Meets Sundays 5:00–6:30 PM · Inman Park United Methodist Church, Atlanta Contact · Scoutbook · Troop GroupMe
Scouting America emblem
Scouts BSA Troop 101
Atlanta, Georgia · Building Leaders Through Scouting
Join the Troop
Home / How We Run

Camping Gear & Tips

Camping and hiking require gear, but you do not need to buy everything at once. It is actually better to wait for scouts to grow into some items.

Build the Kit Gradually

Our program is structured to let you build your scout's gear over time, starting with items they will not grow out of, while borrowing and trying other gear in the early years. Troop gear is available to borrow, so a new scout can go on their first campouts without a shopping spree.

The troop supplies group gear

Stoves, pots, pans, cooking tools, fuel, and dutch ovens are all troop equipment, along with troop tents and the trailer. Scouts provide personal gear only.

Scout Personal Gear

  • Personal hygiene items and a personal first aid kit
  • Foam sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Buy one they can grow into, rated to handle at least 30-degree winter camping, with a stuff sack. See Scout Life's sleeping bag guide.
  • Cup or insulated mug, and eating utensils or a mess kit. There are many options; a UCO mess kit is one example.
  • Day pack with the Scouting Essentials. See the 10 Essentials.
  • Hiking shoes or boots and appropriate hiking socks. This ScoutSmarts article on footwear is a useful primer.
  • Rain gear: rain jacket, rain pants, and a backpack cover.
  • A backpacking tent (2+ person) or camping hammock with rain fly.
  • A backpacking pack that fits well. Both REI and the Scout Shop have sizing tools. Given how much scouts grow in their first few years, this is a good item to borrow or buy used at first (REI Used Gear, GearTrade.com). Scouts start with 1–2 night trips and hopefully move up to week-long treks such as Philmont, which need a larger capacity.
  • Jetboil for backpacking — optional. The troop has some, but it is nice for backpacking enthusiasts.

Where to Buy

A Note on Backpacking

Scouts BSA is a shift toward more backpacking and less car camping compared to Cub Scouts, and gear needs transition with that shift. A big-box car camping tent and a cotton sleeping bag will get through a first year, but plan on lighter gear as your scout takes on longer trips.

Before Every Campout

  • Check the packing list for that specific trip; a ski weekend and a summer backpacking trip need very different kits
  • Confirm health forms are current with the health forms coordinator
  • Cotton kills in cold weather: synthetic or wool layers, never cotton, for winter camping
  • Pack rain gear even when the forecast is clear
  • Label everything with your scout's name