Bare-bones Backpacking
Crew Equipment List

This list summarizes the basic Troop Equipment needed for a typical 2 day (Sat. Sun.) warm-weather weekend backpacking campout from late April to mid-October. Note that this is only a guideline - it must be tailored for each individual trek based on the locale and expected weather. This list minimizes weight and needless duplication. Bring everything you need, but bring only those things you'll use.

Shelter:

_____ Tents (2-man best)
_____ Ground Cloths (proper sizes)

If necessary, tents can be split between two Scouts - First Scout takes the actual tent, while the Second takes the poles, rain-fly, tent-stakes and ground cloth.

Water:

_____ 2 1/2 Gallon Collapsible Water Jug (1/Patrol)
_____ Wide-mouth 1 gallon jugs (for mixing up drink mix; 1/Patrol)
_____ Giardia-type water filter or bottle of chemical purification tablets (1/Patrol)

Cooking:

_____ Food (emphasizing one-pot meals, easy-prep, all dehydrated items)
_____ Abbreviated Cook-kits (1/Patrol) - Take only what is needed!
_____ Abbreviated Utensil Kits (1/Patrol) - Take only what is needed!
_____ Backpacking Stoves (2/Patrol)
_____ Fuel (1 pint per stove per cooked meal), in proper fuel bottles
_____ Soft-packs of "Wet-Ones" (for cooks at dry or suspect water sites; 1 package/Patrol (contains 15 napkins)
_____ Bic Lighters, full, in good working order (2/Troop)

Always plan your meals with use of minimal equipment in mind; bring only that equipment needed to cook and serve the meals you've planned.

Cleanup:

_____ First Aid Kits (2/Troop), non-duplicative, emphasizing foot care items
_____ Small bottle biodegradable soap ("Campsuds" or equivalent; 1 for entire Troop)
_____ Plastic Scrubbies (1/Patrol) and SOS Pads (2/Patrol)
_____ Powdered or Tablet HTH or equivalent (disinfectant rinse; 1 for entire Troop)
_____ Small Drying Tarp (1/Patrol)

Health/Safety:

_____ Heavy-Duty Sash-type reclosable Trash Bags (2/Patrol)
_____ Detailed Maps (2/Troop)
_____ "Possibles/Repair" Kits (2/Troop), non-duplicative, for backpack, stove and tent repairs
_____ Toilet Paper (1 roll/Patrol, packed in plastic) and a "Backpacker's Shovel" (1/Troop)

Optional (by weather/locale):

_____ Bear Bags (1/Patrol)
_____ Bear Bag Rope (1/Troop)
_____ Backpacker's Tarp (with all required equipment; 1/Patrol)
_____ Lightweight Weather-Band Receiver

Optional (by choice):

_____ Fold-up Bow-Saw (1/Troop)
_____ Game/Activity Materials
_____ Backpacker's Lantern, with spare mantle

Assigned Items to be brought by Scouts/Adults (Item/Scout's or Adult's Name):

Alarm Clock (Wristwatch) # 1 __________________________________________________
Alarm Clock (Wristwatch) # 2 __________________________________________________
Backpacker's Binoculars (Optional) __________________________________________________
Camera # 1/Film __________________________________________________
Camera # 2/Film __________________________________________________
Compass # 1 __________________________________________________
Compass # 2 __________________________________________________
Diary Materials (Optional) __________________________________________________
Knife # 1 __________________________________________________
Knife # 2 __________________________________________________
Whistle # 1 __________________________________________________
Whistle # 2 __________________________________________________
Wilderness Survival Kit(s) (Optional, if "exploring" from the campsite will be allowed) __________________________________________________

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12 February 1998