New Scout Gear List

One of most common questions we get at Troop 934 from new scouts (and their parents) is “What camping gear should I buy?”

The answer is … it depends. It depends on the type of camping, weather, season and budget. What follows is a general guide — we do not suggest any one brand of equipment (though we do have favorites).

Troop Gear

First of all, Troop 934 provides (and you should not buy) the following:

Tents for car camping and for backpacking
Tarps/Pop-up Shelters for basecamp and rain flies for the backcountry
All cooking gear and fuel for basecamp and backcountry
Coolers and bins for food storage and transportation
Water filters and bear canisters for backpacking
Propane lanterns
Hatchets and axes

Required Gear for Scouting: Gear should never be a barrier to attending a trip — if you need to borrow one or several items please reach out to troop leadership.

Please note – What follows is a shopping list but it is not intended to be a “Day 1” shopping list. Most scouts build their equipment closet over time. Finally, both Great Outdoor Provision Company and Mast General Store offer meaningful discounts (10% off regular price) to scout families — all you have to do is ask. Don Paulson at the Thruway Great Outdoor Provision Co. in particular has been a long-time supporter of Troop 934 and is a Scout Leader in Old Hickory Council.

Write your name on everything! Scouts misplace, leave behind and shuffle around their gear frequently.

Sleeping Bag. The single most important piece of gear — gets used on every campout, including backpacking trips.
- Must be rated to 25* or less — a summer-weight bag (i.e., anything rated 35* or higher) will not do. No cotton — 100% synthetic is preferred. Down bags will not insulate when wet.
- When backpacking, your sleeping bag must be compressible and must weigh absolutely no more than 4 lbs (3 lbs or less is better). A “mummy” style saves weight/bulk.
- We also highly recommend purchasing a waterproof compression sack to protect your sleeping bag and keep it dry on backpacking trips.
Sleeping Pad. The accordion-style Nemo or Thermarest Z lite foam pads are great starting points for new scouts. Provides warmth as well as comfort by insulating you from the ground. Older scouts may want to upgrade to a lightweight inflatable backpacking air mattress, but for the first couple of years a foam pad that cannot rupture is preferred.
Hiking Boots. These can get expensive quick, especially as growing boys go through 3-4 pair during their scouting career. These are as important for keeping your feet dry as they are for ankle support. Low-cut trekking shoes are popular but are not adequate for most troop activities. For a backpacking trip a good pair of high-ankle water-resistant boots is absolutely required.
Nalgene water bottles. Two heavy-duty screw top water bottles that will survive getting dropped / stepped on. Lid should be attached at all times. Scouts like to decorate/personalize with stickers.
Mess Kit. A reusable cup, bowl and spoon. T934 does not provide paper products for dining.
Headlamp. Preferably a cheap headlamp from Amazon or Walmart ($15 or less) as these get lost. Also pack an extra set of AA/AAA batteries — headlights are always getting left on.
Knit or Fleece Beanie / Stocking cap. Used for sleeping. Required for winter camping.
Waterproof rain gear. Not “water resistant” — “water proof“. Must include an attached hood. While a good lightweight rain jacket is required, rain pants are helpful as well.
Wind-proof synthetic fleece jacket and a lined/puffy jacket. Two separate items used year-round (summer nights in the mountains are cool) and for layering. A mid-weight fleece combined with a lightweight coat or jacket is better than one heavy winter coat.
Synthetic long underwear. Polypropylene long johns are a vital part of year-round camping gear.
Wool socks. Use year round. Cotton socks = cold, wet feet = a miserable trip.
Small (3″ or less) Pocketknife. Must fold. Can only be carried after the scout has earned his Totin’ Chip (even if the scout earned his Whittling Chip as a Cub Scout).
Daypack. A small backpack for carrying a raincoat, water bottles, headlamp, etc. around. Can be last year’s school pack. Will be used on day hikes and other activities.
For colder weather trips, layering is essential. Here is a helpful summary to review when planning clothing for colder weather: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html

Optional Gear for Scouting

Backpacking backpack. T934 does 2-3 backcountry trips per year (not including Philmont). A basic youth-specific internal frame backpack (e.g., Osprey Ace 75) is an investment that will last an entire scouting career.
- If you decide to go this route, visit REI, Great Outdoor Provision Co. or Mast General and get one that both fits your scout’s current frame and can be expanded / grow with him.
- Packs should be a minimum of 50 liters to have room for your scout’s personal gear and troop gear and food that he will be required to carry. A 55 to 70 liter pack is preferred.
- If the pack does not come with an integrated raincover the backpack manufacturer’s matching raincover is highly suggested (garbage bags will work in a pinch but you must bring your own).
Inflatable or compressible pillow. A welcome comfort when your scout starts backpacking regularly.
Hammock. Scouts LOVE hammocks and some older scouts sleep in them. The two-person Eno Doublenest hammock is better as you can fit an inflatable sleeping pad and cocoon for warmth. If using a hammock, you must use tree straps — Eno straps or make your own with knotted paracord.
- Hammock camping is an art that scouts may learn over time. Troop 934 encourages hammock camping when it is practical/safe but only for older scouts who have the correct equipment.
- Hammock camping is an investment. Required hammock camping equipment includes:
  - A two-person hammock
  - Hammock straps
  - A sleeping pad (in the summer) or an underquilt (when overnight low is below freezing)
  - A rainfly that is at least 6’x8′ square (folds in half longways to enclose the hammock)
  - A 25′ length of light/thin paracord to make a ridgeline (holds the rainfly up)
  - 4 3-5′ lengths of light/thin paracord for corners + extra (holds rainfly in place)
  - 4 high quality tent stakes + 2 extra (holds rainfly in place)
  - String or twine to make driplines (keeps rainwater from running from tree to you)
  - A small waterproof groundcloth to put your backpack on directly under your hammock
  - Optional: Bug netting, lights, gear loft, other hammock swag
Backpacking Tents. T934 supplies tents. However, older scouts like to provide their own flyweight backpacking tent. This is 100% optional.
- If you do elect to buy a tent it must be either a 2-person or 3-person tent lightweight backpacking tent (no solo tents!); be sure to get the matching footprint or make your own out of Tyvek, polycro, or similar lightweight material.
Camp stool. On backpacking trips, a fly-weight camp stool is quite nice (especially when it rains).