Certified Camping Areas for Pack Overnighters
Packs can conduct overnight campouts. A pack overnight campout can be a great way to get to know the families in the pack and to work on outdoor adventures. Packs may conduct campouts for two (2) consecutive nights at sites approved by the Scouting America Council in which it is located. In order to conduct a pack overnight campout at least one of the two registered adult leader who is attending the campout must complete Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) training and abide by the Guide to Safe Scouting.
The NCAC Camping and Outdoor Programs Committee established a new process in 2022 to maintain the approved list of Pack overnight campsites and review/approve new sites. Anyone can submit a site for approval using the BSA Form 430-902, Pack Overnight Campout Site Appraisal Form to BALOOcampsite@ncacbsa.org. These forms need to be accurately completed by the individual submitting the form for consideration. In general, if you have not personally visited the campsite, it is most strongly recommended you do so prior to submitting the site for approval. Information available online or by word of mouth may not be current or accurate. Additionally, the camp staff or ranger may provide additional information not previously available to help you complete the form.
This .pdf fillable form is available at: Pack Overnight Campout Appraisal Form.
Once submitted, the accurate and completed form is reviewed by the Council camping subcommittee and forwarded to a professional Scouter with a recommendation for approval or disapproval. The goal is to complete the approval or disapproval decision within 30 days for accurate and complete submissions via the BALOOcampsite@ncacbsa.org email. District and Units are not authorized to approve campsites for Pack overnight campouts per the Guide to Safe Scouting. Site certifications are valid for 2 years and are automatically reviewed for renewal by the Council as part of the current/new process.
NCAC only approves campsites within the Council boundaries. If a Pack wants to camp outside of the NCAC boundaries, the Pack needs to obtain approval from the Council where the campsite is located. Links to nearby Councils are included in the complete list of approved campsites. If you unsure if a site is in NCAC or not, consult this link to NCAC’s boundaries: Service Areas with Districts – National Capital Area Council
