Mr. Davidson's Campout Packing Rules    

(Never, Ever Violate These!)

1.  Rain Gear always on top.

2.  No one puts stuff in your pack. You can only blame yourself when your pack feels too heavy, 50 lbs of lightweight gear weighs the same as 50 lbs of heavy gear.

3.  If you want to carry one extra thing, make sure it applies to sleeping.  A bad night sleeping makes the next day on the trail miserable.

4.  Keep your toilet paper dry and readily available.  Do not violate rule number 1.

5. Ask for big items for your birthday or Christmas.  Work to buy smaller items to make trips easier.  Always buy big items like packs and sleeping bags on sale.  It will work the same and your money will go farther.  A scout is Thrifty.

Packing Order (Put stuff in your pack in this order.)

A.  One change of clothes.  In the deepest, least accessible place in your pack.  You will only need it if you get wet or get a shower.  Mom's think that you will need more.  See rule number 2.

B.  Pull over clothing layers.  These take time to get on and off.  If you are at the campsite, the you will have time to use them.

C.  Fire building stuff.  Everyone needs some to "Be Prepared."  Matches, flammable starters, cotton dryer lint, wooden matches, stubby candle (used.)

D.  Gear for sleeping.  Dry socks to change prior to sleeping.  Knit hat to keep head warm.  Put the "P" in an empty Peanut Butter jar.

E.  Eating gear.  You'll need this around camp after patrol gear is used to make a meal.  Cup, plate, and spoon at a minimum.

F.  Patrol gear.  These will need to be available when you arrive at the campsite.

G.  Zip up clothing layers.  These can be pulled out and put on at lunch or short rests to keep from getting cold as you cool down.

H. Socks, hats, and scarves.  Good items for short rests.  Socks can double as mittens.  Can be carried in large pant's pockets.

I.  Patrol gear. Tarps, cooking pots, food, stoves, water, etc.

J. Rain gear.  This must be on top.  Never break rule number 1.

Pack Pockets.  (These contain items needed while hiking or frequently used.)

a. Flashlight.  It will get dark sooner than you think and you will need it to find stuff in your pack.

b. Tarps or pack cover.  When it starts to rain this stuff will need to be pulled out quickly to cover your pack and keep stuff dry.  I know that everything will be dry because of plastic bags, but they get holes and a wet pack is a heavy pack.  See rule number 2.

c.  Water.  Have water available during hiking.  Try out the "convenient" storage location in the store before buying a pack.

d.  First aid kit.  When you get a hot spot or blister, you don't want to tear your pack apart to find mole skin, Bain-Aids, tweezers, etc.

e. Extra socks for changing on the trail if your feet get wet.

f.  Trowel for number 2.

Strap on outside of pack or in special pocket.

Tent with ground cloth

Sleeping bag or blankets

Sleeping pad (Roll pad around sleeping bag if possible for extra protection from water.)

Camp stool

Other Thoughts

If you are buying a pack, everyone assumes that you know what you want and how to use it.  This is a bad assumption.  Ask lots of questions.  Try gear out in the store.  Only after two or three trips, will you start figuring out how to load your pack.

If a zipper, snap, or buckle does not work well in the store, it will not work on the trail.  Ask for another item of the same thing and test again.

Avoid bungee cords for holding strapping items on packs.  Buckle straps work best.  Manila rope is better than nylon cord.  Nylon cord allows items to slip out.

If it's small, tie it down with string so it doesn't get lost.  Critical for flashlights.

Down sleeping bags require a Gortex cover.  Down bags do not retain heat when wet.  This will add about $100 to the cost of the bag.  Pack cover with tent or sleeping bag.