Resident Camp Gear Tips

Given this is the first time for many scouts and adults to attend Webelos Resident Camp, it is likely your first time to use the Camp provided canvas tents (with metal-frame on wooden platforms . Most campers may be concerned about using the tent (too hot, open to the bugs, …). Well, I sure was! I chose to use my 2 man tent my first time at resident camp. That a massive mistake. Even with 2 fans, I was miserable!! The canvas tents can get steamy on hot stormy days (the rainfly is down) but otherwise they are actually quite comfortable for one major reason, airflow.

Below I will provide you a list of what I you need to bring INSTEAD of a tent and sleeping bag based on my summer experiences and recommendations that our Troop (that my older scout is in) has been making for decades…

It is wise to purchases these necessities now to avoid a large investment the first year when your Scout enters Scouts BSA

Here are several pictures of various BSA tents in use at Council camps around the nation. With the influx of massive donations in recent years to Circle Ten, Camp Trevor-Rees Jones and Camp James ray were able to purchase newer light weight tent coverings that have mosquito netted, velcro'd windows and vents (first tent shown).

A couple of notes about these pictures…

Beds: some councils provide beds as you see in the second picture, Circle Ten DOES NOT. You will likely need to buy a COT anyway when your scout is in Scouts BSA, so you might as well do so now.
Mosquito netting as you see in the third picture can be put up around the cot. These can be extremely useful for scouts that are scared of bugs. I do suggest purchasing one for your scout. They are not needed often, but in some locations there are must haves. Better safe than sorry. Usually they are carried by the Camp's trading post.
Foot Lockers! Foot lockers are amazing. I have one for both of my older scouts to keep their camping gear in outside of summer camp. At summer camp, they should slide nicely under cots. Be sure that what you do purchase does indeed slide under your cot. Some footlockers are way too big, so be careful. Footlockers are also great for a battery powered fan to sit on to give you some nice air movement while you sleep.

Collapsible Cot

You will want to buy a cot that will be big enough for your child to grow into as they will be using this for Summer Camps with Scouts BSA. So it is best to purchase one over over 6 feet long and 16-17"+ tall (for footlockers to slide under).

Do not get a bi-folding cot. They are cheap and bulky making it difficult to pack on trips. Be sure that the cot you choose breaks down nicely (not a simple folding one).

Cots are great as they give you airflow! You will be much more comfortable than with sleeping bags (even for a big guy like me).

While scouts can sleep on the raised hardwood floor, it has holes in it for various bugs to crawl through. While rare, I've seen scorpions and poisonous spiders under or on the wood pallet in years past. A cot is worth every penny for Summer Camp.

Academy - Coleman Trailhead II Cot: $50
Cabelas - Cabelas Camp Cot: $50

I know of one Troop that has their own cots. However, it is still advisable to purchase one to use for Resident Camp as you can use it yourself in the future or sell it to an upcoming Webelos parent who will need it next year.

Footlocker

Mandatory in my opinion.

Will help keep gear dry and must be easily slid under your cot. This is important as some tents are barely wide enough to get 2 cots on.

The footlocker needs to have latches, some type of handle, sturdy enough to sit on, hole for a padlock (optional), wheels (optional).

Label Your Footlocker (first and last name written with permanent marker on duct tape or wide masking tape on the outside)

Academy: $27 (may be too long)
Container Store $40
Tractor Supply $20 (on sale), I may go get one for my Tiger!

https://sites.google.com/site/pack1776tx/camping/footlocker1.png

Personal Bug Net

Mosquito netting is essential when you need it and a nuisance when you don't. Yet it is cheap and will provide your scout with a mostly bug-free night, so worth purchasing. Also good to bring for those scouts that are initially fearful of bugs, which will tremendously help those leaders or dads that are having to deal with a frightened scout without netting!! Do us a favor, purchase and always bring netting. : )

Often times the trading post at the Boy Scout camp you are attending will have them, but it is possible that they will sell out if in demand.

Academy ($10)
REI ($14)

Sleeping Bag

For summer camps in Texas, your child will be miserable if he/she brings a bag that is rated for anything less than 50 degrees! The only good they will be is to absorb sweat at night while they sleep on top of the extra padding. Leave those at home. Instead bring a pair of flat sheets and a fleece sleeping bag (50 degree). The fleece can be unzipped for a blanket or can be used like a normal bag if needed.

Don't forget the rule of sleeping bags, add 10 degrees. So if it is rated for 50 degrees, you will be comfortable at temperatures above 60 degrees.

Academy - square fleece bag ($17)
Dick's - Field and Stream square fleece bag ($16)

Pillow

It is unwise to bring a normal pillow to camp. Buy a cheap camping pillow that can be washed. They will can get rained on or sweated out.

Academy - Slumberjack camp pillow ($13)
Dick's - Field and Stream camp pillow ($10)

Adults! Inflatable pillows? Really? The price is crazy ($45) but WELL WORTH IT.. After 75 nights under the stars since joining Scouting with my youngest, I swear by this inflatable camping pillow. Much cooler and more comfortable (just change the amount of air to suit your needs). Extremely compact.

Cabelas - Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow ($45)

Padding

You can put a self-inflatable or foam camping mat on-top of the cot. While it may be a bit more comfy, I don't recommend it as it prevents the airflow through the cot and thus will be a sweaty sticky mess to sleep on top of.

It’s a trade off. Scout's don't need it. Adults, well try it if you may. I did and learned the hard way. See what I did there?

Battery Powered Fan

While camps may put this on the optional list, I believe it to be essential for all ages for Summer Camps in the South. After a hot day with temperatures in excess of 98 degrees and trying to go bed when it is a steamy 85 degrees with no stagnant air as you are camped in the trees, your scout will thank you. In this day and age where many are used to being indoors, the gentle breeze of a fan can make all the difference in the world especially for those that have over done themselves that day.

Solar powered A/Cs? Optional for Adults - a NO GO for Scouts. Adults you know who you are! Yes this has been tried. It is a lot of effort, but that tent was the talk of the campsite!

Academy - O2 Cool ($10), a smaller fan. May not be big enough to make a difference..
Dicks - O2 Cool 10" fan ($35). Recommended.

Batteries!

Batteries! Yes, more batteries

Last thing you need is to get to camp and find out your fan’s batteries are dead. Not cool. Serious pun. : )

Camping Chair

Optional. Usually BSA Summer Camps have enough activities to where you spend very little time in camp. I won’t be bringing one. I can always use my handy footlocker if I need to.

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