Camping Essentials

Over the years, your senior leadership has experienced many conditions while enjoying the world of nature that has been granted to us. Through these events, we have gathered and sorted many benefits and nuances to the equipment we use and the procedures we follow, so for the troop to best enjoy our future experiences, the following lists of procedures and disciplines are to be followed and obeyed. All equipment and supplies required are attached on the “camping essentials “pages.

One of the main objectives of this troop is to enjoy nature in its truest form, camping, in the midst of nature, is the avenue by which we will make this happen. All scouts will follow these guidelines when Troop 116 goes camping, whether car camping or backpacking.

Clothing

Head gear- baseball cap for daytime protection

Wool cap for nighttime protection

Shirts- short sleeve t-shirt and Class B shirt with logo

Jackets- lightweight windbreakerfor windy trips

lightweight long sleeve shirt (flannel type)

lightweight outer jacket, fleece type

Pants- long and short, “cargo” type pants are preferred because of the multiple pockets (added storage)

Socks- each boy should wear 2-pair of socks when hiking or backpacking. First layer is to be thin cotton tube socks and the outer pair should be wool or wool blend. This will prevent blisters and keep feet dry and warm.

Boots- when hiking and backpacking, a good pair of boots is essential for comfort and security. Tennis shoes, Sports and running shoes will notbe used.

Equipment

All scouts should obtain all items as stated on the essentials list so that all encounters with nature can be handled with enjoyment and not with frustration. This list identifies many pieces of equipment and supplies that are to be carried eachtrip. A further explanation of some items follows:

Backpack- possibly the most expensive item to purchase, the correct sizing of the pack to the scout is the most important aspect of ensuring a pleasant experience (for me). As with the scouts outgrowing clothing and shoes, finding a pack that can expand with them is preferred. Specialty shops, like REI, can size and fit the scouts to ensure proper fit.

Sleeping bag- since this troop camps 12 months a year, a good cold weather bag is best. Since most trips do not encounter sever winter conditions, a bag rated to 20 degrees is adequate. But most boys will want to experience winter camps i.e. snow caves etc. Therefore a lower rated bag would be necessary.

Mess kit- each scout is to have a “mess kit” as noted on the essentials page. It is important not to duplicate pieces. One bowl will serve as plate, pot and bowl. One cup will suffice for multiple needs.

Food/cooking

Since a troop travels on its stomach (to steal a phrase) having the proper nourishment is required. Though we would all like steak and lobster for each dinner, one of the most important considerations is weight of the packaged foods. This list of items broken down into four groups should be followed. Each scout can have items other than those listed; the nutrition and weight concerns should be adhered to.

When choosing foods/meals, much consideration needs to be made to clean up after each meal. The fewer pots/pans/plates used the easier cleanup will be. Also encouraged are packaged foods with containers that can be burned. Thus eliminating the need to “pack out” or carry trash. Canned foods are nutritious and filling but require the scout to carry trash and the weight of each can adds unnecessary pounds to each pack. Each scout should carry only the meals planned and approvedplus one “what if” meal. This will limit the food weight and volume in the pack

Breakfast-

oatmeal packets

Pop tarts

Dried fruits

Nuts

Breakfast bars/granola bars

Dry cereal

Powered milk

Tortillas

Powered eggs

Hot cocoa

Lunch/trail foods

As a general statement, when the troop is hiking or packing, lunch is not so much a meal as a point of reference for the distance traveled. Therefore no “kitchen” is setup for cooking. Light snacks/foods are consumed not only at “lunch” time but as the scouts are traveling, thus the need for cargo pants so that nibbling foods on the go can commence as needed.

Dried fruits

Nuts

Salami sticks

“Power bars” type energy bars

trail mix

candy bars

Gatorade type drink mixes

Rock candies

Dinner

A meal can be prepared at home and frozen and taken on a trip but must be used the first day, prior to spoilage. Prepared meals can be anything from foil dinners to stews to chili to soups

Cup o noodle soups

Rice/pasta, in boiler bags

Ready made Mac and cheese

Tortillas

Salami/pepperoni sticks

Beans

Beef jerky

Frozen foil dinner (1^st night only)

Dehydrated foods

Tuna with crackers

Each scout will be required to cook for themselves and at times for the patrol; most scouts have not cooked meals at home or on family camping trips. It is advised that scouts receive some cooking tips at home on how to prepare simple dishes and how to clean up after themselves.

All foods must notneed refrigeration unless frozen and used on the first night. Again, the use of canned foods should be limited to avoid excess weight in the pack and to avoid an accumulation of trash.