All the things your young person will need to be prepared for their nights away
We’ve thought about what your young person will need to make the most of a camp or sleepover, along with some of the things they won’t need.Making sleepovers, camping and other residentials as fun as possible
Helping you to make sure your young person has the right gearAs your young person moves through each of the sections, they’ll enjoy all sorts of nights away experiences, with sleepovers in Beavers and Cubs where your young person will sleep inside a tent in an indoor setting, to overnight camps for all sections, where they’ll enjoy overnight residential trips involving sleeping in the great outdoors in tents, as well as in cabins and other settings.
Our sections will be planning to organise at least one nights away experience over a weekend per term, as well as hikes and other adventures in the great outdoors. For our older members, this will involve outdoor cooking, as we teach them skills that will help them become self-sufficient away from home.
It’s really important that your young person learns to pack their own equipment themselves too. For younger members, it’s a good idea to collect everything and place it on a bed, and get them to pack their bag themselves. This helps them to know where everything is in their bag, as you won’t be there to help them find things when they’re at camp.
Our Kit List below shows everything that your young person will need while they’re away from home. Having good quality kit that’s comfortable and will keep your young person dry in all conditions can help make all the difference between just enjoying themselves, and loving being in the great outdoors.
Things everyone needs for a great nights away experience
It's not an exhaustive list, but this list will help you think about the stuff you need to bring with you- Uniform
- Sweaters, jumpers or hoodies
- T-shirts or polo shirts
- Breathable base layer
- Micro-fleece mid-layer
- Trousers and/or shorts (not denim)
- Spare underwear (one per day)
- Spare walking socks (one pair per day)
- Pyjamas or nightwear
- Sturdy walking shoes or boots
- Waterproof trousers
- Waterproof layered jacket
- Swimwear and towel (microfibre preferred)
- Handkerchiefs
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal wash kit and face towel
- Teddy (maximum of one, please)
- Scarf, hat and gloves
- Sun hat, sun cream and sunglasses
- Sleeping bag
- Foam roll mat
- Plate, bowl, mug and KFS (cutlery)
- Tea towel
- Small torch or head torch
- Spare batteries
- Personal first aid kit
- Day sack (up to 20L)
- Rucksack (45L to 60L recommended)
- Refillable drinks bottle
- Bin bag for dirty clothes
Make sure your young person’s stuff is clearly labelled
All items should have your young person’s name on them so that we can return lost and misplaced items to their owners as quickly and as easily as possible.
No jeans or joggers
If your young person gets wet, they need to be wearing clothing, such as Scouts Activity Trousers or good walking trousers, that are comfortable and will dry quickly.
No suitcases, haul bags, cargo packs or hold-all style bags
Your young person needs to be able to comfortably carry all their gear on their back. Investing in and looking after a good quality 40-plus-litre rucksack will see your young person all the way through their journey from Beavers to Explorers and beyond.
Kit Purchasing Guide
We’ve done some research and have some tried-and-tested favouritesIt’s important to make sure you buy the right gear for the right purposes. You don’t need to worry about buying tents, but investing in a set of good quality kit can make all the difference and ensure that you don't just enjoy going camping, but that you can’t wait until your next adventure.
Don’t forget, as a Scout or an Adult Volunteer, you’re entitled to a range of discounts at various retailers, such as GoOutdoors, where Scouts are entitled to 10% off the Discount Card price (doesn't usually apply to offers). Just take your necker as proof of your involvement, to receive your discount.