Camping Gear

• Scout Handbook
  • A cover is strongly recommended. 
  • Use a ziplock bag to protect it from water. m Water
• 10 Essentials
  • First Aid Kit
  • Flashlight
  • Trail Food
  • Matches & Fire Starters
  • Sun Protection
  • Whistle
  • Rain Gear
  • Water
  • Map & Compass
  • Pocket Knife
• Sleeping Bag
• Sleeping Pad
  • The primary purpose is to insulate you from the ground, which can be cold even when the air is comfortable. 
• Camp Pillow (Recommended)
  • Or take a pillowcase and stuff it with your extra clothes
• Good Hiking Boots or Walking Shoes With Closed Toes
• Appropriate Clothing
  • Check with your Senior Patrol if Class A uniforms are required for the campout. 
  • Bring / wear your class B uniform (t-shirt from anything scouting)
  • Cotton kills. Avoid cotton as much as possible in all clothing for campouts.
    • Polyesters are better for most clothing
    • Wool or Wool/Polyester Blends are better for socks
  • Follow The Layering Principle: Click Here For An Excellent Article On Layering
• Mess Kit: Bowl, Plate, Fork, Spoon (Or Spork), And Cup
  • You can purchase a mess kit or assemble one from items at home. 
• Insect Repellant
• Toiletries: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Comb/Brush, Camp Towel, Etc.
• Mobile Phone and charger, if you have one, but only for emergencies

• If you do not own a tent, you do not need to purchase one just for Troop 21 campouts. 
  • Having a tent buddy is allowed and encouraged. 
• You are allowed to use a solo tent and tent by yourself, even in a bigger tent, just as long as every scout who needs a tent to sleep has access to one. 
• You are allowed to use a larger tent, but it should not be crowded and you shoud not use it to spend time with your friends instead of with the rest of the troop. 
  • Try not to use heavy tents: Backpacking Tents are best
• You are allowed to Sleep in a Hammock or Under The Stars, instead of using a tent
  • In general you will still want a pad for insulation
  • If you’re not protected from tain, make sure you have a back-up plan

Winter camping is a serious matter for the personal safety of our Scouts. There are three key principles to keep in mind when packing for a winter campout: 

1. Stay dry – wear waterproof outer layer; change clothes before going to sleep; wet clothes + cold weather = uncomfortably cold Scout, and serious risk of Hypothermia 
2. Dress in layers – wear a wicking base layer (polyester), insulating middle layer (fleece or wool), and water/wind resistant outer layer (ideally Gore-Tex material) 
3. Avoid cotton material – it absorbs moisture and dries too slowly, and wet clothes draw heat away from the body at an alarming rate 

Bedding 

• Sleeping bag - warm bag, ideally rated as a “zero degree” bag
• Wool or fleece blankets - to put over and under sleeping bag as extra insulation if sleeping bag is not rated as “zero degree” (adds 10-20 degrees of warmth)
• Wool or fleece bag liner - to put inside sleeping bag for extra insulation (optional)
• Pillow (optional)
• Ground pad – either foam pad or Therm-A-Rest pad
• Stuff sack for sleeping bag (preferably waterproof sack) 

Clothing 

• Polyester materials are intended to wick sweat away from the skin (e.g., Under Armor T-Shirts). Sweat wicking material is often disguised under other material names such as: nylon, polypropylene, capilene, spandex, and lycra. If it is made with more than 40% cotton, it is NOT a satisfactory wicking material. 
• The key to cold weather camping is to stay warm and dry. Bring both light and heavy weight clothing in order to "layer" if the weather is cold. Scouts should remove layers if they start to overheat and sweat. For base layer (i.e., underwear, socks, t-shirt), bring at least one change per full day of camping. Here is a good clothing checklist for a weekend campout. 
• At least 3 polyester underwear
• At least 3 sets of paired socks combo - lightweight polyester socks next to your feet to pull the moisture away and a heavy wool pair on top (or insulating synthetic material)
• At least 3 polyester base shirts – long or short sleeve (worn against skin)
• 1-2 long, thermal underwear (no cotton)
• 1-2 insulating fleece pullovers or wool sweaters
• Hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants to sleep in (this can be cotton for sleeping at night)
• Long ski/sledding pants that provide water resistance
• Insulated coat/ jacket that is wind/water resistant - suitable for camping environment
• Winter stocking cap that covers entire head and ears
• Balaclava or ski mask to cover head and face (optional) 
• 2 pair warm gloves or mittens (outer material should be water resistant) Winter boots (with adequate insulation and waterproof material) 
• Extra Pair of footwear - sneakers are OK as supplement to winter boots; Crocks/sandals are NOT appropriate footwear for winter camping
  Rain gear (poncho or water resistant pants/top shell) 

Other Items 

• Backpack or duffel bag for personal gear
• Garbage bags to store your clothes (and keep them dry)
• Wash kit – Soap, wash cloth, towel, comb, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste
• Mess kit - drinking cup, bowl, plate, and utensils with your name on it
• Boy Scout Handbook (in a plastic, zip-lock bag)
• Water bottle or canteen
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Compass
• Tent
• Camping chairs
• Newspaper or hay to place under tent or sleeping bag as insulation from cold ground 

Troop Provided Items 

• Cooking equipment Patrol Boxes Firewood