Cub Scout Family Adventures

Program overview

Family camping, first shots at the range, crafts, nature and gaga ball for the Valley's youngest Scouts.

For many families, a Cub Scout program at Camp Perry is the very first night under canvas. The camp's Cub Scout offerings, listed by the Rio Grande Council as Cub Summer Family Adventure and Cub Adventure Weekends, are built around the way Cub Scouting works best: young Scouts and their parents or guardians exploring the outdoors together, with plenty of hands-on activity and a pace that suits kindergarten through fifth grade.

A Cub weekend at Camp Perry is a chance to try things that are hard to do at a den meeting. Depending on the program, Cub Scouts may head to the archery range or take part in BB gun shooting, which Scouting America allows for Cub Scouts only at council-approved programs with trained range staff. Other stations can include handicrafts, nature hikes along the Arroyo Colorado, experiments in the STEM building and a lively game in the gaga ball pit. Evenings usually close with a campfire, songs and skits.

Family camping is the heart of it. Adults stay with their Cub Scouts, share campsite chores and meals, and get to see what their child's pack and future troop experiences can look like. It is also a gentle introduction to Camp Perry itself, the camp where many Valley Scouts will later spend a week of Scouts BSA summer camp.

Themes, dates, fees and activity lists change from season to season, and this independent site does not handle registration. Packs and families should confirm current details with the Rio Grande Council. For first-timers, our first-time camper parent guide and Plan Your Visit page cover what to expect and what to pack.

Highlights

What’s included

Family camping

Cub Scouts camp with a parent or guardian, sharing the campsite, meals and activities. It is a relaxed way for the whole family to learn outdoor basics together.

Archery and BB guns

Where the program includes them, archery and BB gun shooting are offered only under trained range staff, following Scouting America's rules for Cub Scout shooting sports.

Crafts and handicraft

Handicraft areas give Cub Scouts time to build, paint and create projects to take home, often tied to the theme of the weekend or to Cub Scout adventures.

Nature on the Arroyo

Nature activities introduce the plants and wildlife of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, from Green Jays and Great Kiskadees to the trees along the Arroyo Colorado.

STEM building

Hands-on science and engineering activities in the camp's STEM building let curious Cub Scouts experiment, build and solve problems in small groups with adult help.

Gaga ball and games

The gaga ball pit, field games and campfire songs keep energy high, giving young Scouts time to play, make friends and burn off steam between stations.

Details

Plan with confidence

A representative sample — actual schedules are published by camp leadership each season.

8:00 AMBreakfast and flag ceremony with the pack
9:00 AMStation rotation: archery or BB guns where offered
10:30 AMStation rotation: handicraft and STEM building
12:00 PMLunch and shaded rest time
1:30 PMNature hike and wildlife spotting near the Arroyo Colorado
3:00 PMGaga ball, field games and free time with family
5:30 PMDinner and campsite cleanup
7:30 PMCampfire with songs, skits and s'mores
9:00 PMQuiet time and lights out

How to take part

Four steps to camp

Talk to your den or pack leader

Many families attend with their pack. Your Cubmaster or den leader will know whether the pack is going and how the group is organizing tents, meals and carpools.

Check the council calendar

Dates, themes, fees and registration for Cub Summer Family Adventure and Cub Adventure Weekends are managed by the Rio Grande Council through its official website and office.

Complete the forms

Fill out the Annual Health and Medical Record for each youth and adult attending, plus any pack or council permission forms, and keep copies with you at camp.

Prepare as a family

Practice setting up your tent at home, pack the checklist together and talk about the buddy system, range rules and staying hydrated so your Cub Scout knows what to expect.

FAQ

Cub Scout Adventures questions

Cub Scout camping is built around families. In general, each Cub Scout attends with a parent, guardian or another responsible adult approved under Scouting America rules, who stays with them throughout the program. Check the specific event details or ask your pack leader if a parent cannot attend, since arrangements must follow Youth Protection policies.

Scouting America permits Cub Scouts to take part in archery, BB guns and slingshots only at council-approved programs with trained range staff. When a Cub program at Camp Perry includes these activities, they are run on supervised ranges with eye protection and strict commands. Whether a given weekend includes them depends on the program, so check the event details.

Both are Cub Scout programs listed by the Rio Grande Council at Camp Perry. As the names suggest, the Family Adventure is a summer program and the Adventure Weekends are weekend events. Specific themes, lengths and activities vary, so check the council's current event listings for the details of each.

Some family camping events welcome siblings, while others are limited to registered Cub Scouts or particular ranks. Policies on sibling participation, fees and which activities siblings may join are set for each event. Confirm with the council or your pack before registering so there are no surprises at check-in.

Yes, Cub family programs are designed with first-time campers in mind. Activities are age-appropriate and structured, and experienced pack families are usually happy to help. Practice setting up your tent at home, bring plenty of water, and read our first-time camper parent guide for tips on packing and preparing your child.

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