Big Bear Lake

The Spanish explorers called the native Americans who lived in the Big Bear area the Serrano, the highlanders or the mountaineers in Spanish. Big Bear is named for the Grizzly bears which once inhabited the area and became extinct due to their unstopped hunting. Serrano Indians were hunters-gathers but they didn't hunt the Grizzly bears because they believed Grizzly bears are their ancestors' spirits.

The completion of the Bear Valley Dam, a single arch granite design, in 1884 created the largest reservoir in the world at that time, the Big Bear Lake. In 1912, a multiple-arch dam was built downstream which increased the capacity of the lake.

Pineknot Campground is a popular campground for families. The family camp is an opportunity for families to spend some time with scouts and with other families from our troop for some outdoor activities. It is also a great chance for scouts to complete rank advancement requirements before the Court of Honor in May.

Time

April / May

Activities

[Camping Merit Badge][Star Nights].
Scouts work on Board of Review, Scout Master conferences and rank advancements: Cooking, Camping, Camp Fire, Food, Knots, First Aid related requirements.
- Tenderfoot:
  - 2. Camp out 1 night and pitch tent
  - 3. Help cooking on camp out
  - 6. Display, raise, lower, fold American flag
- Second class:
  - 2a. Use map and compass and do 5-mile hike
  - 2c. Show use of knife, saw, and ax on a camp out.
  - 2d. Start a fire.
  - 2f. Light a fire and stove.
  - 2g. Plan and cook one meal on camp out.
  - 3. Participate flag ceremony.
  - 5. Identify 10 wild animals.
  - 6. Prepare First aid kit for a hike.
- First class:
  - 1. Find direction without compass.
  - 4a ~ 4e
    - 4a. Plan and cook at least 1 breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
    - 4b. List the cost and amount of food for 4a.
    - 4c. Tell which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.
    - 4d. Explain the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage
    - 4e. Serve as patrol cook, supervise using the stove and building the cooking fire.
  - 6. Identify 10 kinds of native plants.
  - 7c. Use lashings to make a camp gadget.
[Fishing Merit Badge] -- Please contact the merit badge counselor if interested in doing the fishing merit badge. Anglers 16 years or older will need to purchase fishing licenses.
General Schedule

1. Friday: Check in camp site. Pitch the tents. Build the flag pole.
2. Saturday: Flag ceremony. Working on rank advance requirements in the morning. Hiking in the afternoon. Adult potluck dinner. Camp fire.
3. Sunday: Flag ceremony. Dutch Oven. Packing. Check out.

Location

Mr. A Big Bear House, 41222 Owl Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

BUTTERCUP GROUP CAMP (34.23520968004327, -116.88061424521575)

Site: 001, BUTT : # of Occupants: 35

Address: Bristlecone Dr, Big Bear, CA 92314

Phone: (909) 866-8550

Directions

From San Bernardino, take I-10 east to Running Springs. Turn onto State Highway 18 and continue to Big Bear Lake Dam. Continue about 6 miles on State Highway 18 and turn right on Summit Boulevard. Turn left at the end of road and go about a half-mile to the second gate on the right.

Weather

Big Bear Lake Weather Forecast

Reference

Pineknot Campground

USDA Forest Service Big Bear Lake Serrano Campground

Map

South Lake middle school to Mr. A Big Bear House

South Lake middle school to Big Bear Lake Serrano Campgrounds

Food preparation

Campout Food Buying Guide

Equipment

Boyscout book <-- *must* bring for the rank advancement
1. The Ten Essentials

- Pocket knife
- First aid kit
- Extra clothing
- Rain gear
- Water bottle (1 liter)
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Trail food
- Matches or fire starter
- Sun protection
- Map and compass

1. Notebook and pens
2. Folding chair (Adults should bring them too)
3. Clothing to keep warm at night and early morning, i.e. light jacket, layered clothing, beanie
4. Sleeping bag and sleeping pad (optional but recommended)

Cup
Hiking shoes / boots

Lodging

4 camp sites are reserved and they should accommodate up to 32 people. There should be plenty of spaces for adults to pitch their tent should they want to camp with the scouts. Only 4 cars parking are allowed in the camp site. There is an area for overflow parking.

Following motel/hotel information is for families who don't want to camp.

Booking.com : Hotels in Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Hostel, 527 Knickerbocker Road, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
Big Bear Lakefront Lodge, 40360 Lakeview Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
Motel 6 Big Bear, 42899 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
Snow Lake Lodge, 41579 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.

Some hotels on the south side of Big Bear Lake - about a 5 mile drive from the Serrano campground which is on the north side.

Big Bear Frontier, 40472 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
Northwoods Resort and Conference Center, 40650 Village Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
Lagonita Lodge, 183 Lagunita Ln, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
Best Western Plus Big Bear Chateau, 42200 Moonridge Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.
Marina Resort, 40770 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.

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