Sail Carts: Sail-powered recumbent carts skim riders across hard-packed beach sand and make for exciting races. Camp Meriwether is the only camp in the nation offering this fun and exciting new program. Currently, sail carts are available on a first-come, first-served basis and scouts are limited to a certain number of runs before switching out. We do not have a hard-and-fast age requirement, but we do need scouts to be big enough - normally at least 13 or 14 years old - to counterbalance the weight of the sail cart.
Beach Games and Activities: During free time in the afternoon, scouts can play games of beach volleyball, soccer, and Frisbee with their friends.
Bioluminescent Beach Walk: Later at night, you can often see bio-luminescent plankton along the wet sand close to the surf line. Talking a nighttime walk along the surf as a Troop can be a very neat experience. Please stay safe and stay out of the water. Always have adults on this night hike.
Sandboarding: Dart down the small beach hills, or speak to the Beachfront Director to arrange an outing for your whole Troop to the dunes of Sand Lake.
Ocean Swim: Scouts can wade in the ocean on Monday and Thursday evenings when the waterfront staff will set up a safe-swim area. Scouts do not need to pass the swim test to participate. Bring a towel and a buddy and be ready for fun, but fair warning: the waters of the Pacific are COLD! If there are adverse weather or ocean conditions, we may need to cancel the activity.
Tide Pool Hikes: The marine gardens at the base of Cape Lookout provide an amazing opportunity for Scouts to study and photograph local sea creatures. Knowledgeable staff will answer questions and provide insight into the world of marine life. Hike times will be announced at camp and will depend upon the tidal charts.
Sand Castle and Sculpture Contest: This patrol contest takes place on the beach in front of the Old Flagpole in the valley. Scouts can start working on their projects throughout the week, while the judging will take place during the Beach Party on Thursday. Staff members will be the appointed judges and patrols have the chance to earn points for the Hullabaloo Challenge.
Beach Clean-Up: Help keep the beach as pristine as it was in 1926! Trash bags, gloves, and any other necessary equipment will be provided; all you need to bring is energy and a helping attitude. With new things washing up on the beach every week, you never know what you could find!