Troop 5, Wilmette, il

Boy Scouts of America

Trailblazers: What to Bring Camping

Please note: if you do not own or have access to any of these items, please let us know.  We can certainly arrange for you to borrow these items for a campout. We do not want any Scout to miss a campout for lack of equipment.

Please pack carefully. You can get wet or muddy on a campout, so be sure to bring an extra set of clothes.  The weather can also change very quickly, so do not be fooled by warm weather at the outset.

Essentials under all conditions

 

SCOUT UNIFORM (wear while traveling)

SCOUT HANDBOOK

 

sleeping bag                                                                           extra pair of shoes

sleeping pad/air mattress                                                     extra pair of socks                 

bowl or plate, cup, spoon and fork                                     extra set of clothes

water bottle                                                                             daypack                      

raingear (poncho or rainjacket)                                           flashlight

backpack, duffel bag, tote bag, suitcase                           toothbrush

 

Essentials if it will be cold (i.e., below 60 degrees)

 

warm wool or other camping socks                                    long pants

hat & gloves                                                                           sweatshirt

warm coat or fleece                                                              boots or overshoes (if snow possible)                                                                                

 

Advisable if cold

blanket (can be used as liner for warm weather sleeping bag)

long underwear

 

Nice to have

bandanna

towel

camping pillow or regular pillow

 

DO NOT BRING

electronics (Gameboy, CD player, iPod, MP3 player)

candy or soda pop

lighters, lighter fluid or other flammable liquids

 

Wear the Uniform. We ask each Scout to wear his uniform when we meet in the parking lot to depart for campouts.

Buying Stuff - Some Tips. If you want to buy camping equipment, here are some suggestions on locations, discounts and what not to buy:

Uncle Dan’s Great Outdoor Store,700 Church Street, Evanston.  This store has the widest selection in Wilmette and neighboring communities. If you say that you are buying something for Boy Scouts, Uncle Dan’s will usually give you a 10% discount.

REI, 8225 Golf Road, Niles (Four Flags Shopping Center). A wider selection of camping equipment than Uncle Dan’s or T.L. Fritts. Also a co-op, so you can join and earn dividends for spending.

www.campmor.com.  A website with an enormous selection.  Some of our ASMs who have done a lot of online comparison shopping believe this site has the best prices. However, as with everything on the web, it is pretty easy to look for products at a variety of websites.