We believe in putting the "OUT" into Scout, and having the right gear for all conditions is important. You don't need to spend a fortune on gear (though that's a lot of fun too!), you just need to find the gear that's right for you. And if you're planning to spend a lot of years in the great outdoors (as we hope you will), then make sure you get gear that will last too!

Make sure you check the gear list on your camp form. And pack it yourself - Scout Leaders don't want to hear that "Mum forgot to pack" something!

As we find time we'll put some information here that will help you select the best gear to maximise your enjoyment in Scouts and beyond.

The Basics

Packs and Bags

Sleeping Mats

Advanced Gear (and Toys)

Make sure you read through the gear checklist on the camp or activity form.

Please put your name onto everything!

1. Clothing

Always make sure you’re prepared for different weather conditions. Even in summer you can get cold if it’s wet and windy.

Make sure you've got a decent raincoat. Oh, and when we say to bring a "hat", we mean a hat - you know, brim all the way around. Not a cap.

Scout Camps are not fashion parades – bring practical clothing (T-shirts, shorts) that you won’t be upset to get dirty, wet, etc. No singlet tops, midriff tops or short shorts please!

Quick dry clothing is great hiking in particular. Trousers with zip-off legs can also be very useful.

Always pack a dirty clothes bag so that you can keep your used clothes away from your clean set (hygiene). This could be a plastic bag, stuff sack or similar.

2. Eating Gear

You don't need your best crockery for Scout camp!

Plates & Bowls - any decent plastic will do. Consider Lexan if you want something lighter for hiking. Stainless is easy to keep clean.

Cups - double wall stainless mugs are pretty cheap these days and are great for keeping soups warm. Otherwise any plastic cup is fine.

Cutlery - a simple set of knife, fork & spoon is all that's required - stainless or heavy duty plastic are fine. You can get some nice sets from various camping shops or just get cheapies from the department store. Stay clear of fancy folding 'pocket knife' type cutlery - too hard to keep clean!

Bag - get a cloth bag (like a ham bag) with a drawstring to carry these in. This will keep everything together and makes it easy to hang up in camp. Wash this bag after each camp.

Give all your eating gear a thorough wash when you get home and put it away dry.

3. Sleeping Bags

Having access to two bags is ideal for the conditions we camp in – a lightweight bag (+5°) for warmer months and another (sub-zero) bag for winter activities.

Liner. Having a liner for your sleeping bag is strongly recommended – you can use it as a sheet when it’s hot, adds some more insulation (warmth) when it’s cold – and helps to keep your sleeping bag clean!

You can purchase liners in camping stores, or just make your own by sewing up a bed sheet.

4. Carrying it all

If you can fit all your gear into one bag it certainly makes it easier to pack for camps. There are some really good water-resistant duffle bags available these days. North Face, Mountain Equipment, Denali & Mountain Designs are a few brands that we know of.

5. Gadgets

Oh, where do we start? Best thing to do is just to keep an eye on what gear other people use and learn from their experience of what's useful and what isn't.

A couple of good 'dry bags' are well worth the investment. These are very versatile - use them for dirty clothes, wet stuff, packing hike food, etc. One of our favourite brands for dry bags and other gadgets is sea-to-summit.

Still confused? Ask one of us for a hand!