Camping Equipment for Scouts

The troop supplies tents, cooking gear, camp stoves, lanterns, wood cutting tools, and all other gear needed by the patrols. Individuals are responsible for their own gear (some loaner equipment is available from the Troop, see Scoutmaster for packs, sleeping bags, etc.) The adult leaders have a wealth of knowledge on how to get geared up for camping trips without going broke at REI, EMS & LL Bean.  While those stores have excellent equipment, you can also find lower cost quality clothing and gear at Dick's Sporting Goods, Cabelas Catalog, Bass Pro Shops, Sears, and others.

COTTON IS ROTTEN!  Avoid cotton clothing in cold weather camping.

 
Winter trips can be in temperatures that are freezing (32) and below. The secret to staying warm is layers, layers, layers!  Wear thermal underwear, wool shirt and pants (or ski pants), with fleece layer and then outer coat.
Remember:  Keep your feet dry and your head covered! At night, change into dry sleeping clothes, including socks, undershirt and long underpants.  If you sleep in the same underclothes worn during the day, you will get chilled because of the body sweat they retain.
 
The underlying principle is management of body heat and moisture. Hiking and backpacking, particularly in mountainous terrain, produce tremendous amounts of body heat. You must remove layers of clothing to avoid excessive perspiration which will soak your clothing and greatly reduce its ability to keep you warm. More sedentary activities, such as cooking, produce much less body heat and, as a consequence, you will need to add layers. Once temperatures drop at night you will need to add even more layers.
 
All clothing should be made of wool or synthetic fibers, never cotton. Wool and synthetics retain a significant fraction of their warmth even if they get soaking wet, but cotton loses almost all of its insulating qualities once it becomes even slightly damp. Cotton creates a significant risk of hypothermia, a dangerous condition in cold weather. Just say NO to cotton in winter camping.

Detailed Equipment List

The troop camps every month throughout the school year. Almost all of these trips are in cool to cold weather, and most of the time we will be staying in tents. Bad weather - snow and rain - are common occurrences. Scouts must be prepared for the worst foreseeable conditions: Snow, high winds, and bitter cold in the winter; heavy rain and near-freezing temperatures in the late fall and early spring; strong sun, heat, and humidity with swarms of insects in the months before and after summer.

All Weekend Trips

  • Backpack (minimum 3,500 cubic inches). It should be large enough to hold all your gear with, at most, a couple of bulky items such as tents and sleeping pads on the outside.
  • Ditty Bags. Mesh or nylon bags to organize the contents of the pack. Some ditty bags can double as pillows when filled with extra clothing.
  • Waterproof pack cover. Packs are kept outside the tents and will get rained on. Without a pack cover everything inside will get wet.
  • Sleeping bag (minimum 20 degree rating for fall and spring, at least zero degrees for winter).  Down is lightweight and warm, but expensive, and loses heat when wet.  Synthetics retain heat when wet, and are less costly, but are bulkier and heavier.
  • Waterproof Compression Sack. You need a compression sack for your sleeping bag to compress it small enough to fit inside your pack and to provide an extra layer of protection against water.
  • Sleeping pad, both for comfort and to provide insulation from the ground.
  • Outer clothing appropriate to the season.
  • Middle and Inner Layers, appropriate to the season. Bring two complete changes. In cool or cold weather avoid cotton!
  • Rain Gear. Minimally a poncho or rain jacket, preferably made of a breathable material. A pair of rain pants are good to have for prolonged downpours.
  • Boots. Sturdy, waterproof boots. Hiking boots are preferred. Leather work boots (like construction site boots) are good, but must be treated with waterproof sealant (Sno-Seal wax). In winter, be sure to wear insulated boots. Sneakers are no good in cool or cold weather or when hiking.
  • Extra Bootlaces
  • Extra socks (two pair per day), heavy wool or synthetic for winter, light wool for fall and spring.  NO COTTON.
  • Hat: wool or fleece  (Baseball caps do not insulate!) This is important even in the summer! A hat with a brim is also advisable to provide protection from the sun.
  • Underwear. At least one change per day.
  • Personal eating utensils (fork, , knife, plate, bowl, cup).
  • Medications. Scouts should bring any medications they need to take over the weekend.
  • A compass.
  • A pocketknife (once the Scout has completed the necessary knife safety training).
  • Matches or a butane lighter. (once the Scout has completed the necessary fire safety training).
  • A Whistle. To signal for help in an emergency or if lost.
  • A flashlight or headlamp with fresh and spare batteries.
  • Water bottles, at least 2 liters.
  • Items for personal hygiene.  Toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
  • Hand sanitizer to prevent the possible spread of disease.
  • First aid kit (see scout handbook for contents)
  • Insect Repellant. Biting insects (mosquitoes, gnats, black flies, and ticks) are common in the areas where we hike and camp.
  • Sunblock. Scouts will often be exposed to direct sunlight for protracted periods.

Backpacking Trips

In addition to the above:

  • Backpack (minimum 3,500 cubic inches). For backpacking trips, it is essential that the pack have a hip strap and fit the scout correctly: the straps must be at shoulder height when the hip strap is fastened at the belt line.
  • Waterproof pack cover. Packs are kept outside the tents and will get rained on. Without a pack cover everything inside will get wet.
  • Hydration pack or a water bladder that fits into the backpack.
  • Paper Towels. Or Handy wipes, or something like that, for cleanup.
  • Plastic Bags. Zip lock bags to pack out your trash.
  • Toilet Paper. Don't count on there being a latrine.
  • High-Energy Snacks. Trail mix or energy bars, to replenish energy on the trail.

Clothing for Hot Weather

In the summer months (June through September) it is common to encounter strong sun, high temperatures, and high humidity. Evenings can still be cool, with temperatures in the 50s or even lower being common in the mountains.
  • Outer Layer: A light jacket and hiking pants for cool conditions. Hiking shorts and a T-shirt made of a wicking synthetic material are good for hot conditions; the synthetics will wick moisture away from the skin and keep you much more comfortable on hot days. Jeans and T-Shirts are OK (though perhaps not ideal) in warm to hot weather.
  • Inner Layer: Long underwear. It can still get chilly in the evenings and at night.
  • Fleece or Sweater. In the mountains it is always a good idea to bring a fleece or sweater in case it gets chilly at night.
  • Hat. Bring a hat with a brim to provide protection from the sun. Also bring a stocking cap for sleeping at night or in case it gets chilly at night.

Clothing for Cool Weather

In the months just before and after winter (October, November, March, April, May) it is common to encounter cool to cold weather. Temperatures near freezing are common in November and March.
  • Outer Layer: A wind-proof, water-resistant jacket or windbreaker. A pair of nylon hiking pants is also good to have.
  • Inner Layer: Long underwear, top and bottom. Even in September it can get cold in the evening and night. Scouts will need 3 sets: One that they wear at the start of the trip, one for sleeping in, and one extra they can change into when the first set becomes damp due to sweat or weather.
  • Fleece or Sweater. Something warm to provide extra insulation in the evening and morning when near-freezing temperatures are common.
  • Hat. 50% of body heat is lost through the head. Always bring a warm hat made of synthetic materials, such as a stocking cap.
  • Light weight gloves or mittens. Glove liners are ideal in this weather.
     

Clothing for Winter Trips

  • Outer Layer: A heavy wind-proof, water resistant jacket, such as a ski jacket. Parkas are not a good idea on trips that involve hiking because they provide too much insulation when you are exerting yourself. Ski pants or a pair of heavy water resistant wool or synthetic pants for the lower body.
  • Middle Layers: The middle layers provide most of the warmth. Bring several fleeces for the upper and lower body, and perhaps a sweater. The middle layers are used to regulate heat; they can be added or removed as necessary.
  • Inner Layer: Long underwear, top and bottom. Even in September it can get cold in the evening and night. Scouts will need 3 sets: One that they wear at the start of the trip, one for sleeping in, and one extra they can change into when the first set becomes damp due to sweat or weather. In cold weather it is essential that the inner layers wick moisture away from the skin.
  • Hat. 50% of body heat is lost through the head. Always bring a warm hat made of synthetic materials, such as a stocking cap. Ski hoods and ski masks are highly recommended.
  • Heavy, water-resistant gloves or mittens. Ski gloves or mittens are ideal.