Camping Gear

Camping

Troop 140 has an outing each month.  Most are camping trips.  Here are a few items that may help you prepare for the outing.  

Number one priority items: 

Mess kit (Dinner plate, bowl, cup, utensil set) & sleeping bag. Labeled!

• • A trip to the Goodwill works well.  Many parents purchase fancy ‘mess kits’ for their sons.  Most new Scouts will misplace parts of the kit in the first year.  REI or other outdoor stores offer a low cost plastic set with a plate/bowl/mug in a mesh bag and a set of metal or plastic utensils. Simple and cheap plate, hot cup, bowl and old utensils from home is often all that is needed. Kits often come with a mesh bag to help dishes dry faster. Alternately Scouts can use a nylon sling bag.

  • There is nothing worse then a cold nights sleep.  A good lightweight bag sleeping bag rated at +10-20 degree’s with a waterproof stuff bag is important. A warm sleeping bag made of materials that hold the heat if wet, and dry quickly, is perfect.  Weight and compressed size are secondary.  Good, warm, inexpensive bags are available at places like Costco. A bag rated at +5 should keep a young Scout warm when the temperature drops to freezing.  

Number two priority items: Backpack, rain gear, quick drying pants.

• • Backpacks help the Scout carry his gear to and from the campsite.  Backpacks come in assorted designs at affordable prices are available at most outdoor supply stores. The pack should have at least two large sections, 2-4 side or front pouches, with space for sleeping bag attached to the frame. Internal frame or external are the choice of the person carrying the pack.  Packs should fit the wearer, have padded shoulder straps and a hip belt.  Basic packs can be checked out from the Troop Quartermaster. Ask other scouts what they like about their packs before buying an expensive pack. Good gear will be sufficient for the Scouts adventures for several years.  

  • Rain gear.  This is Oregon!  Rain gear is essential.  Places like Fred Meyer, Target and Walmart offer lightweight rain gear for low prices.  The jacket should have a hood.  Some sets come in small compact sacks to help storage.

  • Quick drying pants are helpful in Oregon wet weather. Many have the bonus of zip-off legs, converting them to shorts.  They are light weight when wet, quick drying, come in many colors and pocket configurations. 

Miscellaneous items:

• Clothing will help keep a camper comfortable on the trail.  Fleece and wool are recommended.  Pants should be a durable material such as jeans, Carharts, Scout pants. Sweat pants and athletic pants are reserved for sleepwear.  Use the camp supply list for additional recommendations.

  • Wool hat/gloves; stored in a small sack, used year-round on cold evenings.  The wool hat can be used while sleeping to minimize heat loss.

  • Flashlight/head-lamp; a small compact flashlight is essential.  Headlamps are popular for use when setting up camp or doing dishes after dark.  Both are offered with LED’s instead of lamps and are lightweight.  Sale prices of LED models are as low as $10-15.  Spare batteries are smart to have.

  • Walking shoe/socks should be of good fit and comfortable.  New scouts may participate in hikes up to 5 miles or greater during their first couple of years.  New shoes should be ‘broken in’ before used on a hiking trip.  A second pair of shoes are helpful when camping in wet weather.  No open toes shoes or bare feet are allowed outside of the shower or waterfront area’s. Socks/shoes; warm tightly woven wool socks are best.  A pair of wicking socks under the wool socks is nice.  

  • Personal first aid kit/toiletries; each scout should carry a small first aid kit with bandaids, topical antiseptic, etc.  A small packet of ‘mole skin’ in the camper's pack can come in handy when problems arise. Scouts should bring personal toiletry items like: tooth brush/paste, comb, etc.

  • Water bottle’s/canteen; plastic 1 liter water bottles are inexpensive and essential.  Water bags are popular but expensive.

  • Misc: Large trash bag; used as a poncho or cover for backpack in the rain.  Can also bring home wet gear.

  • Small trash bag: pack it in/pack it out.

  • 1/8 roll of toilet paper, in a zip lock bag, never know when it will come in handy!  

  • Whistle/mirror; emergency gear.

  • Clothing Line; used for many camp needs.

  • Matches.  

  • Personal hot chocolate/tea/cider packets; storage when camping in area’s with lots of small animals can be a problem. Ammo cans are often used for summer camp to store snacks.

Label all equipment