Every Scout needs to have the right equipment, but what to get? As a new Scout, it’s important to have the right gear to go camping. Remember, you will out grow things! But what is comfortable, but not expensive.
For some very good ideas, check out Backpackinglight.com
For Discouted Gear check out HikerDirect.com special scout pricing on decent middle of the road equipment.
Costco’s 32° line is great and inexpensive.
Three main points to remember: COMFORTABLE, LIGHT WEIGHT AND INEXPENSIVE. Camping gear does not have to be expensive, particularly when it will not fit in 6 months or a year when your son grows 6 inches!
Camping Gear List
Start here:
- Boy Scout 10 Essentials:
• Pocket Knife •First Aid Kit
• Extra Clothing- but not too much! •Flashlight and Batteries
• Water Bottle •Map and Compass
•Matches and Firestarter •Sun protection and hat
•Trail Food- We all get hungry! •Rain Gear - ____ BACKPACK External or Internal Frame, comfortable, and built for a boy to grow into
- Tip: Line it with a lawn bag first, to keep contents dry.
- ____ SLEEPING BAG 35 or 20 degree, no more than 5 pounds of weight. Mummy bags are good.
- ____ CLOSED-CELL FOAM CAMP SLEEPING PAD or Self Inflating Airmattress or Blow Up Airmattress
- Big 5 has an inexpensive lightweight blow up mattress
- ____ TRAIL RUNNERS OR HIKING BOOTS (Buy 1/2 size larger to fit heavy hiking socks–Make sure your boots are NOT TOO TIGHT!).
- ____ HEAVY NON-COTTON HIKING SOCKS & Liners- Smartwool or Tholios
Then Add:
- ____ WARM JACKET (Down Puff, check Amazon) (for night)
- ____ RAINCOAT
- ____ EXTRA PAIR PANTS (non-cotton, if possible — check the tags for polyester, nylon,
- or other synthetics)
- ____ WOOL SWEATER, or POLYESTER SWEATSHIRT (about $3 at Thrift Stores).
- ____ LONG SLEEVE SHIRT (Wool or synthetic fiber for insulating quality/quick dryig)
- ____ SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT
- ____ UNDERWEAR
- ____ WARM HAT
- ____ MESS-KIT (BOWL, CUP, FORK, SPOON, PLATE — (plastic keeps food warmer than metal)
- WalMart has a great inexpensive set
- ____ 2 ONE-QUART/LITER WATER BOTTLES, filled (“Nalgene” Bottles are the most dependable)
- Another option is to use 1L disposable bottles don’t last as long try to find thicker plastic if possible SmartWater tend to be good.
- ____ FLASHLIGHT & EXTRA BATTERIES, (headband style keeps hands free)
- ____ SMALL FIRST AID KIT (You can make your own: BSA Handbook)
- ____ PEN & POCKET NOTEPAD, BSA HANDBOOK
- ____ CLEAN-UP KIT (Small Hand Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Comb, Floss, Fast-Drying Camp Towel).
- ____ TOILET PAPER (Half a roll in a Zip-Lock bag).
Each boy should carry no more than 25% of their body weight in gear, or 25 pounds maximum. Leave room for Community Gear to be added at the shack.
Troop 441 will provide:
Tent for sleeping in, Community cooking equipment (stove, pots/pans), water filters.
For all stationary trips and some backpacking trips each Patrol will plan a menu and purchase their own food. On some backpacking trips we may do food individually. WalMart, Big 5, REI, or Amazon freeze dried meal pouches, dry meats, cheese, peanut butter, tortillas, pita, chicken or tuna blister packs.
Always pack for one season COLDER than now!
AVOID cotton clothes (like blue jeans and cotton sweatshirts) for outdoor use.
Wish List for Birthdays, Christmas:
- ____ 100% POLYPROPYLENE LONG UNDERWEAR (Required on winter campouts and summer deep-woods backpacking trips, but recommended year-around for rainy weather, and for cold nights & mornings in the summer. If buying new, look for 100% Polypropylene or Silk, NOT the white “waffle pattern” cotton blend)
- ____ OFFICIAL SCOUT SHIRT
- ____ TROOP ACTIVITY PANTS (Green Olive-Drab Nylon Zip-Off Cargo Pants, or Green Olive-Drab Army BDUs)
- ____ COMPASS with a BASE-PLATE, in a Zip-Lock bag (with map, if you have one).
- ____ POCKETKNIFE
- ____ Good quality RAIN SUIT or more disposable like Frogg Toggs (includes rain pants)