Old Salt's Page
Monday, August 22, 2011
New Scout Guide To Camping
Things you need to know before you head outdoors:
Camping is fun and exciting especially for new Cubscouts and their parents. A poorly planned trip can ruin the experience and cause both the parent and the scout to quit, usually in that order. This guide is provided as a reference of how I and my son plan for our trips into the wild. Bringing these items can ensure that your time outdoors is a blast. You may not believe it but on one of my first outings with my son a parent arrived at camp (not from our pack!!) without a tent and was amazed that there were no sleeping arrangements.
Tip one Organize, Organize, Organize:
From experience I have seen the most comfortable scouts on a trip are the ones that keep all of their gear stored together in large plastic boxes. I suggest that you purchase a box that is large enough for all of your essential gear but small enough to fit in your vehicle.
Items we keep in our box include:
1.) Tent/tents – rain fly (usually comes with tent in bag)
2.) foot print (can be a large tarp/ some tents have footprints designed for them you should use those if available) comes in handy for keeping dampness out of tent floor
3.) Tent poles and stakes and a rubber mallet for hammering into hard ground
4.) sleeping bags (2) and Sleeping pads ( some people use inflatable mattresses be sure you have a battery operated device to inflate them with you.)
5.) an enamel cook set : plates, cups, frying pan, pot with lid, Kettle for boiling water, Spatula and Large stirring spoon.
6.) Colman style two burner stove (we like propane, BSA has requested that no liquid fuel stoves be used).
7.) Fuel for the stove (propane bottles …)
8.) a small toiletries bag containing
a.) campers soap (biodegradable available in camping section of Walmart.)
b.) toothbrushes and small tube of tooth paste
c.) comb or hairbrush (for the parents.. kids tend to go wild )
d.) tent lights (little LED lights)
e.) Fire starter
f.) Small First aid kit
h.) A good can opener (if you go cheap you may never get that can of cherries open!)
9.) Dish soap and scouring pad (if cooking in a Dutch Oven or over a fire expect burned on food)
10.) Campers fork/spoon
11.) Dutch oven Liners (only if Dutch oven cooking)
12.) Extendable cooking forks (hotdogs over an open flame yumm)
13.) insect repellent and citronella candles
14.) Coffee (gift from above)
15.) silicone ovenmitt (target has them: great for handling Dutch oven Lids)
16.) a large mouth water bottle (multi uses including scrambling eggs/mixing egg powder
17.) multi seasoning container with salt, pepper and other essential spices
18.) Water flavorings (helps get kids to drink when otherwise they wouldn't)
20.) flash lights. I like head lamps too you are able to see and able to use both hands. I got a cap light for my son my wife washed it with the hat when we got home.
21.) Matches or a flame stick
I actually need to get another box I have been lucky so far and fit most everything in one
This also doubles as storage so items do not get lost between camping trips. I still inventory it before every outing though.
Items to carry with you on your person:
1.) Parents only or child who has completed Whittling Chip requirement (Older Cubs): Pocket Knife
2. I like metal water bottles with a D shackle (can be found with keyrings and in Walmart's Camping section) These clip to belt loops and leave hands free.
3.) Toilet paper ( you don't have to carry it everywhere just where it matters. ( Camp hood has restroom facilities and showers but don't trust they have TP!)
4.) Pillows ( I forget mine occasionally and have to wad a shirt up under my head
Optional Items that make life nice:
1.) Camp chairs for both the adult and child (Camp hood has picnic tables at the campsite)
2.) A Dutch Oven: Good for stews and deserts and lots of other things! ( kind of pricy item but worth it if you are in it for the long haul. A Dutch oven will last a scout a lifetime and can be passed on to his children's children if maintained. There are people using Dutch ovens that are over a hundred years old.
3. A large Ice Chest or two if you have the room filled with ice. On some trips you may be able to use the Ice from the Church.
Food Items:
This is a personal choice based on your taste however it is also a requirement for planning with your scout for several of the advancements.
These Items are always handy in outdoor cooking
1.) Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
2.) Bag of Charcoal (don't buy the type that instant lights if you will be using a Dutch Oven this type burns too quickly and causes food to burn in these ovens).
3.) Charcoal Chimney
Friday, December 21, 2007
Long time
Some new things are happening in my life. I will be starting Drexel University in January pursuing a Masters in Library and Information Services. I can't wait!!!
I will be starting a new job this weekend with a small security company as a supervisor and I hope to be getting the heck out of Mississippi by summer
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
What's in a Name?
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Uh Houston We Have A Problem
Friday, July 07, 2006
My Back is Killing Me!!!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Crazy
Monday, July 03, 2006
Happy Birthday- July 4th 1776-?
July the 4th 1776 is not only my country's Birthday, it's also my mother-in-laws (just kidding. She turns ??ish. So Happy Birthday to you too! And thanks for giving me Jacqueline at such a bargain discount.
