Camping

Important: Click for Troop Device Policy

The below table is a complete list of items needed for usual campouts. There other pages for Backpacking Gear, Cold Weather Camping, and Summer Camp.

Scouting Essentials

Troop's Campout Schedule (see where we are planning to go in the future)

Patrol's Campout Planner (meal planning and duty roster)

Packing Lists

Advice from Scouting & Hiking Sites

• Inflatable sleeping pads that will help you get a better night’s sleep

• Backpacking Gear That Won’t Break the Bank

• Great Gear: Picking the Right Pack

• The gear you need to survive

• REI has some buying advice here:

• Hiker Direct : Discounts on alps gear for scouters & scouts.

Opinions

The opinions below are from various adults and scouts. They are worth what you paid for them.

Backpack: Many of our campouts are car camping. It is OK for the first couple of these to bring a heavy duty contractor bag if your scout is willing to haul it while they are choosing a back pack. Your scout should ask his patrol leader how far the walk will be.

My scouts use large backpacks: 75L+. This let’s them fit everything in the pack. Make sure that the frame of the pack you get the scout can accommodate him when he gets as big or bigger than you – unless you want to update his pack. There are some excellent “youth” packs. Unfortunately, scouts outgrow them in a couple years.

All scouts in the troop use internal frame packs.

Thin Inflatable Sleeping Pads & Pillows

These can be prone to leaks and may need patching. Self-inflatable ones are typically more puncture resistant but may be harder to pack back in.

Pillow: Neatly rolling clean or used clothes in a roll and putting in a t-shirt is not a bad pillow

Sleeping Pad: There are 3 general types.

• Foam fold-out out or roll out ones. These can be bulky but are easiest to pack and and unpack. They may be strapped to a backpack and help stand the backpack upright.

• Compact inflatable: These are thin but can be prone to puncture and leaks.

• Self-inflate: These can range from relatively compact to as very large for luxurious ones. The more compact ones can be hard for younger scouts to get back into their carry bag.

Sleeping Bags

The temperature rating on a bag means it is the temperature you will stay alive at – not the temperature you can be comfortable at. Compact low temperature bags can be expensive. Layering with liners and clothes can be cheaper.

Changing to fresh socks in cold weather can help keep feet warm. Wearing sweaty socks to bed can make a scout colder.

Specific Recommendations

(please send to the webmaster / committee chair to add)

• Camel back chute water bottle: Clear so all can see if scouts have water. Don’t have to remove top to drink like a nalgene. Can hook to pack.

• Osprey Ultralight Zip Organizer for toiletries.

• Osprey Ultralight Roll Organizer for tools: gloves, rope, multi-tool, compass, mirror, etc.

• Latest Osprey packs have a lid that turns into a daypack

• Sea to Summit Liners to add warmth to your bag