Individual Equipment Check List
For Sid Richardson Scout Ranch, near Fort Worth, TX, June 2016
NOTES: Daytime highs for late June – early July are about 91 deg; nighttime lows are about 70 deg. Guard against excessive sun exposure with hats, covering with clothing, and sunscreen. Humidity is slightly less than Houston, usually 70-80%. Carry a water bottle at all times.
At bedtime, the temperature will be about 80 deg. The way to stay the coolest possible is to lie on your cot without any insulator under you. This means sleeping on a sheet only or directly on the cot, without a sheet. Have your cover handy for later in the night when it gets down to 72 deg typical low. Expect chiggers in grassy areas and a small number of mosquitoes. Mosquito nets are not needed, but insect repellant on socks, legs, and waist band is highly recommended to prevent chigger bites, which can be much more uncomfortable than mosquito bites.
All participants must have an up-to-date BSA Medical Form Parts A, B, and C, submitted to the troop within the last year, along with a current copy of their health insurance card, front and back.
1. Water
Several 0.5 liter bottled water containers to carry in pockets. Refill with tap water as needed. Heavy duty quart sized hiking bottles (like Nalgene) are too heavy, too hard to carry, and not recommended. Camelbacks or similar backpack hydration systems are excellent alternatives.
2. Food
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the dining hall most days. DO NOT keep any food in tents due to skunks, fire ants, and other critters.
3. Packing
All items (except camp chair and a pillow, if they do not fit) should be packed in a footlocker with a combination lock. The recommended brand is a Contico nesting footlocker, black, without wheels, 32”L x 18-1/4”W x 13-1/4”H. These are available for about $20 at any Walmart automotive department, product number 2002720544.
4. Clothing
· Cap or hat. A Must!
· Scout uniform: BSA shirt, BSA pants, BSA belt and BSA socks. No neckerchief. Wear to dinner each night and hang up immediately after.
· Coat hanger for uniform.
· Non-BSA socks, 7 pair.
· Underwear, 7 pair.
· 5 tee shirts provided Mon-Fri by Troop 11, but the trip is 7 days. Bring one or two more, preferably red.
· Non-BSA shorts and belt for daily wear.
· Shoes, sturdy closed toe
· Shoes, second pair that you can get wet or boots
· Shower shoes or flip flops (for the shower only, not for camp wear).
· Towel. Pack on top of gear for early swim.
· 2 Swim Suits. Pack on top of gear for early swim. You might need a cord for hanging up wet stuff to dry.
· Sleeping clothes, such as gym shorts.
· Long sleeve shirt, artificial fiber. For sun protection.
· Blue jeans, one or two pairs. For horse riding or leg protection if working in brush.
· Long pants, artificial fiber, such as BSA zip-off.
· Sweater or light jacket
· Rain gear: poncho and/or rain jacket and rain pants
· 2 kitchen trash bags, white, for dirty clothes and for packing wet items.
5. Shelter
· Tents will be provided
· Cot supplied from our storage neighbor, thanks to the MS-150 team.
· Bring:
o Single bed sheet.
o Some kind of cover or light blanket for 72 deg average lows.
o Sleeping bag (a 30 deg sleeping bag is TOO WARM for most people, but it is prudent to bring a sleeping bag anyway, just in case the temperature gets chilly.
o Pillow. Your pillow should be in your foot locker during travel or with you in the van or car No loose pillows in the trailer.
6. Other
· Toiletries
o Toothbrush and toothpaste
o Washcloth
o Soap and Shampoo
o Comb or Brush
o Shaving gear
o Gold Bond powder
o Extra Toilet Paper
· Small, personal first aid kit, optional. Troop’s kit will be there, and there is a Health Lodge at the campground
· Sun screen.
· Insect repellent. No, you will not need a mosquito net.
· Flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries
· Small Pocket knife and Totin’ Chip.
· Work gloves.
· Spending money for Trading Post and meals on trip.
· Day pack for hikes and toting gear.
· Paper, pencil or pen.
· Scout Handbook.
A. Optional Gear
· Sunglasses.
· Travel Alarm.
· Watch.
· Book of Faith.
· Compact camp chair.
· Binoculars.
· Rug for tent platform, small.
· Camera.
· Cards, puzzles, or other non-electronic game stuff.
· Musical Instrument.
· Merit badge books, requirement lists. Please donate your used MB books to the Troop 11 library.
· Compass (if needed for badge, one with a mirror is best).
· Backpack (if needed for overnighter).
· Insulated cup for hot chocolate or coffee optional for tent area. (Every camper will be given an El Rancho Cima camp mug at check-in).
B. Troop Trailers
The Troop trailers will be completely filled, and there is a limit on items that you can load. We will travel in vans and cars with very little storage space. Do not expect to load any more gear than this in the trailer:
· Your footlocker and one compact camping chair (optional)
· One cot to be furnished by the Troop.
· No pillows in the trailer. If you can’t get a small pillow in your footlocker, carry it with you in the van or car and put it in your lap, under your seat, or behind the last seat.
C. Do Not Bring to Camp
· No firearms, fireworks, or archery gear.
· No large knifes, hunting, or sheath knives.
· No electronic gear, no cell phones. There is no electricity.
· No unsecured (not checked in) prescription medications.
· No valuables.
· No snack foods.
· No cigarette lighters, matches, or camping lighters.
· No pets.