Camping has always been at the heart of the Scouting experience, and Troop 318 makes every effort to hold a campout each month. Our outings range from fishing trips and float adventures to hiking excursions and other outdoor activities — each designed to help Scouts build skills, confidence, and camaraderie.
Each summer, Troop 318 attends a 9-day Summer Camp at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola, Missouri. During camp, Scouts can earn merit badges, participate in unique challenges, and enjoy experiences that can’t be found anywhere else.
These camping experiences develop self-reliance, teamwork, and leadership — cornerstones of Scouting that last a lifetime.
Camping Essentials
Unless otherwise noted, this list is adapted from Chapter 9 of the Scouts BSA Handbook.
Please don’t feel that a Scout needs to have every item for their first campout. If there’s something you don’t have, just let the Troop Leadership know — we’ve been camping for a long time and often have extra gear available to lend.
Items marked with an asterisk (*) are optional.
Personal Camping Gear Checklists
Scout Basic Essentials
- Pocketknife*
- First aid kit
- Extra clothing
- Rain gear
- Good attitude
- Water bottle
- Flashlight
- Sun protection
- Watch*
Cold Weather Items
- Gloves or Mittens
- Hot Hands hand warmers*
- Heavy Coat (not something that melts)
- Long-sleeved Shirt
- Long pants
- Sweater*
- Hiking Boots or Sturdy Shoes
- Stocking hat* (fleece or wool)
- Long Underwear or "base layer"
(should fit snug)
Other Items
- Backpack
- Sleeping pad (especially important in cold weather)
- Sleeping bag; or two or three blankets. Check the weather. Be sure your sleeping bag is rated below the forecasted temperature. If it's not, bring extra blankets
- Mess Kit; spoon, plate, bowl, cup
- Rain cover for backpack*
- Personal Hygiene Kit soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, washcloth, towel, shower shoes
Group Camping Gear Checklist
- Tents, ground cloths, and stakes
- Dining fly and stakes
- 50-foot nylon cord
- Cook kit
- Stove(s) and fuel
- Matches and/or butane lighter (in resealable plastic bags or containers)
- Pots and pans (matched to menu and dishwashing needs)
- Spatula, large spoon, and/or ladle (matched to menu needs)
- Cleanup Kit
- Biodegradable soap
- Sanitizing rinse agent
- Scouring pads (no soap type)
- Trash can liners (for use as bear bags and for packing out litter and garbage)
- Toilet paper
- Food strainer
- Repair kit
- Thread
- Needles
- Safety pins
- Group extras (optional)
- Hot pot tongs
- Plastic, collapsible water container (1 or 2½ gallon)
- Water-treatment filter or tablets
- Two 4-by-4-foot plastic sheets for food preparation surfaces
- Spade
- Grill
- Patrol flag
- United States Flag
- Two 50-foot ropes and bear bags
- Patrol first-aid kit