Guide to Basic Camping Gear

What kind of …

What kind of FLASHLIGHT is recommended?

- Small and light, but durable.

- The two most popular:

1) Mini Maglite (two AA batteries)
- rugged, light, powerful
- focusing beam
- spare bulb in base cap
- head can be removed to convert to candle mode

2) Headlamp
- hands free
- most use LED bulbs or a combination. (LED lights use less battery power, but conventional bulbs give off more light.)

What kind of COMPASS is recommended?

- Markings at every two degrees.

- Rotating compass housing (the round part).

- A straight edge is preferred.

- Silva is the major name brand.

- When you turn while holding the compass level, the needle should quickly return to North.

What kinds of EATING UTENSILS are recommended?

The BSA mess kit is pretty, but leave most of it at home.

Here’s what you need:

1. Something to eat off of. A plate with a lip or a bowl will suffice. If you have a BSA mess kit, bring one side. A food storage container with lid works well.

2. Something to eat with. A spoon is enough. Bring a fork if you want. These sporks have become popular.

3. Something to drink from. A tough plastic or metal cup. It doubles as a bowl for soup if your plate isn’t deep enough.

What kind of WATER BOTTLE is recommended?

- One quart and durable.

- The Nalgene brand 32 oz. lexan bottle pictured above is very popular. $8-$10 in any camping store.

- Side graduation markings are handy to measure liquid while cooking.

- Have a way to carry it.

I’m dying to practice my fire building skills in a safe manner. What kinds of fancy MATCHES AND FIRE STARTERS are recommended?

- You don’t need special matches, but…

- The most important part thing is to keep them dry. Keep your matches in a waterproof bag, aspirin bottle, or film canister.

- Don’t bet on “strike anywhere” matches. Always carry a striking surface from the side of a box or matchbook.

- Likewise, don’t waste your money on manufactured fire starters.

- Every scout should practice building fires from natural materials found at the campsite, but Be Prepared with fire starters in case you need a fire fast.

- Dryer lint is a great fire starter. Yes, dryer lint. It’s free, easy to obtain, compressible, and weighs almost nothing.

- A candle works well also.

What kind of SLEEPING PAD is recommended?

- Smaller and lighter is better. Big air mattresses (> 1" thick) requiring lots of air are not recommended.

- Therm-a-Rest is the major brand name.

- Different lengths are available. Backpackers often get a pad long enough for their torso but not their legs in order to save space and weight. But these pads also provide insulation from the cold ground, so a full length pad is nice in the cold weather.

- Here are three popular styles:

1. Therm-a-Rest Trail™ (Thin air pad with open-cell foam core. Self inflates to ~90%. Best insulation of these three.)

2. Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest™ (Closed-cell foam, roll up)

3. Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite™ (Closed-cell foam, fold up)

Use a DITTY BAG so all the small stuff

in your backpack is easy to find.

How do I keep my SLEEPING BAG from taking up
too much of my driver's limited trunk space on the
way to/from the campout?

- If your sleeping bag did not come with a stuff sack, get one!

- Grab a handful and go.

- Some stuff sacks include compression straps to further shrink the size of the stored bag.

- If your sleeping bag must be folded in half and rolled (not as flexible as the one pictured) use two straps or ropes. Roll as tight as you can.

- Tent mates should help each other when packing to go home.

- DO NOT store a sleeping bag compressed long term.

Granville Boy Scout Troop 65
Troop 65 is grateful for support from
our Chartered Organization, Granville Kiwanis, and
from Granville Centenary United Methodist Church.

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