Cub Scout Camping - What Are Must Haves?

[summerrluvv]

DS has family camping weekend Memorial Day weekend, so I'd like to start picking up camping stuff little by little. I know Target had their stuff on clearance and of course I missed out on most of it (other than a sleeping bag). What are some must haves for tent camping besides a sleeping bag and tent?

 

[merrily]

Flashlight and an air mattress!

 

[aprilgail2]

Last time camping with the girl scouts I brought the aerobed!

 

[tar heel]

Check with his pack before you buy anything other than a sleeping bag. A lot of packs/troops have their own tents. Some use mess kits, while others use paper plates. If you buy a mess kit, hit the camping section at Target or Walmart instead of the BSA store and you'll save lots of $.

Does he need to be able to carry everything he takes? That will make a difference in what you buy.

 

[summerrluvv]

Check with his pack before you buy anything other than a sleeping bag. A lot of packs/troops have their own tents. Some use mess kits, while others use paper plates. If you buy a mess kit, hit the camping section at Target or Walmart instead of the BSA store and you'll save lots of $.

Does he need to be able to carry everything he takes? That will make a difference in what you buy.

Well, I checked the camping place website and the tents are available to use for $20 so we will probably do that. It says we must bring our own food and supplies though. It's family camping so I'm sure I'll be carrying it all

 

[Pam]

A flashlight, rainsuit or rain poncho, water bottle, daypack if you're taking a hike, first aid kit (portable size in the pack will work), if he's earned his Whittlin' Chip card he can carry a knife. Some form of bug repellant, disposable camera so he can take lots of shots.

I would skip the air mattress, this is Scouts and camping and I'm guessing that since it's Cub Scouts, it won't be too strenous of a campout. As the Mom of an Eagle Scout who has been to Philmont, trust me, sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag isn't that bad. (And yes, I do camp and I do sleep on the ground without an air mattress.) One of those little travel size pillows works great if your son doesn't want to use his clean clothes to rest his head on.

The suggestion of mess kits and silverware sets from Walmart is a good one. I can't think of the name right now - but those long metal sticks with wooden handles are great for cooking hot dogs and marshmallows. They are fairly inexpensive and you can get them at Walmart.

Also - you might want to check with the Den Leader or Cubmaster to see if you need a lantern.

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

If he plans to you might want to invest in a better sleeping bag, lightweight and down to 0* so that he can use it longer. We ended up buying several bags until we bought the right one (for cold and light weight). ANother suggestion is a hydration pack. We have the one with a mini backpack attached. We can carry lunch, snacks, etc. as well as water. It has been well worth the money. Another suggestion is a headlamp. Makes for "handsfree" bathroom trips. (speaks for itself). Our troop uses mess kits and plastic silverware. Hope this helps!!

 

[JCJRSmith]

Cub Scouts. If one is going Cub Scout Camping one needs Cub Scouts, or it just isn't the same.

 

[tkd lisa]

I agree with no air matress. Our pack had a policy against them. I would say that you need a sleeping pad, just not an air matress. You lose a lot of your body heat if you don't have something under you.

And frankly, the Wal Mart mess kits are a pet peeve of mine. I finally ended up dumping all the ones we had, and making my own mess kits out of tupperware. Those mess kits were alway bending, and the wing nut would get lost so it just wasn't worth it! I personally strongly encourage a drip bag (that's a requirement in Girl Scouts). Once you wash up the dishes, you hang them to dry in the drip bag.

I'd also encourage the shakable flashlights they have now. I can't tell you the number of scouts who left their flashlights on all night, and their batteries were dead in the morning. As a leader, I always took glow sticks and kept one in the port a potty each night, and offered one up for each tent.

Happy camping!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

From experience - Tylenol and some ear plugs for night!

 

[Servants of Evan]

I'm more of the portable generator, plasma screen and playstation type dad. For me, roughing it means a Holiday Inn or, heaven forbid, an unheated pool.

 

[grlpwrd]

If he plans to you might want to invest in a better sleeping bag, lightweight and down to 0* so that he can use it longer. We ended up buying several bags until we bought the right one (for cold and light weight). ANother suggestion is a hydration pack. We have the one with a mini backpack attached. We can carry lunch, snacks, etc. as well as water. It has been well worth the money. Another suggestion is a headlamp. Makes for "handsfree" bathroom trips. (speaks for itself). Our troop uses mess kits and plastic silverware. Hope this helps!!

Our multi-age level Girl Scout troop shares a meeting space with Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops. I agree with getting a sleeping bag that is rated for all kinds of weather.

In the storage room we share I have noticed they have a supply of headlamp-style flashlights with extra batteries, canteens and some hydration packs, compasses and whistles, and ground cloths.

I'm sure they will give you a list of camping supplies you need, of course. I would definitely look for some ditty bags for your son to keep his belongings/dirty clothes/etc organized and a stuff sack to pack his sleeping bag.

HTH

 

[Pam]

ground cloths.

That's an excellent suggestion. You can pick up a plastic tarp at Walmart in the camping section. You definitely want to spread a tarp down before erecting the tent. If it rains, that tarp will be worth every penny you paid for it! (They are usually ten dollars or less.)

 

[dbarker]

If I remember right, I think there is a list in one of the books (maybe Webelo).

 

[disneyfanintn]

Folding Chairs are nice to use around the camp fire at night.

My husband is the Cubmaster of our Pack and most campouts we have been on have been at places you could pull your car up and unload your stuff then move your car to another parking area.

One last thing you might want to consider bringing - toilet paper!! The port a potties always seem to run out.

 

[summerrluvv]

I'm more of the portable generator, plasma screen and playstation type dad. For me, roughing it means a Holiday Inn or, heaven forbid, an unheated pool.

I'm re-thinking the whole camping thing. I'm going to see if his dad will take him. I can't imagine using the porta potty all weekend and where the heck do I shower and flat iron my hair? LOL.

Thanks for all the replies, hopefully his dad will find them useful