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This is not an exhaustive "cover everything" list for all occasions and a
specific list will be issued for each trip or event, but it will give advance
warning as to what may be wanted, hence the splitting into essential, desirable
etc.
Essential items:
 | Sleeping bag, 2 or 3 season. |
| Foam sleeping mat. |
| Strong boots or shoes (old DMs would do), but ideally
something with ankle support, and a bit of tread. |
| Thick socks, at least 2 pairs, to wear with previous
item. |
| Waterproof cagoule-type coat |
| Plastic mug/plate/bowl |
| Knife/fork/spoon - "clip-together" sets are best,
marked with paint(s) to distinguish them apart. |
| Fleece or similar type coat. "Puffa" type jackets tend
to be too warm when walking, and bulky to carry when not being worn. The
secret of keeping a constant comfortable body temperature is multiple thin
layers which can added/removed as required, such as T-shirts,
sweat-shirts, fleeces, etc. |
| Strong trousers - cord, track suit bottoms, or
cotton/polyester combat-type, but NOT JEANS OR SHELLSUITS. Wet jeans drain
body heat at a horrendous rate, are very uncomfortable, and are also difficult
to dry in camp conditions. There are frequently sources of flame at camp (open
fires, gas stoves, etc) and some shellsuits have almost instantaneous ignition
on contact with flame, as well as melting onto the wearer! |
| Some form of warm headgear - woolly hat, fleece hat,
etc |
| Good quality torch, and spare battery. Headtorches are
ideal and make good birthday/Xmas presents. |
| Small day rucksack. |
| Whistle |
| First-Aid kit. Scouts will be taught how to make up
their own personal kits. |
| 1 litre water bottle - a Sigg aluminium bottle is the
Rolls Royce end of the market, but a washed-out plastic lemonade bottle also
does the job. |
Desirable items:
| Waterproof overtrousers |
| 40-60 litre rucksack, ideally with adjustable back
frame. This is something where good quality is worthwhile, as cheaper versions
tend to fall apart at the stitching. |
| A good penknife - Victorinox Swiss Army is the ideal,
or one of the Leatherman variety, but DON'T BUY the Chinese copies as the
steel in the blades is rubbish and won't stay sharp! Get one that can be
attached to a belt with a lanyard or spare coloured bootlace. (Hint -
Birthday/Christmas present.........) |
| Silva compass - the type with a small magnifier lens
built in is ideal. |
| Compressor stuff-sack for sleeping bag, reduces the
bulk considerably for carrying, and keeps it clean. |
Nice to have but not too important:
| Unbreakable Thermos Flask |
| Gaiters |
| Thermorest type sleeping mat instead of foam. |
| Thermal underwear for winter use. Grandad's long-johns
at a push, but modern "wicking" materials are better, and in desperation a
pair of mums/sisters tights. We cannot guarantee confidentiality for any Scout
trying this last suggestion, but they can be very warm (so we're told). |
| Camera - not too expensive. |
Not worth bothering with:
| Pocket GPS systems - we teach basic navigation with map
and compass, as these don't suffer from flat batteries, electronic faults, or
lack of satellite availability! |
| Radio/Tape/CD players and mini-TV's - Camp sites don't
have mains electricity so battery supply can become expensive, and hopefully
there are much more interesting things to do at camp. |
Some items of camp equipment are available for loan,
please ask the Scout leaders.
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