Basic Scout Packing List

The following is a basic personal packing list for 2-night Troop camps. This list should be treated as a guide - what you pack changes by the season, the weather, and length of stay. For example in the cold weather, you will want a good sleeping bag, a hat for sleeping, and snow-boots. See the list of "Winter Additions" below. On the other hand, for a 7-day jamboree in the summer, take shorts & sunscreen, and leave the parka at home!

Pack your gear in a backpack (preferred) or duffel bag. Suitcases and garbage-bag packing are not permitted.

Scouts should pack their own bags.

Sleeping Gear

• Warm sleeping bag and pillow
• Air mattress/foamy/Insolite pad (self-inflating, no foot or powered pumps)
• Campfire blanket (optional)
• Sleeping hat (touque/knit cap), sleeping socks

Clothing

• Uniform (shirt and necker/scarf) - worn to and from camp
• 2 extra pairs of pants (avoid jeans and cotton sweatpants as they soak up the water)
• 3-4 pairs of socks
• 2 pairs of underwear
• Pajamas or sweatshirt/sweatpants for sleeping - NOT day clothes
• 2 Shirts
• 1 warm fleece shirt or sweater
• Warm jacket
• Waterproof raincoat or poncho
• Waterproof pants, if available
• Hat
• Waterproof boots, hiking boots, (sneakers if wearing boots to camp)
• Swimsuit & towel if there is a beach/pool

Personal Items

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Towel and facecloth
• Soap in a ziploc bag
• Packet of tissues
• Sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer

Eating Equipment

• Dish, Bowl, Cup/Mug, Knife, Fork, Spoon in a mesh bag (no metal dishes, hot food makes hot dish very difficult to carry). The mesh bag is great because it keeps everything together and allows it to hang to dry. These are available at the Scout Shop, MEC, Canadian Tire or Army and Navy.

Misc

• Headlamp or Flashlight with extra batteries
• Camp Chair (optional)
• Plastic bag for dirty/wet clothes
• Glasses case if youth wears glasses
• Campfire Ashes (if collected from previous camps)
• Sunglasses (especially for winter camps)
• Daypack for hikes
• Water bottle
• Medications

Winter Additions

The above list is a good start for a standing winter camp. The key things with winter camping are to stay dry and warm. Dress for the weather expected for the camp location – check the forecast ahead of time.

• Additional blankets or sleeping bags. You can put one bag inside another, or lay one underneath you for additional insulation. Your campfire blanket is great for this.
• The sleeping mat is a must; you will be freezing without one. You can add an inexpensive foam pad underneath your regular mattress for additional insulation.
• Extra socks. Feet get wet while winter camping; change your socks often.
• Extra gloves
• Base layers (long johns)
• Warm layers (fleece is great as it doesn't soak up water; wool is also great; cotton is the worst, it turns into a sponge; absolutely no jeans)
• A complete set of clothes for sleeping. It is important to fully change your clothes before going to bed; sweaty clothes worn during the day will cool off at night and wick heat from your body.
• A second toque for sleeping.
• Warm pants (ski/snowboard pants are great).
• A pair of indoor shoes or slippers for the cabin.
• Appropriate winter footwear (snow boots are the best. Rainboots with warm socks (and lots of extras) are acceptable. Leave the runners at home or bring them as cabin shoes only.

Notes

• Gear to be brought in a pack or duffle bag – no garbage bags
• Youth must be able to carry all their own gear
• No pocket knives unless approved by a Scouter
• No food in tents