Hello family campers,
If you haven't signed up for Saturday's potluck dinner, please do so now by clicking here.
Fees: There will be a fee of about $20 per family to cover the cost of the site. There is also a slight cost to recoup the expenses of the Saturday night meal, probably no more than $5 per person.
Arrival: I plan to pick the boys up from school and head straight to camp, so we should arrive around 5 pm.
Here's how to get there (according to the Camp Geronimo webpage): Take State Highway 87 north. After reaching Payson, continue north on Highway 87 about 12 miles until you reach the Control Road turn-off marked by highway marker 265, turn right. Continue on the Control Road for about six miles, then turn left onto Webber Creek Road, follow this for about 2 miles into camp. Allow 2 to 2-1/2 hours driving time from Central Phoenix. (Supposedly there is a spot near the camp where the dirt road appears to go through the creek, but if you look to the left you will see a bridge. You should not have to drive through the creek to get to camp.)
If you are the first one there and the gate is locked, you will need to check in with the ranger but hopefully the gate will be open and you can proceed directly to camp. We have sites 2, 3 and 4, so you will take a left after entering camp. You can drive to the site to unload, but you will have to move your vehicle afterward for safety reasons. Please move your vehicles as soon as possible so there is room for others to unload as well.
You can camp anywhere there is space in sites 2, 3 or 4 (see map). We have plenty of space reserved for our pack, so there should be no problems camping next to whoever you want to camp next to. Site 2 is the largest, and has a big fire ring that we will use for our campfire on Saturday. I'm told that Site 4 is more secluded, but it is a ways off the road so you will have to carry all your stuff across a bridge if you want to camp there.
Dress: Dress appropriately for the terrain and weather. You do NOT need to wear class A uniforms; I would recommend yellow shirts or similarly bright clothing that stands out from the forest.
Weather: The current forecast is for no rain, highs in the low 80s, and lows in the mid 50s. That should be perfect camping weather! There is rain forecast for this week, though, so it is likely that the road and ground will still be muddy when we get there. Be sure to keep an eye on the forecast in case it changes. (The closest weather station that I could find is Pine, AZ.)
Things to bring:
* A bundle of firewood (we can gather wood from the forest, but it may be wet, and we can't use power tools to cut it). Unless you're really good with an axe, it would be easier to just bring a bundle or two from home.
* Tarp or welcome mat to keep mud out of the tent
* Fishing Gear and bait. I'm told that the creek has crawdads, and the lake has sunfish. Kids under 14 do not need a license, adults do need a license even if they just want to catch crawdads. You can get a license online here, or at Walmart, Big 5, etc.
* Towel for the shower
* Benadryl, hydrocortisone creme, etc. I'm told that there is a lot of poison oak and poison ivy near the creek. We'll talk about it when we get there, but it wouldn't hurt to talk to your kids about it and show them some pictures (examples) in the meantime.
* Chairs for socializing and campfires.
* Compasses, fishing poles, chess sets, telescopes for the belt loop clinic (see Mike's comments below)
I will attach a checklist that was compiled long ago by a former Cubmaster. You do not necessarily need everything on this list; it's just intended as a reminder of the sorts of things you don't want to forget.
Things Not to Bring:
* Video Games, iPods, etc. Please leave them in the car. I don't know if there will be phone service or not, but the camp is pretty far off the highway, so I doubt it. Please plan to be off grid all weekend.
* BSA rules prohibit dogs, chainsaws, RVs, alcohol and projectile launchers of all kinds (firearms, BB guns, archery, slingshots, airsoft, etc.). If the ranger catches you with any contraband, it is subject to confiscation and/or you may be asked to leave.
Any questions, just ask!
--brett
PS --> The following is from Mike Chipman:
======================
We have 4 volunteers, so the belt loop stations are a go! Here's what we're doing:
Astronomy
Chess
Fishing
Map & Compass
This is a community-organized event so if you have a compass, fishing pole, telescope, or travel chess set...please bring it to camp. It's better to have more equipment than we need than not enough.
There's one more belt loop opportunity while you're packing for the trip - the Family Travel belt loop is a low-hanging fruit:
http://meritbadge.org/wiki/
We have 4 volunteers, so the belt loop stations are a go! Here's what we're doing:
Astronomy
Chess
Fishing
Map & Compass
This is a community-organized event so if you have a compass, fishing pole, telescope, or travel chess set...please bring it to camp. It's better to have more equipment than we need than not enough.
There's one more belt loop opportunity while you're packing for the trip - the Family Travel belt loop is a low-hanging fruit:
http://meritbadge.org/wiki/
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