Camping equipment

Attached is a basic camp list. It will change according to weather conditions and activities planned. 

Hopefully you should not need to buy anything special for your Scout's first few camps. Less specialized sleeping bags could be augmented with blankets or combine two warmer weather sleeping bags to ensure the Scout is warm enough. Borrow a sleeping pad if you do not have anything suitable. Any soft bag will do to pack everything up in. 

We do recommend having a good rain jacket (breathable is best) big enough to go over several layers of clothes. It will make all the difference in a rainy camp.

As your Scout progresses, however, consider buying more specialized equipment. 

A good sleeping bag (we recommend a three-season bag, comfort level 20 degrees F) that packs up small and light will do for camps now and for future backpacking trips. 

A sleeping pad stops warmth transferring into the ground, adds comfort and makes all the difference to a good night's sleep.

Buying equipment

If you are considering buying a piece of equipment, speak to an established leader first; it could save you money in the long run.

Before buying an expensive piece of equipment go to a specialist store to see what they recommend. We have found the two best locally are REI in Vernon Hills and Cabela's in South Barrington. Both stores deal with Scouts frequently and give out good advice.

FYI, REI has a dividends club which pays back a percentage of your purchases every year. It costs $30 to join but if your child stays in Scouting it will pay you back many times over. 

If you cannot afford to buy equipment to go on camps, please speak to a Scout leader. The troop will do our best  to help you out. Enough of our older Scouts have equipment that you could borrow. Don’t let lack of equipment be the reason your Scout does not go to camp. 

Note about cotton:

We encourage our boys to avoid cotton when possible particularly for cold weather or lightweight camping. Cotton is cold and heavy when wet and takes forever to dry. If you stick a wet cotton garment  in your tent everything else gets wet as well. Synthetic fabrics and specialized wool garments hold some warmth when wet, wick away moisture from the body, and dry much faster than cotton. 

Again, do not go out and buy new clothes. You probably have stuff already in your wardrobes. Sports wicking t-shirts, underarmor type tops, fleece sweaters and jackets, long underwear, sports pants, new scout pants, etc. If you must buy, you do not need to by name brands; Walmart, Target, TJMaxx and many other stores have lots of synthetic clothing perfect for the first years of camping.

As your Scout grows older and starts doing more adventurous and specialized campouts he will need more specialized (and unfortunately usually more expensive) equipment. By then, however, both you and he will know what to look for and, if not, who to ask for advice.