2019 Thumb District Lighthouse Campout / Tour

Bird Creek Park in Port Austin

Campout has been cancelled for 2019.  The tour is still available for Sunday

Scouts BSA Sleep overnight Saturday night 
at the Port Austin Light House!

Cub Scouts tour on Sunday Morning

The 2019 Thumb District Lighthouse Campout will be held August 10-11 at Bird Creek Park in Port Austin.  The campout is for Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts only and adults.  Cub Scouts can come out Sunday morning from 9 am -11 am and tour the lighthouse and do some other activities.

Check in time for troops, crews, or ships is Saturday 5:00 pm.  Youth and adults spending overnight will be transported to the lighthouse beginning at 5:30 pm.  Troops will do a service project while at the lighthouse Friday night so bring work clothes. You can bring a fishing pole.  The camp out ends noon Saturday.  The camp out fee is $25 per Scout / $15 Leader / adult.  No late fee.  The fee includes a patch for all, day pack (for youth), water and snacks on Saturday night, programs, camping, and transportation to and from the lighthouse. 

Directions to Bird Creek Park – right at main stop light, 3rd street, follow signs.

The park has a swimming beach and boat docks.  Bring your swim suit. Scouts can swim before or after the actual event following BSA safe swim defense guidelines

 

Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts:

There is an attendance limit of a total of 60 participants for the overnight at the Lighthouse: youth and adults.  We would like to give preference to youth so each troop is allowed only 2 adults. (unless all 50 spots are not filled)  Each person needs to complete a hold harmless agreement (attached)  Scouts and leaders not part of the 60 people camping at the lighthouse can stay overnight at the park.  Each lighthouse camper will receive a patch.  Youth also receive a special string backpack.

This is only one night of camping.  If your unit wants to camp two nights (Saturday night on your own at a park or campground) bring camping gear for the weekend.  Your unit provides all meals.  We suggest you eat a large late lunch on Friday afternoon and bring a pack out dinner and breakfast for your time on the lighthouse.  You will need to pack out and back to shore all of your own trash so be very low impact conscious.  There are NO cooking facilities so all food needs to be pre-cooked.  Those camping at the lighthouse will be camping "Under the Stars" since there isn't electricity on the lighthouse.

We will begin transporting participants to the lighthouse at 5:30 pm Saturday.  Sunday morning, participants will be transported back to shore beginning around 8 AM.  

What to bring:  Sleeping bag and ground cloth, camping gear for the weekend, change of clothes, work clothes, uniform, health form, hold harmless agreement, and a PFD.

Youth need to bring a PFD to wear.  This is required for the boat ride to and from the lighthouse.  We have a limited # of adult sizes only available

Bathroom facilities at the lighthouse are primitive - no flush toilets or running water.  Bring 2 filled water bottles and hand sanitizer.

Price includes: patch for all, day pack (for youth), water and snacks on Saturday night, programs, camping, and transportation to and from the lighthouse.  

Cub Scouts and Cub Adults:

Cub Scouts and adults/leaders can come out and tour the lighthouse Sunday August 11th.  Registration is at 8:00 AM.  Transporting to the light house will begin around 8:30 AM.  You will then be returned to shore before noon.  You will tour the lighthouse and you can also fish (bring  fishing pole and bait) fly a kite (bring a kite)  or just hang out.  Cost is $5 per person.  

Youth need to bring a PFD to wear.  This is required for the boat ride to and from the lighthouse.  We have a limited # available (Adult sizes only)

Information for all attendees regarding inclement weather:

Due to potential danger for storms on the bay, this event could be postponed on August 10 and held the following weekend, August 17.  We will monitor the weather and notify the unit contacts the Wednesday night or Thursday morning (Aug 7 or 8), if the event needs to be moved to the following weekend.  NO refunds will be given to units not able to attend if we need to move the event to the alternate date.  If we cancel completely, full refunds will be given.

All participants will need to sign a hold harmless agreement to camp at the lighthouse.

There is no handicapped accessibility at the lighthouse.  Scouts and adults in this category may stay at the park and camp.

Click here for a virtual tour of the lighthouse.

http://www.portaustinreeflight.org/?page_id=65

http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?id=172

Questions?  Contact Dave Kirby at 989-963-0802 or cdkirby72@yahoo.com