Below is a list of items that has been compiled by many scouts over the years that you will need to get the most out of your camping experience. This list keeps changing based on new learnings and feedback, so check it each time you prepare for a campout before packing.
Essential items: Things you will absolutely need for your first Campout.
c Tent - May be any size or type. On your first Campout, it may be a good idea to borrow one, and then decide what size and type is best for you. Don’t forget the hammer to drive the tent stakes into the ground!
c Sleeping Bag - Pick a lightweight bag, or use sheets and blanket(s).
c Mattress or cot - Anything to soften the ground. Air mattresses are good, but bring a repair kit for leaks (usually supplied with the mattress). Self Inflating Pads are great – get one about 2” thick.
c Cooler(s) - Any size or type. You may want to wait until after the first Campout to buy one or replace your existing one.
c Ice - Pick up ice on your way or as the last thing, unless you use dry ice (dry ice must be used with caution, and is not easy to find).
c Flashlight - You will want a lantern, but again, wait to see what is available. Bring a flashlight for each person coming.
c Batteries - Many things you will use on Campouts will be battery powered. You will see lots of different types, but bring spares for your flashlights (in “zip-loc” bags).
c Food - Bring quick, easy to fix food, with some snacking food appropriate for your family. Also bring eating utensils and matches.
c Drinks - Bring drinks appropriate for your family, and a couple of 1-gallon milk jugs full of fresh water. Alcoholic beverages are never allowed at any Scouting event.
c Changes of clothes - one for each day, plus an extra in case of rain.
c Prescriptions and personal medicines - daily prescriptions for each person in your family, children's Tylenol, etc.
c Extra pair of shoes - Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes for everyone.
c Swim suits - Bring a minimum of 1 - we’ll have lots of swimming (or rain).
c Raincoat - Ponchos are OK, too.
c Toilet articles - Bring in a bag or kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap with storage container (liquid soap is easier and less messy), Extra toilet paper (the bathroom is usually empty by the end of the campout!), deodorant, safety pins, personal items, etc.
c Shampoo - Recommend “Selsun Blue” in BLUE BOTTLE - it repels ticks.
c Fingernail polish (for chiggers) and baby powder.
c Towels & washcloths - Bring a minimum of 2 for each member of the family.
c Insect repellent - Only non-aerosol, be sure to look at label for allergies, needs to repel chiggers, mosquitoes, yellow flies, and ticks (should contain DEET).
c Sunscreen and after tan lotion/burn ointment.
c First aid kit - any size, bring any special items your family needs.
c Trash bags - Remember: take only pictures, leave only footprints.
c Class “A” uniforms - for tours, hikes, campfires, etc. Class “B” uniforms for recreation.
c Zip-loc Baggies - Several sizes for all kinds of uses.
c Tool kit - A small tool kit with bare essentials for repairs. Remember - most of us have BIG tool kits with just about any kind of tool you may need.
c Duct tape - Silver duct tape for most any repair.
c Scout Book - Always bring to Campouts - lots of requirements may be satisfied on Campouts. Also bring paper, notebook and pencils.
c Laundry bag - for dirty clothes.
Optional items: Things that make your experience more enjoyable.
c Coleman-style Lantern - Different brands and types are available. Coleman is the old reliable name. Fuels vary also: gasoline, lantern fuel, batteries, and propane.
c Extra Mantels - For lantern fuel or propane type lanterns.
c Stoves - Coleman and other brands available; fuels vary, again lantern fuel and propane, and matches.
c Bar-B-Que Grill - Lantern fuel, charcoal, or propane.
c Pots & Pans - All sizes available, try to find a set that stacks into itself.
c Cooking Utensils - Long, wooden handles, for stirring and serving.
c Hot pads, mittens - To avoid burns when handling pots & pans, other hot items.
c Marshmallow toasters/forks - S’mores are a tradition, so bring toasters with some kind of identification on them.
c Aloe - For burns and other skin irritations.
c Propane Tank - Sizes vary - small tanks are used quickly, a large one will last for nearly all our Campouts.
c Propane Tree - To connect all those propane appliances together. Be sure you have a hose for each appliance, with the proper fittings. Bring a crescent (or adjustable) wrench to attach them to the tree. A little Vaseline will help them go together and add a degree of safety.
c Extra fuel - If you choose lantern fuel, bring an extra can. Extra matches are good, too. Try to find the damp-proof type. (Wal-Mart, Sports Authority, Sports Unlimited)
c Air pump - For your air mattress. Available: manual (foot, hand), battery powered compressors, hair dryers (must have power source), pumps that plug into your car.
c Lawn chairs - For your comfort.
c Broom - Different sizes and types available to help keep your tent clean
c Dust pan - To pick up the dirt you sweep while fighting the battle of keeping your tent clean.
c Tarps - Of different sizes for different uses: put over your tent for extra waterproofing, under your tent for protection, on the ground outside your tent for a porch floor, etc.
c Extra tent poles - In case one breaks, to hold up the tarp over your tent, to make a roof for your porch, etc.
c Extra tent stakes - Can’t have too many or too big. Steel ones are best, plastic are OK, but not as strong.
c Extra cooler - One for food and one for drinks; big for food and drinks, small for hikes, depends on how much space you have.
c Shovel - To put out camp fires, for safety, to direct water around you tent in storms, can be full size or small folding style.
c Hose - At least one per camp fire, assuming there is water available. In case there is no water, bring a bucket.
c Extension cord - If there is electricity available, a cord can be very useful. Be very careful it has the proper capacity for its use to avoid a fire hazard.
c Heater – ALL HEATER USE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE CUBMASTER!!! If exceptionally cold, EXTREME CARE is necessary. You MUST have a Carbon Monoxide Detector in the tent if you use a heater! Heaters using combustible fuel are not allowed in the tents.
c Fan - If Electricity is available, or battery powered fans can be used if exceptionally hot.
c Folding Table - Useful for keeping food and utensils off the ground, however, most camp grounds we visit have a table for each site.
c Table cloths - To make the tables cleaner, should disposable or semi-disposable, with the clamps that hold them down.
c Wood for Camp Fire - A small amount of wood is useful as most camp grounds we visit do not allow us to utilize wood we find on site, and we can’t cut it down, either.
c Ax - To cut up fire wood we use: for Parent’s use only.
c Hatchet - For other types of chopping: for Parent’s use only.
c Footballs, Soccer balls, Frisbees, etc. - For use away from camp, in appropriate areas only.
Remember, there are many of us that will be camping together, so if you forget something or don’t have it, chances are pretty good one of us will !!! Also, don’t worry if you have never camped before, there will be lots of help to put up your tent, get you settled in, fix something that broke, of pretty much handle any kind of situation that comes up!!
If you have any questions, ask your Den Leader, Camp Out Chairman or the Cubmaster.
**** Mark all items with your name and address or Pack number.***
