gift ideas for a camper

[drcmk]

My fourteen year old nephew is a Boy Scout and loves to camp. He's been camping many times so he has the basics. I'd like to get him a camping-related gift that is more of a camping luxury, if you can imagine those two words going together. I am not a camper but I know lots of budget board readers are. What can you suggest that a teenage boy who loves to camp might be wishing he could have, but probably doesn't own?

TIA

 

[Tink415]

I love my Coleman pack-away camp kitchen. Its small but I consider it a camping luxury

 

[gandycat]

How about a wind up flashlight?

L.L. Bean has lots of fun camping/outdoor gadgets that aren't too expensive.

 

[marthachick]

DS is an Eagle Scout & he has 2 camp stoves, but he saw a new Jet Boil "cooking system" that he was drooling over a week or so ago. They are NOT cheap and would definitely be a luxury!

http://www.jetboil.com/products/cookingsystemsNEW

 

[Sadie22]

One son was in a troop that cooked over wood fires. Another was in a troop that cooked over propane. Both troops supplied all equipment except for mess kits (individual eating utensils, plate, cup, etc.). That being said, what kind of sleeping bag does he use? What kind of back pack? Those may be ready for upgrade but are expensive. Both would require taking the young man to the store and working with a professional to make sure he is fit properly. Does the troop hike to camp sites? Is High Adventure camping on the horizon (Maine, Philmont, et al.)? Some troops may have rules on what is allowed, so you would do best to talk to the Scoutmaster or Quartermaster advisor.

 

[DISdreamin']

If it were me, I'd TOTALLY go with an REI or EMS or CAMPMOR (you get the idea) gift certificate and let him choose what he wants, rather than trying to guess. I know this is totally tacky, but in this sitch it might be the solution.

 

[tommya60]

If he is getting taller, a new TALL sleeping bag might be useful. I didn't know they even made such a thing, but it has made a huge difference in my DH's camping and now for my DD. I bought it at Target (I think it's by Eddie Bauer or Coleman).

 

[Earstou]

My guys just left to going camping, so I can't ask them right now!!

What price range are you looking at?

Also, is your nephew interested in backpacking?

My ds wanted his own tent (troop has always supplied tents) for his 15th bday. We've also gotten him a mummy bag for cold-weather camping. Both were pricy.
Another thing he wanted that was less expensive was the paperback Lipsmackin' Backpackin': Lightweight Trail-tested Recipes for Backcountry Trips.
I'll ask my ds for his ideas when he comes back.

 

[mommytoe]

My fourteen year old nephew is a Boy Scout and loves to camp. He's been camping many times so he has the basics. I'd like to get him a camping-related gift that is more of a camping luxury, if you can imagine those two words going together. I am not a camper but I know lots of budget board readers are. What can you suggest that a teenage boy who loves to camp might be wishing he could have, but probably doesn't own?

TIA

My dh suggested a self inflation sleeping mat (not a mattress) or a hiking gps. My Eagle scout suggested a good swiss army knife or leather man.

 

[Sadie22]

My Eagles say no inflatable mattresses except in warm weather.

 

[3boymthr]

Things my DS has that were "add-ons" or upgrades to his essential gear list:

His "Z rest" sleeping pad. Kind of like a self inflating sleeping mat only better because it's very compact and it doesn't matter if it gets wet or a hole in it. The Scoutmaster says this is the best thing to have and all the other scouts are envious.

His mini sleeping pillow. It's plaid flannel and about the size of a HS math book.

As a luxury item - an ultra light sleeping bag (think under 3 lbs - under 2lbs if you can afford it). Very expensive but really really worth it - every lb they can shave off their pack is a big deal.

A really nice LED ultra compact lightweight headlamp.

A 3 or 4 man tent. We got DS an inexpensive Coleman ($80) at Target cause they get beat up, but the kids all want to bring their own tent cause the one's the troop own all leak. If you want to go luxury think REI or Northface as they are much better quality but about 4 times the price.

A Backpack water system. Camelback or similar. One with the ability to also hold his lunch for day trips.

If he's a heavy sleeper - A travel alarm clock.

 

[pmickus]

A fire piston to create fire.

http://www.fire-pistons.com/

Or from LL Bean

Digital Compass - http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/5722...4=504265&shop_method=pp&feat=504265-sub2&np=Y

From REI:

GPS Backtrack System

http://www.rei.com/product/783567

Pocket Scope

http://www.rei.com/product/786387

 

[englishteacha]

Bring him to Maine to the LL Bean store. He'll be in heaven! There's an outlet store, too, with overstocks and returns.

I second a quality sleeping pad. A thermarest, perhaps? My DH has an LL Bean ultralightweight sleeping bag he loves. It was a yard sale find and normally costs $100+. A very nice gift if you can swing it or find one gently used for a bargain.

 

[Evi]

I second the thin inflatable mattress pads I have one and I did an overnight with a bunch of teens and they were all drooling over it. So I'm sure its something he would love they also work great as a floating lounger lol.

 

[buzz5985]

DS is an Eagle Scout & he has 2 camp stoves, but he saw a new Jet Boil "cooking system" that he was drooling over a week or so ago. They are NOT cheap and would definitely be a luxury!

http://www.jetboil.com/products/cookingsystemsNEW

My DS received a JetBoil for Christmas. He also received a leatherman - that was also a big hit. Now no need to borrow Mom's that I use in the garden.

I saw someone mention the site Campmor - love them. Very quick shipping.

 

[donac]

As the mother of 2 Eagle Scouts and the wife of a guy who was Scoutmaster and loves camping and gagets I know a thing or two about equipment.

I am impressed that everything I was going to say was already said. we always get dh gc to REI, EMS or Campmore (we live near the store so we sometimes get to do a trek there) This way he can pick.

DH and ds2 loved the ultraweight sleeping bag.

I agree with maybe a new backpack. He probably has grown since he got his first one and I think each of the boys got new ones around this age.

Good luck

 

[RetroMom]

All of the ideas that you have been given are awesome! May I also suggest something non-tangible? Find out if the troop is planning any High Adventure camping opportunities that you think he might want to be involved in. The cost is much less through Scouting than other trips, but it can still be pricey. My oldest son participated in a trip to the Northern Tier High Adventure camp in Canada. He LOVED it! It took all of my family contributing and my son working odd jobs here and there to raise the funds. Maybe a contribution to a fund for that?

 

[donac]

All of the ideas that you have been given are awesome! May I also suggest something non-tangible? Find out if the troop is planning any High Adventure camping opportunities that you think he might want to be involved in. The cost is much less through Scouting than other trips, but it can still be pricey. My oldest son participated in a trip to the Northern Tier High Adventure camp in Canada. He LOVED it! It took all of my family contributing and my son working odd jobs here and there to raise the funds. Maybe a contribution to a fund for that?

That is also a great idea. Dh and ds1 went to Sea Base in the Florida Keys where they can go scuba diving and work on a boat. Dh and ds2 went to Philmont where they spent 10 days hiking in New Mexico. Then there is the Jamboree in Va this summer and in West Virginia in 2013. The trips are great but they do get a bit pricey.

 

[kmccain]

Things my DS has that were "add-ons" or upgrades to his essential gear list:

His "Z rest" sleeping pad. Kind of like a self inflating sleeping mat only better because it's very compact and it doesn't matter if it gets wet or a hole in it. The Scoutmaster says this is the best thing to have and all the other scouts are envious.

His mini sleeping pillow. It's plaid flannel and about the size of a HS math book.

As a luxury item - an ultra light sleeping bag (think under 3 lbs - under 2lbs if you can afford it). Very expensive but really really worth it - every lb they can shave off their pack is a big deal.

A really nice LED ultra compact lightweight headlamp.

A 3 or 4 man tent. We got DS an inexpensive Coleman ($80) at Target cause they get beat up, but the kids all want to bring their own tent cause the one's the troop own all leak. If you want to go luxury think REI or Northface as they are much better quality but about 4 times the price.

A Backpack water system. Camelback or similar. One with the ability to also hold his lunch for day trips.

If he's a heavy sleeper - A travel alarm clock.

DS is an Eagle Scout too. These are great ideas!

Be careful with the knife if he doesn't have a widdling chip he can't carry a knife.

The leathermen is a good idea.

Backpack are useful but expensive. Our kids needed one big enough to put their weeks worth of camp stuff in.

My son has a set of pots and pans that came in handy. I got him a boy scout set that nests at a yard sale.

He used his little shovel a lot for camp fiires and other things they do in the woods.

He had a little seat that folded up that he always took with him in his back pack.

http://scoutstuff.org./bsasupply/

Good Luck!

 

[Earstou]

Dh had backpacking suggestions. He says to try to go as light as possible with supplies.

Backpacking stove
We have a pocket rocket stove, love that name!! He's only used it a few times, so don't know which is the best one.
http://www.rei.com/product/660163

Water filter system

Dishes
my guys use a Polypropylene bowl, cup and spork (no plate). Like these:
http://www.rei.com/product/784672
http://www.rei.com/product/784667
http://www.rei.com/product/784705
They have had their eyes on the folding dishes that lay flat, like this set: http://www.rei.com/product/784601