RESCUE, Calif. — A group of Cub Scouts from Rescue spent four days immersed in the forests of the Sierra Nevada this summer, returning home with new outdoor skills, stronger friendships and memories that leaders say will shape the next generation of Scouting in El Dorado County.
Cub Scout Pack 700 recently attended resident camp at Camp Winton, located on Bear River Reservoir in neighboring Amador County, from June 28 through July 1. The trip marked a historic milestone for the local pack as families camped together while participating in a traditional High Sierra Scouting experience.
Throughout the four-day program, Cub Scouts explored the outdoors through hiking, fishing, geology, outdoor skills instruction and a variety of hands-on activities designed to build confidence, teamwork and self-reliance.
Unlike many youth programs, Cub Scout resident camp encourages families to experience Scouting side by side, allowing parents and volunteers to participate alongside their children while reinforcing the values of leadership, service and stewardship of the outdoors.
For Brittany Johns, Wolf Den Leader and Camp Leader for Pack 700, one of the most meaningful moments came at the conclusion of camp.
“Getting to see the kids experience summer camp together was really special,” Johns said. “The best part was how the Cubs got to know the staff who are also older Scouts and on the last night, invited them back to our campfire for s’mores. You can tell how much the younger kids look up to the older Scouts and they took pride in being able to treat the older Scouts who made their stay memorable and taught them so much.”
Pack leaders said the interaction between younger Cub Scouts and older youth serving on camp staff demonstrated one of Scouting’s enduring strengths: mentorship. Older Scouts model leadership, responsibility and service while inspiring younger members to continue advancing through the program.
Outdoor experiences such as Camp Winton also provide benefits beyond recreation. Research has consistently shown that time spent in nature helps improve children’s confidence, problem-solving abilities and social development while encouraging healthy physical activity.
For families across El Dorado County, opportunities like resident camp offer young people a chance to disconnect from screens, develop practical outdoor skills and build friendships that often continue long after summer ends.
More than a century after Scouting was founded in the United States, local volunteers continue carrying forward those traditions through programs that emphasize character development, citizenship and outdoor adventure.
Pack 700 leaders say they are proud to contribute to that legacy while helping connect El Dorado County’s rich outdoor heritage with today’s youth.
Families interested in learning more about Rescue’s Cub Scout Pack 700 or joining the program can find additional information through the pack’s official website:
https://www.troopwebhostcs.org/Pack700Rescue/Index.htm
According to Scouting America, Cub Scouting is designed for youth in kindergarten through fifth grade and focuses on age-appropriate adventures that build character, leadership and life skills through family participation and outdoor experiences.
Sources:
- Press release submitted by Jessica Trumble-Pitel, parent volunteer for Cub Scout Pack 700 (July 13, 2026).
- Scouting America program information.
