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Cups

I like metal cups. They stand up to the abuse scouts give them. However, in cold weather, the kids like drinking hot beverages. Hot drinks and a metal cup. . . Ouch! Consider an insulated mug for cold weather.

Shoes

In ten years as an adult leader, I have learned that most scouts arrive for any event in sneakers. It doesn’t matter if we are hiking 8 miles in the mountains, camping in below freezing temperatures, or at summer camp. Footwear is important. As an old infantryman, we learned very quickly to take care of our feet. If they are cold and wet or covered in blisters you are miserable and become a problem for your comrades.

Waterproof boots are essential for camping. Cold weather boots are needed for cold weather campouts. I had two boys in the troop at the same time and it’s expensive. Consider “shopping” at yard sales and flea markets for boots. I have found a lot of gear for cheap at the Lake Meade yard sale and the Sunday flea market at Williams Grove. If your son outgrows his boots, ask other scout parents if they want to buy ‘em.

Socks

For backpacking and cold weather, wool is the best. It keeps the foot warm in winter and wicks away sweat. Cotton socks leave sweaty feet wet and miserable. Ever notice that after one weekend campout that there is only one pair of dirty socks? Yuck! If wool isn’t in the annual budget, pack extra cotton socks and tell your scout to change his socks a couple of times during the day on a backpacking trip, long hike, or campout. It will keep their feet in better condition.

Sleeping bags

This is an interesting and expensive subject. For winter camping, I like to have the coldest rating bag I can afford. However, as a family that had to outfit two scouts and dad, it gets pricey. I would try to get a bag rated for at least 20° or lower for winter. From my experience, if a bag is rated at 20° you will be cold in the mid-30’s. It is just a reality. A sheet or light blanket can add almost 10° warmth to a bag, so send one along (place inside bag, not overtop).

In summer, this type of bag would be too warm, so a 40° bag would suffice. At summer camp, or cabin camping, this bag would be fine. Also, if sleeping on a bunk, I like to bring an old twin fitted sheet to put on the mattress. It is more comfortable and prevents me from sticking to it.

Sleeping Pad

Back in the infantry, I could curl up on a rock and have a good night’s rest. I am older now, and my back aches after sleeping on the ground.

A sleeping pad offers comfort when sleeping on the ground. More importantly, it keeps you off the cold and damp ground. Sleeping pads will keep your scout warmer in the winter and help them sleep better. They are worth the investment!

Mess Kits

There is only one decent mess kit. It was used by the US military for more than 50 years. Buying a surplus army mess kit is well worth the money. I try never to pay more than $5-10 for a brand new one. They last forever. The Walmart variety will fall apart in a year. The troop has military surplus flatware we can give you for free. Also, we have an engraver that can put your son’s initials on all parts of them. I like flea markets. If the price is right, I buy them and resell at cost to the scouts (that’s why my prices vary at times). Check with me, look at yard sales, or ebay. Don’t spend more than $10.

A Watch

I respond to “what time is it?” like most people respond to finger nails on a chalkboard. Have your son bring, wear, and use a watch at summer camp.

Tents

Troop 88 has a dozen tents that were purchased in 2011. Many scouts like to bring their own tent on camping trips. If your son brings his own, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure he knows how to put it together, has a ground cloth, and that it is functional (e.g., no broken pieces, missing parts, or leaks).
NO FOOD OR DRINK in tents. EVER! Food in tents attracts wildlife and insects and damages tents. We had a scout with a leaking canteen in his tent. He woke up in the middle of the night with a soaked sleeping bag in 30° weather. Fortunately, another leader had an extra bag. What would we do if we are an hour + away from home without another one? Reinforce this concept with your scout.

Rain Gear

I usually have two types of rain gear. If I am confident that is going to rain, I bring and wear a rain suit (paints and jacket). I have never gotten wet wearing one. I picked mine up at Dick’s Sporting goods for about $15 and have used it several times. I also bring a poncho; the downside is that your lower legs get wet. That being said, the poncho is otherwise one of the best pieces of gear you can ever buy. Besides keeping the rain off, it can be an improvised shelter, litter, and a variety of survival uses. I prefer the military surplus ponchos because they are durable and can be snapped together with another. They are also fairly light. I usually re-waterproof them with a silicone spray every other year or so.

If you buy a poncho at the dollar store, it won’t last more than 5 minutes in the brush. Most Walmart types will tear in short order as well. I just bought a new surplus poncho last year for about $10. It replaced the one I have been using more than 20 years.

Special Needs

If your son has a special need, make sure that you and the adult leaders are prepared for it. For example, if your son needs an inhaler, be sure it is full before camp and bring it!. We had one scout with a prosthetic foot and it broke at camp. All that was needed to repair it was an allen wrench. He and we didn’t have one. Fortunately, we were camping near Lake Meade and an adult leader went home and got the tool we needed. This would have been serious on a backpacking trip.

Aerosols

NO Aerosols in camp, ever. Scouts like to check the flammability of these products and it never ends well. Since I mentioned “flammability,” if you feel that your son is not responsible enough to carry a lighter at home, don’t send him to camp with one. Furthermore, no Zippos, as they can remain lit when dropped.

Electronics

I survived 28 years of my life without a cell phone. It must be due to the grace of God that I lived that long without one. If you want your son to have a phone, then let him bring it. If he attends a scout event, then he should be participating, not playing games or be on the phone with other friends. Leave Gameboys, DS’s, etc. at home.

If he is homesick and calls in the middle of the night and wants to leave, don’t just come and pick him up. Speak to an adult leader first.

Medical forms and emergency contacts

In the event of an emergency, we need a telephone number that we can call and that you will answer. We had an issue one summer camp and neither parent answered their phones or bothered to return voicemails. This is unacceptable! Adult leaders are VOLUNTEERS and should not be placed in a position like that.

Medical forms for summer camp or high adventure need to be signed by a Physician (MD/DO), Physician’s Assistant (PA), or Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) annually. At a minimum, we need a form completed for troop meetings and non-high adventure campouts. Adult leaders can explain this to you further.

I kept track of these for years. I will never do it again. Please be responsible for this and make note when it expires. You keep the original, make a copy for the troop, and ask your practitioner to scan it into the electronic medical record in case it would get lost. We had one scout pay for summer camp, show up, and was sent home because he had an expired physical.