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Category: Resources

Snow/Winter Campout checklist

10 Essentials

  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
  • 2 filled water bottles (Filled.)
    • 1 liter each, so have 2 liters minimum. Recommend one wide­mouth Nalgene type and a tested, leak free hydration bladder. Still need one wide mouth bottle, even if bladder is more than 2 liters, so filters attach, don’t leak, can add powdered juice mixes)
  • Snow/Rain gear (poncho OR  waterproof hooded jacket  & pants)
  • Sun protection (hat and >SPF 15+ sun screen)
  • Compass and map
  • First aid kit
  • Extra clothes
  • Trail food (bars, dehydrated  fruit, trail mix, etc.)
  • Pocket knife (folding – NO fixed blades)

First Aid Kit

  • Moleskin 3×6 inches (for blisters)
  • Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
  • Adhesive Bandages (multiple, XL ­ med)
  • Sterile Gauze pads (multiple, 3×3 and/or 4×4)
  • Antiseptic (multiple wipes or tube)
  • Ibuprofen
  • Tylenol
  • Medication – If you need to take meds you MUST tell Scoutmaster and he will carry and administer per BSA policy
  • Latex gloves
  • 2 inch roll of gauze bandage
  • Small roll of adhesive tape

Personal Items

  • Toilet Paper (about 1/3 of a roll flatted in a Ziploc)
  • Plastic ground cloth/tarp (sufficient to sleep on and double over you, should not be huge. If you don’t have, you will be sleeping on snow and libel to get wet.)
  • Pack w/ rain cover (or large garbage bag to cover)
    • Internal or External frame
    • Essential it fits very snug around waist.
    • Measuring and fitting the length from the shoulder harness to the waist belt to your body is important so that the burden can be shared by mainly on hips.
    • Minimize the amount of stuff that is sticking off the outside or above your head. Weighty items should be close to your back and lower down.
  • Sleeping bag w/ stuff sack (20 degree temp rating) + fleece blanket to wrap inside. NEED BOTH.
  • Sleeping pad (air or closed cell foam – NO open cell egg crate type)
  • Second sleeping pad. YOU NEED BOTH.
  • Sierra Cup or bowl
  • Spoon
  • Toiletries (Deodorant, toothbrush & paste, soap, small camp towel or hand towel/chamois)
  • Small Biodegradable dish soap 1 or 2 oz.
  • 2 large plastic garbage bags
  • Whistle
  • Repair kit
    • Needle and thread o Extra parts for your pack / tent
    • Safety Pins
    • Duct tape (roll some around an old medicine bottle that has you matches in it)
  • Nylon cord/rope 50 feet (Para­cord works well)
  • Clothes pins
  • Water purification tablets/iodine/filter (depends on location and activity)
  • Bug repellent (ex. REI Jungle Juice. High DEET content, small and light)
  • Lip balm Sunglasses

Clothes

  • Boots (Waterproof hiking boots with gaiters or snow boots that tie / strap up)
  • Camp shoes (can get wet, crocs, sandals, sneakers)
  • Socks – 2 pair (Wool or Synthetic – NO cotton!)
  • Liner Socks – 2 pair (Silk or Nylon/Polypropylene – worn under wool to prevent friction blisters)
  • 2 pair Gloves/Mittens (preferably water proof, ski type or THICK tightly woven wool). Consider liners or extras.
  • Warm hat (beanie/stocking cap) or full face balaclava
  • Change of underwear
  • Long pants or zip-offs (NO Cotton!)
  • Layers (NO Cotton!)
    • Wicking Base = synthetic long top & bottom
    • Warmth Mid = insulating fleece or comparable top & bottom
    • Ski jacket/pants. Can be same as rain gear if you have warm layers.

Optional (weight permitting)

  • Book
  • Game
  • Watch
  • Camera
  • Scout Handbook
  • Notebook/paper pen/pencil
  • Pillow (fleece/sweater makes a great substitute)
  • Fork
  • Plate
  • Hammock
  • Hiking stick/poles

Spring/Summer Campout Checklist

10 Essentials

  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
  • 2 filled water bottles (Filled.)
    • 1 liter each, so have 2 liters minimum. Recommend one wide­mouth Nalgene type and a tested, leak free hydration bladder. Still need one wide mouth bottle, even if bladder is more than 2 liters, so filters attach, don’t leak, can add powdered juice mixes)
  • Rain gear (poncho OR  waterproof hooded jacket  & pants)
  • Sun protection (hat and >SPF 15+ sun screen)
  • Compass and map
  • First aid kit
  • Extra clothes
  • Trail food (bars, dehydrated  fruit, trail mix, etc.)
  • Pocket knife (folding – NO fixed blades)

First Aid Kit

  • Moleskin 3×6 inches (for blisters)
  • Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin)
  • Adhesive Bandages (multiple, XL ­ med)
  • Sterile Gauze pads (multiple, 3×3 and/or 4×4)
  • Antiseptic (multiple wipes or tube)
  • Ibuprofen
  • Tylenol
  • Medication – If you need to take meds you MUST tell Scoutmaster and he will carry and administer per BSA policy
  • Latex gloves
  • 2 inch roll of gauze bandage
  • Small roll of adhesive tape

Personal Items

  • Toilet Paper (about 1/3 of a roll flatted in a Ziploc)
  • Plastic ground cloth/tarp (sufficient to sleep on and double over you, should not be huge)
  • Pack w/ rain cover (or large garbage bag to cover)
    • Internal or External frame
    • Essential it fits very snug around waist.
    • Measuring and fitting the length from the shoulder harness to the waist belt to your body is important so that the burden can be shared by mainly on hips.
    • Minimize the amount of stuff that is sticking off the outside or above your head. Weighty items should be close to your back and lower down.
  • Sleeping bag w/ stuff sack (20 degree temp rating)
  • Sleeping pad (air or closed cell foam – NO open cell egg crate type)
  • Sierra Cup or bowl
  • Spoon
  • Toiletries (Deodorant, toothbrush & paste, soap, small camp towel or hand towel/chamois)
  • Small Biodegradable dish soap 1 or 2 oz.
  • 2 large plastic garbage bags
  • Whistle
  • Repair kit
    • Needle and thread o Extra parts for your pack / tent
    • Safety Pins
    • Duct tape (roll some around an old medicine bottle that has you matches in it)
  • Nylon cord/rope 50 feet (Para­cord works well)
  • Clothes pins
  • Water purification tablets/iodine/filter (depends on location and activity)
  • Bug repellent (ex. REI Jungle Juice. High DEET content, small and light)
  • Lip balm Sunglasses

Clothes

  • Hiking boots
  • Camp shoes (can get wet, crocs, sandals, sneakers)
  • Socks – 2 pair (Wool or Synthetic – NO cotton!)
  • Liner Socks ­ 2 pair (Silk or Nylon/Polypropylene – worn  under wool to prevent friction blisters)
  • Gloves  Warm hat (beanie/stocking cap)
  • Change of underwear
  • 2 T­shirts (Poly NO Cotton!)
  • Shorts (1 pair should be enough. No Cotton)
  • Long pants or zip-offs) (NO Cotton!)
  • Swimsuit (dependent on season and activity)
  • Layers (For season & activity. NO Cotton!)
    • Wicking Base = synthetic long top & bottom
    • Warmth mid = insulating fleece or comparable top & bottom
    • Weather Outer Shell = jacket/pants. Can be  same as  rain gear.

Optional (weight permitting)

  • Book
  • Game
  • Watch
  • Camera
  • Scout Handbook
  • Notebook/paper pen/pencil
  • Pillow (fleece/sweater makes a great substitute)
  • Fork
  • Plate
  • Hammock
  • Hiking stick/poles

© 2025 Troop 612, Northern Trails District, Chief Seattle Council - Boy Scouts of America
© 2025 Troop 612, Northern Trails District, Chief Seattle Council - Boy Scouts of America