Camping Gear

Below is a comprehensive list to be prepared for your first Cub Scout campout. Please reach out to your den leaders if you need further help or want specific recommendations.

Equipment Checklist

  • Guns, tobacco products, alcohol, and fireworks
  • Portable electronics (iPad, Nintendo, etc)
  • Pack provides dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday.
  • All other meals and snacks are on your own.
  • Water will be provided in Gatorade jugs.
  • Please consider bringing a couple gallon jugs to easily refill your water.
  • 3+ person tent (poles, tent stakes, etc) with rainfly and footprint
    • How to Choose Tents for Camping
    • Rule of thumb: Upsize tent capacity by 1 for each adult. Example: 2 kids and 2 adults would be comfortable in a 6 person tent.
    • Rainfly: Goes over the tent and usually comes with it.
    • Footprint: Keeps dirt, rocks, and grass from tearing up the bottom of your tent.
    • If you can’t find a matching footprint, use a plastic tarp.
    • Pro tip: When you get home, take out your tent and air dry it in your garage. This prevents mold and funky smells next time you use it!
    • Pro tip: Kids are fine on the ground with a thin, cheap sleeping pad, but we strongly recommend adults bring a cot and sleeping pad for the best sleeping experience. Air mattresses are nice in theory but need periodic inflation.
    • Cold weather consideration: Sleeping bag liner
  • Clothesline and garbage bags for dirty clothes
  • Flashlights with extra batteries. Headlamps are awesome!
  • Portable power bank to charge phones, etc.
  • Blue Lion Scout shirt or red Pack shirt
  • Cub Scout Uniform (except Lions) for Saturday night campfire and Sunday morning services
  • Long pants (protects against brush) or shorts with long socks
  • Pajamas or sweatshirt/sweatpants
  • Underwear
  • Camping boots (cheap is fine for our short hikes. Avoid spending $100+)
  • Sunglasses or hat
  • Cold weather considerations: Long underwear, warm jacket, beanie, and gloves
  • Wet weather considerations: Poncho or raincoat
  • Camping chairs for each member of your family
  • Refillable cups or water bottles
  • Water jugs
  • Cooler with ice
  • Toothpaste, toothbrush, comb
  • Washcloth, towel
  • Soap
  • Extra toilet paper
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Medications
  • More garbage bags
  • Lantern
  • Safety pins
  • Zip ties
  • Duct tape
  • Multitool or pocket knife (for parents only)
  • Camera
  • Binoculars or telescope
  • Football or frisbee
  • Glow sticks

A Cub Scout should carry the Six Essentials on any hike or campout with the den or pack. By encouraging Cub Scouts to pack and carry their own personal gear items, you’re preparing them for Scouts BSA.

For convenience — and to make sure no item gets lost — each Cub Scout should carry his or her Six Essentials in a small fanny pack or backpack.

Cub Scout leaders and parents should emphasize that these are tools, not toys, and should be used only when needed.

First-aid kit: adhesive bandages, moleskin, gauze, antibiotic ointment, etc.

Water bottle: filled and large enough to last until it can be filled again

Flashlight: for emergency use only

Trail food: can be made as a den activity prior to hike or campout

Sun protection: sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater and a hat

Whistle: also for emergency use only