Outdoor Adventure

CAMPING

Why Camping?

Camping and outdoor activities are paramount to scouting, but not for just teaching survival skills and running wild in the forest.

The heart of a young man wants to find adventure, scale mountains, and in general... be WILD. There is no better place for running, hiking, swimming, playing, learning, mentoring, and teaching then in the Great Outdoors.

Here are a basic list of items we commonly use on a Troop 306 camp out (First 10 are from the 10 Essentials as listed in the Scout book).

The 10 Essentials and More

Pocket Knife - Pocket knife, nothing too huge
First Aid Kit - Small personal first aid kit
Extra Clothing - Varies depending on the adventure
Rain Gear - Rain seems to always follow ill prepared scouts
Water Bottle - At least 500ml
Flashlight - A good light source with good batteries, LED style very nice
Trail Food - Snacks, not a full meal
Matches and Fire Starters - Matches, flint, and so on
Sun Protection - Sun glasses, Sun tan lotion, hat, lip balm, and so on
Map and Compass - No toys, make sure it really works
Camp Chair
Sleeping Bag
Mess Kit
Drinking Cup
Pillow and other Sleep Items
Toiletries
Scout Book
Class A Uniform (should be worn when arriving for trip)
Special gear as required per trip

WINTER CAMPING

Cold Weather Camping is not just about Winter, but Spring and Fall many times also see harsh temperatures as well. My coldest campout was many years ago in mid March when the temperature dipped down to the teens after several weeks of 60° F weather.

Here are some tips when camping in cold, or potentially cold temperatures, without buying a bunch of specialized equipment.

Be Prepared

Suggestions for Cold Weather Camping

Layers, Layers, Layers

This is crucial for body and legs. The more thin layers, the more you "trap" the heat near your body and retain the warmth.

Do Not Sweat

This will make your skin damp and put a moist layer next to your body, which is disaster once you cool down. If this happens, change clothes and put on DRY garments

Use Two Sleeping Bags

Two 3-season bags with one inside the other will take you to single digit temperatures without having to buy one expensive below zero rated bag. I many times use two sleeping bags with a flanel liner... that's like 2½ bags.

Use two sets of gloves

One for keeping warm with, the other when working. You will perspire when you work, which makes the "work" gloves moist inside. Once you stop working that moisture will make you cold... so switch to "warm" pair. Don't forget when you start working again to put the "work" pair back on.

Store your water containers upside down at night

Water freezes at the top, so flip water bottles upside down so when you are ready to use them the next day the ice will be on the bottom when you right side the bottles again.

BACKPACKING

Backpacking and Hiking for the Prepared Boy Scout

Why Backpack?

More than perhaps any other outdoor activity, backpacking rewards the efficient packer and punishes the over-packer. After all, you will have to live with and carry every decision you make. This list is focused on a three-season, three to five day outing, but when packing always plan against the highest high and the lowest low temperatures you'll encounter. It'll protect you from spending a miserably cold night out in the woods, give you a bit more of that oh-so-precious pack space, and save your back.

It's also good to compartmentalize when packing by putting similar items in individual bags. Keeping all your food in one place will save your from leaving an errant energy bar behind when prepping your bear bag (to say nothing of preventing a bear mauling), and putting things like flashlights, matches, and your multi-tool together will help you quickly locate what you need. Also, let things do double duty. For example, a sleeping bag stuff sack or tent sack can make the perfect bear bag.

Suggested Packing List

Basic Items

- Backpack (3,000 to 5,000 cubic inches). Some used backpacks are available at the Scout Hut.
- Sleeping bag (rated to 20 to 50F)
- Sleeping pad
- Tent or Hammock. Scouts can use our troop tents and split the tent between two or three scouts.

Food and Drink

- Minimum of 2 liters (or 64 oz) of water (in one or more containers)
- OPTIONAL - Hydration pack (like Camelbak)
- Water purification (filter, iodine, or bleach)
- OPTIONAL - Stove and fuel (can be shared with other scouts)
- Pot/pan with lid for boiling water
- Matches and/or lighter
- Cup or mug
- Lightweight bowl and spoon
- Multi-tool and/or knife

Clothing

- Trail-Running shoes or hiking boots (broken in)
- Sandals or lightweight camp shoes
- Wool socks (short style great for summer)
- Sock liners (optional, but best in winter)
- Synthetic long-underwear bottoms and tops (colder weather)
- Synthetic shorts or convertible pants
- Underwear
- Synthetic/wicking t-shirt
- Poncho or rain/wind jacket and pants
- Bandana (great for many uses)
- COOL WEATHER: Wool or fleece jacket or vest
- COOL WEATHER: Wool or fleece hat
- COOL WEATHER: Wool/fleece gloves or mittens (for colder weather)

Misc

- Directions, trail map, or guidebook
- Headlamp
- Toilet paper in Ziploc bag
- Plastic trowel (digging cat hole for on trail BM)
- Extra Ziplock style bags
- Hand sanitizer
- Toothbrush and paste
- Personal First-aid kit (bandages, aspirin, antiseptic wipes, poison ivy treatment, moleskin, tweezers)
- Pack rain cover or garbage bag (or use your poncho)
- Bear-bagging cord (rope to hang your food at night)

Optional Items

- Trekking poles or walking stick
- Gaiters
- Sun/rain hat
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Journal & pen
- Camera
- Ground cloth
- Duct tape
- Watch
- Whistle
- Small Strainer (for filtering food particles while cleaning dishes)
- Contact lens wearers: bring solution and back-up glasses

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