Campout Packing List

Guidelines

Scouts are generally responsible for providing their own gear rather than sharing troop-owned equipment. This has multiple benefits, including individual accountability, simplifying logistics, and ensuring that scouts are safely prepared should they somehow become separated from the group. Many items are a meaningful investment in outdoor recreation and learning, and can often last for many years, if not a lifetime. Should a scout’s family not be able to bear the cost burden, they should contact the scoutmaster for assistance in finding a solution.

It is important and assumed that scouts have all items on the core list below. Some tradeoffs must be balanced in selecting gear, such as camp comfort vs. carry weight, but it is critical for scouts to be prepared to encounter the unexpected, such as surprise bad weather, injury, or getting lost. In wilderness survival situations, scouts are trained to prioritize and address needs in the following order:

STOP: (Stop, think, observe, plan)
Provide first aid: Treat life threatening emergencies immediately
Seek shelter: The primary factor in survival is regulating body temperature
Build a fire: For temperature control, signaling, boiling water, and building morale
Signal for help: Critical if lost, or injuries prevent getting to civilization
Drink water: In hot weather, one can only survive for hours without it
Don’t worry about food: One can survive days without it. Plants and fungi may be poisonous, and animals generally require expending more energy for capture and preparation than they provide.

The gear that scouts bring with them is intended to help keep them safe and even comfortable during outdoor experiences.

Core gear list

These items should be brought on almost every campout. Scout leaders can provide more detailed gear recommendations upon request. Many of these items can be found used on eBay, Craigslist, or other places. You can also reach out to former scout families who may have outgrown or since upgraded their equipment. Please let the scoutmaster know if you are unable to obtain any items.

Backpack: Some campouts involve hiking, so packs should allow the scout to carry everything on his back, leaving hands free. A framed (internal or external) pack is not needed for every campout, but would be a requirement when hiking. Proper sizing is important (e..g, spine length), yet can be tricky for growing scouts. Some kid packs are adjustable, but this is less common in adult packs. Examples include the Deuter Fox, Gregory Stout, and ULA CDT.
Tent: Designs should ensure protection from insects and inclement weather, and are ideally lightweight and easy to set up. One-person tents are a great way to minimize weight and ensure individual accountability and safety. Multi-person tents are acceptable if scouts coordinate who will be sharing the space and carrying the various components (e.g., base, cover, poles, and stakes). Examples include the Coleman Sundome, Kelty Trail Ridge 2, and the Big Agnes Blacktail.
Alternatively, scouts may elect to sleep in a hammock. North Carolina campsites generally have sufficient trees for this, but scouts must take extra care to make sure their hammock setup provides adequate protection from insects, (e.g., a bug net), cold weather (e.g, an underquilt in the winter), and rain (e.g., a fly). Examples include the ENO Single Nest, Hennessy Scout Zip, and Warbonnet Blackbird.
Sleeping bag: Temperatures vary over the year. A bag rated for 20º is generally well-suited for conditions in North Carolina. Down has the best weight/warmth ratio, but does not maintain loft when wet. For this reason, a synthetic fill or treated down is recommended for all but very experienced scouts who can ensure their bags stay dry under all circumstances. Pricing drivers are generally warmth and weight. Examples include the Coleman Silverton 25º, Coleman Silverton 0º, Kelty Cosmic Down, and REI Igneo.
Sleeping pad: Closed-cell foam works great for most scouts, as it doesn’t risk puncture and can double as a seat when folded. Some frameless packs also save weight by integrating the sleeping pad for structure. Most air mattresses do not provide sufficient insulation during cold weather. Examples include the RidgeRest, Z Lite Sol, and NeoAir XLite.
Clothing: The key to being prepared for a variety of weather conditions is having multiple layers that can be put on or shed as circumstances dictate. Cotton should be avoided, as it does not insulate when wet. It is always best to over-prepare should unexpected inclement or cold weather be encountered. Polyester and wool are both great materials, especially when combined with adequate rain gear and sturdy camp shoes.
For most overnight campouts, a single change of clothing is sufficient. Depending on temperature, scouts should consider packing a comfortable base layer, insulating mid layer, and a weatherproof shell. Pants generally are preferable over shorts for better protection from insects and scrapes, but zip-off convertible pants may be a good option in the summer if needed.
Rain protection: Staying dry is important for temperature regulation. Scouts should always be prepared with either a poncho, umbrella, or rain jacket and pants. Gear should also be protected with a pack cover or other solution, and tents and hammocks should have a rain fly or tarp. Examples include the Totes Poncho, Frogg Toggs Rain Jacket, and Liteflex Hiking Umbrella.
Footwear: For the most part, trail runners make for excellent general camping and hiking shoes. Normal gym sneakers are acceptable, but may not provide adequate traction during some outdoor activities. Wool socks are recommended for temperature regulation (ability to insulate when wet), blister prevention, and for their antimicrobial properties. More sturdy hiking boots offer better ankle support than shoes, but also add a lot of weight. If going with trial runners, hiking poles are highly recommended for stability. Examples include the Salomon XA Pro, Saucony Nomad, and Brooks Cascadia.
Water container: Scouts should be able to carry at least one liter of water at all times. Plastic bottles are adequate. Used Smartwater bottles are liked by many experienced backpackers as their tall, thin design makes them easy to reach in a side pocket while hiking. Integrated bladders are also acceptable for backpacking, but may not offer sufficient versatility for other outdoor activities. Really, any used drink bottle or water bottle is fine.
Water purification: Scouts should be prepared to purify their water at all campouts. Boiling is acceptable, but usually only as a last resort as not all campouts are guaranteed to have fire and sufficient time available. Chemicals (e.g., Iodine or Aquamira) are the most thorough, killing all germs, but some can leave an unpleasant taste, and are prone to running out inconveniently if not checked before each campout. Filters (e.g., Sawyer and Lifestraw) are great solutions, but do not block viruses (generally not a concern in the eastern US)
Cookware: Depending on the scout’s menu, a small pot or pan should generally be packed if cooking is planned.
Eating utensils: Scouts should have tools to eat with, like a spork or set of plasticware.
Paper towels: Cleanup is critical following mealtimes in order to prevent attracting animals and to leave no trace. Paper towels are great for general cleanup, and scouts can typically follow-up with washing utensils and cookware more thoroughly with soap at home. Paper towels should be properly disposed of or packed out in a plastic bag.
Bear bag and paracord: Food and other scented items (e.g., toothpaste, hand sanitizers, soaps) attract animals, including rats and bears. Scouts should hang these items at night downwind from the campsite to protect both the food and the scouts themselves. Generally, a waterproof drybag and 50 feet of paracord are good items to do this with successfully. Scouts should use the PCT method for hanging a bear bag.
Food: Unless scouts are working on the Cooking merit badge, they are generally responsible for planning, preparing, and cleaning up only their own food. Most campouts involve cooking dinner and breakfast. If the activity continues past late morning, a non-cooked snack or lunch may also be needed. Foil dinners and oatmeal are great options.
Garbage bags: Scouts need to pack out any garbage that is carried into the wilderness. Even when we are camping in a car-accessible site like at Jordan Lake, having garbage bags allows for fewer trips to the nearest garbage can. They are also good for organizing and waterproofing gear.
First aid kit: Each scouts should have a basic personal first aid kit with items like band-aids, gauze, tape, moleskin, sanitizer, scissors, latex gloves, CPR breathing barrier, alcohol or iodine wipes, and antibiotic ointment. They may also want to consider bringing items such as Benadryl, Imodium, or an EpiPen.
Knife: Useful for processing firewood, making camp gadgets, or even food preparation (when properly cleaned). A fixed-blade bushcraft-style knife is recommended in Troop 831 over folding knives due to their ability to baton wood and eliminated risk of injury from blade closing. The Morakniv Companion is an excellent, inexpensive example of what all scouts should have on a campout. Knives should be properly maintained, including regular cleaning and sharpening.
Flashlight or headlamp: At night, we generally try to rely on our night vision when possible, but artificial light can be important in an emergency, complex terrain, or if night vision isn’t adequate. Having a red light feature is preferred to not spoil everyone’s natural night vision. Headlamps are generally preferred over flashlights in order to leave hands free, but are not required.
Fire kit: Scouts should be prepared to make fire. Each should have a flint and steel or ferro rod, but matches are also ok to bring on campouts. Scouts may also bring prepared tinder such as dryer lint.
Paracord: 50′ is Important for hanging bear bags, lashing camp gadgets, tying down tarps and tents, and many other uses.
Sunscreen: Sunburn can pose a real health risk in the summer, especially during long-distance hikes.
Toilet paper and trowel: It is important in the wilderness to dispose of waste according to Leave no Trace principles, scouts bury waste at least 6″ underground. Trowels can be very inexpensive and lightweight.
Toiletries: Sanitation and cleanliness are important even when camping. Scouts should pack a tooth brush. Experts disagree on use of toothpaste in the woods, but if it is used, should be carefully disposed of afterward (some swallow, some spray, some use baking soda, some say it is unnecessary). It does attract animals though, so should be hung at night in a bear bag. Biodegradable soap is good to have, especially on long-distance hikes, but also should be used carefully.
Hand sanitizer: Important to use before eating and after bathroom visits in order to kill germs and prevent disease.
Wet wipes: Another good way to maintain cleanliness on the trail.
Pack towel: A small microfiber towel is incredibly helpful for drying out a tent or saturated gear, as it can be wrung out when wet and immediately be ready to soak up a lot of water.
Duct tape: Great for repairs in the field. One can roll up a section of 2′-3′ or wrap around their water bottle.
Pack cover: To ensure contents remain dry in the event of rain, each pack should have a cover. Alternatively, scouts may line their pack inside with a trash compactor bag (more resilient than a normal garbage bag).
Bandana: Good to have at least one for sun protection, cleaning faces, or drying cooking equipment.

Circumstantial and optional gear

Winter clothing: Having multiple layers becomes more critical in cold weather. Commonly, a combination of comfortable base layer (e.g, long-johns), insulating mid-layer (e.g., down), and protective shell (e.g., rain jacket and pants) offers adequate warmth during the winter. Hats, gloves, and warm footwear are also important. Avoiding cotton is especially important in the winter in order to ensure insulation even if wet. Polyester and wool are both excellent materials for camping in all seasons.
Hiking poles: A worthwhile addition for long-distance hiking, poles offer the backpacker much greater stability, reduce injuries, and turn the activity into more of a full-body exercise. They are great for saving wear on knees on steep declines, and allowing hikers to “pull up” on inclines. Some tents integrate hiking poles in their design to save weight. Examples include the Cascade Mountain Quick Locks, and Black Diamond Trail Trekkers.
Tarp: Depending on design of shelter, a tarp can be useful for rain cover or as a ground cloth.
Stove: Most of the time, fire will be available for scouts who want to cook, but some may prefer to bring a backpacking stove on long-distance hikes or even shorter campouts. Examples include the Etekcity, Jetboil Zip, and MSR Windburner.

Last updated 3/16/17

Written by Ben Smith, Scoutmaster, Troop 831