Essential Camping Gear

Having the right gear can make the difference between a great weekend and a miserable experience.

However, we understand that this gear can be expensive and take a while to accumulate.  Here are some essentials to start with, and we'll work with you on the rest.

• Sleeping bag: This isn't your average sleepover bag, but a real 3 season bag for using outside while camping.  Look for a 0° or 20° bag to start with and know that a unisex or men's bag may not be as warm or shaped the same as a women's bag.  Click for more information.

• Extra blanket: For winter camping, you are going to want an extra blanket or liner for your sleeping bag.

• Ground pad: The ground is cold when camping.  Having proper separation and insulation from the ground is essential in keeping yourself warm and comfortable.

• Hiking boots: Hiking can be a fun and rewarding experience, but can also turn miserable without the right foot protection.  Comfortable, warm, waterproof, non-slip boots with ankle support will help ensure a great trip.  Click for more information.

• Head Lamp: It turns out seeing at night is not something humans are very good at.  Bringing a flashlight is important, but a head lamp that let's you see and allows you to use both hands is critical, especially for setting up a tent at night.  Make sure to bring some extra, fresh batteries on each camping trip, too!

• Back Pack: A good frame back pack to hold all your gear is important.  Make sure it fits your body.  A waist belt and chest strap will be a big plus for carrying your gear.  Click for more information.

• Day Pack: This is a smaller bag that you can carry around with you during a trip.  It will hold a change of clothes, rain gear, your Scout Book, head lamp, water bottle, and other essential gear you'll need during the day.

• Mess Kit: You need to eat if you are going camping, so bring some plates and utensils with you.  Make sure to have a mug for that hot chocolate or tea, too.

• Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is an important aspect of camping.  Having a good 24 or 32 ounce reusable water bottle will help you meet this goal.  Make sure it had a tight cap so it won't leak in your bag.

• Long Underwear: Dressing in layers will help you keep warm and dry during your trip.  For the cold winter days, a water wicking base layer (long underwear) is a must.  Having two pairs is important so that you have a dry pair for sleeping at night, too.

• Non-cotton, water wicking clothing: Cotton soaks up water and keeps it from evaporating away from your body.  Other materials, such as bamboo, wool, rayon, polyester, nylon, or fleece are great at wicking away the water.  You'll need pants, shorts, t-shirts, sweaters, socks, etc.  Click for more information.

• Wool socks: Yes, even for summer!  Wet cotton socks are a sure way to get blisters on those hot summer days.  Just like the clothing above, you don't want water next to your skin.  Plan for two pairs of socks a day, and one pair for sleeping at night.  If you can dry them out, you may be able to re-use them on longer trips.

• Rain gear: Rain gear can be the difference between a fun weekend and a miserable one.  We recommend a rain jacket with a hood you can wear over a baseball cap, and rain pants with ties or elastic around the ankles.  Zip-off rainpants can be put on or removed without taking off your boots which are convenient.  Both should be pack-able into a small space to fit in your day pack.  You never know when the rain will strike.

• Personal First Aid Kit: Being prepared with a first aid kit is very helpful.  Nothing large, just something that you can keep with you for bandaids, alcohol wipes, tweezers, and other essentials for staying safe.

• Camping Chair: Whether sitting around the fire, on the parade field for a meal, or just a place to hang out to play cards, a camp chair is a great addition to any trip.  You'll want something compact and light, but comfortable as well.

• Tent: One of the last, and most expensive pieces of gear to acquire is a tent.  There are many things to consider when buying one, most important is getting one that will keep you and your gear dry.  There are many aspects to think about (footprints, rain flies to the ground, etc).  Make sure to talk to a experienced camper before purchasing one.  Until then, the troop has a limited amount of tents to loan out.