We will meet at the Scout Hut this Sunday (July 9th) at 9:30 AM to leave for camp. Please be in your field uniform, tan shirt, scout pants, belt and socks for the trip. We will return on Saturday (July 16th) around noon, depending on how fast we can get checked out that morning.

I have attached a list of what to pack, contact information, family night and tips for the week.

All medication being taken to camp must be in a ziplock bag marked with the Scouts name and an instruction sheet included in the bag. Parents need to bring the medication bags into the Scout Hut Saturday morning and review the instruction with me to ensure I don’t have any questions.

If you still have forms that need to be turned in please bring them into the Scout Hut so they can be reviewed and maked as completed.

If you have any questions, please let me know

Thanks

Joe (704)449-2333

What to Bring

Complete Scout uniform, to be worn on the trips up and back, evening meal and call campfires

T-shirts

Shorts or long pants

Swim trunks

Swim shoes (required for almost all lake front activities)

Underwear

Socks

Insect repellent

Footwear for Boating

Hat if desired

Sweater or jacket

Extra shoes or boots

Poncho or rain gear

Notebook and pencil or pen

Scout Handbook

Merit badge pamphlets (of you have them)

Watch (very important)

Washcloth and towel

Toiletry items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. No glass bottles)

Flashlight with extra batteries

Sleeping bag or sheets & blankets

Pocketknife

Footlocker or suitcase or backpack

Laundry bag

Hand sanitizer

Water bottle (important)

Optional

Fishing rod and tackle box

Alarm clock

Disc golf disc

Frisbee

What Not to Bring to Camp

Personal rifles or other firearms, ammunition, and bows, including paintball guns

Sheath knives with blades longer than 4”

No pets at anytime

Open toed shoes are not allowed at anytime

Finally, we strongly recommend that items such as radios, music players, electronic games, and other electronic devices not be brought to camp. Summer camp is an outdoor experience, and these items are not appropriate to that experience.

Camp Raven Knob is not responsible for personal or Unit items that are damaged, lost or stolen.

Tips

Have Scouts bring a footlocker or locking suitcase and provide an extra key for the unit leader. That way, if one key is lost, the spare one will be stored safely. With the heat and humidity of June and July, it would be advisable to have a change of clothing for each day of the week.

Cell phones for Scouts are not necessary.  Considering that there are no provisions to charge them and that reception is weak at best, Scouts are advised to leave them at home.

Communication

Scouts may receive mail at camp.

Please send mail addressed as follows:

Scout Name

Unit Number

Camp Raven Knob

266 Raven Knob Road

Mount Airy, NC 27030

Please be sure to include the Scout’s unit number on all mail; this will make sure it is routed to the proper mailbox. Also include a return address in case a letter arrives at camp after the Scout has left. Mail service is dependable, but it is recommended that  mail not be sent to camp later than the Wednesday while the unit is at camp. Mail can take from two to four days to reach camp. Any letters or packages that contain currency or valuables should be insured. USPS, UPS, and FedEX all deliver to camp.

Should someone at camp need to be contacted, the camp telephone number is (336) 352-4307. This phone is located in the camp office, and is manned from 8:30a.m. until 8:00p.m., with the exception of meals and campfires. There may be a staff member in the office in the evening or at other times as well. Please note, however, that this is the camp’s business phone and parents will not be able to talk to their children. The staff

member will take a message and deliver it to the unit mailbox. Of course, emergency messages, will be delivered as soon as possible.

Internet Messaging and E-mail Scouts are able to receive messages while at camp. Messages may be sent to Scouts through the camp’s website (www.ravenknob.com). Enter the unit Number, Scout name, and message in the form provided. All messages will be printed and delivered to the unit mailboxes with regular mail and messages.

Visitors’ Night

Visitors’ Night at camp is Wednesday evening.  Dinner will not be provided in the mess hall, so the Troop will order a meal to be delivered to our campsite.  If you are attending visitor’s night and wish to eat with the Troop, please let us know Sunday before we leave, as we need to know how much food to order.  Last year is was a fried chicken dinner at $10.00 per guest.  Parents may wish to bring a picnic supper to enjoy with their son and friends.

The highlight of the evening’s activities is the campfire program and the Order of the Arrow ceremony. Visitors should not plan to arrive at Raven Knob before 5:30p.m., as Scouts will be involved in sessions until then, and will need time to take a shower and change clothes. The ceremony will last until approximately 9:30p.m., so visitors should plan to leave shortly after that so Scouts and leaders can get a good night’s sleep. Vehicles are allowed into camp on Wednesday evenings. Please note that the camp wide speed limit is 5 mph. In addition, the road between the Trading Post and the Order of the Arrow arena is closed to vehicle traffic from 7:00p.m. until after the Order of the Arrow ceremony, so please plan accordingly.