Summer Camp Essentials
So, you’re going to be going to camp for the first time with your scouts. Congratulations, you’re in for a week you’re never going to forget. But, as the Scout motto says, Be Prepared. So here are a few of the things that I’ve found to be summer camp essentials for a unit leader to have on hand to make sure they, and the scouts in their care have an awesome time at camp.
You’re probably nervous. You should be nervous. It’s a big responsibility. The thought of being in the woods with other people’s children is a daunting thing for sane people. It’s also one of the most fun thing’s you’ll ever get to do. You’re going to laugh harder than you thought possible. You’re going to get to see kids accomplish miraculous things. The stories that come from camp stay with you the rest of your life.
So, to reduce the number of the things you have to worry about, and to make you as comfortable as possible – so that you can focus on making sure the kids in your care have the best possible experience, here are a few summer camp essentials for leaders.
A Good Cooler
On a hot day, you’re going to want to make sure you have cold beverages in the camp site. As summer camp essentials go, this one’s extremely important. Keeping everyone hydrated is one of the most important parts of having a good week at camp. So you’re going to want to have a big cooler full of ice with beverages in it, or at least have a full Gatorade bucket (or generic alternative.)
You’ll probably also want to have a good supply of drink mix on hand. Make sure you’re reminding the kids to keep drinking water. Water toasts are a fun way of getting this done. But a kid who’s not drinking enough water will wind up spending more time than they’d like to either in the latrine, or in the camp nurse’s office, and that’s not good for anyone.
A Good Camp Chair
Especially for Boy Scout leaders. Frankly, it should be a requirement. Being a Boy Scout leader pretty much requires a good camp chair. For some new leaders, it should have restraints, as the temptation to hover over the boys is all too tempting. Camping is not about suffering, so get a nice chair.
There are two schools of thought on camp chairs. There’s the people who like to put their feet up, and go the ottoman style. Then there are people who like to have a little bit more shade, and get a camp chair with a little roof. Then there are people who take it way, way too far, and get a camp chair with a little roof… and an ottoman.
And then spend the week getting the 11-year-olds out of it.
Lighting
Camps can get pretty dark at night, so you’re going to want to have some lighting above and beyond the campfire for boys to play cards, do merit badge work, or read after the sun goes down. You can go with the traditional kerosene lanterns, but for the less experienced leader, the electric ones are easier to operate, and safer. This Streamlight lantern is pretty cheap, and puts out an awful lot of light.
Bug Netting
Essential. Don’t imagine going to camp without it. You don’t want to be the sleepy leader in the morning because a mosquito was buzzing their ears all night. I’ve been that guy. Don’t be like me. Be smart. Get the net. Also, don’t forget to pick up some wooden dowels and duct tape to hang the thing.
Battery Operated Fan
Okay, maybe this one’s not essential, and maybe, just maybe, it gives away how soft I really am. But I like sleeping with a fan at night. I like this one, because it will clip on to the bunk frame at night. Mock me now, but when it’s late July and it’s not getting below 90 at night, you can thank me later.
Cell Phone Charger
It’s the 21st century, and as much as we can caution against the kids having cell phones in camp, it’s irresponsible for the leader in camp not to. You need to be in contact with the camp office, with parents, and ready in case there’s an emergency in the middle of the night. It’s important that you’re able to keep an eye on the weather. You’re also going to want to take a lot of pictures and videos to use in recruiting in the fall.
There are really two ways to go here, you can go with the solar charger. Makes you look really outdoorsy. Or you can go the brick route.
I kinda prefer these things, for two big reasons. They’ll last you a month at camp, are easy to recharge, and they have the added bonus of being able to jump start your car. If you left the dome light on when you left the car on Sunday, this baby is ready to bail you out. They’re not too large.
An Extra Sleeping Bag
Not to be indelicate, but accidents will happen at camp, and you don’t want to wind up at 2 am with a scout who’s had an accident, and now is without a sleeping bag. You’re going to want to make sure you have an extra one. Nothing fancy, just an extra one.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
Other Assorted Summer Camp Essentials
- Playing Cards
- Board Games
- Polypropelene Socks – cool feet, no blisters
- A First Aid Kit (with moleskin for blisters)
- Extra Bug Spray
- Extra Suntan Lotion
- Camp Coffee Pot
- Supplies for S’mores
Reader Suggestions
- Tarp
- Solar Lights
- A clothesline for hanging towels, and uniforms. If it’s between two trees, keep it away from trails, and above head level (6′). If it’s in your tent, tie it between the upright poles, never put anything
Anything you think I missed? Please put it in the comments below, and we’ll add it to the list.
Troop Tarp, clothes line for wet towels and swimsuits. I also bring a plastic hanger for my Field Uniform Shirt to hang inside the tent(scouts too).
I agree, and I’ll add it to the list, with the best ways to hang camp clotheslines, and the warning about never hanging wet clothes on the outriggers. Once a camp commissioner, always a camp commissioner.
Good point and one which is the basis of my advice above. Regardless of the camp, it’s better to be prepared than to find that those pin-sized holes in your canvas tent are not as water-tite as you assumed.
I can totally see this from both sides. As the unit leader, I’m bringing the tarp, just in case, and I understand that wear and tear on tents happens, and that while the staff will catch more holes, perfection is denied us on this side of the Garden of Eden.
On the other hand, as the camp commissioner, (or now, as the guy who comes to visit camp during staff week as the “independent observer”), I’m going through every tent looking for daylight coming through the tents to make sure that those holes aren’t there, and they offend me if they aren’t fixed.