Troop 609 Recommended Camping Equipment List

Note: Put your name or initials on all gear. Use an engraver on all metal and hard plastic items. Use permanent, laundry resistant marker on fabric items. The troop owns an engraver if you would like to borrow it.

Essential Items for All Campouts:

· Mess kit including silverware, plate, bowl, and cup. No need for commercial kit. You can just bring these items in a mesh or nylon bag.

· Sleeping bag rated to +15°F (3-season).

· Thermarest, Z-rest, or other insulating pad with straps or bag to keep it rolled and packed. Thermarest brand is expensive (about $60) but definitely works best.

· Rain gear: This should be vinyl coated fabric, both hooded jacket and pants. I do not recommend ponchos. Do not buy cheap, all plastic raingear. It is not durable enough.

· Waterproof flashlight and an extra set of batteries.

· Duffle bag or backpack to carry gear.

Highly Desirable (listed in order of priority):

· Hiking boots. Should come above ankle and should be waterproofed. These must be broken in by wearing on progressively longer walks before attempting 10 or 20 mile hikes or backpacking trips.

· Wool or synthetic hiking socks. I recommend SmartWool brand. Never attempt to hike any distance in cotton socks!

· Quick-drying clothing (e.g. nylon convertible pants, Polarfleece jacket).

· Personal first aid kit including moleskin and scissors. See Scout Handbook, p. 289.

· Pocket knife or Leatherman with a blade less than 3 inches long.

· Orienteering compass. Must have baseplate with direction of travel arrow and rotatable housing around needle to dial in bearing. See picture on p. 86 of Scout Handbook.

· Waterproof match case with matches.

· Backpack: internal or external frame for sites where we need to carry in our gear and for high adventure trips. Seek guidance from knowledgeable sales personnel (at REI, for example) to choose appropriate size and style for individual boy. You probably want to wait until a backpacking trip before investing in a good one.

· Nylon ditty bags to help keep things organized in your gear.

· Pack towel. These are lightweight towels which can be wrung out and still work.

· Small compressible camp pillow.

Needed for Tomahawk Summer Camp:

· Plastic tarp to make tent floor or to form tent porch. Recommend about 7 ft x 10 ft size.

· Rubbermaid covered container for personal clothing (keeps everything dry). No larger than 16 in x 17 in x 25 in size.

· Mosquito netting designed to fit over a camp cot.