Gear Recommendations
My favorite places to buy camping gear:
The CAMPMOR catalog.
REI (catalog and on Westheimer in Houston)
Gear for Every Campout
Backpack
A backpack needs to be lightweight, durable and large enough (minimum of 2500 cubic inches) to carry a weekend’s worth of personal and patrol gear. We suggest an external frame back for newer, younger scouts. There are new packs out all the time that will probably work just as well. If you have concerns, shop at a reputable camping outfitter or speak with the Scoutmaster for recommedations.
One of a backpack’s critical parts is the hip belt. A hip belt needs to fit very snugly or the pack quickly becomes unbearable to carry. Be sure a pack fits properly before you buy it. Most packs have several points of attachment for the shoulder straps and the hip belt. We can help you adjust your pack properly.
You should also have 2 pairs of adjustable straps to attach items to the top and bottom of your pack. If your pack has no place to attach straps, you can add lashing patches very inexpensively.
You will need to have a large, heavy duty trash bag to use for a pack cover.
Sleeping bag
Your sleeping bag should be lightweight (4-6 pounds), nylon lined, easily “stuffable” and rated to about 20 degrees. (If you’re in the troop long, you will get 2-3 bags of varying ratings). Usually, we suggest synthetic fill bags instead of down. Down is lighter and insulates somewhat better, but is very expensive and if it gets wet, will no longer keep you warm. Synthetic materials like Polar Guard or Holofill will still keep you warm even if they get wet. Quallofil is a relatively new insulation material. It stuffs very easily and is very light.
You will also need a waterproof stuff bag to transport your sleeping bag. Buy the smallest stuff bag your sleeping bag will fit into. A plastic trash bag is not suitable for this purpose.
A note about storage: Don’t store your sleeping bag in its stuff bag. This will eventually ruin the insulation. Store your sleeping bag unrolled on a shelf or a hanger, or in a large laundry bag.
Jacket or sweatshirt
We suggest a hooded sweatshirt. Official Boy Scout jackets are available but not required. When we camp in the winter, you will need both a warm jacket and a sweatshirt. Down jackets are warm and easily “stuffable”, but down is expensive and loses its insulation qualities if it gets wet. Fleece is a great option, and comes in varying weights.
Warm hat and gloves
For winter only. A ski-type cap and warm gloves are essential at winter campouts. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Lightweight gloves inside mittens are the best combination.
Thermal underwear
For winter only. We suggest thermal underwear made of polypropylene or Capilene instead of cotton/polyester. These newer fabrics can keep you warm if they become damp or dirty. Cotton/polyester fabrics quickly lose their insulation value when damp or dirty and should be avoided at all costs.
Poncho or raincoat
When you are backpacking you want your poncho to be able to cover you and your pack. Most cheap plastic ponchos are not sufficient for this purpose. We suggest a poncho with an adjustable back. These have a flap which can be snapped up when you are not carrying a pack or can be let down to cover your pack in the rain. Ordinary ponchos may not even reach your waist when you are wearing a pack.
Many Scouts try to substitute a water repellent jacket for a truly waterproof raincoat or poncho. These will not keep you dry in hard rain.
If you choose to use a raincoat instead of a poncho, you will need a separate waterproof rain cover for your pack.
Waterproof boots & sneakers
During most of the year, wet feet are only an inconvenience. During the winter, it is much more critical that you be able to keep your feet dry. Leather hiking boots which have been waterproofed are great, but may be too expensive, especially if you grow out of them quickly. There are also various synthetic options. Always carry an extra pair of sneakers. Open-toed sandals are not appropriate for camping
If you decide to buy hiking boots, buy leather or Gore-Tex lined boots which can be waterproofed. Most lightweight nylon hiking boots cannot be made sufficiently waterproof, but are fine for summer.
Always buy hiking boots large enough so that you can wear two pairs of socks – your scout socks and a pair of wool hiking socks. Consider wearing very thin sock liners underneath your regular socks, even in the winter.
DO NOT WEAR COTTON SOCKS if you will be hiking any appreciable distance.
Extra socks and underwear
You need a change of underwear and a pair of extra socks for each day of a trip. This means each Scout probably needs 3 pairs of Scout socks and an extra pair of wool hiking socks. At long term camps like summer camp, you can do some hand laundry during the week.
7 x 9 foot ground cloth
Each tent needs one ground cloth under it and one inside it. When 3 Scouts stay in one tent, this allows the extra ground cloth to be used for a firewood cover, etc. 7 x 9 is the exact size of the tents. Don’t buy anything smaller. Larger ground cloths can be folded to size to fit under a tent or used inside to increase protection from floor water leaks. Anything larger than 7 x 9 may weigh more than you want to carry, however. We suggest a heavy duty piece of vinyl (4 or 6 mil) or Tyvek cut to the right size. You can buy waterproof nylon ground cloths which are especially lightweight, but much more expensive. DO NOT bring the large inexpensive tarps.
Tent Stakes
Each scout brings 4 stakes, so that if as few as two stay in a tent, they will have enough to secure their tent. Do not buy plastic stakes, or the lightweight AL or Steel “angle iron”-type stakes. Either the al or steel spike kind , or an “x” type.
50 feet 1/8 inch nylon rope
Putting up a dining fly or a clothesline are just two uses scouts find for their rope. You should cut your rope into 2-25 foot pieces. Use a lighter or match to seal the ends of each piece to prevent unraveling. Any hardware store can sell you this rope.
Troop T-shirt Class B T-shirts & Work clothes
The troop T-shirt is the primary class-B T-shirt and is usually required. Others include a Boy Scout T-shirt of any design or a plain white (no designs) T-shirt. We use these for hiking, backpacking and for work projects. You will need several. The Troop T-shirt is REQUIRED FOR ALL CAMPING TRIPS.
Always have an extra pair of long pants with you that you can get dirty. Jeans are fine for this purpose.
Swim trunks
For warm weather camping only.
Flashlight
The key is to get a flashlight that is reliable, doesn’t cost too much and is lightweight. An LED flashlight that uses AA (penlight) batteries is suggested. We recommend new batteries each campout especially if you use regular batteries. Duracell or other alkaline batteries last much longer, but you should still carry spares. It’s also a good idea to carry a spare bulb.
Folding knife
Avoid the temptation to buy a large, thick knife with too many blades. You will never use most of them and the knife will weigh too much. Features that are useful are a good blade, a can opener and a small scissors. The official BSA knives are good. So are the Swiss Army knives. Make sure the knife you buy can be opened easily. Inexpensive knives tend to bind easily, making them difficult to use. Anything over 3 inches blade size is wasted.
Keep your knife clean and sharp. Scouts will not be allowed to carry or use a knife until they have passed a knife, ax and saw safety course.
Mosquito repellent
Ordinary Off insect repellent doesn’t work too well or last too long because it doesn’t contain enough of the active ingredient. Deep Woods Off is better, but still not great. Aerosol cans are prohibited. Towelettes are OK, but create litter. Furthermore, the liquids are much more effective. For this reason, we recommend liquid types for use at all campouts. Cutters liquid is fairly good. Look for products with 100% DEET.
Scout handbook, pen and paper
We suggest you pack these items together in a zip-loc or other waterproof bag.
Toiletries
(soap, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb)When we backpack, a face towel is sufficient. Pack these items together in a zip-loc bag or other waterproof bag. If you want, you can get a metal or plastic mirror also. No glass please!
1 quart bottle and water bottle
We suggest a plastic wide-mouth water bottle. Plastic, unlike aluminum, can be used for Kool-Aid. The plastic water bottles are also less expensive and can be run through the dishwasher (without high heat). The Nalgene loop-top bottle is ideal because the cap can’t get lost. Camelbacks are convenient for a hike – but cumbersome around camp.
Butane lighter or matches
A butane lighter is my choice here. Any brand, any color. If you choose to use matches, you a waterproof container to keep them in. Be sure you do not buy safety matches. Regular, non-safety matches will light anywhere. Safety matches require the striker on the box.
Most Scouts find that matches are better for lighting fires, lighters are better for lighting stoves. Scouts will not be allowed to use matches or lighters until they have taken and passed a fire safety course.
Knife, Fork, Spoon, Plate, Bowl & Cup
Scouts bring their own eating gear. Make sure these are unbreakable plastic. If you keep kosher, please bring two distinct sets (meat and milk).
Optional Camping Equipment
Foam pad
There are several types available. The least expensive is the type made of Ensolite closed cell foam. A more expensive type is the Therm-a-rest pad. Both types help insulate you from the ground – obviously more important in the winter. The Therm-a-rest pad (we recommend the Ultra-light 3/4 or full length style) is somewhat more comfortable.
Therm-a-rest pads and other open-cell type foam pads should not be stored in their stuff sacks. Store them unrolled with the air valve left open. Closed-cell foam pads like those made of Ensolite may be stored rolled.
Regular air mattresses are inadequate and will actually make you colder. Camping-specific ones by REI, Therma-rest, etc, have insulation, and are good and light.
Sunglasses
Especially important in the Texas sun.
Inexpensive watch
For summer camp, this is a necessity. Patrol leaders will need a watch all the time.
Camera
A small inexpensive camera is probably a better idea than risking an expensive one. This is especially true during questionable weather or any type of backpacking (where weight is also important)
Butane stoves/lanterns
Older, experienced Scouts may purchase and use their own butane stove or lantern. I recommend the Coleman and the MSR. Please note once again, absolutely no liquid fuels (like white gas, alcohol, etc).