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Spring/Fall Campouts can start out at 70 degrees
on Friday night and cool down to 40 degrees (or lower) and rain by
Saturday night. Spring thaws and Fall rains can leave the ground wet and
muddy for days. What seems like a comfortable temperature in the 10
minutes that you walk from the house to the car can cause hypothermia when
you are out in it for 24 hours. The secret of successful Fall/Spring
camping is to prepare for the worst. Then you can enjoy the campout no
matter what nature brings.
- Class "A" Uniform for Travel
- Water-Resistant bag that holds the following:
- Rain jacket with a hood/poncho 1
- Winter jacket (Not just a spring jacket)
- Long-sleeve shirt
- Short-sleeve shirt (or Class "B")
- Extra Pair of Pants 2
- Extra pair of shoes/boots 3
- Extra pairs of socks 4
- Sweatshirt or Polarfleece jacket
- Underwear
- Knit hat that covers ears
- Gloves
- Sleeping bag 5
- Sleeping pad 6
- Small camp pillow
- Cup
- Mess Kit 7
- Fork, Knife, Spoon (unbreakable)
- Personal First Aid kit 8
- Flashlight with extra batteries or extra
flashlight
- Camera (optional)
- Toothbrush & paste
- Comb/Brush
- Soap 9
- Washcloth
- Small Towel
- OA Sash if event is Spring Camporee
- Watch (optional)
- Scout Book if not yet First Class Rank 10
- Totin' Chip card (if they have one)
- Scout-size Pocket Knife (not a sheath
knife)
- Firem'n Chit Card (if they have one)
- Compass
- Small amount of spending money
- Water bottle/canteen (1 quart/liter
size)
For really nice weather:
- Baseball-style hat
- Sun lotion
- Insect repellant
- Shorts
Footnotes:
1. Ideal raingear would be a Gortex rain
jacket with hood and rain pants
2. Jeans are not the best choice because
they are very cold if wet and they don't dry easily. Ideal pants are
nylon-type pants. Even sweat pants can be a better choice than jeans.
3. Extra pair is necessary because wet
shoes are a major cause of hypothermia in Spring/Fall.
4. Ideal socks are wool and synthetic
blend. They are warm even when wet. If cotton is brought on a wet weekend,
send about 5 pairs.
5. An ideal sleeping bag would be rated for
at least a minimum temperature of 20 degrees. Otherwise bring a
polarfleece sleeping bag liner or 2 sleeping bags that can be put one
inside another.
6. Foam or inflatable pad. A cot is
acceptable but not as warm in colder weather.
7. Mess kit should include a plate and
bowl. An official mess kit is not necessary and sometimes unique pieces
are easier to identify in the wash.
8. Should at least include bandaids,
moleskin, and antiseptic wipes.
9. Tube of travel liquid soap is very
convenient
10. It is a good idea to put the book in a
ziploc bag or plastic cover. The scout must use this book all the way to
Eagle rank.
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