A PDF version of the Camp Out Guide can be downloaded HERE
This guide is designed to address the needs of the first-time camping Scout. It provides the basic information to make your first campout as fun and painless as possible for you and your parents.
So, you are attending your first campout! There are a few things you need to make sure are taking care of to make sure all goes well.
· Make sure the completed parts A & B Health & Medical form was filed within the year
· If there are any water activities planned, make sure the last swim classification evaluation taken was within the year
· Your parents will be invoiced for the campout, a gentle reminder to them to make sure payment is make is always a good thing
· Most campout start on Friday evening and go until Sunday around 2 pm.
· You are expected to have already eaten when you arrive at the campsite on Friday evening
· On arrival, check-in with your PL or any PL if yours has not arrived and follow their directive to assist in getting camp set-up.
· Once camp is set-up stow your gear in your assigned tent.
· Have fun!
· At the end of the campout, you will be released when the campsite breakdown has been completed and the area has been policed to the SPL or campout leader’s approval.
Finally, you will need supplies and camping gear - Many of the items will also be used for summer camp and the recommendations reflect that. Make sure to take care of your gear. All clothes and items should be labeled with your name and ideally also with Troop-599 (you can find numerous options by doing a quick search on amazon for iron-on labels for clothes ranging from $5-$15).
Class-B T-Shirts: You must have one of each day of the campout. The best way to pack these items are in a daily set of 1 t-shirt, 1 underwear and 1 pr. sock rolled into a gallon zip-lock bag (hint: use the zip-lock bags that have the flat bottoms). This will keep them dry and make it convenient and quick to grab during shower time. Additionally, it is recommended that one or two extra pairs of socks are packed in a separate zip-lock bag and one or two extra pair of underwear in a separate zip-lock as spares in the event of heavy rain or an accident that makes a change between shower time necessary.
Class-B shorts: These are in addition to Class-A pants. Since pants do not generally need to be changed daily, there is no need to bring as many but make sure to pack enough for the entire campout. These should also be folded, rolled and stored in a gallon zip-lock bag. This will keep them dry and make it easy to distinguish the clean ones from the dirty ones.
Mess Kit: The troop does its best to reduce its impact on the environment. We limit the use of disposable paper goods and utensils. You must have a mess kit that is stored in a mesh bag so that it can hang and dry after being washed. The mess kit at minimum, should include a plate/bowl, spork (spoon and fork), knife, cup and storage mesh bag.
Sleeping bag: The best sleeping bag is determined by the average temperature at camp and if you normally sleep “cold” or “hot”. Generally, the sleeping bag should be rated to at least +40 degrees, but +20 degrees is best for the summer camps we go to. The sleeping bag must fit inside your backpack, so a compression bag will almost surely be necessary.
Sleeping bag liner: This is essential, but not required, for helping to keep the sleeping bag clean, to use as a sheet when it is too warm to sleep inside the bag or to add insulation when the bag itself is not warm enough. Most liners will add 10-15 degrees of warmth to the rating of a bag. The liner should be a material that breathes and dries quickly if it gets wet and should be compact.
Sleeping pad: This will keep you off the floor, add some comfort and add insulation between you and the floor of the tent. It must fit in your backpack so consider getting an inflatable pad.
Camp pillow: This should be compact to fit in your backpack and should dry quick if it gets wet.
Shower sandals: You must protect your feet to and from the showers and also while in the shower.
Camping towels: These should be of a quick dry material and compact enough to take up little room in the backpack.
Toiletry kit & supplies, wash cloth or loofah, and laundry bag: The toiletry bag should be one that either hangs or stands up on its own (no zip-lock bags). This will make it easier to get what is needed out without an excessive amount of water dripping into the kit and helps prevent items from falling to the floor. To help keep the kit small and manageable, use small bottles which can be refilled after each campout. The wash cloth should be of a quick dry material and hung up to dry with the towels. The laundry bag should be vented (mesh material) so that damp clothes can air and dry. This will keep mildew and smells to a minimum.
Sun block & insect repellant: Sun block should be for active use or water use so that it does not just run off with sweat. This will keep re-application time to a minimum. When considering insect repellant, keep in mind where we are camping. DEET is widely considered the most effective insect repellant for the widest selection of insects. DEET comes in a range of percentages from 4-100%. The percentage of DEET in the repellant will affect its effectiveness and duration. DEET has been known to cause some skin irritation and in high concentration, damage some materials. If you choose to use an insect repellant with DEET, use one you scout have used before. There are other repellants that are natural and don’t contain the chemical DEET. At the end of this guide, there is a section on increasing the insect repellency of your clothing so as to reduce the need to apply additional insect repellant.
The backpack: Should be large enough to fit all the items you need to carry (normally between 50L-70L), keep organized, and most importantly be comfortable to wear. It should either be compatible with a hydration system or have external pockets for the water bottle. Water bottles are recommended over hydration systems for the following reasons: they are easier to fill and refill, easier to clean, no drinking tip to roll on the ground. The backpack should have attachment points or straps where sunblock, insect repellant, hand cleaning lotion and the such can be hung. The backpack should be water repellant or have a water-proof cover.
Daypack: The backpack will get your gear to the campsite and once camp is set-up, you will need a daypack to carry around the gear you need for the day’s activities. It should be comfortable, water resistant, have side pockets for the water bottle, a way to attach or carry sunblock, hand sanitizer and insect repellant and large enough to carry your raincoat, notebook and snacks.
Rain gear: Staying dry during a campout or hike is key to keeping warm. Light weight packable rain gear is best. Rain pants are recommended but not required. You should have a separate water-proof stuff-sack or zip-lock bag to store them after use and keep other items in the backpack from getting wet.
Reusable water bottle or hydration pack built into backpack: A reusable water bottle is preferred over a hydration pack since they are easier to fill and refill, easier to clean, and have no drinking tip to roll on the ground. The water bottle must securely (won’t fall out easily, but you can get at it when your scout needs to drink) fit in the outside pocket of the Back/daypack.
Compass & Whistle: Orienteering compass and whistle with a lanyard to wear around the neck or clipped onto the daypack. These are safety equipment! Enough said.
Notebook with pencil/pen and spare pencil/pen. You need to have a compact notebook to take notes during class sessions at campouts. The paper must be sturdy enough to hold up to some light rain and the pen/pencil should be able to write in light rain. A notebook cover is recommended but not required.
Pocket knife/multi-tool: A small pocket knife with a folding blade not exceeding 3” with a case or a multi-tool such as a Leatherman, or Swiss Army Knife with a case are handy tools that can come in handy during some merit badge classes or in an emergency situation.
Scout Handbook with cover: Required to follow along during class.
Baseball cap: To keep the sun out of the eyes.
Sweater or fleece jacket: To keep warm.
Headlamp & spare batteries: Unless you have x-ray vision, you will need this to get around camp and for any night activities.
Hand sanitizer: This is essential to keeping from getting sick or passing along germs when snacking or at times where a hand wash station is unavailable. Should be small bottle that can be clipped on to the Back/day pack.
Snacks: Snacks should be trail snacks that will not melt or be messy if they get hot. Granola bars, etc. these are a great source of quick energy between meals.
Firestarter/matches: Part of the 10 essentials
Personal First aid kit: For the obvious and also part of the 10 essentials.
Camp Chair: Should be light and easy to fold small.
Paracord: Two 25’ sections or one 50’ section is great to have to use as a drying line for camp towels, mess kits, etc. It can also be used to tie down a tarp or tent and many other uses.
One way to Increase the protection against insects and reducing the need to apply and re-apply insect repellant is by treating the clothes with Permethrin.
Permethrin ("per-meth-rin"), is a synthetic, man-made insecticide, whose chemical structure is based on natural pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are pesticides found naturally in some chrysanthemum flowers. They are a mixture of six chemicals that are toxic to insects. Pyrethrins are commonly used to control mosquitoes, fleas, flies, moths, ants, and many other pests.
It is available under different brand names such as Sawyer, Repel, and Ben’s. When properly applied to clothing, it will protect your scout not only against mosquitos but also against ticks (including disease causing deer-ticks) and fleas among others. The protection will last for around four weeks. Since the protection is on their clothing, only exposed areas need the application and re-application of insect repellant. Having a bandana that also has been treated, can aid in spot protection e.g. around the neck, covering the ears, etc.
To apply correctly, it takes a considerable amount and it is not the cheapest so look for the best deal on the largest quantity. You will be happy you made the investment in
money and the time it takes to apply correctly to the clothing. Less bites, less chance of disease, less application of DEET chemicals.