PERSONAL BACKPACKING EQUIPMENT LIST

1.      Back pack w/padded hip belt/belly band

2.      Warm sleeping bag in water proof stuff sack bag with two web straps to attach to pack

3.      Foam pad - closed-cell foam pad, or Thermarest pad with two web straps to attach to pack

4.      Ground cloth for sleeping bag - plastic 4' x 8' (Troop issues)

5.      Clothing (Winter; summer delete heavy clothes, add swimsuit and towel)
        1 pair cotton socks
        1 pair heavy wool socks
        1 raincoat or rain jacket
        1 long sleeve wool or flannel shirt
        1 pair long pants
        1 short sleeve shirt
        1 suit underwear
        1 pair hiking boots
        1 pair warm pajamas or insulated underwear
        1 heavy jacket and cap (For warmth and best packing, we recommend an insulated vest
        or wool sweater and wind breaker  jacket.)

6.      Mess Gear - plastic plate, sierra cup, or plastic cup/bowl, fork and spoon.

7.      Toilet Kit
        1 soap, motel size
        1 washcloth
        1 toothbrush and toothpaste
        1 chapstick
        1 hand towel

8.      Miscellaneous Items
        Small first aid kit
        Pocketknife - No Fixed Blade Hunting Knives
        Water proof pack cover or large plastic trash bag
        Flashlight - w/new size AA batteries (maximum size)
        2 Plastic Canteens (1 qt. minimum each)
        Personal medicine
        Compass
        25' l/8" Nylon cord (optional)
        Sunglasses              (optional)
        Insect Repellant      (optional)
        Sunscreen               (optional)
        Bible                       (optional)
        Camera and film     (optional)

        Each item should be clearly labeled with scout's name!

        Because the summer camping program is so popular, the Troop has established a policy for those who may attend the camps.  This is done to encourage the full participation of the scout through out the year, and no just during the summer months.  The summer camping program is special and for this reason is used to reward those scouts who have worked hard and been active all year.  The policy is designed for the growth of your son.
Wilderness Camp-out Eiligiblity Requirements

I.      To attend our Wilderness Camp a Scout must
                (1)     Must attend at least 25 meetings (50% since joining) per year.
                (2)     Must attend at least 5 camps (50% since joining).
                (3)     Workdays:  must attend at least one per year.
                (4)     A first year Scout  must attend three (3) weekend camps
                or Advancement Camp once before  going on Wilderness Camp.
                    (5)     Earn one rank or 5 merit badges since last wilderness.
                (6)     A Scout must be at least Tenderfoot to go on Wilderness camp.

        Because Troop 80 is heavily involved in camping and backpacking, the personal equipment you purchases are very important.  Poor equipment will make the experiences you will have miserable and expensive equipment will break your pocketbook.  From many years of experience, Troop 80 has accumulated a great store of knowledge in camping.  The following equipment suggestions are made with the parents and scout in mind.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to talk with one of the Assistant Scoutmasters.

        It has been our experience that two companies have excellent equipment at reasonable prices, REI Coop and Campmor.  These mail order outlets have just about everything you will need. They will fill a phone-in order in about one week, and they are cheaper than the local merchants.  To receive the Campmor catalogue phone 1-800-526-4784.  The mailing address is Campmor, 810 Route 17 North, P.O. Box 997-P, Paramus, NJ 07653-0997.  You can get the REI catalogue by phoning 1-800-426-4840.  The mailing address is REI, Sumner, WA 98352-0001.  You do not have to be a member of the REI Coop to purchase supplies from them, but you will receive better discounts from them if you are a member.  The details of membership are in the REI catalogue (lifetime membership costs $15.00).  Both of these merchants carry good equipment, from the very lowest priced to the very best and most expensive equipment you can buy.  You need to get both of these catalogues before you buy any camping equipment. REI also has a retail outlet store in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

General Note:   Unless you are an experienced back-packer do not make any major purchases of equipment until you have checked with an Assistant Scoutmaster or the Scoutmaster.  It is possible to spend more and get less or purchase the wrong equipment.  You will need to be very careful.

Each scout may borrow the correct type of equipment until he acquires his own equipment.  Ask the Assistant Scoutmaster assigned to your son's patrol or squad to borrow equipment.  The Troop also has funds to purchase equipment where necessary:  expense of equipment should not keep a boy from participating.

        Backpack         All packs should have an aluminum frame, padded shoulder pads, and a padded belly band.  Add on foam pad belly bands can be bought separately.  Boy Scout catalog, item #K-1379; Campmor catalog, CampTrails Hip Belt, item #60030.  The belly band should be the right size for your son because this part of the pack carries most of the pack weight.  Unless you are purchasing a high quality specialized backpack and frame, such as Jansport, the tubing in the frame should be approximately 1" in diameter.  Some back frames purchased at Target or Best have smaller diameter tubing and are not rugged enough for our program.  A recommended back for our program is the CampTrials Adjustable II, items #60073 and #60074, Campmor catalog.  Other brands which are good for our program include Kelty, REI, Jansport, and North Face.  Internal frame packs are becoming more popular.  They are generally more expensive.  Consult an Assistant Scoutmaster before buying one of these packs.

        Sleeping Bag    All sleeping bags should have at least 3 pounds of Dacron Hollo-fill II, Qualofil, Polar-guard, or down fill.  Dacron or polar-guard is generally less expensive and retains its insulating ability when wet.  The recommended inexpensive bag is a Campmor bag, item #44302.

        Foam Pad        Closed cell foam pads are recommended.  They can be bought at army surplus stores, or from Campmor or REI.  Ridgerest pads are also recommended.  Thermarest pads can be ordered from REI or Campmor.  They are more expensive and are heavier, but are more comfortable if you want to carry them.

        Stuff Sacks     Each sleeping bag and foam pad must have a water repellant nylon stuff sack.  These can be bought locally at Walmart or Target.  They cost $4.00 - $10.00 each. BSA catalog,  utility stuff bag, item #K-1509; Campmor, waterproof stuff bag, item #41272, stuff bag, item #41264.  Occasionally, Troop 80 will have stuff sacks in stock which you can be purchase.

        Web Straps and Sleeping Bag Straps      In order to hold the sleeping bag and foam pad to the frame, each scout should have at least one pair of 48" web straps.  The Troop sometimes sells web straps.  Ask the Finance Committee to purchase them.  Sleeping bag straps, item #23034, Campmor catalog; heavy duty web straps, 8', item #21148, Campmor catalog; pack frame straps item #K-1380, Boy Scout equipment.

        Pack Covers     Most backpacks are not water proof and will require a cover to shed rain.  You may also use a large plastic garbage bag.  The plastic garbage bag is light weight, takes up little room, is very efficient and inexpensive, but has a short life.  Pack cover, item #K-1344, Boy Scout catalog; backpack rain cover, item #60809, Campmor catalog.

        Rain Gear       Rain jackets are recommended.  Ponchos are acceptable, but are cumbersome around camp.  Inexpensive plastic rain jackets can be bought at Walmart or Target for about $5.00. Campmor catalog,  vinyl rain suit, item #02701; vinyl poncho, item #90001.

        Hiking Boots    Hiking boots are a necessity for the camping program.  However, because scouts' feet grow so rapidly, inexpensive boots are recommended.  The boots should have the "lug" sole.  Inexpensive boots can be bought at Target, Tom McAnns, Kinneys, J.C. Penneys, K-Mart and Walmart.  Prices start at about $40.00.  Boots should be leather and should be water proofed with Red Wing boot oil, Kiwi waterproofing paste, mink oil, or Sno-seal.  Water proofing products can be bought at Albertsons, Walmart, and some shoe stores.  The yellow label Vibram Lug Sole is the best choice of soles, but other types of lug soles also work well.

        Knives  Fixed blade knives are not permitted under Troop policy.  "Butterfly" knives are also not permitted by Troop policy, as well as being illegal under State law.  It is a Class A misdemeanor to carry a Butterfly knife.  Locking blade hunting knives are acceptable.  Swiss army knives as well as the official scout pocket knife are recommended.   The official scout knife recommended is the Boy Scout Utility Knife, item #K-1045.  A good lock blade knife is the Scout-Lite Buck Knife, with carrier, item #K-1381.  Swiss Army knives can also be ordered from the BSA catalog or from the Campmor catalog.

        Flashlights     Small flashlights requiring 2 "AA" batteries are small enough to carry and big enough to be useful.  Penlights are too small for some uses.  Larger flashlights are too heavy for backpacking.   There are some new super light flashlights made by Tekna which are ideal for camping.  These are much more expensive than a flashlight bought at Albertson's or Target (such as Mini Mag lights).  They are located in the Campmor catalog.

        Canteens        Plastic 1 quart or 1 liter bottles or canteens are recommended.  Metal canteens with straps or GI types which go on belts are not recommended.  The canteen should be carried inside the pack.  Plastic is lighter in weight and will not chemically react with lemonade or fruit drink like some of the metal canteens.   The recommended canteen is the plastic faceted bottle one quart canteen, item #80804, Campmor catalog.  The Troop gives away 1 liter distilled water bottles from the hospital which make perfect canteens.  A canteen does not cost much, and the weight is not that great.  Canteens are required equipment, since all water in the outdoors must now be treated.  Your son needs about a gallon of water per day when he is in the outdoors.  Please encourage him to carry a canteen.  It will keep him from borrowing from other people and from becoming dehydrated.

        Eating Utensils The scout should buy a lightweight plastic plate and cup.  The metal Scout knife, fork, spoon self-stacking set is also recommended.   Vitt-L kit, item #K-1374X.  The Scout aluminum mess kit is usable but not recommended.  The GI mess kit is not recommended.  The Texas Ware Plate from Target and the Toot'n'Totum insulated cup are also good items.

        Cots  Cots are optional, but highly recommended.  Aluminum cots which fold in half are not allowed.  The Troop requires folding cots, G.I. Army style, either wooden, aluminum, or steel.  Wooden cots should be made of hard-wood instead of pine.  The hard-wood frame can be reused even if the canvas tears.  The pine frames have a bad tendency to break.  Wooden cots can be bought at army surplus stores.  There are cots being made in the G.I. Army style but with aluminum tubing instead of wooden framing.  These cots are acceptable so long as they fold up like a wooden cot.  Additionally, there is a steel cot which is only about 8" off of the ground which folds up similar to a wooden cot and can be bought at Service Merchandise.  This cot has proved very durable, though it has the disadvantage of being low to the ground.  Costs vary from $50 to $90 depending on the weight of the canvas.  They can also be ordered by catalog.