Purchasing a tent can be a daunting task with so many options.  High-end features such as ultralight materials and poles are not necessary for our campouts.  Use the recommendations below to find a tent in your budget.

Recommendations: 

• Full Rain Fly - Greater chance of staying dry and warm in the winter

• Vestibule - Extra room to store gear out of the weather

• 2-3 Person Tent - 2 person is really 1+ gear, 3 person is 2+ gear

• Raised Bathtub Floor - Reduces chance of leaks at floor seams

Features to Avoid:

• Partial Rain Fly - Tends to leak in heavy rain or wind

• 4+ Person Tents - Hard to set up, sleeps cold in the winter

• EZ-Down Pop-Up Tents - Collapse in wind

• Invest in a bag rated to 20°F or lower for year-round use to keep your Scout comfortable.

• A 20°F rating is the lower limit, not a comfort rating. If forecasts drop that low, place additional blankets both above and below the sleeping bag for extra insulation.

• Adding a sleeping pad will provide comfort all year long. More importantly, a sleeping pad with an R-value of 3+ will help insulate from the cold ground during winter camping.

• We recommend a sleeping bag that fits in a stuff sack.

Pick an option that works best for your Scout:

• Gear Tote: The 108 Qt. Plano Sportsman's Tote is a great option.  It is on wheels and very durable.  These are the same totes we use for our Patrol Cooking Equipment.  These can be left out in all but the heaviest weather. 

• Plastic Footlocker: A 16-gallon footlocker (like Sterilite) with a hinged lid (helps prevent lost lids and keeps gear closed). These are not watertight and should not be left outside of the tent.

• Hiking Backpack: An internal/external frame pack with at least a 40-liter capacity. These can be used on backpacking trips as well.  

Layering Strategy

• Temperature & Effort Control: Layering provides the flexibility to adjust as temperatures and physical effort change.

• Sweat Prevention: Adjusting layers prevents sweating, which keeps you warm and dry in cold conditions.

• Proper Fit: Ensure all clothing layers fit comfortably on top of one another without restricting movement.

• Outer Shell: Wear a weatherproof rain jacket over a fleece or puffer jacket as your top protective layer.

• Avoid Long Underwear: Skip heavy base layers unless conditions are extremely cold.

Recommended Clothing Layers

• Base Layer: Tech / Moisture-Wicking T-Shirt

• Next Layer: Moisture-Wicking Long-Sleeve Shirt

• Outer Layer #1: Full-Zip Fleece Jacket

• Outer Layer #2: Puffer Jacket

• Outer Layer #3: Weatherproof Rain Jacket

• Gear Provided By the Troop: The Troop supplies group gear, including canopies, camping stoves, and cooking equipment.

• Loaner Tents: A limited supply of tents is available for families who haven't bought one yet or for emergency use (e.g., broken or leaky tents).