CAMPING IN THE RAIN
Let’s face it. If you spend time in the outdoors at some point you will have to deal with rain. The keys to keeping rain from ruining your outdoor experience are PREPARATION and ATTITUDE.
PREPARATION
Have a plan and the equipment for dealing with rain.
Tarps – Have tarps at the ready that you can put equipment (and people if necessary) on and under to keep them dry.
Garbage Bags – Pack essential equipment such as sleeping bags, clothes and some food in plastic bags so they will stay dry.
Keep a box of garbage can liners handy to use as make-shift rain ponchos.
Pop-up Canopies – Having several pop-up canopies gives you a relatively dry place to escape to when the sky opens up. Hang tarps from the canopy to create more shelter.
Tents with Good Rain Flys – Having a dry warm place to sleep and change clothes in makes dealing with rain a lot easier.
Wet Weather Activities: Have games, cards and other activities at the ready that can be done in tents or under canopies to entertain people until the rain stops.
Extra Clothing – Having warm dry clothing to change in to is essential.
Plastic Boxes – Sealable plastic boxes make a great way to store and transport essential gear and food.
ATTITUDE
A Scout Leader must have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE about dealing with inclement weather (and everything else). Your attitude will directly affect how other people feel about and deal with adverse conditions.
Teaching people that rain and inclement weather are part of the outdoor experience.
Don’t cancel or end your trip just because it rains or threatens to rain.
When it rains, celebrate it, go for a hike in it, and then come back and have
warm drinks and soups
When you leave your campsite, plan for rain. Take rain gear with you. Zip up
your tents and cover essential equipment in case it rains while you’re
away.