Camping Gear Checklist (The links provided are suggestions or articles. We are happy to show you our own gear, or even let you try it out for a night to make sure you are confident with your selections)
Scout Life Magazine has a very helpful page with checklists for warm weather, cold weather, cycling, and paddling camping trips:
https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/6976/scout-outdoor-essentials-checklist/
Oddly, it doesn't list a tent, tarp, backpack, or a duffle or box to store your gear. That must go for granted.
Tent
A basic 2 man tent is a good purchase for a scout. Look for one with high sides so the rain and snow stay out of the tent. tinyurl.com/yd6sk36l
Backpack
We recommend a pack with lots of pockets to help organize your gear. You can use either external or internal frame packs. Here are some article that discuss the differences between each pack style. tinyurl.com/ybn9trty tinyurl.com/y9r28td9 Example of Internal Frame tinyurl.com/ycmu7qck Example External Frame tinyurl.com/yc49v8na
Sleeping Bag
Lightweight mummy style with 0-degree rating (a 0-degree bag is required for winter camping) tinyurl.com/ycz3u2o8
Sleeping Pad
We recommend a full-length pad that is light weight and compactable for easy carrying when pack backing. tinyurl.com/y7f2gsuv
Ground Cloth
Lightweight nylon 3’x6’ tarp. (If your tent does not come with one.)
Mess Kit
All-in-one plate/bowl/cup and knife/fork/spoon. tinyurl.com/y8fco8wu
Toilet Kit
Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, washcloth, towel, sunscreen.
Rain Gear
Lightweight poncho is okay, Gore-tex or other high-tech fabrics if you want. A big trash bag to cover your backpack. tinyurl.com/yacpumyt
Pocket Knife Small folding knife. https://tinyurl.com/6ha3mskb
Survival Kit
These can be purchased at many camping goods stores. They generally contain and emergency blanket, whistle, and matches.
First Aid Kit
Can also be purchased at many stores, including Safeway, King Soopers, and Walmart. Should contain bandages, gauze, anti-bacterial ointment, and burn cream, at a minimum. Should be small and easy to carry.
Water Bottle
Quart size with a way to carry from a belt or backpack. Nalgene (6.5 oz-empty weight) style is best, but an empty Gatorade bottle (1.2 oz) will work just fine. Stay away from insulated metal containers (11.3 oz) as they weigh so much to carry the same amount of water.
Flashlight
Small, lightweight LED. Extra Batteries These get lost often so less expensive is better! tinyurl.com/y7tv8m8o
Compass tinyurl.com/y8k3w4s2
Work Gloves
Sunscreen
Light Jacket
Optional
Hammock
Many of the camps we go to have space for hammocks. Bring a shelter tarp and the appropriate hanging gear to stay safe and protect the trees.
Note:
For all items, lighter is better, even if you don’t plan to do any backpacking. For all camping trips boys must transport their own gear to the camp site, which is sometimes ¼ mile or more from the cars. However, lighter is also almost always more expensive. We recommend investing up front in a high quality sleeping bag and ground pad as your two most important items. Fill out the rest of your list with what you can afford; you can replace inexpensive items with higher quality, lighter weight items as you learn more about how you camp, and what items you like and use most.
https://scoutlife.org/outdoors/outdoorarticles/6976/scout-outdoor-essentials-checklist/
Oddly, it doesn't list a tent, tarp, backpack, or a duffle or box to store your gear. That must go for granted.
Tent
A basic 2 man tent is a good purchase for a scout. Look for one with high sides so the rain and snow stay out of the tent. tinyurl.com/yd6sk36l
Backpack
We recommend a pack with lots of pockets to help organize your gear. You can use either external or internal frame packs. Here are some article that discuss the differences between each pack style. tinyurl.com/ybn9trty tinyurl.com/y9r28td9 Example of Internal Frame tinyurl.com/ycmu7qck Example External Frame tinyurl.com/yc49v8na
Sleeping Bag
Lightweight mummy style with 0-degree rating (a 0-degree bag is required for winter camping) tinyurl.com/ycz3u2o8
Sleeping Pad
We recommend a full-length pad that is light weight and compactable for easy carrying when pack backing. tinyurl.com/y7f2gsuv
Ground Cloth
Lightweight nylon 3’x6’ tarp. (If your tent does not come with one.)
Mess Kit
All-in-one plate/bowl/cup and knife/fork/spoon. tinyurl.com/y8fco8wu
Toilet Kit
Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, washcloth, towel, sunscreen.
Rain Gear
Lightweight poncho is okay, Gore-tex or other high-tech fabrics if you want. A big trash bag to cover your backpack. tinyurl.com/yacpumyt
Pocket Knife Small folding knife. https://tinyurl.com/6ha3mskb
Survival Kit
These can be purchased at many camping goods stores. They generally contain and emergency blanket, whistle, and matches.
First Aid Kit
Can also be purchased at many stores, including Safeway, King Soopers, and Walmart. Should contain bandages, gauze, anti-bacterial ointment, and burn cream, at a minimum. Should be small and easy to carry.
Water Bottle
Quart size with a way to carry from a belt or backpack. Nalgene (6.5 oz-empty weight) style is best, but an empty Gatorade bottle (1.2 oz) will work just fine. Stay away from insulated metal containers (11.3 oz) as they weigh so much to carry the same amount of water.
Flashlight
Small, lightweight LED. Extra Batteries These get lost often so less expensive is better! tinyurl.com/y7tv8m8o
Compass tinyurl.com/y8k3w4s2
Work Gloves
Sunscreen
Light Jacket
Optional
Hammock
Many of the camps we go to have space for hammocks. Bring a shelter tarp and the appropriate hanging gear to stay safe and protect the trees.
Note:
For all items, lighter is better, even if you don’t plan to do any backpacking. For all camping trips boys must transport their own gear to the camp site, which is sometimes ¼ mile or more from the cars. However, lighter is also almost always more expensive. We recommend investing up front in a high quality sleeping bag and ground pad as your two most important items. Fill out the rest of your list with what you can afford; you can replace inexpensive items with higher quality, lighter weight items as you learn more about how you camp, and what items you like and use most.