Troop 157, 2011. ©
Camping Equipment
When we go camping, we meet at the American Legion at a specific time and load the troop trailer with troop, patrol, and individual gear, head count, and depart. In the winter we set up camp in the dark, so be sure you have practiced setting up your tent BEFORE you go camping. We do not cook a meal on Friday night, so be sure to eat before arriving at the Legion, or bring a sack lunch for Friday night.
Most of our camping is what we call trailer camping. We go to camping spots, state parks, etc. where we can bring the troop trailer which carries our gear. Once a year we normally do a backpacking trip and we drive to the location, load up and meet the trailer at another location in two days.
How to pack: Your scout book has several good checklists--as you learn the ropes—use it to help. Most the time we pack too much! Experience will help you cut down on what you bring.
Flashlight: I like using the headlights, so I can have my hands free when I'm setting up camp. Some scouts like to use the type lights that clip to the baseball cap bream for the same reason. DO NOT buy an expensive flashlight—your scout is going to lose it. I've bought 3 or 4 inexpensive flashlight sets at many hardware stores. These work just fine.
Cooking gear: The troop will provide all the cooking gear you need to eat and cook with.
Tents: You should have a small two man tent for campouts. Don't rush out and buy one. Share a tent on a few campouts and check out what other scouts have. Small single man tents can run from $45 to $350. Talk with a scoutmaster. This tent should be small enough to carry in a backpack when we go hiking.
Sleeping bag: In the summer, you will find that a light weight fleece sleeping bag (rated to 50 degrees) is fine. In the winter, a good sleeping bag rated down to 20 degrees works for this area. In the winter, I always bring my light weight fleece because it will give you added warmth when you tuck it into your sleeping bag.
Sleeping pad: We all should use a sleeping pad.These can range from $10 to $120 depending on what's made from and how thick. Getting up off the ground will protect your gear, and keep you warm in the winter. Pads can be a simple blanket, foam egg cartoon type pad, or a self inflating pad.
Backpack/duffel bag: You do not need a backpack. Ninety-nine percent of the time, carrying your gear in a duffel bag works just fine. When we do a backpacking trip, you should be able to borrow a pack.
Water bottles: You need at least two water bottles during a camping event. Scouts use various type bottles. Don't buy expensive ones, because your scout will lose it.
Shoes: good solid low quarter or mid ankle shoes will suffice. Tennis shoes are ok. All shoes must have a closed toe and heel.
Hammocks:Many scouts use hammocks. I would recommend one that has a rain fly and a mosquito net over it.
Clothes: The scout uniform is build to last. We wear it to and from our event. Scout T-shirts can be purchased from the troop, or any scout store. Over the course of you scouting career you will gather many of these as souvenirs. Always check the weather before camping. Remember you can always take stuff off if too warm. But you can't put it on if you're cold if you didn't bring it.
When we go camping, we meet at the American Legion at a specific time and load the troop trailer with troop, patrol, and individual gear, head count, and depart. In the winter we set up camp in the dark, so be sure you have practiced setting up your tent BEFORE you go camping. We do not cook a meal on Friday night, so be sure to eat before arriving at the Legion, or bring a sack lunch for Friday night.
Most of our camping is what we call trailer camping. We go to camping spots, state parks, etc. where we can bring the troop trailer which carries our gear. Once a year we normally do a backpacking trip and we drive to the location, load up and meet the trailer at another location in two days.
How to pack: Your scout book has several good checklists--as you learn the ropes—use it to help. Most the time we pack too much! Experience will help you cut down on what you bring.
Flashlight: I like using the headlights, so I can have my hands free when I'm setting up camp. Some scouts like to use the type lights that clip to the baseball cap bream for the same reason. DO NOT buy an expensive flashlight—your scout is going to lose it. I've bought 3 or 4 inexpensive flashlight sets at many hardware stores. These work just fine.
Cooking gear: The troop will provide all the cooking gear you need to eat and cook with.
Tents: You should have a small two man tent for campouts. Don't rush out and buy one. Share a tent on a few campouts and check out what other scouts have. Small single man tents can run from $45 to $350. Talk with a scoutmaster. This tent should be small enough to carry in a backpack when we go hiking.
Sleeping bag: In the summer, you will find that a light weight fleece sleeping bag (rated to 50 degrees) is fine. In the winter, a good sleeping bag rated down to 20 degrees works for this area. In the winter, I always bring my light weight fleece because it will give you added warmth when you tuck it into your sleeping bag.
Sleeping pad: We all should use a sleeping pad.These can range from $10 to $120 depending on what's made from and how thick. Getting up off the ground will protect your gear, and keep you warm in the winter. Pads can be a simple blanket, foam egg cartoon type pad, or a self inflating pad.
Backpack/duffel bag: You do not need a backpack. Ninety-nine percent of the time, carrying your gear in a duffel bag works just fine. When we do a backpacking trip, you should be able to borrow a pack.
Water bottles: You need at least two water bottles during a camping event. Scouts use various type bottles. Don't buy expensive ones, because your scout will lose it.
Shoes: good solid low quarter or mid ankle shoes will suffice. Tennis shoes are ok. All shoes must have a closed toe and heel.
Hammocks:Many scouts use hammocks. I would recommend one that has a rain fly and a mosquito net over it.
Clothes: The scout uniform is build to last. We wear it to and from our event. Scout T-shirts can be purchased from the troop, or any scout store. Over the course of you scouting career you will gather many of these as souvenirs. Always check the weather before camping. Remember you can always take stuff off if too warm. But you can't put it on if you're cold if you didn't bring it.