How Can We Help?
When it comes to purchasing items, getting the gear can be a big one-time expense. There are many ways to reduce the costs. Think of getting the essentials, making due as much as you can with what you have, and then slowly purchase as you try out new and other gear and learn what works for you. Here's some general ideas:
- Share at tent with another person who has one. The same can be said of backpacking stoves (see the backpacking list above).
- Purchase at Wal-Mart - and number of outdoor items (Ozark, Coleman, etc.) that at very reasonable prices.
- Purchase online at Wal-Mart, Amazon, and Campmor.com and look for sales. Amazon has a great selection of mid-range items at good prices.
Uniform
Troop Uniform (Currently the correct, collared, colored program shirt - not the CLass A shirt worn to Court of Honor. The shirt is always worn while traveling to/from outing):
_______ Shirt
_______ Pants (shorts or long)
_______ Belt
_______ Socks
_______ Tennis Shoes or (preferred) Hiking Shoes/Boots, waterproofed
One note about hiking shoes or boots, be sure to spend some time breaking in the new footwear before utilizing them all weekend. Studies show that stiff, new, hiking boots are a leading cause of blisters in young men in outdoor programs between the ages of 11 and 18.
Clothes (always check the weather and both dress and bring appropriate gear):
_______ Pants, shorts &/or long
_______ T-shirts, short &/or long sleeved
_______ Underwear
_______ Socks (at least 2 pair)
_______ Hat
_______ Rain gear (poncho, raincoat, or rain suit as appropriate for conditions) - a $2.00 Coleman emergency poncho usually suffices for a weekend trip. These are typically one use items.
_______ “Windbreaker”/Coat (appropriate for conditions)
We've more than once had boys wear shorts on fall campouts only to get quite cold when they learn that the temperature was going to drop into the mid 40's... Don't let that happen to you!
Gear:
_______ Backpack or duffel bag to carry your gear.
_______ Sleeping bag (20 degree or lower or appropriate for the temperatures at location of camp )
_______ Sleeping pad (air, foam, or self-inflating (ex. “Therm-a-Rest”))
_______ Tent or other Shelter (A three person tent works well.)
_______ “Tent footprint” or “ground-cloth” (also sheet of plastic for under tent)
_______ ZipLock bags for storing toiletries, eating kit, extra trash, etc.
_______ Personal First Aid kit
_______ Pocket Knife (After completing Knife Safety Training)
_______ Headlamp and/or Flashlight.
_______ Length of paracord/thin nylon rope for hanging items if necessary.
Note: Hammock camping has become more popular the last few years. Besides needing a campsite that has trees, 🙂 Hammock camping typically requires extra rope, straps, and a tarp or integrated rainfly to protect from morning dew or rain. Bugnets are available for these, and may be desired on some of our camping trips.
On Tenting, we prefer to tent in groups of 2-3, but occasionally allow more if the situation demands it. We prefer not to use 4 person tents or greater, but understand that's what families may own and aren't in the position to buy another for their son. We do our best to make due with what we have.
Toiletries Kit:
_______ Sunscreen
_______ Toothbrush & Toothpaste
_______ Soap (generally not needed for a weekend campout)
_______ Towel
Eating Kit:
_______ Water bottle (1Liter ‘Nalgene’-type preferred)
_______ Cup (plastic or metal)
_______ Bowl (plastic or metal), Plate (optional)
_______ Utensil set: Spoon &/or Fork, Knife (optional)
As mess kits go, the "Light My Fire" brand mess kit is a great upgrade when you're ready to spend the money. It's compact lightweight and packs together into a single unit. Light my Fire makes sure to charge extra for the "harness" which is handy for keeping the mess kit together.
Books:
_______ Navigator and Adventurer's Handbook and pen for sign offs.
_______ Bible (New Testament or Old & New Testament)