Cold Weather Camping Gear

 

Boots (no tennis shoes) Boots should be big enough for 2 pair of wool socks

Spare pair of boots or good shoes

Wool socks - wear 2 pair at all times - bring at least 6 pair

Long underwear shirts and pants (Wear one and bring at least one spare of each)

Sweatshirts - 2 or more

Heavy warm shirts - preferably 3

Extra pairs of pants

Warm heavy coat

Gloves

Hat or stocking cap

Face mask or scarf

Sweatsuit or extra long underwear for sleeping in - please help us remind the boys not to sleep in the clothes that they have worn all day, it will just make them colder. I know that it is hard to take your clothes off before crawling into the sleeping bag when it is cold outside but they will sleep a lot more comfortably if they don't wear the clothes that they have worn all day.

Warm sleeping bag or 2 ( a bag inside a bag gives extra warmth )

Wool blanket or 2 (especially important if you don't have 2 sleeping bags)

Ground pad for under the sleeping bag

High-energy snack bars like granola bars - 6 or 8 of them

Class 'B' T-shirts

 

Winter camping can be a lot of fun for the boys if they are adequately prepared for it, but it can be dangerous if they are not prepared. They can certainly keep warm enough if they bring the appropriate clothes like are on this list. They will stay plenty warm in most cases when they are running around, but will get cold if they sit and rest, like just before hitting the sack and right after they get up. The best strategy for staying warm in cold weather is to dress in layers; if you get hot or cold, you can add or remove a layer of clothing. Pay special attention to your Scout’s feet, when it is really cold outside, the feet are one of the first things to suffer. Oversized boots are a requirement, there has to be room inside his boots for a couple of pair of wool socks, and the boots still need to be loose. If your son gets wet or cold and he doesn't have the spare clothes with him like we recommend, we will have to call you to come pick him up. Neither one of us needs a sick or miserable Scout on their hands.