Unfortunately due to the severe weather and thunderstorms forecasted this program has been CANCELLED. If you are registered for this event please watch your email for additional information.
Directions: Squire's Castle Picnic Area is located off Chagrin River Road in North Chagrin Reservation, south of Chardon Road/Route 6 in Willoughby Hills.
Ages: All Ages (Minors between the ages of 0-17 MUST have a registered and participating adult)
Fees: $10 per person (All guests MUST register)
Tents: $20 (while supplies last): 216-341-1704
Terrain/Distance: Camping will be in the grassy field at Squire’s Castle. Optional hikes will be on natural surface trails with slight to steep rolling terrain with distances from 1-3 miles.
Reserve your spot for this special family campout at Squire's Castle. Try disc golf, learn a new outdoor skill, enjoy a hike, and even enjoy s’mores by the fire. If this is your first camping experience, bring all of your questions for our knowledgeable instructors to answer.
Don’t have a tent, that’s okay. You can borrow one from us for $20/tent (while supplies last). You MUST call 216-341-1704 to reserve a 4- or 6-person tent.
Instructional sessions will be held on the first night to help you prepare for future campout sessions.
- Remember to bring your flashlights to take part in a night hike around Squire’s Castle.
- Don’t worry about the s ’mores; we will make sure to have plenty for everyone.
- If you feel more comfortable bringing your own supplies, you may do that as well.
- Be sure to bring dinner or cook on your own.
- Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles when storing your food for the night. This includes making sure all food (and anything with a scent) is either stored in your car or in a raccoon proof container such as a cooler with tight straps around it.
- DON’T store food in your tent. Animals will smell it, and could chew through your tent.
- A light breakfast will be provided in the morning.
- No pets allowed.
- Each person who is participating in any aspect of Squire’s Castle Family Campout MUST be registered beforehand.
- All guests will be required to sign a waiver. You may either print it or have each person sign it at registration. If the parent/legal guardian of a minor won’t be at the campout, please print and bring this signed waiver for the minor.
- Reference the participant equipment list for more information about the 3Ws of layering and how to dress.
- Reference the suggested packing list below.
Schedule:
Day 1
1 – 4 p.m. Registration, camp set-up
1 – 6 p.m. Self-Guided Activities
- Leave No Trace Scavenger Hunt (Pick-up at shelter)
- Disc Golf
- Explore Squire’s Castle
- Hike (trail maps at shelter)
Guided Activities (Times TBD and will be posted at registration area)
- Meet a naturalist (animal and/or nature education experience)
- Camp Field Games
- Camp Cooking Demonstrations
- Fire Building Demonstration/Activity
- What’s in my daypack? Hike safety education
- Guided night hike
6 – 10 p.m. Lighting campfires, cooking demos, s‘mores (Cleveland Metroparks provides)
10 p.m. Quiet Time - Please be respectful of all campers
Day 2
7 - 11 a.m. Camp teardown and clean-up
7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast (Cleveland Metroparks provides)
7:30 - 11 a.m. Self-Guided Activities
- Scavenger Hunt (Pick-up at shelter)
- Game/Craft
- Explore Squire’s Castle
- Hike (trail maps at shelter)
Guided Activities (Times TBD and will be posted at registration area)
- Instructional sessions
- Breakfast camp cooking demo
- General free time
- Guided hike
- Land navigation/map & compass
11 a.m. Departure - See you next time!
Suggested Packing List
- Sleeping system: Tent, sleeping bag/blankets, sleeping pad/air mattress, pillow
- Extra change of clothes, warm layers for evening/morning (reference the 3Ws of layering on the participant equipment list for more information about how to dress), pajamas, rain gear/poncho (just in case), toiletries.
- Headlamp/flashlight
- Bug spray, sunscreen
- Refillable water bottle
- Camp chair/blankets for fire
- Closed-toe shoes to try slacklining
- Food/items to cook food for dinner. Light breakfast provided.
- Additional items to enjoy the park: book, camera, games, etc.
General Information:
By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the
cancellation policy.
Save the Date - Squire's Castle Family Fall Campout - September 14 - 15, 2024. For more information or to register select this link.
General Essential Eligibility Requirements that all participants must meet. A participant….
- …must meet minimum age and pre-trip meeting requirements for each individual program.
- …must meet program fee requirements for each individual program.
- …must be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed in order to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and frostbite.
- …must refrain from use of alcohol and tobacco before or during outdoor recreation activities and any illegal drugs throughout the duration of a program.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant, or through arrangements outlined on the Request for Administration of Medication Form or an Individual Medication Plan to manage, administer and protect any prescription medications currently prescribed to him or her. All medications, including over-the-counter medications shall be listed as required on the Medical Information portion of the registration materials.
- …must be able, either alone, with the aid of an augmentative communication device, or a personal care attendant to follow directions and communicate needs.
- …must not exceed manufacturers’ maximum recommended weight limit for equipment being used.
- …must be able to manage personal mobility either alone, with a reasonable amount of assistance, with the aid of a personal care attendant, or with adaptive equipment.
- …must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly.
- …must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant or adaptive equipment to travel at least 1 mile on varying terrain as well as be able to carry their own gear on backpacking trips.
- …must be able to, for backcountry programs only, travel in a physically demanding, remote backcountry environment for the uninterrupted period of the trip length, which can range from one to ten days with varying temperatures and environmental conditions including but not limited to, rain snow, hail, sun, and wind. The remoteness is such that cell signal may be unavailable, and it may require at minimum an hour, but perhaps in excess of 2 days travel to reach the nearest road and advanced medical care; participant assumes all costs associated with rescue.