Summer Camp Gear List

Time to think about summer camp. Here’s a suggested list of what to bring. We used to have another list, but I’m not sure what became of it. If you have other suggestions, let me know, and I’ll edit them in. The same list applies to adults as to Scouts, but adults should bring something to amuse themselves with (books, rope & a good knotting book, letters to write, etc). Adults will have some free time.

If it’s your first time at camp, don’t hesitate to ask others who have been before for suggestions.

What To Bring:

• Large gear bag, rubbermaid tub, footlocker, or backpack. A large duffel that zips open on top works well. It will be in your tent, so convenient access is the rule rather than being able to carry it comfortably. Lots of pockets will help you keep your gear organized. A rubbermaid tub will keep everything dry when the wind blows rain under your tent AND serve as a table.

Clothes:
Clothes should not be cotton if you can avoid it. Cotton, when wet, sucks heat out of your body and dries very slowly. Try to aim for synthetics or wool.

• Scout uniform – shirt, neckerchief, slide, Scout Handbook (put your scout book in a gallon ziploc bag to keep it pristine)
  
• Hangers - this will keep your uniform (which you need throughout the week) tidy
• Long sleeve shirt
• Two short sleeve shirts
• Long pants
• Two pairs of shorts
• Belt
• Underwear – Please change them every day!
• Socks – Bring plenty. Crusty or wet socks are uncomfortable. Stinky ones make your roommate grumpy.
• Sweater or sweatshirt – It can get cold at night.
• Windbreaker
• Knit watch cap – Sometimes it’s much more comfortable at night if you can cover your lid.
• Swimsuit & towel - Bring two swimsuits if you can. One can be drying while you use the other.
  
• Camp shoes – It’s good to have something light and comfortable to hang around camp in – no open toes
• Bandannas – They have several thousand uses.
• Rain coat or poncho
• Sunscreen – no aerosol
• Hat – wide brimmed is better for sun protection
• Sunglasses – gotta look cool
• Bug repellent – no aerosol

Gear:

• Sleeping bag – Try not to have too warm a bag. It’s better to have a lighter bag and some blankets so you can adjust to sleep comfortably without sweltering.

• Ground pad (closed cell or Thermarest) or cot – Very important - You’ll either be on concrete or wood platforms. A ground pad or a cot will make you much more comfortable and keep you warmer.
• Pillow
• Mess kit – bowl, cup, spoon at a minimum
• Water bottle – Try to make it one that you can carry around with you. Stay hydrated.
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• Writing materials – notebook, pen, pencil, etc. for merit badge classes
• Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, shampoo, comb or brush (you never know), deodorant, wet wipes (being a bit cleaner can help you sleep if you couldn’t get a shower), soap
• Watch - You need to get to classes on time - very important
• Prescription medication (but be sure to let your leaders know about it and take care of it)
• Pocket knife (if you have your Totin’ Chip)
• Folding chair (optional) – There will be a picnic table, so no chair won’t kill you.
• Camera – You’ll want to collect pictures to embarrass your friends in later years.
• A book to read?
• Spending money – for some reason, the guys love the trading post.

DO NOT BRING (lifted directly from the CA Leaders’ guide):

• Sheath knives
• Fireworks
• Boxing or martial arts equipment
• Bicycles
• Personal firearms
• Private ammunition
• Immoral materials
• CELL PHONES (they capitalized it, so they must mean it)
• Personal archery equipment
• Climbing/rappelling equipment
• Camouflage clothing
• Illegal drugs & alcohol

Troop 5 Blog Rules

The internet is a big place where everyone who puts some effort in can see what you're doing. Just like we follow the BSA rules for safe scouting, we'll have one major rule here:

Don't use full names or anything that would identify you, personally, to people outside our group.

Nicknames are great, but you'll have to tell me at meetings what your nickname is. A first name is OK. No last names.

No facebook links.

Don't identify our meeting place. It's just "the church."

Don't even identify our town or council.

I don't anticipate that anyone will be interested in any one of us specifically. I also don't expect anyone to walk into my house off the street. But I lock my door any way.

Be safe.

Float Trip!

Added: Check the weather here and here

What: We'll be going on a float trip from Friday, May 14 to Sunday, May 16. We'll camp at the outfitter's campground the first night, canoe on Saturday, camp Saturday night, and come back Sunday.

When: Meet at the church parking lot by 6:00 pm. Leave by 6:30. We'll load up cars and hit the road. We'll return to the church parking lot by Sunday at 1:30 pm.

Where: The Niangua River at the Niangua River Oasis outfitters camp. We'll float from their camp down river. There's a 14 mile float that he says should take about 6 hours. If we're getting tired, we can get out about 7 miles down at Rendezvous Point if we get there before 2 PM. We'll pair fathers and sons in canoes. I know of two older boys and one younger whose fathers won't be there. I'd like those three in one canoe. I know that at least one of them has the canoeing merit badge.

How: We'll drive. I don't know yet, who else is driving. Please respond in the comments if you can drive. I have six seats and plenty of cargo room. Right now, I know of 11 people coming, so I'd think we would need one more driver. We'll need to know before Monday so I can get the information to the guy doing the tour permit.

How much: Looks like it's $40/day/canoe. This includes 2 nights of free camping. Other places nearby charge $5/night for camping, so at least it's rolled in.

What to bring: Bring the same stuff you would on a backpacking trip. It can be a bit heavier than you'd backpack with because you don't have to carry it. Start with the 10 Essentials list on the bar to the left. I always try to think of what I'll be doing as I compose my list - I'll eat, sleep,

Remember to pack at least the following in plastic bags tied shut or in dry bags:

• Clothes
• Sleeping bag
• Food
• Tent

Smaller items (Scout Handbook, phones, wallets, etc.) can go in ziploc bags. I prefer freezer bags because they're a bit more sturdy.

Canoes tip over. Stuff goes in the water. You want the basic stuff kept dry.

Food: Everybody for himself. I'd like to encourage boys and fathers to cook together and I'd like the boys to lead the cooking.

Rank Advancement: Like all outings, this float trip will provide opportunities to work on rank advancement. Please read the following and come prepared to work on at least the items listed as required. Even if you've already had them signed off, I'd like you to do it again. The requirements of rank advancement represent life skills to build, not just items to check off and forget.

Required Items:

• Tenderfoot, 1: Present yourself to your leader, properly dressed, before going on an overnight camping trip. Show the camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it.
• Tenderfoot, 2: Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch.
• Tenderfoot, 3: On the campout, assist in preparing and cooking one of your patrol's meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together.
• 1st Cl, 9a: Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat. See the link below in Resources
  

Optional Items:

• 2nd Cl, 1A: Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Explain what map symbols mean.
• 2nd Cl, 6: Identify or show evidence of at least ten kinds of wild animals (birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, mollusks) found in your community.
• 1st Cl, 6: Identify or show evidence of at least ten kinds of native plants found in your community.

Some Resources:

• Safety Afloat - Review this! The boys will need to explain it and get it signed off. The adults need to know it, too. I'd like the adults to go here, create an account, and do the online training. Scroll down to Safety Afloat.
  
• REI Multi-day Canoe packing checklist - a suggested list of items to take along.
• Dry bags - Walmart claims to have these in store. Sportsman's Guide has these. Shipping is either 7 business days standard or 3 days if you pay extra. Also remember you can use garbage bags and ziploc bags.
  

A New Beginning

Recognizing the need for better communication in the advent of the Great August Appalachian Hike, I've begun this blog as a place to post information and to discuss the hike. I imagine we'll be able to discuss other things as well.

I've begun working on some refined lists of things to take. Roughly, I've categorized them as Clothes, Gear, Shelter, and Food.

We did our first shakedown hike/camp last weekend. We discovered some problems with footwear (expected). The only people who had trouble hauling their loads were among the younger ones who will not be able to come in August.

Some of the older ones figured out they should have split up their tent instead of taking turns carrying it.

It was colder than August will be, and again some of the younger ones had trouble with that. That lost me some sleep helping with them, of course. There was a miscommunication among the older ones about food, and they were afraid they’d starve, but they didn’t. All in all it was pretty successful for what it was.

More later.