Camping Gear, the Basics

Camping Gear, the Basics

Troop 16 PersonalWinter Camping CheckList

Essential Camping Gear:

  • 10 Essentials: these items are required for every outdoor activity the scout attends. I recommend gathering these items and then finding a daypack that will hold them with some room to spare for extra warm clothes.
  • Water: two 32 oz Nalgene bottles with lids with loops and carabiners
  • First aid kit: Add a whistle to the kit.
  • Fire starting kit:
  • Rain Gear
  • Warmth: A polar fleece jacket or pull-over and a fleece or wool hat and gloves.
  • Pocketknife
  • Orientation: compass, map, and pencil
  • Flashlight with backup batteries
  • Sun protection: wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen and lip balm with SPF.
  • Trail Food: High protein and high carb trail mix, granola bars, beef jerky, etc.
  • Daypack.
  • Basic Clothing:
  • Appropriate footwear –
  • Waterproof boots/Felt Pack Boots with gaiters. Make sure they are loose-fitting, not too snug.
  • Always have a back-up shoe or boot in case one gets wet.
  • 2 Fleece or Wool Stocking Caps (one for day, one for night).
  • Synthetic long underwear (minimum 3 pair, with at least one heavy pair). Make sure these are NOT the waffle-style that contain cotton!
  • Wool Hiking Socks: 1 pair per day with 1 extra pair. I also recommend
  • Synthetic or Wool Pants –
  • A pair of ski pants/bibs works well or a pair of long underwear and rain gear pants.
  • Wool pants from army surplus also work well - look for tightly woven wool.
  • Synthetic long sleeve shirt.
  • Underwear
  • Additional Winter Recommendations:
  • Multiple non-cotton layers are required. Multiple fleece and/or wool layers work far better than a heavy coat. If the coat gets wet, the scout gets cold. If a layer gets wet, he has others. Plus, it allows greater flexibility as temperatures change or activity levels change. My recommendation is a minimum of 5-7 upper body layers that can be used throughout the weekend (long underwear / synthetic turtleneck / synthetic wicking shirt / wool or fleece shirt / heavier fleece jacket / rain jacket). Spare long underwear can serve as additional layers.
  • Multiple pairs of gloves and mittens. Light, tight fitting wool or fleece gloves work well inside an oversized mitten for keeping hands warm and allowing the use of hands for cooking, etc.
  • Disposable hand warmers are also recommended, as they can be put inside gloves and socks to keep hands warm day and night. Costco sells 40 pr for about $15. 8 pr will be plenty.
  • Face Mask
  • Goggles
  • Sleeping Pad
  • Closed Cell Foam Pads are a must to keep cold ground from making the scout cold. They may be used on top of an air mattress for comfort.
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Zero degree or better sleeping bag
  • Additional Rectangular Sleeping Bag
  • Cooking and Eating
  • Mess Kit (if cooking).
  • Utensils.
  • Bowl and Cup.
  • Insulated Drinking cup
  • Toilet kit:
  • soap
  • toothbrush
  • washcloth
  • towel
  • toothpaste
  • deodorant
  • toilet paper in a Ziploc bag.
  • Frame Backpack or Large Duffle Bag.
  • Miscellaneous:
  • Bandanna (acts as a hanky, tourniquet, or hat)
  • Plastic garbage bags (2) – work as gear cover, sleeping bag cover or emergency rain poncho.
  • Rope
  • Wristwatch
  • Sunglasses
  • Repair kit
  • Small pillow
  • Space blanket
  • Several feet of duct tape wrapped around a short piece of pencil or dowel.
  • Camera
  • Medicines

Optional Gear:

  • Tent(as determined at camp prep)
  • Additional clothing
  • Neck gator
  • Additional gloves, hats, boots, pants, or shirts (including wool pants and shirts)
  • Work gloves
  • Spending money as appropriate
  • Camp Chair (adult drivers only)
  • 2-Way Radios
  • GPS
  • Cross Country or Downhill Skis and Boots and Poles
  • Snowshoes
  • Snowboards and boots