What to Bring to Summer Camp

Any good Scout should be prepared and bring the necessary items when they go camping. Here is a suggested list of things to bring. Please talk with your Pack leaders for specific guidelines and guidance on how to pack and what to bring (and not to bring) to camp.

Personal Gear:

• Scout uniform(s)
• Extra shirts
• Extra pants/shorts
• Socks
• Underwear
• Rain gear
• Swimsuit
• Sleepwear
• Sneakers
• Hiking boots
• Water shoes (or closed-toe footwear that can get wet)
• Warm sweater, sweatshirt and/or jacket
• Towels
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.)
• Sleeping bag / blankets
• Pillow
• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Water bottle / canteen
• Ground cloth or small tarp
• Watch
• Wallet with money (or hold money with a leader)
• Fishing gear
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Folding camp chair
• Bicycle and Helmet (knee pads if not a Webelos)

Pack Gear:

Packing Tips:

The Camp Minsi Trading Post: Camp Minsi's trading post is open most of the day and has many items that you may want to purchase. You'll find a wide variety of items including camping supplies, T-shirts and apparel, craft kits, books, snacks, candy, ice cream, slushies, drinks, souvenirs, and much more. Please be sure you bring the appropriate spending money as to not feel left out. We recommend bringing between $25 to $50 for the week.

Electronics: Scouts should leave all electronics at home. These devices take away from the summer camp experience. They can promote home-sickness and often lead to other problems. Valuables should also be left at home; Camp Minsi is not responsible for broken or lost items.

Bicycles: Camp Minsi allows Scouts and leaders to bring and use bicycles while at camp (and is essential for any Scout working on the Cycling merit badge). Helmets and proper attire must be worn at all times when riding. Scouts who are going into third grade and below should wear knee pads in addition to their helmet.  The buddy system is still in effect when riding.

Label your gear: Scouts should mark all their personal gear! Many times items are lost or misplaced and never claimed. Placing your name and unit number on items can help prevent such losses and helps us reconnect Scouts with lost or found items.

Make sure you can handle your gear: Scouts are in charge of their own stuff at camp, so you need to know what’s in your bag and where it’s packed (for this reason we highly encourage parents to pack with their Scout). Remember that your stuff is your responsibility. 

Pack for all weather: Camp program doesn’t stop on account of rain, so be sure to bring raingear (a few extra pairs of socks and a dry pair of shoes can make all the difference during a rainy week). A small and inexpensive plastic tarp can give extra rain protection for Scouts and their gear — it can provide a dry place to sit after a rainstorm, be hung or used as cover on a rainy day, or provide extra coverage over a leaking tent during an extended rain shower. Also note that the average daily high at Camp Minsi in July is around 80°F, and it can also get chilly at night (Camp Minsi sees an average nighttime low of 59°F in the month of July). A sweatshirt or fleece and a pair of long pants can make the cool evenings and mornings much more comfortable.

Stay organized: Don't just toss everything into a your bag — keep your gear neat, clean and organized! Ziploc bags are your friends; they come in every possible size—even super-huge—and they're watertight and waterproof. Packing your stuff in Ziplock bags can help keep your gear clean and organized throughout the week. Plus you can be confident that it won't get wet or ruined if wind and rain come through your campsite at 3AM.

Still have questions: Talk to your Cubmaster or Den Leader for guidance on what to bring (and what not to bring) to summer camp. Chances are they have lot of advice on what to bring (and what to leave at home).