Calling all Scouts and Families! Join us for a unique camping experience in the countryside of Old Sturbridge Village! On Saturday, June 10th, Cub and Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and their families are invited to pitch their tents in the Village and enjoy an evening of tours and activities throughout the museum. The evening will be topped off with stories by a roaring bonfire. Not a scout? No problem: all families are welcome!
Participants will enjoy a barbecue dinner and continental breakfast in the morning. Two-day admission to the Village is included.
Date: June 10, 2023
Time: Check-in and evening activity registration begin at 5:00 pm on Saturday; dinner begins at 5:30 pm. The program concludes at 9:30 am on June 11th.
Ages: Ages 5+; One adult required for every five children; one-to-one ratio for children under the age of 6
Cost: $75 for youth, $60 for adults (registration closes on June 2nd)
Registration deadline: June 2, 2022
The Great Scout Camp Out will take place rain or shine. In the event of significant rain, the program will be cancelled. You can see our cancellation policy, itinery, and other FAQs here.
Please note that the itinerary is subject to change. A full list of evening programs and activities will be posted in early May. Last year’s evening programming included tin punching, lantern tours, group games, letterboxing, and more.
Questions? Please call (508) 347-0276 or email jsilverio@osv.org. You can find more information about the Great Scout Camp Out in the program’s FAQs here.
How to Sign Up:
- Register and pay for your spot by clicking here.
- Fill out and return a waiver for each participant. This waiver is required for all participants, including adults.
- Please fill out and return a roster. All Scout groups and families must complete a roster.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Learn more about this program by reading the answers to frequently asked questions below.
If you have other questions, please call (508) 347-0276 or email jsilverio@osv.org.
What is the schedule for the evening?
A full list of evening programs and activities will be posted in early April. Last year’s evening programming included hearth cooking, lantern tours, group games, nature drawing, and more. In the meantime, here is an outline of the itinerary:
Program Schedule (subject to change)
Saturday, June 10
- 5:00-6:30 pm: Drop-in registration and check-in at Museum Education*
- 5:00-7:00: Bring camping supplies into Village and set up camping spaces at own pace
- 5:30-7:00: Dinner available in the Center Village
- 7:15-8:15: First session of evening activities**
- 7:30-10:30: Drop-in bonfire
- 8:30-9:30: Second session of evening activities**
- 9:30-10:30: Snack
- 11:00: Bedtime
Sunday, June 11
- 6:30 am: Coffee available at Bullard Café
- 7:00: Wake up!
- 7:30-8:30: Hot buffet breakfast available at Bullard Tavern
- 7:30-9:00: Break down (everything must be removed from camping fields by 9:15 am!)
- 9:30: Museum opens to public!
* There will be a brief, mandatory orientation upon arrival.
**There are two meeting locations for evening activities. Please refer to the list of activities to find out where yours will meet.
What does the program fee include?
The program fee includes dinner, sleeping accommodations, evening activities, hot buffet breakfast, two-day admission to the Village, and a special OSV patch!
What is the age range for this program?
Ages 5+; One adult required for every five children; one-to-one ratio for children under the age of 6. This program is designed for scout troops and families. Children must be accompanied by an adult for this program.
How is this program different than the Night in the Musuem Overnights?
This program is very different than the usual overnights! Scouts will sleep outside in the fields of our historic village and participate in unique evening activities that are not normally offered during the usual overnights. Also, dinner is included as part of the program fee.
Where do we park?
All participants will park at Museum Education for the evening. Click here to see a map of Old Sturbridge Village and here to see how to reach Museum Education. If you wish to visit the museum before or after the campout, you can park at the main entrance.
How do we bring our camping supplies into the Village?
Campers are expected to carry in their own camping supplies from the Museum Ed parking lot. You will not be able to drive your cars to the camping sites. Please take this into consideration while packing! We strongly recommend a wagon or other cart for supplies as the camping fields are a 5 to 7 minute walk from the Museum Education parking lot. Please remember that the Village is very large and this program will involve lots of walking.
What are sleeping arrangements like?
All outdoor sleeping arrangements are within museum grounds. This means that everyone must have their possessions removed from the camp sites by the museum’s opening at 9:30 am. If you have questions or concerns about this, please feel free to call (508) 347-0287.
I am bringing a troop/den/pack/unit of Scouts for this event. What do I need to do?
After purchasing your spots, you will need to fill out a roster of all the Scouts attending, along with their emergency contact numbers. (Emergency contact should be someone who is not attending the Great Scout Camp Out) Each participant will need to complete a waiver as well. Please see above for details about chaperones.
I have just registered for the program. What do I need to do now?
Make sure to complete the roster and waivers for your troop/pack/den.
How do we sign up for evening activities?
Activity registration will be done upon arrival on June 11th on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be plenty of great activities to ensure that all participants get to do something exciting!
Please note: We will not take advance registration or reservations for these evening activities. Registration and check-in for the evening starts promptly at 5:00 pm and no earlier.
What should I bring?
Participants should bring: Sleeping bags, camping mats or air mattresses with battery-powered air pumps, tents, flashlights/headlamps, toiletries, sleep masks and earplugs, water bottle, camera, non-electronic games, books.
Because of the distance from the Museum Education parking lot to the camping locations, you may want to consider a wagon or wheeled cart to transport your belongings.
Please note: There will not be access to electricity for medical devices or air mattresses in the camping fields.
What should I NOT bring?
Participants should NOT bring: plug-in pumps for air mattresses (no available outlets), hair dryers, alarm clocks, electronic games, alcohol, or music.
Are there bathing facilities?
There are bathrooms located close to the camp sites, as well as bathrooms at Museum Education. There will also be access to drinking water. There are no shower facilities.
What is the cancelation policy for this program?
A full refund will be granted if:
-
- Old Sturbridge Village cancels this event due to severe weather
- if the participant cancels 30 days prior to the program
Otherwise, this program is non-refundable.
My child isn't a Scout - can we still attend?
Yes! Families are welcome to attend.
What about emergencies?
Our overnight staff will discuss emergency procedures with the overnight participants upon arrival. OSV has 24 hour security on the campus in addition to the staff person who will be staying overnight. An emergency contact must be provided upon registration.
