Camp Packing Tips

The 64th Guides Packing Tips for Camp - May 2011

This is a note for caregivers who are tempted to help by packing a bag for their camper instead of with their camper.

Have the camper pack her own bag.

If you really need to help, choose the clothing and items to pack, lay them out and have the camper pack them. This gives her the opportunity to know what she has packed. Lost and found items usually belong to a camper whose caregiver packed something new.

To teach your camper to pack, have her pull out each item on the kit list. Discuss what she has chosen and then put together outfits for each day and bag them into zip lock bags.

Anecdote from my experience - a mom tried to surprise a camper in my Ember unit by tucking a favourite stuffy in the bag. The camper left it behind because she didn't remember it was hers (there was no name on it). We left it behind because it had no name. By the time we could get back there to check - it was gone. There were tears.
Waterproof your stuff.

Line every bag with a clear plastic bag. Sometimes bags need to be outside and you want everything to be dry.
Put her name on everything - see the story about the lost favourite stuffy above.
Choose a bag your camper can carry

Campers are expected to carry their own bags and gear from the drop-off area to the campsite.

Comments

Campfire Candle Pot

Our unit would love to have a campfire. Sounds wonderful, but it is a bit impractical for a unit meeting. A 90 minute meeting with an outdoor fire requires a fire pit, possibly a permit, and all the things that come with fire - which I love, but they are impractical. I've made a Candle Pot for myself and I'm thinking I'll try it for Guides one night. It is really a Buddy Burner in a pot. The cool thing is, when you're done with the fire, put the lid back on and it is extinguished. What do you think? Here's where I got the idea in the first place: The Bees In Your Backyard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy_sWuvi-BU

Girl Guide Bedroll

Campers need a place to sleep that is dry and comfortable. The gear in this list is all the same, but there are a few different ways to make sure it stays dry. Let's talk about the gear first. Gear you need: Base/water barrier layer that will go on the tent floor - between you and the ground. I suggest a tarp or a quality shower curtain. I like the shower curtain option because it is durable and quiet. Tarps are noisy. An insulating mattress that is comfy enough to sleep on but also small enough for the camper to carry it. Go with a Thermarest, some foam, or a yoga mat. Do not choose an inflatable air mattress as the volume of air inside the mattress is not insulated at all. Coldest night ever! (Unless you have an expensive air mattress specifically built for cold temperatures, leave your air mattress at home). An appropriate sleeping bag for the temperature at camp. Choose a good temperature rated sleeping bag and supplement it with a wool blanket or a wa...

Brown Owl Cara's Ditty Bag, Dish Bag, or Mess Kit

There are lots of different names for this thing, ditty bag, dippy bag, dish bag, mess kit... it goes on and on. For us it is called a ditty bag and it is for dishes at camp. The bag should be a cloth or net bag (or small reusable fabric grocery bag) with a drawstring or handle to hang it up with. Not too big - about the size of a folded tea towel. Any bigger and it drapes on the floor. No plastic or the non-woven fabric ones - they keep the water in. Inside you'll put your dishes and cutlery - make sure they are marked with your name or an identifying tape or mark. Use nail polish, sharpie markers, tape, or whatever you can do to make your stuff identifiable. Unbreakable dishes and cutlery - look for plastic or metal. No glass please. At camp, your camper will loop the drawstring over their arm, wash their dishes, and then put the wet dishes in the bag to drip-dry. We use a bit of bleach in the dishwater so be prepared for the bag to fade or get some bleach blot...

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