We are car camping, make it comfortable. Some of us will show up with a minimalist footprint, some of us will build the Taj Mahal. MAKE IT COMFORTABLE FOR YOU. Also remember that while it is hot where we live, we typically go higher in elevation and leave the desert when we camp. It will get chilly at night and there is always a chance of rain.
Here are a few tips and tricks that will make sure you and your scouts will have a great time..
- Cub Scouts will always camp in a formal campground with a water source, toilet, and designated fire ring on site. We do not do any type of primitive campsites at this level.
- Campsite fees are covered by your annual $50 pack fee that you paid at registration.
- Carpool when you can, some sites have limited parking.
- Don't break the bank on gear, we're car camping. You and your scout will lose items and you'll also be potentially upgrading your scout's gear for Boy Scouts when they make the jump. When you buy gear, focus on "warm and dry". Also remember that if things go totally sideways with weather or whatever... we come home.
- We cook and organize meal planning within your respective den. Coordinate accordingly with your Den Leader. Within the den you'll coordinate stoves, cookware and grocery lists and food costs.
- We avoid using single-use paper and plastic products unless absolutely necessary. 100 people will easily generate 50 bags of trash over a weekend. It's horrible for the environment and it leaves a horrible image for scouting at the campsite when we leave.
- Mess Kit - If you have durable reusable plastic or metal plates and cutlery then you're set. Anything will work as long as it's durable. Don't forget a spork or cutlery.
- 18 oz. Steel Cup - We're huge fans. They slide onto the bottom of a 32oz Nalgene bottle, and you can do everything with them. Cocoa, warm water on a flame, and you can eat out of it.
- Think about what you're going to use to wash dishes as a group within the den, you'll need a tub of some sort for wash/rinse, etc.
New Camping Families:
Tent: If buying a tent, we DO NOT recommend the Ozark Trail Walmart tents. The tent may work okay for a season, but we've seen issues with the poles breaking and punching through the rainfly. Then you need to buy a new $40 tent. Step up one level from $40 to $100 and the tent will last for many many years. Many options and recommendations for different brands are all over the place, but Coleman and Kelty tents for car camping are always a good bet.
Always read the reviews. Tent sizing assumes people laying shoulder to shoulder on the ground, or sometimes inverse, meaning shoulder to feet. Because we're car camping, go one size up for your family to allow for air mattress or cots. With two people we recommend a three or four-person tent, four people get a six-person tent. You'll appreciate the extra space and the extra headroom.
REI Outlet is an excellent place for higher-end clearance items. Sleeping bag: 30-degree bag, less than $50. We won't camp in cold weather, but plan on cool weather with 50-degree nights. Go lower on the bag temp rating to be safe, you can always open it at night. Make sure the size fits you. Affordable brands are Coleman, Kelty, Slumberjack. This is an example kids bag for $39. REI Outlet also has great deals on bags if you want to step up to lighter weight and smaller packing.
Headlamps: Headlamps are worth their weight in gold for hands-free execution of a task. If you choose to step up a level, the Petzl Tikka is always a solid choice.
