Scouts registered for a campout are responsible to bringtheir food money ($15 unless stated otherwise) to the Monday Troop Meeting prior to the campout for menuplanning with their patrol.  Money isbrought in form of cash – NO CHECKS.

Scouts registered for a campout where additional money isdue – must provide payment to the lead advisor when requested.

Scouts may utilize money in their scout account.  To do so a scout must provide notification tothe troop treasurer or scoutmaster that they wish the food and/or activitymoney to be taken from their scout account – a minimum of 2 weeks prior to whenthe money is due.

Each patrol collects their own money and plans a food menufor the weekend.  The patrol is to worktogether to then plan for a shopping list of items and necessities in order tocarryout their menu for the weekend.

The assigned shopper will learn how to shop on a budget,manage money, be thrifty, etc.

Each scout is also responsible for understanding their ownrank requirement needs and work with the patrol leader when the duty roster isbeing developed – to make sure they are provided the opportunities they needfor advancement.

Required Equipment For Every Campout

Hiking Boots (leather sneakers are not boots).  Good boots are available at reasonable prices– just make sure they are waterproof. If you decide to wear sneakers instead ofboots – do not look for sympathy.  If youdecide to wear non-waterproof shoes of any sort – be prepared to have severalextra pairs – otherwise you will have wet and sore feet.  And again – do not look for sympathy.

Socks - Two (2) pairs Heavy Duty non-cotton Hiking Socks, andtwo (2) pairs of non-cotton Hiking Sock Liners.  These help prevent blisters.  Boots should be about ½ size larger than yournormal size to fit these socks comfortably. Make sure to get the socks first – then try to fit boots wearing thosesocks.  Sock liners are not absolutelynecessary – but good socks are a must. If you decide to wear the traditional cotton tube socks – be preparedfor wet feet and blisters.

Rain Gear: A rain suit to keep you dry. Rain pants and a rain jacket are an absolute must.  You can get real expensive gear on-line oryou can get really good waterproof gear at Wal-Mart.  We strongly suggest you pack your sleepingbag in some form of waterproof bag – garbage bags work well.  We also recommend you pack your clothing inbaggies that are water tight – helping to keep your clothing dry – not anabsolute must but it would be a good idea if you want to make  sure you keep dry. Troop 12 camps in the rainand adverse weather conditions – YOU MUST have rain gear at every campout.

Non-Cotton Clothing: Such as your olive-drab nylon Activity Pants.  Polar Fleece sweatshirts and nylon pants areavailable at low prices. Check the tags; look for silk, wool, or anysynthetic such as polar fleece, polyester, nylon, rayon, etc.  

Blue jeans, cotton hoody sweatshirts &cotton socks are a bad idea. If the weather is rainy (remember this is Troop 12we are talking about – it will always be raining) this type of gear gets wetand stays wet.  If you have properwaterproof boots, socks, pants and jacket – you can get away with jeans orcotton clothing if you are careful.  Ifyou bring this type of clothing – be prepared to get wet and be prepared withseveral changes of clothing.  Being wetis not only uncomfortable – under certain circumstances it could be lifethreatening.

Backpack.  For the experienced campers andolder scouts – a real camping internal or external frame backpack with a waiststrap, not a school book-bag.  For newscouts, pack your clothing in some form of waterproof or water resistant bag –a bag that your parents would not mind getting smelly, dirty, wet, etc.  No school backpacks are to be used.  Make sure your pack/bag is appropriatelysized for your frame and needs.

Sleeping Bag.  If you have an old indoorsleeping bag – it must stay at home.  You must bring a sleeping bag rated for theoutdoors and rated for a minimum of 20^o.  Every bag will have information on what itsrating is – make sure to check this.  Werecommend non-down materials for new and beginner scouts – they retain theirthermal properties if they get wet. Experienced scouts may want down filled bags – but they will not retainthermal properties if they get wet. Troop 12 camps year round – get a bag that is best suited for year roundusage.  A sleeping bag liner is also agood idea to add additional warmth on cold nights.  Make sure to know the temperatureexpectations of the trip to know what type of bag to bring.  If the weather is to be cold and a low of 10degrees, a 20-degree bag with a liner or other blanket may suffice.  Bringing a 40 degree bag for a 0 degreetemperature outing – you will be in serious danger – in fact the leadershipwill send you home before you start your adventure.

Sleeping Pad.  Pad is the exact article inneed – no blow up sleeping beds are allowed. Any form of individual pad is fine – as long as it is the size of asingle person’s width.  When we sleep 3-4in a tent, oversized pads will lead to very uncomfortable conditions.  

Clothing.  Make sure to pack clothing thatis suited for the weather conditions of the campout.  That means – you must be aware of the weatherconditions for where we are going when you pack.  DO NOT – DO NOT – DO NOT – allow your parentsto pack your clothing for you.  Thisis your responsibility.  Go on line tothe weather channel (www.weather.com) tocheck the weather conditions.  Packenough changes of clothing that if you have some form of accident you will havespare clothing to change into.  It isrecommended you have a minimum of 3 complete changes of clothing.  If you wish to wear the same clothes allweekend long – by all means go ahead but be prepared to be strapped to the roofof the car you are riding home on – Peppy Le Pew.  REMINDER – just because thetemperature report is warm – the nights may be cool and require warmerclothing.  Be prepared – I am sure youhave heard that somewhere before!

Personal Items.  Toothbrush, toothpaste, campsoap, washcloth, drying cloth, powder, and deodorant – are the basics.  It is the responsibility of each scout to tendto their own hygiene on a camping trip. At minimum we expect scouts to brush and stay clean.  Powder is an absolute must if you have atendency to chaff – Gold Bond is the best. Depending on the nature of the campout – scouts may be requested to notbring along certain types of articles or to keep them outside of their tent ina bear bag or the troop trailer.  WARNING– NO SCOUT is allowed to have personal items in aerosolcontainers.  All aerosol containers willbe confiscated immediately.

Mess Kit.  Plate, bowl, cup, spoon, fork.Each scout MUST – MUST - MUST bring their own eating utensils to acampout.  Failure to do so will result inusing your fingers or bartering with others for a loan.  Complete mess kits and utensil sets can befound at Wal-Mart or any sports store at very reasonable prices.  Scouts asking the leaders for extra utensilsare required to wash and dry the leader’s dishes for that meal.

Hat.  Brimmed hat. Every scout should bring along a brimmed hat – like a baseball cap.  This will provide shade in warm condition andwarmth in wet or cold conditions.

Flashlight.  If you do not bring along aflashlight – you will be stumbling around in the dark and will most likely hurtyourself.  A flashlight of some sort isan absolute must.  The best type of lightyou can get is a headlamp.  They are nomore expensive than normal flashlights and they use less power and are moreversatile.  You will thank whoever getsyou a headlamp the first time you arrive at camp, in the dark, in the rain, inthe cold and have to pitch a tent using both hands.

Liquids Bottle.  Nalgene – Nalgene – Nalgene!Troop 12 is very active on campouts and will go for hikes or visits on everycampout.  You must remain hydrated at alltimes so a bottle for liquids is a must.  We recommend you have two – one for water andone for anything else (called a smellable). Nalgene bottles are rather inexpensive and are almost indestructible.

Boy Scout Handbook.  You should always have yourhandbook on a campout.  It is the scout’sresponsibility to approach an ASM or Scoutmaster for requirement signoffs.  Do so on the campouts – that is the besttime.  Hint: pack your handbook inzip-lock bag or something that is waterproof.

Pillow.  Something that you can use as apillow.  If you want to bring a pillowand you have room to pack one go ahead – camp pillows are also lightweight andcompact.  For more experienced campers,use your sleeping bag sack and stuff clothing inside.  I have seen people use their raingear aspillows.

Optional Gear For Every Campout

Knife.  It is strongly recommended that every scoutcarry a pocketknife.  HOWEVER –those scouts who do not have an active Tote-N-Chit card are not allowed tocarry a knife.  Knives must be folding,locking and may not exceed 4-inches.  Scoutscarrying a knife must be able to display proof of their Tote-N-Chit cardwhenever asked by a leader.

DayPack: Dependingon the campout you may wish to bring a hiking daypack.  If the campout requires a hike where you needto take along your water, day supplies and lunch, you need something to carryit in.

Chair.  Seats are not supplied on campouts.  If you wish a seat of your own you must bringone. If you do not bring one – the ground, a stump, or some other form ofnature has become your only chair for the campout.  You are not allowed to use another scoutschair unless you have express verbal permission from the scout.

Whistle.  A piece of equipment that is essential whenattending a backpacking trip or campout. A good whistle is lightweight and in the case of an emergency could helpsave your life.

FirstAid Kit.  Troop 12 standard campouts – there is alwaysa first aid kit in the trailer.  It is agood idea that each scout carries their own first aid kit – just in case.  It is an absolute necessity when attending abackpacking trip or campout.

ToiletPaper.  Troop 12 normally provides toilet paper orcamps at group sites where paper is easily accessible.  Depending on the circumstances you may notwish to leave this to chance.  It isessential when attending a backpacking trip or campout that you know a supplyof toilet paper is at hand.  Small camproles are cheap and lightweight.

Compass.  It is always a good idea tohave a compass at every campout.  It isessential when attending a backpacking trip or campout.

Bandana.  A bandana is a tool that hasnumerous uses.  Every backpack shouldhave at least one.  Example, during awintertime hike a bandana came in very handy. A scout was carrying a water bottle strap around his neck (never do thisplease).  The strap became caught on atree branch and caused a very very nasty rope burn on the back of the scout’sneck.  One leader in the troop alwayscarries a bandana.  He pulled the bandanaout, dunked it in a cold stream nearby, and applied the bandana to the scout’sneck – repeated several times. Relieved the burn and helped the pain rightaway.

Bug Spray.  Depending on the campingsituation, not having bug spray may result in being eaten alive.  Be prepared and have spray.  WARNING – scouts are NOTallowed to carry aerosol sprays.  Bottlesmust be pump spray only!  Aerosol canswill be confiscated immediately.

Sunscreen.  Depending on the campingsituation, sunscreen is a necessity.  Hotsummer days or bright sunny winter days with snow-covered ground – sunscreen isa real good idea.

Paper / Pencil / Pen.  Many timesscouts will need to write down instructions, notes, etc.  It is a good idea to have paper and some formif writing instrument handy.  For SummerCamp – it is an absolute MUST HAVE.

Required Gear For Winter or Cold Weather Camping

100% Polypropylene Long Underwear: If you own it, you must bring it.  If you do not own it – get it and then bringit.  Buy poly-pro a couple ofsizes LARGER than your normal size. Pack your underwear in a manner such that it will not get wet or soiledby your other gear.  This will make youmore comfortable and may even help save your life one day.

Gloves.  In cold weather it is mandatoryto have gloves.  Two pair are recommendedwhere one must be waterproof.  Mittenswhere the top pulls back to expose the ends of your fingers are very handy.

Insulated Boots.  Depending on the temperatureand snow conditions, insulated boots will be a mandatory part of yourgear.  Snowbound, for example, where thetemperatures can be in the single digits and snow a few inches thick –insulated boots are an absolute must.

Hand Warmers.  In cold conditions, hand/footwarmers can be a great means to help keep warm. They are not very expensive and can be used in coat packets, boots,sleeping bags, etc.

Cap.  Winter caps are an absolute must when thetemperatures are cold.  The fastest wayto lose body heat is through the head. Wearing a cap will keep you warm. You may also want to keep a separate cap just for sleeping at night.

Coat.  Have a coat appropriate for the weather.  If it is winter – make sure a good winterwaterproof coat is worn.  If raining andwarm – make sure a good breathable waterproof jacket is worn.  Do not skimp on outer gear – it is one of themost used pieces of gear you can own.

Snow Pants.  For winter camping, snow pantsare a great idea.  They will providewarmth and keep you dry.  Often time wehave seen scouts come to Snowbound in cotton sweatpants.  These same scouts are the first to get wet& cold, have a miserable time and most likely become extremely sick – thistype of clothing in such conditions can lead to hypothermia and death.

WARNING:  depending on the weatherconditions and circumstances surrounding cold weather campouts – scouts willnot be allowed to attend unless they have all the appropriate equipment asoutlined in the Troop 12 equipment policy.

You may own some camping orbackpacking gear already, and you will be allowed to use it, however, mostequipment requires practice and instruction in proper use in order to assuresafety and effectiveness.  Check Chapter8 of the Boy Scout Handbook for other optional items.  Remember, you have to carry what you bring!