Every year a new group of Webelo’s Excitedly cross over from Cub Scout to become full fledge Boy Scouts. This is an exciting time for the boys, as they are about to embark on new experiences in the outdoors. We have found that most new Boy Scouts are not prepared with the proper gear for the camping and other outdoor adventures that await them. Being an active Scout parent, I have seen where a lack of the proper gear can discourage a youth from fully participating in all the great outdoor adventures and activities. Below is a list of common basic gear missing from the first-year Boy Scouts arsenal. Full Disclosure, our First Year Scout was missing quite a few of these items on his first campout.
Boy Scout Basic Camp Gear check list.
Quality 1-liter Water Bottle
Camp Chair
Head Lamp
Sleeping Pad, Sleeping bag or Quilt and Pillow
Proper shoes, Socks, Clothing and Underwear
Good Eating kit (utensils and Plate or Bowl)
Hygiene Kit
First Aid Kit
Appropriate Day Pack
Overall Gear Bag
Tent
Keep in mind this is a basic list, always check with your troop’s scoutmaster for a complete list of items for each specific event. This list is a good starting point
- Scouts needto be well hydrated while participating in any Scout activity. I have tried several options for water containers and only recommend the Nalgene brand 1 liter or larger water bottles. This is a tested piece of gear and will rarely leak or break under typical use. If scoutsprefer a water bladder in their pack, as a parent, insist they have a full water bottle as a backup in the event the bladder leaks.The bottle will also be easier to use when dining.
A special note to Parents: Be sure your Scout drinks plenty of water the week before any campout or outdoor activity. If they are just beginning to drink water the day of the activity they may still get dehydrated.
- After a long day outdoors, no matter the activity a Scout is ready to relax in his chair. The camp chair is a vital tool for any Scout with down time and any scout without a chair will beg, borrow or borrow without asking, to have a chance to sit on something other than the ground. There are several types of camp chairs, from the Ultra compact backpacking chair, three-legged stool or your standard folding canvas chair. All are acceptable, pick the right one for your troops activities. As always to help prevent any arguments, please label this and all scouts gear.
- A headlamp is a Scouts companion for safety and comfort during the evening hours both outside and inside their tent.A good headlamp needs to be a minimum of 100 lumens, preferably equipped with a high and low setting and should have a red light to help retain night vision and blinking light for distress signaling. Black Diamond is always a quality brand that will last. I always suggest a Scout pack a flashlight for a backup. Make sure scouts have extra batteries, one set for each night they are camping. This may seem excessive, however scouts tend to leave their lamps on overnight and drain their batteries.
- A Scouts sleep system is a very individualized and personal to each Scouts comfort requirements and may vary based on the type of campout. All good sleep systems have 3 components.The Sleeping Pad: These range from half inch foam pads (Much like a Yoga Mat) to four-inch air foam pads that closely resemble what you would find in a college dorm. Not only does the pad provide a measure of comfort, it also gives a needed layer of insulation when the ground is cold. The Sleeping Bag or Quilt: Depending on where and when you are camping, you may need to purchase more than one option. In Texas Summer camping, you may want as little as possible covering you on a humid evening. We use the sleeping bag liner, just a thin sheet sewn up like a sleeping bag. In winter you may need a heavy 20 degree bag to keep warm, test and find out what works best for you where you camp. Camp Pillows: These are the final piece, and like everything else they come in a wide array of styles and options. For backpacking, you can use an inflatable pillow or a packable jacket if you can handle it. If you are car camping, a standard polly foam filled camp pillow or the one from your bed will work just as well. Remember this is your night’s sleep, and a good nights sleep will help improve every scouts mood and attitude so choose it well based on the type of campout you are on.
- Clothing matters! The first thing to remember when selecting clothing is “Cotton is not a camper’s friend!” Polyester and wool are what you are looking for in the bulk of scouting attire.The Shirt: Anything that is “Moisture Wicking” or a “Dry Blend” is what you are looking for in a basic base layer. This includes short sleeve or long sleeve shirts and underwear. Socks, outerwear, beanie caps: The best material for these items is wool, or smart wool. Wool, unlike cotton will not absorb moisture and will keep you warm. In colder climates wool lined jackets with a waterproof outer shell are a key to comfort. Shoes: An all-around hiking boot is always a good option for footwear. Find something that is comfortable, has good ventilation and won’t slip off. Around camp the standard set of crocks are always a good choice because they meet the closed toed requirements and make for good shower shoes. Rain Jacket: A lightweight packable rain jacket is a good addition to any gear set up.
- A scout has to eat. Depending on how your troop cooks in their patrols, they may or may not need a full-blown mess kit. Some scoutsonly need to carry a good plate and cutlery set and cup. The GSI camp dining set is more than enough, if they are going backpacking or just want to save room in the pack, the Sea to Summit collapsible bowls and cups are the way to go. You can also cut out the fork and spoon and go with a titanium spork. This has become a popular option among our troop.
- Hygiene is a camping basic that is a must not only for the scout but for the people around them! A good Hygiene kit includes Body Soap, Shampoo, Hair brush or comb (if needed) tooth brush and Tooth Paste, wash cloth and a towel. Some of these items bay be combined, such as the body soap and shampoo if a scout uses Camp suds or is not that concerned about their hair on a weekend campout. A good Micro Fiber towel is a great option because of how small it packs down and is great for Summer Camp. As for the wash cloth, a Buff or bandana typically works well enough to get any scout clean. I recommend a three liter dry bag to store all the toiletries, this keep your other gear from getting wet and your towel dry when using a shower.
- No scout should be without their first aid kit. The kit is nothing fancy, just a bumps and bruises or what is commonly know as a “Bo-Bo” kit. And should at minimum include the following
Band-aids, Gauze pads or wraps, Medical Tape, Triple antibiotic ointment, Burn cream, Sting Relief pads, Alcohol pads, Gold Bond, safety pins, Triangle bandage, Moleskin
A Scout should not have any medication in their first aid kits, prescription or otherwise. These should be administered by the Scoutmaster or an assigned adult that is registered and meets all the BSA qualifications. There are a few exceptions to this such as an epi pen or inhaler, confirm with BSA guidelines before your scout completes his first aid kit. Your troop should have a comprehensive first aid kit in every vehicle per BSA policy.
- A well fitted day pack is a must for every scout. A day pack is something that is easy to carry and will fit all the basics a scout will need when they are away from base camp on a hike or any short-term adventure. Most day packs are between 15 and 25 liters with pockets for water bottles and sometimes bladders. The pack is meant to hold the scouts needs for the day, this can be anything from a snacks and sack lunch or mess kit to rain gear or a swim suit and towel. It needs to be a versatile pack to fit many different needs. Scouts should choose something light weight and durable, think in the range of a typical school backpack.
- An overall gear bag is needed to hold alla Scout’s belongings on a campout. Typically, a 60 to 70-liter pack or duffel will be sufficient for the sleep system, clothing, mess kit and anything other comfort items the scout plans to bring with them. Look to your scoutmaster for recommendations on a pack style that fits with what the troop activities will be over the next twelve to eighteen months.
- The Tent is a Scouts home away from home and is the best source of protection from the elements. This gear may not be necessary if your local troop provides them however you may want to make an investment in a tent if, as a parent, you would like to share in the adventure. The fist thing you need to find out is what type of camping is your troop into, Car Camping, Backpacking or a little of both? If you are doing predominantly car camping, a standard 2-man dome tent like this Coleman found on Amazon will be more than sufficient for 2 scouts or two adults. However, if you are going to do any backpacking you may want to lean more toward this MSR backpacking tent or a similar light weigh compact 2-man tent selection. Both are good options and will give you a staring point on where you need to look for a tent selection.
Everything above is based on my personal experience camping and other outdoor adventures with my local Boy Scout troop. As a scout or Scout parent you will want to get recommendations from other scouts and parents in your troop, they will have a great insight on what your troop does and how to bes prepare for all the activities to come. I hope the information in this was helpful and makes your scouting experience a better one.
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Troop 331 & 332 - Spring, Texas 