#Campsgiving: How to join this new Thanksgiving tradition with your family

Steaming plates of food on the table, pro football on the TV and tryptophan-induced naps on the couch.

Thanksgiving is stuffed with some pretty great traditions. This year, Scouting families can add one more to the mix.

It’s called #Campsgiving. The Boy Scouts of America first served up the idea of #Campsgiving last year, but many Scout units have been conducting Thanksgiving-inspired events for years.

The basic concept goes like this: Every Thanksgiving season — either on turkey day itself or a nearby day — find a reason to head outside with family, friends or your Scout unit.

Go for a hike. Make a Thanksgiving meal outside (Dutch oven turkey, anyone?). Instead of setting up your tents outside the electronics store, stake your claim at a campground.

Put the leftovers in the fridge — or pack them in a cooler and bring them along. Whatever you do, don’t forget to snap photos to show everyone how you celebrate #Campsgiving.

Why the hashtag?

#Campsgiving has its roots on social media. The hashtag is a reminder to post photos of your outdoor celebrations, campout preparations and Dutch oven creations.

If you use the #Campsgiving hashtag when sharing on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, you’ll be automatically entered to win a #Campsgiving shirt or hat.

The BSA is giving away five shirts and hats each week until Thanksgiving.

Enter to win big!

Need even more incentive to join the #Campsgiving movement? The Scout Shop is giving away a #Campsgiving grand prize package that includes cookware, a charcoal chimney, a cookbook and more.

You can enter once a day until the giveaway ends on Nov. 22, 2018.

Go here and scroll to “grand prize giveaway” to enter or see the official rules.

Share your pack, troop or crew #Campsgiving tradition

If your pack, troop or crew goes camping during Thanksgiving weekend, I want to hear about it.

Share the story of your #Campsgiving tradition in the comments below.

Find more Dutch oven recipes

Last year, my colleague Michael Freeman shared a heaping helping of Thanksgiving-inspired recipes. Find that post right here.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.