To have a good time and to be safe you must stay warm. To do that you must stay dry. You must dress in layers to preserve body heat, and so you can remove some layers if you start to sweat. NEVER SWEAT!

Please take a moment to review the equipment you will need to go cold weather camping with our troops, or download our cold weather camping equipment checklist available in the following formats:

Cold Weather Camping Equipment

ONE SET LONG UNDERWEAR - Top and bottom. This cannot be a cotton set. Cotton will feel warm and comfy in your living room, but at camp it will get damp and never dry out. Long underwear should be polypropylene, silk, or wool.

WOOL SOCKS - Three pair, four would be better. Socks must be tightly woven, not the “ragg” style. You should not be able to see though the weave of the socks. Smartwool is a great brand of socks, there are store brands that are cheaper but also do a good job. The higher the percentage of wool the better. Look for at least 80%.

BOOTS - One pair, sturdy. Either waterproof or sprayed with several layers of “Camp Dry” or a similar product.

TWO LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS - These could be cotton like flannel, it would be better if they were wool or a synthetic material. A turtleneck sweater can take the place of a shirt, but if you get hot you have to take it off—you can’t just unbutton a few buttons to let out some heat.

ONE LONG SLEEVE SWEATSHIRT OR FLEECE - Fleece is better, will dry much more quickly if you get wet.

PANTS (TWO PAIR) - Absolutely no jeans. Should be a blend or an all synthetic material. The Scout Pants are actually pretty good. If worn over long underwear, then with rain pants over the scout pants, you have three layers on your legs and you will stay dry. Ski Pants are fine, but you can overheat if you are taking a hike or playing hard.

HEAVY COAT - The longer the better, it should at least come down over your hips. The more waterproof the better.

GLOVES (TWO PAIR) - The more waterproof the better. Wet gloves will not dry around a campfire.

HATS (TWO) - Toboggan style. One to wear during the day, one to sleep in. Fleece or wool is the best. You lose 25% of your body heat from your head.

SLEEPING BAG - You must “Be Prepared” to sleep comfortably in a zero degree tent. Y ou need a mummy style sleeping bag rated to at least zero. If your bag won’t keep you warm at that temperature, bring two bags and put one inside the other. A fleece liner, sold at Meier’s and other stores will improve a bag by 10 to 15 degrees.

SLEEPING PAD - This is a pad to go under your sleeping bag to insulate you from the ground. The ground will make you colder before the zero degree air will. You cannot use an air mattress at a winter camp. A closed cell foam or self inflating mattress (like Thermorest) is best. The sleeping pad must be as long as your sleeping bag.

SLEEPING CLOTHES - Roll a set of lightweight sleeping clothes into your bag. This is a good place for a turtleneck. You must change your clothes before you go to sleep, remember to put on your hat.

RAIN GEAR - Know the weather forecast. If it will be warm enough to rain, (30 degrees or higher) pack raingear.

THIS LIST IS MANDATORY. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO GO TO CAMP IN JEANS, TENNIS SHOES, OR WITHOUT LONG UNDERWEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. NO ONE HAS EVER GOTTEN FROSTBITE ON A TROOP CAMPOUT AND WE EXPECT THAT RECORD TO CONTINUE.

REMEMBER - UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT IN EFFECT FOR WINTER CAMPOUTS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO BE DRY AND WARM.

If you have ANY questions about your camping gear, email ohioscout@yahoo.com