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RICHMOND DISTRICT WINTER CAMP 2000

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST

• Underwear - long-johns or flannel pajamas - bring 2 sets (at least)

• Socks - lots & lots of socks - best bet is light cotton/poly first and
  then heavy wool socks over.

• Shirts - heavy wool shirts are best - bring 4

• Sweaters - large and roomy. You?ll need 2. Turtle-necks are best, else wear
  a scarf.

• Pants - 2 pairs of heavy woolen slacks. (Ex-military are great). Cords are
  so-so. Jeans are a bummer. They soak up water like a sponge
  then once wet, stay wet, and cold. DON?T BRING JEANS.

• Toque - A MUST. Bring two - one for daytime and one for bed (even if your
  sleeping bag has a hood.) There?s an old Nordic saying: ?If your
  feet are cold, put on a hat!? [75% of heat loss is through the head]

• Gloves - Multiple pairs are recommended. Mitts are warmer than gloves.
  Snow-boarder gloves are neat. (Expensive too.)

• Jacket - Bring a couple of jackets. It is important to have at least one that
  is water-resistant. Big & bulky covers all your clothes.

• Boots - Snow boots are best. A felt insole makes boots warmer. Leather
  boots must be water-proofed and they may still freeze at night.
  So take your boots to bed with you. If your boots do get wet, put
  plastic bags over dry socks before you put your boots on. You will
  be amazed at how warm this keeps your feet.

• Sunglasses A very good idea. Unless you want to squint a lot or take a chance
  on snow blindness.

• Gaiters - Got ?em? Bring ?em. Keeps your lower legs warm and dry.

• Rain Gear - Of course, it may rain. It will also keep you warm. Trust me.

• Running Shoes - I will personally strip the Scout badge off of any Scout seen
  wearing running shoes except inside a tent. There is no need to
  bring running shoes. Bring extra boots.

• Changes - Plan on 3 - 4 complete changes of clothes. This is not a fashion
  event. Change your clothes completely before going to bed.

• Utensils - If you want to eat? You?ll want something to keep them in. If you
  drop them in the snow you won?t find them until June.

• Toilet Kit - Include your own TP, just in case. Toothpaste will freeze if left out.
  Sunscreen and lip balm are good to have in winter.

• Sleeping Bags - This is the most important consideration. Ignore all ratings on your expensive sleeping bag. Just bring two sleeping
  bags and put the warmer one inside the other. Keep your bags in a
  plastic bag, even if you use a stuff sack. This always works, even
  with lighter sleeping bags. Don?t argue that a thermal blanket is
  is as good as a sleeping bag. It isn?t!

• Foamies - You will need a foamie (insulite pad) An air mattress won?t
  keep you warm by itself.

SOME VERY IMPORTANT FACTS TO NOTE.

The SNOW is good insulation! Do not clear all the snow away from your tent site. It is better to pack it down to make a level area and trust your ground sheet to keep you dry and your foamie to keep the cold out.

The SECRET to staying warm is simple:

• Dress in layers: when you get hot, take something off, when you get cold put something on, preferably wool or wool-blend.

• Stay dry.

• Eat a lot of food and often.

• Keep active - don?t stand around. If your feet feel cold, go for a walk.

Once something gets wet it either stays wet or freezes. It is almost impossible to get it dry. If you get very cold, go to the first-aid tent. If you get hurt, go to the first-aid tent. Frost-bite is not fun. Neither is hypothermia.

NOTE: If you pack any of your gear in a black plastic garbage bag, some-one might just think it is garbage and chuck it into the nearest garbage bin instead of the bus. It has happened.

BE PREPARED - BE PREPARED - BE PREPARED