Guide to Basic Camping Gear
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What kind of …
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What kind of FLASHLIGHT is
recommended? |
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- Small and light, but durable. |
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- The two most popular: |
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1)
Mini
Maglite (two AA batteries) |
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2)
Headlamp |
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What kind of COMPASS is
recommended? |
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- Markings at every two degrees. |
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- Rotating compass housing (the round part). |
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- 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. |
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What kinds of EATING
UTENSILS are recommended? |
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The BSA
mess kit is pretty, but leave most of it at home. Here’s what
you need: |
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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. |
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2. Something to eat with. A spoon is enough. Bring a fork if you want. These sporks have become
popular. |
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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. |
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What kind of WATER BOTTLE is
recommended? |
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- One quart and durable. |
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- The Nalgene brand 32 oz. lexan bottle
pictured above is very popular.
$8-$10 in any camping store. |
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- Side graduation markings are handy to
measure liquid while cooking. |
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- Have a way to carry it. |
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I’m dying to practice my
fire building skills in a safe manner.
What kinds of fancy MATCHES AND FIRE STARTERS are recommended? |
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- 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. |
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What kind of SLEEPING PAD
is recommended? |
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- 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) |
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Use a DITTY BAG so all the
small stuff in your backpack is easy
to find. |
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How do I keep my SLEEPING
BAG from taking up |
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- 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. |
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Granville Boy Scout Troop 65
Troop 65 is grateful for
support from
our Chartered
Organization, Granville Kiwanis, and
from Granville Centenary United Methodist Church.