Camping Resources
Tents
Features
Tents come in all sorts of styles and varieties. For Cub Scout camping, you won't be camping very often...1-3 times per year. Therefore, it isn't necessary to purchase a specialty tent... any basic tent that you already own will likely be fine. However, if you need to purchase a new tent, here are some recommendations:
Washtub Bottom: most modern tents will have a continuous plasticized bottom that wraps up the sides of the tent 6 inches or so. This is key to keeping ground water from flowing into, or soaking up into your tent.
Rainfly: The rainfly is the outer "shell" of a tent. It's job is prevent water from reaching the inner tent walls. Many tents only have rainflies that cover the top of the tent and then rely on waterproof tent walls to avoid leaking. It is better to keep the water off the tent walls entirely. Look for a rainfly that extends nearly all the way to the ground on all sides.
Luxury Amenities: There's no need for Extra Large interiors, large screened-in porches, or other amenities, unless that is what you really want. You likely won't be at or near your tent long enough to take advantage of those amenities.
Dome Design: dome designed tents generally only have 2-3 poles, are relatively easy to set up, and pack away compact. Cabin style tents will offer you more interior space, but are much bulkier, heavier, and not as easier to transport or set up. Backpacking style tents are going to be more expensive as they are generally smaller and lighter weight.
Size
Person Rating: Beware... the "Person" rating on a tent is misleading. If you look at the diagram on the packaging... that's how many people you can fit in the tent if you have another place for your gear, and are packed in side-by-side.
Rule of Thumb: 1 Person + Gear = 2 People. For example, for 2 people, each with gear, you will want a minimum 4 person tent.
Smaller is Better: Smaller tents are simply easier to carry and set up. Additionally, smaller tents will retain your body heat better during cold weather camping, and will air out faster during warm-weather camping. Lastly, smaller tents are more aerodynamic in windy conditions (especially if they are a dome tent).
Cots: If you plan to use a cot of any kind, instead of ground mats, your tent will need to be a minimum of 9ft wide in the sleeping direction. This likely means a 3 person tent for 1 person + Gear + Cot... or a 6 person tent for 2 people + Gear + Cot
Accessories
Ground Tarp: You should purchase a simple poly ground-tarp to store with each tent you own. Purchase a tarp that it equal to, or slightly larger than the footprint of your tent. Place the tarp down on the ground, and the tent on top of the tarp when setting it up. The tarp will help protect the bottom of your tent from any sharp rocks or sticks that might otherwise poke through the bottom of your tent, ruining its ability to repel water. This will help keep your tent usable for a much longer time. Be sure that your tarp does not extend past your tent walls when it is setup or this will catch rain and funnel it under, and thus into, your tent! If it extends past, simply fold the loose edges under your tent.
Small Camping Broom/Dustpan: It is guaranteed that you will track dirt, grass, leaves, etc. into your tent. A small broom/dustpan will allow you to sweep it out quickly before you pack it away.
Heavy Duty Metal Tent Stakes: The stakes that come with tents will work, but are generally very flimsy, and will likely bend and have troubles if the ground is rocky and/or extremely dry and compact. Larger, heavier duty stakes will perform better in all conditions and will last longer too. Plastic tent stakes are not recommended as they will snap in half in poor soil conditions.
Small Hammer/Mallet: When presented with hard rocky ground, a mallet/hammer may be the only way you can get the tent stakes into the ground
Pack 60 Leader Recommendations
These gear have been purchased and used by Pack 60 Leaders
Tents
Budget:
Coleman Flatwoods II 6-Person Dome Tent - $90 at Target
Coleman Flatwoods II 4 Person Tent - $70 at Target
Premium
REI Basecamp 6 - no longer available, consider Big Agnes Bunk House 6 or MSR Habitude 6 for similar specs - $700
Big Agnes Blacktail 3 - $300
Accessories
Ground Tarp: Most premium tents will come with a footprint or allow for one that is sold separately. This is always worth buying if you buy a premium tent. Otherwise, a tarp from a hardware store is fine for budget tents.
Broom/DustPan:
Heavy Duty Metal Tent Stakes:
Stansport 10" Steel Tent Stake - $1/ea at Menards
Small Hammer/Mallet:
Sleeping Bags
Most Cub Scout camping will occur in warm months. A 3 season sleeping bag will be sufficient. Please remember that the degree rating on sleeping bags is a survival rating, it doesn't promise comfort! A 40 degree bag will keep you alive at 40 degrees, but you might not enjoy it! A 20 degree bag is good "all around" rating in Minnesota for three season of camping. If you find yourself camping in hot weather, just bring a cotton bed sheet from home to use as a liner. For a complete guide on choosing a sleeping bag, check out this article from REI.
Pack 60 Leader Recommendations
TETON Sports Celsius XL 0-degree Sleeping Bag - $100 at Amazon
TETON Sports Celsius XXL 0-degree Sleeping Bag - $95 at Amazon
Premium: Kelty Cosmic Down 20 - $170
Pillows
Many cub scouts will simply bring a pillow from home or purchase a small travel-sized pillow. These are all great! We have included a premium suggestion if you are in the market for a backpacking style of pillow.
Pack 60 Leader Recommendations
Premium: Nemo Fillo - $45
Sleeping Pads
DO NOT OVERLOOK THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR SLEEPING PAD! The job of the sleep pad is to keep your comfortable and warm. Sleeping on an air mattress may sound comfortable, but air does not insulate you and you will be significantly colder than if you choose a material that offers insulation. Sleeping pads are measured in their ability to prevent heat loss, which is called R-Value. Check out this article to learn more, but basically the higher the number, the better a pad is at insulating. Look for a pad with an R Value of between 2-3.9 for Minnesota three-season camping. This will keep you warm to approximately 32 degrees at night.
Pack 60 Leader Recommendations
Budget: Thermarest RidgeRest Classic - $32
Budget: Thermarest Trail Scout - $75
Premium: Thermarest ProLite Apex - $135
Cots
Clothing
Have you ever heard the saying, "Cotton Kills"? While that could be true in certain situations, the reality is that it is also very uncomfortable in camping settings and should be avoided. You don't need the most expensive outdoor clothing on the market to camp. Just stick to synthetic clothing materials and stay away from cotton. This applies to all of your layers - pants, t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks. Cotton doesn't insulate when it gets wet, it doesn't dry quickly, and doesn't wick moisture away from your skin. Our Pack 60 Class B t-shirts are moisture-wicking for this reason and are a great item to bring!
Rain Gear
We recommend rain pants and jackets, but ponchos are often used throughout cub scout camps. Just try to avoid using garbage bags!
Flashlights
Head lamps are generally better than handheld flashlights. If you want to take your headlamp up a notch, consider one that comes with a "red light" setting. Red lighting preserves your night vision and doesn't blind your friends!
Bug Repellant
The short of it is that Deet works, but anything over 30% is completely unnecessary. If you want an interesting read, this write-up on Reddit is one of the most concise and clear explanations of repellant options I have seen. A bug net can help too if you want to avoid putting chemicals on.
Fans
You won't have electricity at Cub Scout Camps. Fans sold at camping stores tend to be nearly worthless for the meager amount of air they move and the tremendous amount of batteries they take. There are some intriguing rechargeable options on Amazon that have recently come to the market but I haven't tested them yet. My favorite tip is if you already own rechargeable tools, check to see if your manufacturer builds a battery powered shop fan. My 9 Amp Hour battery for my cordless weed whacker and blower runs my fan for an entire weekend. Even in high heat, I find myself turning the fan down from getting too cold, which is a great problem to have on a warm summer night!
DeWalt Cordless Jobsite Fan ($99) plus 9 Ah FlexVolt Battery ($239, but I primarily use the battery for my yard tools when I'm not camping so I don't view this as a camping expense)
Storage
Large Rubbermaid totes are an easy way to store camping gear so that it is all in one place when it is time to camp.