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New Scout Information

Gear

This series of pages is provided to new scouts and their families for reference to critical information and processes to get you started in Troop 18656.

Questions? - Please ask!

Scoutmaster

Matt Jones

scoutmastger1865@gmail.com

New Scout Assistant Scoutmaster

Josh Mills

New Scouts Gear Primer

Gear is a topic that will come up many times over the next few weeks and over the course of your son’s scouting experience.

When your son joins troop 1865 as a new scout, one of the New Scout Parent Orientation meetings will be dedicated to the topic and is given by impressively knowledgeable folks.  Prior to, I want to give you an introduction to the topics at a high level, so you will be well prepared going into that meeting.

Gear Philosophy

There are many discussions that can be had about gear.  I would like to offer some high-level points I’ve compiled since joining Troop 1865 that may help guide new scout parents.

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New scouts may or may not like camping:

It may not make sense to spend much money until they show continued interest.  Before that point, we recommend getting the necessities and not splurging for high quality unless specifically recommended.

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Some items are necessities, some aren’t:

I generally group gear into four categories: shouldn’t have, must have now, needed later, and nice-to-have.  Scouts BSA, Troop 1865, your family, and your son’s interests will influence what goes into each of these categories.  Please don’t purchase items in “shouldn’t have” and feel free to push the “needed later” and “nice-to-have” gear to a later date.

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Kids grow…fast:

Any items that need to fit well will not last new scouts long.  Try to avoid paying a premium unless/until they really need it.

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Kids are hard on gear:

If a premium item is delicate (true of many lightweight, backpacking equipment), it’s best to wait until after the kids are more experienced and mature…and better understand the value of the items.

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Buy Nothing, Thrift, Sales, Walmart, Amazon, Troop Resources:

In Northern VA, there are many ways to get great items for free or at reasonable prices.  Just like getting anything else, it comes down to knowing what you need/want and keeping a watchful eye on the various sources.  

Troop 1865 often has items donated from scouts who have outgrown the gear.

People in the troop are also great references because of their knowledge and the fact that they keep their eyes open for deals too.

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Great, or Good Enough:

All items have a minimum quality to be usable.  However, for some items, the premium to get past “good enough” isn’t worth it outside of special circumstances.  

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Clothing Layers:

This is a topic that can be covered at a simple level or spark heavy debate among very experienced nature lovers and adventurers.

For now, I just want to introduce the concept for anyone who may not have encountered it previously. 

Dressing in layers is the best way to manage heat and sweat and is crucial to staying comfortable and safe in all weather conditions.  This is even more important since we may experience some cold weather for our first campout.  Layers can be peeled off if the scout gets hot playing, hiking, etc and put back on when he cools down.

Please do not take this as a prompt to purchase anything - I just find REI’s explanation of the concept to be a good start:

As a general rule, no clothing should be cotton.  This is a rule of thumb (which means there are exceptions), however, cotton holds water and water wicks heat.  In cool weather, that means you get cold.  In cold weather, that means you get really cold. Generally use synthetic or wool instead.

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Here are fairly typical layers for winter camping:

  • Top

    • Base Layer: Long john shirt or T-shirt – Non-cotton

    • Middle Layer options:

      • Long sleeve t-shirt – non cotton preferred

      • Long sleeve lightweight fleece pull over

      • Long sleeve mid weight fleece - zippered

      • Puffer jacket – zippered

      • The zippered fleece allows for temp control and easy way to get it off when I do some physical activity.  An inner fleece with a full zipper is too bulky in the front so the ¼ zip pullover can be a better option

    • Outer Shell: Poncho or rain gear needs to fit over all the other layers.

  • Bottoms

    • Base Layer: Undies, Long johns (aka Long Underwear)

    • Middle Layer options: Hiking pants

    • Outer Shell: Rain pants or not needed if the rain top covers legs

  • Shoes

    • 1 pair of socks and 1 backup

    • Should not be cotton

  • Gloves, hat, ear muffs, whatever you want on your hands and head.

    • We highly recommend a stocking cap (aka beanie or knitted hat) or equivalent to sleep in.  This keeps the scout from losing warmth from his head and keeps his ears warm.

​Putting all the above together (for new scouts)

The troop has a ton of collective knowledge/experience and its members are more than willing to help.  Please ask if you have questions.  

 

Must Have Now:

  1. Sleeping Bag – 

    1. Recommend a synthetic bag <= 20-degree rating, appropriately sized to the scout.  

      1. If not described otherwise, a sleeping bag’s rating is the lowest temperature it will keep you alive, not comfortable.  That means a 20 degrees Fahrenheit bag alone will not keep your scout comfortable in 20-25 degrees. Please see this video for more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xciuMljlcZI 

    2. You know how your son sleeps – hot/cold but assume he will need extra layers, a stocking hat and socks to go to bed at night – he can always take layers off if he’s too warm. 

    3. If your sleeping bag is rated to 30 degrees or warmer, you can stuff another warmer rated bag in it or get a sleeping bag liner.  The liner adds warmth and an easier object to wash.

    4. While the Troop does not lend sleeping bags, borrowing a sleeping bag from a friend is a great alternative to purchasing, particularly while the kids are figuring out whether camping is for them. 

  2. Sleeping Pad – 

    1. A simple foam pad is fine, but an insulating pad with an R-value (a measure of how well it insulates) in at least the 3-5 range is essential for avoiding a cold sleepless night.  

  3. Rain Gear –  

    1. A breathable waterproof jacket as a minimum

    2. Rain pants are nice to have for comfort but not required.

    3. Ponchos can work but, if they aren’t breathable, will trap sweat

    4. Make sure rain gear fits over sufficient layers to keep warm

  4. Mess Kit – 

    1. A portable mess kit that includes plate or shallow large bowl, cup (suitable for hot liquids) and a spork or utensil(s)

  5. Hygiene Kit –

    1. Toothbrush and small toothpaste (a full/large toothpaste takes up too much space and is likely to be wasted by the scout

    2. Soap – a small bar or half bar works great

    3. Toilet paper – while we often camp in places where toilet paper is furnished, I always recommend having a small backup, in case the location is out.

  6. Water Bottle – 

    1. At least one (two preferred) one-liter/32oz Nalgene water bottle.  This should be cleaned and filled prior to each trip. 

  7. Headlamp –  

    1. A backup flashlight (or headlamp) is a nice to have

  8. Appropriate Clothing

    1. Season and weather appropriate: looks like rain and cool/cold

    2. As always, dress in layers, avoid natural fibers

    3. Have a backup set packed in a water-proof bag (trash bags work).

      1. Sleeping in wet or damp clothes will result in a miserable night when temperatures drop

    4. Closed-toe shoes that fit.  Waterproof boots preferred but not required. 

    5. A knit, stocking type or similar hat to wear to bed

  9. Something to pack it in – 

    1. You don’t need an expensive backpack, but scouts need to be able to carry all of their personal gear ~100 yards to our next couple of  campouts’ campsites. 

 

Needed Later:

  1. A pocket knife – 

    1. This is one of the 10-scout essentials that they should bring on every campout but new scouts are not allowed to carry one until they complete their knife and axe safety course (Totin’ Chip).  I or one of the adult leaders will let you know when they can start to bring them. This will likely be after summer camp even though the boys will begin working on these skills at the new scout campout.

  2. Boots – 

    1. Over the ankle, waterproof.  These really are essential for comfort and safety as we get out to camp and hike in all weather.  You don’t need them on day one.

    2. Please use boots for shoes if you have them.

    3. It looks like we’re in for rain, which means mud

    4. If you don’t have boots consider packing an extra pair of shoes

  3. Personal first aid kit – 

    1. The Troop will have a full kit at every outing, but scouts are responsible for self-aid for minor cuts and scrapes.  New Scouts will make one as part of the new scout program. 

  4. Compass – 

    1. Another one of the 10-scout essentials that the troop will issue to scouts when we’re working on navigation.  All scouts should eventually own their own, but this is a good gift to give later. 

  5. A backpack – 

    1. Young small scouts will rapidly outgrow an expensive backpack that’s properly sized for them, but as they get older a good, backpacking-style backpack will be a must for carrying everything. 

  6. Fire starting – 

    1. A primary and backup method of fire starting.  This could include solutions like a lighter and a small waterproof container with matches and some homemade fire starters.

 

Nice to Have:

  1. Camp Chair – 

    1. Nothing fancy.  Any fold up chair will work.  This just offers some comfort instead of sitting on cold, wet ground.

  2. A tent – 

    1. Tents are like boats.  You don’t need one if you have a friend who has one – scouts should always sleep with at least one buddy and we’ll work to make sure every scout has a dry place to sleep.  Lots of tents will work but they should be in good repair, leak-proof, and your scout should be able to carry, pitch them, and pack them away by themselves or with the help of a buddy.  You don’t have to run out and buy one right away but if and when you decide to go out and buy one, please reach out and we can help you select one. 

    2. With a tent, a “ground cloth” or “footprint” is needed to protect the bottom of the tent and help prevent water from getting into the tent.

  3. A daypack – 

    1. A good daypack that’s properly sized is something that will be very useful to carry those ten scout essentials, take on hikes, and use to carry their stuff around at summer camp. In a pinch, a school backpack will work fine.

 

Shouldn’t Get/Bring:

  1. The Patrol Has It:  Each patrol has its own kitchen supplies in a “Chuck Box” and patrol gear that scouts won’t need to provide.  These include:

    1. Camp Stove and fuel 

    2. Dining Fly 

    3. Cookware and cooking utensils 

    4. Washing and cleaning supplies 

    5. Tools including saws, axes, and shovels

Prepared. For Life.

Troop 1865, Fairfax, VA

© 2017 - 2026

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