Gearing Up

The Scouting experience is built objectives, referred to as the “Aims of Scouting.” They are character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. These are not taught in a classroom, but in an outdoor program. It is in the outdoor setting that Scouts share responsibilities and learn to live with one another. It is here that the skills and activities practiced at troop meetings come alive with purpose. The outdoors is the laboratory for Scouts to learn ecology and practice conservation of nature’s resources.

To equip a Scout for the outdoors will take some investment, but it is one that will, for some of the durable items, will last for years to come.

Here we will try to record and impart some learned lessons regarding outdoor gear that Scouts will need at some point during their Scouting adventure.

In the beginning, a Scout should be more concerned with their clothing and cabin or "tail-gate" camping, then later on to trail camping.

What to get first?

  1. Clothing that suits the campout conditions should always be the first concern. This also includes footwear and rain gear.

  2. Equipment for cabin or tail-gate camping (that is camping that does not require a backpack or personal cooking). Here you want a sleeping bag and a mess kit (plate, bowl, cutlery), and flashlight.

  3. Equipment for trail-camping. Here you'll need a backpack and a personal stove. Before getting these, you may wait to purchase if you can borrow at least in the beginning.

Check some of the more detailed sections below or the related articles. We also have some links for online and nearby stores that you may do some research, Stores and Other Resources.

Clothing

Whether summer or winter camping, as Scout should consider the weather, they will be subject to. Wear a base layer that "wicks" moisture from the skin. From there, it becomes a factor of layers. Any Scouting trip will involve activities generating heat from within. It is easier to shed a layer or two rather than removing a thick winter coat. A thick coat may suit watching an outdoor sports event, but after the start of a brisk hike it could be overwhelming.

Mess Kit

A mess kit is a Scouts' personal plate, bowl, cup, and cutlery. On campouts where patrol cooking is used, a Scout will bring their own mess kit. The depicted here is a 6 piece set from UCO.

Things to consider:

  • Get plastic (metal is good for cooking but plastic is better for eating from, is lighter weight)

  • Some mess kits come with a netted bag which can be useful for drying after cleaning.

Coming Soon

  • Sleeping bags