What to Pack

Suggested Camping Equipment

Tent How to Choose Tents for Camping
Waterproof ground sheet for tent
Sleeping pad – (not an air mattress) adds important warmth as well as softening the ground. The Best Budget Sleeping Pads
- NOTE: Inflatable air mattresses do not keep you warm in cold weather!
Sleeping bag or blankets –
- NOTE: Sleeping bags are rated for lowest temp. So, if it is rated at 20 a comfort range is 30-50. Best Budget Sleeping Bags: Tested
Camping Gear Guides REI Camping Gear Guides
Pillow
Camp Chairs
Flashlight / Headlamp
Mess Kit (Cup, bowl, plate, knife, fork, spoon)
Small towel (kitchen or hand towel works well) and washcloth in plastic bag (so you can store it when wet)
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Hand soap (campgrounds sometimes have some but not always)
Glow sticks
Bug Spray
sunscreen
rain poncho
Water bottle (for the hike)
Soccer ball or Frisbee
No electronic games/IPods/etc. (of course, parents can have phones!)
Feel free to bring snacks or fruit if you have a particular dietary need or nutritional standard you like to maintain.

Clothes

I recommend children dress for the weather in shorts or long pants and pack t-shirt with the ability to put a long sleeve shirt under their pack t-shirt
- Wearing pack T shirt helps ID which children are with Pack 1863
Layering clothing and jackets is ideal
Warm Jacket and Hoodie
Hat or hood strongly recommended for the cold nights
Gloves or mittens optional if you know you or your kid tends to get cold.
Spare shoes and socks (Scouts like to get wet)
Change of Clothing
Sleepy Clothes (The clothes you wear during the day will collect moisture and this will make you cold at night. So clean and dry will help keep you warmer)
Most kids do not bother changing their clothes overnight – may not be the rules for home, but for the campout it saves cold children and lost clothing and it is easy to pack for that! But it is recommended that you have a change of clothes available in the event of a spilled drink. Fresh, clean, dry clothes prior to sleeping is a best practice.

NOT Allowed

Pack 1863