1st Time Campers Packing List
"What to bring?" is a big question for most first time campers. This Packing List is designed to be a general guide to help you get started. The campsite is your "home away from home". The packing list is organized to help you think of your "home" as you prepare. As you become a more experienced camper, you may find that you wish to add or omit certain items. If you do not have an item on the list, ask around. We have several experienced campers that may have surplus equipment to loan out or they could suggest alternative items that you may already have.
Home
Tent (get a 4 man tent for 2 people, a 6 man tent for 3 people, etc.)
Ground cloth/tarp (for under the tent to protect the bottom and keep moisture out)
Camp Chairs (one per person)- Academy sells these for about $5/each
Plastic trash bags (good for wet or dirty gear when going home)
Pocket Knife (Only Bears & Webelos may use pocket knives if they have earned their Whittlin' Chip and have it in their possession)
Bedroom
Sleeping bags (2-3 blankets/sheets are an alternative if you don't have a sleeping bag)
Pillow (the extra clothes you bring stuffed into a pillowcase works too!)
Sleeping pad (Thermarest or closed cell foam is preferred over an air mattress in the winter. A regular air mattress will make you colder)
Flashlight or Headlamp
Bathroom
Toothbrush & Toothpaste
Toilet Paper or Bio Wipes (trust me, this is one area you never want to be unprepared!)
Towels
Environmentally Friendly Soap & Shampoo
Other Toiletries
Medicines (parents should ensure leaders are aware and the medicine is properly stored and secured per BSA policies).
First Aid Kit (Each Scout is required to have one in his backpack as part of the Cub Scout 6 Essentials)
Closet
Field (Blue or Tan Class A) uniform- Scouts should wear this travelling to and from camp and will wear it to the closing campfire program
Activity (Red Pack T-Shirt) uniform- Scouts will typically wear this during the day on Saturday
Scout Uniform or Blue/Khaki Shorts and/or Pants
Wilderness Rain Gear such as a poncho or rain jacket/suit (as a wise Scoutmaster once said, it never ever rains on Scouts....only the unprepared!)- a large trash bag with holes cut out for head and arms is a cheap alternative!
Shoes or boots (for safety, no open toed shoes!)
Scout Socks
Underwear
Cub Scout Hat
Kitchen
Water Bottle- Pack 693 practices Leave No Trace, so NO disposable water bottles
Mess Kit- plate, bowl, cup, fork, spoon, knife. Again NO disposable items!
Miscellaneous Recommended Items
Sunscreen & Bug Spray
Sunglasses
Trail Snacks (Pack typically will provide 3 meals on Saturday)
Ear Plugs (to deal with snorers)
Rainy day activities (deck of cards, games, etc)
Camera
Your Scout's Rank Book
A Whistle (for emergency use only)
What Not To Bring?
Alcohol or Drugs
Tobacco and E-Cigs (BSA policy states all Scouting functions are Smoke free. If you must use these, you must leave the camp area and do so out of sight and smell of Scouts)
Jewelry
Valuables
Electronics Scouts may use these in transit to the event; however, upon arrival they must be left locked and turned off in the vehicle. Parents, please keep your use to a minimum!