What Do Scouts Bring Camping?

The first camping trip with a new troop can be a little overwhelming to some scouts and many parents. What do scouts need to pack? What gear do families need to supply? How does it all work? Our goal is to have this page answer those questions as it is written by a parent (who happens to have been a Scoutmaster) for our parents. As always with this website, if there is information you would have found helpful while starting with this troop, please let us know and we can update our website. 

What paperwork does my scout need?

A BSA application completed.  This can be done online or a hard copy can be found at the bottom of New Parent's Corner or in the Forms page.

Parts A, B1 & B2 of the medical form. This can be found on the Forms page.

RSVP through Trooptrack. The event can be found once you sign in. Go to "Plan"=>"Calendar". Click on the event. Make sure to checkout. 

Plastic bag with any medication your scout needs to take. Medicine name, amount and when should be listed on a piece of paper in the bag. Original bottles are preferred but only with enough meds for the duration of the trip. This is to be kept in the bag (ziploc works great) with your scout's medicine. These should all be listed on the medical forms. If not be sure to include an updated form. 

What does a scout need to pack?

Over many camp outs, throughout all seasons, the scouts have developed a packing list to use as guidance. Scouts are encouraged to check the forecast when packing or at the meeting prior (2-3 days) and again before we leave. They should use the list to pack any gear they think they may need for the camp out, paying attention to the activities for that camp out. 

Ideally scouts should be able to carry their own gear. We have several scouts who pack their gear in a backpackers backpack. This is a great option as the scout should then be able to get all their gear to and from the campsite with minimal issue. Another great option when vehicles are parked near the campsite is a small to medium tote. (Please reserve footlockers for summer camp use.) Again, however your scout packs their gear, they should be able to carry it themselves without assitance.

What gear do families need to supply?

Our troop is very fortunate to have a supply of camping gear available for scouts to check out. This includes tents, cots, and sleeping bags. Both the adult and youth Quartermasters can assist with checking out gear.  Gear would be picked up when we leave the church on Friday night and returned after it has been aired out at the next meeting. 

When a family purchases gear, we do have some guidelines to help with those purchases too. These can be found on the packing list page.

How does it all work?

Friday we arrive at PUMC ususally about at 6-6:30 pm. Event listing will have the exact time. 

1. • • Scouts should be dressed in their class A's or field uniform. This is their tan shirt, green pants, neckerchief, belt, boots and handbook (packed). *If your scout is new and doesn't have these items, that's OK.

     • Scouts should arrive fed or with a "brown bag" dinner. Yes, take out gathered on the way to the church is just fine. Make sure if the scout has take out they understand they may have to wait to eat until we are underway.

     • When we arrive at 6 pm you will typically find organized chaos. Several things will be happening.

       • The Committee Chair (CarrieAnn) & Campmaster (Adult in charge of that event, Name/phone number listed on the event description) will be tying up any loose ends. Confirming any last minute attendance changes, paperwork, or payment, etc. If you need to communicate a late arrival or early departure this is the person you speak to. 

       • A designated ASM (Brandon) will be recording, collecting and storing medication. If your scout has meds, make sure to check in directly with him. This is even for scouts who carry rescue inhalers or Epipens. We want to ensure the safety of all our scouts and Be Prepared!

       • Scouts will place gear in their designated patrol spot. (This is new as we have grown significantly) Gear will be loaded from here.

       • The Quartermasters will be working with the youth to gather needed supplies for each patrol. These will then be loaded into the vehicles.

       • Once vehicles are loaded and expected scouts accounted for we will head out. We like to be on the road and moving no later than 6:30-7.

Sunday we return between 12-2. Timing will depend on how far away we are camping and what the morning program is. Once we are packed and about to start on the road we will send the mailing list an updated ETA to PUMC. When we arrive at PUMC several things all need to happen. 

• Scoutmasters and scouts will unload all gear and return it to its location. 

• All scout gear will be distributed to the proper vehicles. Scouts who borrowed gear will take it home to air it out, clean and return the next meeting. Make sure to check it in with the Quartermasters when returned.

• If your scout has medication, check in with the designated ASM (Brandon) for the return of those items/containers.

Once all tasking is complete we will gather for a Rose, Bud, Thorn. We find this is a great thing to do with our parents present, allowing parents to hear some of the awesome things we enjoyed as well as some of the challenges we experienced and what we are looking forward to changing on our next adventure.