What To Pack for Your First Summer Camp
Q: This is my first summer camp. What should I bring?
— Nicole, Norfolk, Virginia
A: Awesome! You should have a ton of fun, especially if you have the gear you need.
First, check with the council camp you’ll be attending. Camps usually provide a suggested packing list that includes stuff like:
• Insect repellent
• Clothes, including a swimsuit for aquatic activities
• Hygiene items (A Scout is Clean!)
• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Sunscreen
• Money for cool stuff at the trading post
• Any medication you take
When heading to camp, make sure to pack the 10 Scout Essentials (pocketknife, first-aid kit, flashlight, extra clothing, rain gear, water storage, trail food, matches/fire starter, sun protection, map and compass). Carry these items in a daypack for easy access. Stay hydrated with a water bottle like the CamelBak Eddy or Nalgene, both available at the Scout Shop for $16.99. You can also use the LifeGear Carabiner Mug (dorcy.com; $8.99) to keep water handy.
Depending on the camp, you might also need a tent, cooking equipment or a cot. Don’t forget to pack your uniform, handbook, medical forms and merit badge pamphlets.
Also, can we use a duffel bag instead of a big foot locker?
Thank you for this, it really helped me out becuse this is my first time summer camping. But can I just use flip flops instead od spending money on, “shower shoes?”
I just got back from my 24th year in a row of going to summer camp. Here is a packing list I came up with many years ago. We change it if or when needed.
Boy Scout Summer Camp Packing Guide
___ Foot locker for packing (Rubbermaid/plastic bin type with hinged lid is recommended. Some have wheels and a handle which are nice as well. Protects the contents in case of rain and provides seating in the tent.)
___ Small backpack or drawstring bag (to carry items around camp)
___ Boy Scout Handbook*
___ Class A Uniform (wear on day of departure and several other times during week)
___ Plastic clothes hanger (to hang Class A shirt since worn several times during week)
___ Small bottle of Febreze (to freshen Class A shirt and anything else)
___ Shorts, t-shirts (including Class Bs), underwear, socks (daily sets of clothes best packed in gallon ziploc bags)
___ Swim trunks
___ Goggles
___ Water shoes (must be closed toe)
___ Shower shoes
___ Long pants and a long sleeve shirt (required for swimming merit badge – nylon pants are best as they will be used for a buoyancy device – jeans are hard)
___ Rain jacket/poncho (poncho recommended – available at scout shop or throw away type from Wal-Mart)
___ Pajamas or shorts for sleeping (most guys wear gym shorts)
___ Sleeping Bag/travel pillow/sheets/thin cotton blanket (parents say the sleeping bag is good to use as a cot pad and then the sheets and blankets are good on top for sleeping)
___ Flashlight (send extra batteries)
___ Nylon rope for clothes line and clothes pins
___ Compass*
___ Small camp lantern (send extra batteries)
___ Mesh laundry bag
___ Water Bottle/canteen*
___ Bug Spray – NO AEROSOL CANS ALLOWED
___ Washcloths and towels
___ Toothbrush and toothpaste
___ Soap/Shampoo/comb/Gold Bond powder/ChapStick
___ Hat
___ Sunscreen – NO AEROSOL CANS ALLOWED
___ Personal First Aid Kit* (the following items are listed in the Boy Scout Handbook and a first aid kit is required for First Aid badge)
___ Watch
___ Sunglasses
___ Pens/Pencils and Notebook*
___ Cards, ball, other small things to do during free time
___ Medication (must be in original containers with child’s name on it – put all medications in large Ziploc with child’s name and Troop #301 on it)
___ Money for camp store
___ Pocket knife (if they have totin chip)
___ Snacks (not candy – in an airtight Rubbermaid type container. Don’t go overboard, but snacks such as beef jerky, breakfast/cereal bars, peanuts and peanut butter crackers are good if your child is used to snacking. The troop will have Gatorade.)
___ Mosquito netting and tomato stakes to put in ground and drape netting over
___ Clip on battery operated fan (nice to have! – pack extra batteries)
___ Chair for chilling around camp during free time.
___ Floor Cover for tent wooden platforms floor. (A cheap 8’x8’ indoor/outdoor carpet or tarp to lay on the tent floor goes a long way for making your scout feel more at home.)
NO ELECTRONICS ARE ALLOWED – must leave all cell phones, ipods, gaming devices, etc at home
Hi! I thought this article was really nice! Although I, unfortunately, didn’t see this when I was a first-year summer camper, this article is a really nice piece of information to remember when summer camping for the first time. Thank you for this helpful information! I hope this goes to the right people at the right time!
Huh? No phone. That is definitely not true. But yes they do put the away at times. But they are needed sometimes for badge work. So the phone is ok. And at night before bed they are allowed to use these things before lights out. And it is safer at times to have them especially if you are attending summer camp in a different state.
D.H.
All medication taken at Camp, should be given to the nurse at check- in at the Health Lodge for scouts in the State of New Hampshire. Nursing staff dispenses the medication to the scout according to the medication instructions.
Pack items such as socks, underwear in zip lock bags, so you can find them quickly. Have a dirty laundry bag for used clothing, so dirty and clean clothes are not swimming around in one trunk. Get a plastic trunk with a locking lid for Camp. They can be found at Walmart or other retail stores. Bring clothes pins for hanging wet bathing suits and towels to dry.
As an 18 yr Scout Leader I have seen my share of “stuff” being purchased for camping. 1st off, what will here items be used for? What season? Where does the troop usually go? and do? How long is the outing? …and finally, how much are you willing to spend? Hiking boots-water proof/resistant, insulated for cold weather, half size bigger for thicker socks,, well fitting, not tight. Lighter boots for warm weather ( again waterproof). Socks- not 100% cotton (both winter and summer). Sleeping bags come in all shapes and sizes, I suggest at least 2 sleeping bags, 1 for 40-50degrees, 1 for zero or below.( I have found sleeping bags ratings are usually 10-20 degrees off when needing to be comfortable. Buy adult sleeping bags, Don’t buy child sized sleeping bags that you will need to buy another in 2-3 yrs. Down fill isthe most expensive, compact but very small but offer very little padding. Hollowfill has come way down in price and offers more loft. There are also other fillers available. Shape- I recommend rectangular over mummy or modified mummy so scout has room to move and place his clothing inside on a chilly night. (There are soooo many types and styles including sleeping bags with hoods). A sleeping pad is also necessary to keep the cold and moisture off his back. Again, they range in price according to comfort, size, and material. Most scouts start off with the blue half inch crush pad. There are better pads with thermal ability both crush (foam) and inflatable, usually the more expensive the higher the “r”-value. Back packs are classified as daypacks(smaller) and hiking packs ( larger with a wide padded waist strap, padded shoulder straps, chest strap,multi-pocketed, with additional straps& pockets for adding water/food/clothing/rain poncho/snacks/sleeping bag & pad, etc.. .(many times scouts will sell or hand down back packs as they grow) Be sure the pack is fitted properly to the individual. ( no one wants to hike with a pack that is sliding back n forth, too tight, or banging into their legs) Tents-they are usually supplied by the troop, as most scouts will have a fellow scout sleeping in the same tent and help with set up/ break down and carrying. Other necessities would include an unbreakable metal or “nalgene-type” water bottle, sun screen, insect repellant lotion, hygiene kit of small hand towel, small hand sanitizer, small deodorant stick, toothbrush, toothpaste, small home made or purchased first aid kit with some bandaids, moleskin, cotton balls, (Scout leader or patrol leader will go over this also)… Most troops have a check list with suggestions also for weekend camping,hiking trips, and summer camp.
I have just started boy scouts what are the best types of back packs, sleeping bags, tents,, and other essential items
It depends a lot upon the type of camping you are doing and the weather. Back country and car camping are very different for gear. Summer camp sleeping bag (maybe just a liner down south) and winter camp sleeping bag are different ratings. Be sure to consult your unit leaders for best gear for the activity coming up. It is likely there are some gear junkies in the troop that are happy to share.