SUMMER CAMP GEAR
During our meeting last night we threw a LOT of information at you. Sorry, but there is a lot to cover and, even if you have gone camping with your boys before, you won’t be with them this time and they’ll have to rely on what you help them pack and what is available at camp.
Here’s a quick review of the packing list essentials from an adult’s perspective. Make sure you write your son’s name on EVERYTHING.
This list is broken up into three sections: (1) Things available at The Container Store, (2) things you likely already have (or should have) for camping, and (3) some things you can get online, at a sporting goods store, or at Target/Walmart.
CONTAINER STORE
Footlocker. We recommend the footlocker available from the Container Store:
Remember to put your son’s name on it – use a sticker (or duct tape to spell the name) so he can find it from the jumble of the 50 or more footlockers we unload.
Lock. There will likely be a Scout leader in camp at all times, so these aren’t absolutely necessary BUT they come in handy for deterring fellow scouts from “borrowing” snacks from care-packages after lights out. Dial locks with a length of cable to pass through the latch of the footlocker are recommended. You can order one from the Container Store and pick it up when you get the footlocker: Otherwise a cheap master lock or combination lock will do. Locks that open with a key are NOT recommended.
STUFF YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE
Daypack. Last year’s bookbagschool backpack/pack will do fine to carry:
- Nalgene bottle
- a few pencils and a pen
- a small notebook
- Raingear
- Scout Handbook
Sleeping Bag: It’s summertime and the temps will rarely get cold enough for a heavy bag. Bring a twin sized sheet so that on warm nights your scout can sleep on top of his sleeping bag. A small pillows is optional or even a pillow case to stuff a towel in to make a pillow.
Toiletry Kit: Soap, shampoo, comb, toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant and a washcloth. Get the traveler-sized stuff from the local Target. Throw everything in a clear ziplock with your son’s name written on it with a Sharpie.
Spork. All cutleries will be in the mess hall for regular meals; but you never know what we’ll make for a treat in the tenting area if we have a campfire. A disposable spoon and fork work well too.
Summer Uniforms. 3 Troop t-shirts should be more than enough, with your son’s initials penned on the tag. Extra troop shirts will be for sale at upcoming meetings. The Troop 55 t-shirt is comfortable, warm & cool, and a fantastic way for adult leaders to identify our Scouts from a distance. Our official uniform pants (“switchbacks”) have zipper-attaching legs so that they turn into shorts --- USE A SHARPIE TO WRITE YOUR SON’S INITIALS on the legs. Otherwise they WILL become shorts permanently.
Nalgene Bottle If you don’t have one already, get a clear 16 ouncesize; when full of water or bug juice (the 32 ounce sizes get heavy). These are sold at Target, and that’s probably the best price you can get next to Walmart.
Laundry Bag: Instead get two-gallon ziplock bags. Clean socks and underwear come out; used socks and underwear go in. For use in the shower room, a cheap string bag could be used for holding the toilette kit and change of clothes.
Hanger and clothes pins. We string drying lines at camp; hanging towels or wet bathing suits over a line means longer drying times; clothes pins mean shorter drying times. A hanger is great for keeping a Class A uniform shirt looking good for six days. The boys need to wear their shirt and neckerchief (and uniform pants or shorts) every evening for parade and mess. Hangers keep us looking orderly and neat.
Rain Jacket or Sweat shirt It has rained at least one day during every sSummer Ccamp. A light rain jacket with hood, or a rainproof windbreaker and a ball cap will be a big help. Initial all items.
Sneakers or Hiking Boots? If you’re reluctant to buy hiking boots because your son grows like a weed, then please make sure he’s got some decent sneakers to wear for the week. They should be mesh to help the foot breathe, and they should have enough room to wear with wool socks. They should also have carved soles for grip on dirt, mud, rocks, and so on.
Water shoes. Sneakers are not water shoes, because they never, ever dry out properly. Pick up some cheap water shoes from Walmart or Target – they are made expressly for wearing in a lake or pool or river – and there are lots of opportunities for that at camp. Flip flops are only for the shower room.
Underwear and Socks. Send your son with extra pairs of underwarunderwear. Socks should only be wool or wool blend. The boys will be wearing them from sunup to about 10 pm every day – wool keeps their feet dry! Get a couple of packs at Costco and use them for the rest of the Scout-year. Clean underwear and dry feet are the two top personal hygiene concerns in the field.
Playing cards, portable chess sets, or a book. Cards can keep scouts happy in the evening and permit bonding between patrol members. Chess can be fun if it’s raining or played during free time. Reading is good for down time, rainy days or before bed.
STUFF YOU’LL WANT TO BUY (either online or at local stores).
Insect repellent. There are two kinds: Deet-free and Deet. The kind with Deet for mosquitos also works against ticks too.
The best Deet-free repellent is Natrapel:
The following wipes are also great for using on the face, ears, etc, and they come in sealed foil packs for carrying in pockets throughout the day.
Mosquito Netting. Absolutely, positively get one. - they also sell them at the Ranger Surplus store in Tysons (near TJ Max).
Tentlight/tablelight. This is different from a flashlight because it provides some ambient light at the picnic table (for cards and games) or in the tent. VERY worthwhile and doesn’t take up space. This model uses 3AAA batteries; pack some extra batteries because they are small if you do get this. Please don’t spend a lot of money on a flashlight – they do get lost.
Mosquito Bite Pen Get one.! These things are awesome and keep a kid from scratching a bite into an infection.
Portable Fan for Tent These are the best things ever on a hot night in a tent. Your son will be grateful you thought of it. Pack extra batteries too.
Spending Money and other items
$40 - $60 should be plenty for a boy for camp store spending. We will have a “banker” that will collect money at departure and lock it up and keep it for the boys during camp.
Your son may want to consider bringing a camp chair. The adults bring them (scouts make do without them typically), but it is nice to have a place to sit other than on a log or picnic table. This is completely optional.