Gear for Camping and Camping Conditions

Warm-Weather:

Short-sleeved shirt
T-shirt
Hiking shorts
Long pants
Sweater or warm jacket
Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
Socks
Hat with a brim for shade
Bandanna
Rain gear

Cold-Weather:

Long-sleeved shirt
Long pants
Sweater
Long underwear
Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
Socks
Insulated parka or coat with hood
Warm hat
Mittens
Rain gear

# 5b- Footwear for Camping

Almost any durable shoes will do for a frontcountry camping trip. When your plans include walking to a backcountry campsite with all your food and gear in your pack, hiking boots can give your feet and ankles protection and support. Also, you might want to carry a pair of running shoes or other comfortable, light-weight shoes to wear around camp. Any shoes or boots you use for camping must fit well- your heels shouldn’t slip much when you walk, and toes shouldn’t be cramped.

Req. # 6a- Tarp, A-frame, Dome, Wall Tent
Tarp is simplest of all tents, can be a lean-to, pyramid, or a pup tent- it is lightweight and versatile, but has no floor, and offers little protection against insects.
A-frame shaped like an A, typically equipped with mosquito netting, a rain fly, and a waterproof floor.
Domes are typically spacious with lots of headroom- has plenty of stability, even in strong winds, often they are freestanding, requiring no tent stakes
Wall tents are for long-term outings, large enough for several scouts, typically made of canvas, a polyester-cotton blend, or nylon; side walls can open for ventilation; very heavy to carry

Req. # 6b- Sanitation- getting rid of human waste outdoors requires special care; in campgrounds that have rest rooms or outhouses, you want to use them; where they don’t exist, dig a cathole or use a latrine. Always wash your hands with soap and water when you are done. You can boil water for a minute, use purification tablets, or use filters.

Req. # 6c- External frame packs include hip belts to transfer part of the pack weight off the shoulders and onto the hips and legs. Internal frame packs also have hip belts, but instead of a large frame on the outside, they have frames on the inside. With these, you can also use adjustment straps to shift the way a load rides on the shoulders, hips, and back. Internal frames are better for skiing, climbing, and traveling cross-country, and also fit more easily in canoes than do external frame packs.

Req. # 6d- Proper care for a sleeping bag is to hang it up in a closet between camping trips, so that the insulation doesn’t get too compressed. On clear summer nights, a ground bed made up with a blanket or two may provide all the warmth you need. The layering principles that apply to clothing can be used to adjust the warmth of a sleeping bag. You should pick a sleeping bag that has an appropriate temperature rating for the type of camping you’ll be doing, and at what time of the year it is.