Camping Gear & Packing Lists

Having the right gear with you on a trip is essential to a fun and successful experience. You also should consider how much gear you are bringing and whether it is necessary for your planned activities. Depending on the type of campout or activity, you may need a small, compact stove but at a campsite at a State Park or Scout Reservation you may need a large camp stove for Patrol cooking.

Packing the appropriate gear is important for all adventurers and the lists provided below will help you decide what to bring and maybe what not to bring. If you have any questions, you can always ask your Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster for advice.

Basic Camping/Backpacking or Hiking Campout

Basic Camping Gear List

Backpacking List-Harry Lane

Summer Camp

BSA Medical Form (Part A, B, C, copy of insurance card)
Outdoor Parental Release Form (signed by Parent/Guardian)
Supplemental Medical Form (signed by Parent/Guardian)
Hand Sanitizer (one 2-3 oz. bottle to carry with you at all times) [can be refilled as needed from Troop’s supply]
Complete Class A Scout uniform (leave neckerchief and slide at home to prevent loss)
T-shirts (6-8 total)
Shorts (3-4 pair) and long pants (1 pair)
Swim trunks (if participating in Aquatics)
Beach towel (if participating in Aquatics)
Underwear (bring extra…8-10 pairs suggested…do not want to wear wet underwear)
Socks (bring extra…8-10 pairs suggested…do not want to walk around in wet socks)
Hat (if desired)
Sweater or light jacket
Comfortable closed-toe athletic shoes or hiking boots (two pair in case one pair gets wet)
Shower shoes (flip-flops or crocs… not allowed to wear flip-flops & crocs outside of campsite to activities)
Poncho or rain jacket
Notebook and pencil or pen
Scout Handbook
Merit badge pamphlets (checkout from the Librarian at Troop Meeting)
Watch (especially important to be on time for activities)
Washcloth
Bath towel
Toiletry items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. No glass bottles)
Flashlight with new batteries
Sleeping bag or sheet & blanket
Pocketknife
Footlocker or suitcase or duffel bag (footlocker preferred)
Combination lock for footlocker (give copy of combination or spare key to ASM)
Laundry bag
Sunscreen
Water bottle and/or water bladder
Day pack or knapsack
Folding chair or stool (optional but highly recommended to allow for social distancing in classes)
Pillow (optional)
Battery powered fan (optional)
Prescription and OTC medications (in original bottles placed in a plastic zip-lock bag with your name written on it to turn into Scoutmaster on Sunday morning. Parents attending may keep their son’s meds.)
Closed toe footwear for boating (if signed up for a boating merit badge class)
Cotton jeans - long pants (if signed up for metalwork merit badge class)
Extra items as required for some Merit Badges (i.e. camping merit badge)