2018 Thumb District Lighthouse Campout/Tour

Bird Creek Park

Port Austin-  Boy Scouts Sleep overnight Friday night at the Port Austin Light House! Cub Scouts tour on Saturday AM

The 2018 Thumb District Lighthouse Campout will be held August 10-11 at Bird Creek Park in Port Austin.  The campout is for Boy Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts only.  Cub Scouts can come out Saturday morning from 9 am -11 am and tour the lighthouse and do some other activities.

Check in time for troops, crews, or ships is Friday, at 3:00 pm.  Youth and adults spending overnight will be transported to the lighthouse beginning at 5 PM.  Troops will do a service project while at the lighthouse Friday night so bring work clothes. There will be a campfire with skits and songs Friday night so each unit needs to come prepared to show off their talents. The camp out ends noon Saturday.  The camp out fee is $12 per Scout / Leader / adult.  No late fee.

Bring your uniform and camping gear for the weekend.  

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

The park has a swimming beach and boat docks.

Boy Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts:

There is an attendance limit of 60 participants.  This includes youth and adults - only 60 total people can sleep out at the lighthouse. We would like to give preference to youth so each troop is allowed only 2 adults. (unless all 60 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.  Bring your health form and BSA uniform.  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.  (NO cooking facilities so all food needs to be pre-cooked) Those camping at the lighthouse will be camping "Under the Stars".  

We will begin transporting participants to the lighthouse at 5 PM Friday.  Saturday morning, participants will be transported back to shore beginning around 8 AM.  

What to bring:  Sleeping bag and ground cloth, change of clothes, work clothes, 

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

Cost:  $12 per person for overnight camping on the lighthouse.

Price includes: patch for all, day pack (for youth), water and snacks on Friday 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 Saturday 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.  

Info for all attendees:

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 unit contacts the Wednesday night or Thursday AM (Aug 8 or 9), 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