OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT

OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT

To maintain a minimum comfort level, your scout will always need the following items when we go camping.

Sleeping bag: Should be rated to 40 degrees as an absolute minimum standard. For guaranteed comfort in all cases, we would recommend a “20 degree” bag. The degree ratings are averages, and some people sleep colder or warmer than others. For the trips we take, no one should complain of being cold in a 20 degree bag; some may be cold in a 40 degree bag – and others who sleep “hot” may be fine in a 40 degree bag.

Sleeping pad/air mattress: Can be purchased at any Target, Walmart, Kmart, or outdoor supply store, normally for less than $15. Pads are much more for insulation from the ground than for comfort when you are 6-9 years old. If you are an adult, you’ll need a better pad if you intend to be able to move in the morning! :-) For the scouts, a pad will provide great and much-needed insulation from the cold ground, and help protect the sleeping bag.

Mess Kit: Don’t worry about getting the old aluminum mess kit sold at camping stores. In fact, when we put hot food in those, the entire dish sometimes becomes too hot for a scout to handle. A Cool-Whip container will work great for a bowl. A cheap picnic plate will work for a dish. Pick up extra spoons, forks, and knives at the dollar store or a garage sale. Scouts need a mug (for hot cocoa, which we almost always have at campouts) and a drip bag along with their mess kit. The best mugs are the insulated travel mugs with lids (available everywhere). A drip bag can be a hosiery bag, available in the laundry section of any grocery store or Target/Walmart, etc. You could also use an old mesh bag that oranges or onions often come in. The bag should have a string so we can hang it up (with wet dishes inside) to drip dry. (Best string: old shoelace from those sneakers your daughter grew out of).

Water bottle: Can be a one-half liter bottle of water from the grocery story or a sports water bottle. Best if there’s a way to carry it hands-free, whether that be with a strap, a fanny pack, or small backpack.

Personal Equipment List: A Personal Equipment List will be provided for each trip listing other items attendees will need to bring. PLEASE always put names on EVERYTHING your scout takes. Socks, bandanas, eating utensils, and underwear are often separated from their owners!

Equipment Sign-Up List: In addition, an Equipment Sign-Up List will be needed for each trip to borrow items not acquired yet by the troop (i.e., propane stoves, tents, pots/pans, etc.)

final note: We don’t want to hear a scout say “My mom forgot to pack that”. Our answer will be: “Is this your mom’s trip or yours? Why didn’t YOU pack it?” For most all of the girls, packing isn’t done entirely on their own, but we recommend they set everything out, when they think they’ve got it all, call mom or dad to check their list with them. This will help them accept more responsibility.

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