These lists will help you "be prepared" for Camping with Troop 35. There are two types of campouts we commonly do, the "Troop Trailer" based campout and the "Self Sufficient" campout. Each style dictates what we carry, so there are two lists below.
All items should be clearly marked with the Scout's name, including clothing, socks, underwear, etc. We recommend that each day's clothing be packed in plastic bags inside the Scout's duffel bag. It is very important that each Scout pack his own gear so he knows what he has packed and where it is in his pack.
"Troop Trailer" based campout: on these campouts the Scouts need only to carry sleeping gear, personal items, and clothes. Food, cooking gear (but not eating gear), and shelter are provided: Here's a basic list of what the Scout will need to bring.
Duffel/Carry Bag: A large waterproof duffel bag to put your clothes & personal gear in. You can also use a camping backpack. Trash bags do not work. Secure your sleeping bag and duffel/pack together to minimize the number of chunks you have to carry.
Small backpack/Daypack: Like you use at school for your water bottle (filled), scout book, pen, raingear, and flashlight. Carry this with you in the car.
Sleeping bag, optional pillow - Bring a plastic garbage bag to store it in if you are worried about the weather
Sleeping pad: Optional but recommended
Headlamp: Small with extra batteries.
Watch: A cheap, water-resistant model is good. Many activities have timeframes, so time is good to know!
Compass: Every scout should eventually acquire a simple compass, as north is good to know!
Toiletries: Small roll of toilet paper, small liquid hand soap, small towel, toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant, etc. Ziploc baggie makes great storage container
Rain gear: A rain suit works best, with pullover pants and jacket with hood. If you buy a poncho, get a decent poncho, not the cheap $1 flimsy one-use ponchos.
Hiking shoes (waterproof recommended) or old sneakers: Bring an extra pair in case shoes get wet. Do not wear school shoes; they will get muddy or ruined. Sandals or open-toed shoes are not allowed at all.
Scout handbook, Pen/Pencil, Paper: Log those achievements, and record the good times!
Clothing: What we wear is dictated by weather and activities, so here is a basic list.
* 3 pair of socks (in addition to the ones you wear Friday night)
* 2 pair of pants (long or shorts depending on the weather) in addition to what you wear on Friday night
* 2 extra shirts (depending on the weather). If warmer weather, one of the short shirts should be your troop Class B T-shirt
* 3 pair underwear in addition to what you wear Friday night
* Additional jacket (it can get cold at night on some campouts)
* Sleeping clothes - sweatpants and shirt for cold weather, T-shirt and shorts for warm weather
* Clothes be packed in 1 or 2 gallon zip loc bags to keep them dry
* Plastic Grocery sack(s) for dirty/wet clothes
Hat, Sunscreen, and Bug Spray: Prevention is much better than the cure!!
Water Containers: CAMPERS MUST DRINK LOTS OF WATER!! Canteens, 'Platypuses', even old plastic bottles work just fine. Just bring 'em and use 'em!
Mess Kit, Eating utensils and Drinking Cup: The well named "Cup, Bowl, Spoon" Trio is all you need to bring. All cooking Gear is provided in Patrol chuck boxes.
MEALS: Generally, the Patrol/Troop will provide the main meals for the weekend, meals to be prepared by the Patrols for the Patrols. During the campout planning session the Patrols will prepare the menus and arrange the shopping. Meals will normally consist of Saturday Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, and Sunday Breakfast. Friday Dinner is before we leave or brown bag on the road, and we are normally back in time for Sunday Lunch at home.
Friday Night Dinner: Come to the Friday send off fed, or bring a brown bag dinner.
SNACKS: The Troop generally does not provide snacks, unless agreed upon in advance or the weather or activities dictate. Please bring any particular snacks you will want, with the following caveats:
* All snacks must be sealed: open packages attract ants, raccoons, bears, etc.
* NO FOOD MAY BE STORED IN THE TENTS, because of the ants, raccoons, and bears. These critters are inconvenient at best, deadly at worst.
* We will store snacks in the Trailer, so bring a bag for them.
Money: Cash maybe needed for additional fees, rentals, and any souvenirs, etc. the Scouts may wish to buy. The Campout Fees are generally $15 to $25 and cover the campsite fees and community main meals. Campout Fees are generally due the last Troop Meeting before the trip, unless otherwise specified.
REMEMBER: All this is "in the book"! Refer to it often.
"Self Sufficient" campout: on these campouts the Scouts need to carry EVERYTHING, including Food, cooking gear, shelter, sleeping gear, personal items, and clothes. Nothing else is provided. "Self Sufficient" campouts generally include hikes, canoe trips, and trips where the trailer cannot be taken, and require a great deal of planning and forethought. As a troop, we will go through detailed planning, and the Scout Handbook is great resource.
The list for a "Self Sufficient" campout is very similar to the "Troop Trailer" based campout, with the addition of shelter, cooking gear, and food. Also, lighter gear and a minimalist approach are used: Remember that what you bring is what you carry. No one else will carry it. Normally, Scouts will pair up to split up communal items to carry.
A detailed discussion of "Self Sufficient" camping/hiking gear is located here. (links to High Adventure Personal Equipment List)
What not to bring on a Campout
Anything expensive or irreplaceable
Jewelry (a cheap waterproof watch is OK)
Radios, CD Players, TVs, Electronic Games (May be allowable for long drives, and then on the drive only)
Huge flashlights (ones that use more than 2 D-cell batteries)
Fireworks, firearms, weapons, or anything illegal, immoral, or generally not a good idea
What you may bring if qualified
Your own matches and fire starters: you must be qualified to use them, have been trained and reviewed in fire starting and fire safety, and use them appropriately
You can bring an axe, but an adult needs to know when and where it is being used and stored, and you must have a valid Totin' Chip
Radios, CD Players, TVs, Electronic Games
Small pocket knives that can be safely opened. Sheath knives and knives that can be "flicked open" are not to be brought. Again, you must have a valid Totin' Chip. Refer to the Troop 35 Knife Policy for details.