General Campout Packing List
This page is intended to help you prepare for our troop’s camping trip.
This is just a guide
This is not a complete list, and the Scouts are not required to bring everything on the list. It is simply a guide containing suggestions on items to consider while preparing for an event, based on past experiences and lessons learned over the years.
This is somewhat of a generic list. The duration of the event will determine how much is needed. For short trips, some of these items may not be necessary at all. Use your best
For more information, be sure to check out the following pages:
Many of the ideas below are adaptations of the Packing Checklists for Camping Trips article in the Boys’ Life magazine, and from the suggestions provided in the various Summer Camp Guides published by individual camps. In addition to the primary list, it includes additional info for warm and cold weather camping. Be sure to check it out if you’re looking for more ideas.
Costs
For all of our troop weekend events (and occasionally some day event), we ask that every Scout pay $15 to help offset the cost of the event. You can either pay it ahead of time or bring it along when we meet at the departure site.
As you likely know, our troop holds an annual Chili Dinner and Silent Auction fundraiser in February. A large portion of the funds raised during this event is used to help offset the costs of our monthly outings. The $15 fee usually does not come anywhere close to covering the costs of the event. It definitely helps, but it’s not enough. However, that’s OK! It’s by design. Our goal is to keep the costs for individual events low because we want everyone to participate. It also accentuates the importance of our annual fundraiser. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to have as many adventures throughout the year.
As mentioned below, the Scouts may want to bring along a little cash for the trip, just in case. For longer events, there is usually a “trading post”, and the Scouts ALWAYS find something to buy. Plus, on the way home, we sometimes stop for a bite to eat. We’ll try to coordinate this ahead of time as much as possible.
It should be noted that Summer Camp and High-Adventure Camps are handled differently. While the troop often helps to offset the costs of these events, the Scouts/parents will need to cover these fees. Costs vary by event, and we will communicate this info to everyone as it is made available to us.
Items provided by the troop
Over the years, our troop has been very fortunate in that we’ve been able to purchase or otherwise acquire a lot of camping gear. We pile it all in our large trailer and bring it with us every time we camp.
One of the items provided for the Scouts (and the adult leaders) are the tents. As a result, the Scouts do not need to bring along their own tent.
The troop (or the event) also provides the food. Scouts are welcome to bring along snacks for themselves and to share with the others, but they don’t need to bring food for actual meals. When the food is not provided by the event, we’ll have the Scouts plan out a menu ahead of time, and the adult leaders will make sure everything gets to camp. The troop’s trailer also includes all of the cooking and cleaning gar that will be needed for the event. The only meal-related items the Scouts need to bring is their mess kit.
When applicable, Scouts (or parents) are encouraged to put the Scout’s name on items in order to help identify items packed into the trailer or when they show up at the lost-and-found.
Required Items
- Completed Health Form (Parts A & B are needed for all trips. Part C is needed for week-long events.)
- Class A uniform for travel. The Scouts may also need their uniforms at other times, depending on the event.
- Mess kit (including a
knife , fork, and spoon) - Drinking cup – Don’t forget this. Cups are often not provided by camp!
- Water bottle
Clothing
- Shorts / pants / shirts / etc. (Adjust based on the weather)
- Socks (a pair for each day)
- Class “B” (troop/BSA related) shirts
- Daily change of underwear and socks
- Bathing
suit & beach towel - Swim shoes (Also doubles for shoes to use when it rains)
- Raincoat / poncho
- Hiking boots
- Sneakers
- Jacket, heavy coat, or similar if the weather will be cool
- Sleeping clothes
- Hat
- Gloves
Bedding
The troop has some items in the trailer that the Scouts can use/borrow. That said, it’s always best if they can bring their own, that way we know we’ll have enough.
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Cot
- Sleeping pad
- Sheet (If it’s too hot to sleep inside the sleeping bag)
- Clothes to sleep in
Toiletries
Adjust these items not only on the duration of the trip but also based on the facilities that will be available for our use.
- Toothbrush / toothpaste
- Bath towel
- Washcloth
- Cornstarch / Gold Bond
- Soap (in a container)
- Shampoo
- Comb, brush, mirror, etc.
- Shower shoes
- Bag for carrying items from the campsite to the showers
- Wet wipes / Baby wipes (Not required, but handy when showers aren’t an option)
Miscellaneous items
- Daypack
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Book
- Pen / pencil
- Compass
- “Cracker Barrel” snacks
- Chair
- Sunscreen (Many camps require this to be non-aerosol)
- Insect repellent (Many camps require this to be non-aerosol)
- Individual first aid kit (can be used to supplement the troop’s kits)
- “Flint & steel” or similar fire-starter (Must have Firem’n Chit)
- Pocket knife (Must have Totin’ Chip)
- Scout Handbook
Other items to consider
- Camera
- Musical instruments
- Sewing kit
- Spending cash for the “trading post” or for meals/snacks during travel
- Fishing pole & bait
- Extra towel to use inside tent door (Handy as a doormat to keep things dry when it rains)
Items NOT to bring
- Electronic devices (The Scouts can bring their phones for the ride to/from camp, but they are STRONGLY encouraged to “unplug” during the event.)
- Hatchets
- Sheathed knives
- Firearms/ammunition
- Fireworks
- Alcoholic beverages