DC off to Cub Camp - What bedding to take?

[ChippyMinton]

DC are off the cub camp soon, and I'm not sure what they should take to sleep in. They have SIMs and sleeping bags (nothing fancy), and can take thermals if the forecast looks chilly, but probably need an extra layer or two.

I thought either:
a cotton liner (knocked up from old sheets)
a fleece liner
or a fleece bag to tuck the sleeping bag into?

I have some foil survival blankets , but they would probably be a faff and get trashed!

Any advice welcome

They won't get that cold, all snuggled up next to each other!

DS usually takes a decent sleeping bag and a fleecey blanket and a roll mat to sleep on. He wears pj's, but would put a sweatshirt on if he was cold in bed.

A 3 seasons sleeping bag and a roll mat, and an old tracksuit to wear in bed. Anything else won't be used, because they don't want to look different from everybody else.They don't sleep much anyway on camp.

liners are a faff too - better to just sleep in your clothes. They will come home in the same clothes they went in anyway! DS was so PROUD he had the same pants on two days later!

BigTillyMint, that's true, they are packed in like sardines.

I agree, Butterbur. Don't want to load them down with stuff that won't see the light of day. Last time DS1 wore the same clothes the entire w/e and the only bit of his wash-kit that got used was his toothbrush. I literally had to scrub him clean in the bath!

I'm probably fussing.

Hiya Chippy,

I would think warm fleecy pjs, sleeping bag and sim would be fine. You could chuck a thermal vest in but I bet you'd find it in unused pristine cindition scrunched up at the bottom of the bag. Liners and fleece bags just won't be used properly without an anal helpful mother in situ to the arrange bedding nicely.

As Tilly says they will all be snuggled up together in their small tents keeping each other warm. My friend who is a Guide leader was telling me that despite telling the girls many many times when she takes them on guide camp to leave the vents on their tents open, and a small opening in the door for ventilation, they zip everything up as tight as they can get it.

In the mornings she said the inside of the tents are like a subtropical green house.

Hi Chippy!

Ds1 is taking his season 3(?) sleeping bag and roll mat thing. Now you've got me wondering if he'll need more! I'm sure they'll be fine though - aren't we supposed to be heading for a heatwave?

I'm going through the kit list tomorrow to make sure we've got everything.

Hope you're well - have you sorted your kit yet?

Hello . Nail struck firmly on the head, as ever! Helpful mother will be at camp but keeping a safe distance, and definitely not partaking in the traditional 5am football match.

Stinky, you not joining us then? Poor show!

I shouldn't have mentioned that they get up at 5am, should I? Don't worry, they have the rest of half-term to sleep.

There's kit everywhere here - mine, DD's, and the boys.
And I can't fit the dinnerplates badges on the cub jumpers!

Kbear - DS1 believes that 'proper boys don't wash' and has only scorn for those who use the showers

Haven't got the badge yet - ds1 is being invested at camp on Saturday, so I've been told he needs the badge sewn on for that!

Gutted about missing the 5am football though

That's lovely! DC2 was invested as a Beaver at the last group camp. I cried, obviously! Are you going to stay for it. I'll try and remember my camera if not.

Yes, I'll stay to watch - better bring some tissues!

See you there next week!

Are you going to the Bn camp? DS will be there!

I stick the massive camp badges and other dinner plate sized ones on a cheap fleece blanket that i got from a supermarket. Bingo - solved problem of extra layer and lack of space on the jumper in one fell swoop.

that will be your 'camp blanket'.

traditionally, they will gather a gazillion random badges (including all those old beaver ones they used to have) which mummies will then sew loving on anto a fleecy/ horsehair blanket, which will then be dragged through the mud to campfire, dragged back through the mud to the tent, and can be used as an extra layer if necessary.

i have three blasted children in uniformed youth (inc one cub) and have approximately 25 badges requiring my undivided attention at this time.

but the blankets will be really cool when they are mid-teens, and will keep all the nonsense together. and then when they are 30 and their 6yo manages to convince them that they need to run the brownies/ cubs, they can dig the blanket out of the attic and start adding new ones to it as an adult.

but yeah, sleeping bag, roll mat and trackies should do it.

ps it is impossible to get camp-fired melted marshmallow off camp blankets.

fortunately, it comes out of their hair reasonably easily.

Batteryhuman - we are equipped with well-endowed camp blankets - DH has got the DC into buying souvenir patches at every possible occasion. I have taken to doing job lots by sewing machine rather than lovingly hand-stitching every badge Unfortunately the dinnerplate current camp badge has to go on the sweatshirt.

Madwoman - I'm sure my old blanket is in my parents' loft - IIRC it is grey and itchy. Do you make S'mores? Yum yum.

bigTillyMint - no, ours begins with a T. Let's hope the weather's good next weekend.

So you have a machine; I have to do them by hand, not so bad now, but next year when ds2 starts beavers will be a bit of a pain!!

My camp blanket was also grey and itchy! My mum made a black corduroy mole (my 'camp' name!) to sew on - blanket is prob still in her loft!

PILLOW!!!

Nobody mentioned it yet! They need to take a pillow!

Stinky, at having a camp name. I don't think I had one. Have you seen the email re an activity that will result in the boys 'getting very wet'?! Looking forward to washing that bag of damp clothing!

Doodlez - good call!

Yes, had that email - Akela has already told me in confidence that it's raft building, but don't tell the cubs!

Just finished packing - thankfully it all fits. I've just popped in an extra fleece top in case he's cold at night, but other than that it's just pjs and sleeping bag for the nights.

excellent!

Well done with the packing. I've got to find enough bags for all of us.

LOL at this thread, it sounds as if your cub camp is going to be great. How funny that they play football at 5am.

I go with Guides and we never see 5am because they usually don't go to sleep till 2.

A camp blanket is a must, I have 3 on the go at the moment, one each for the Dd's and my own which I have had to start again after my original got lost.

Oh and by the way I would stick in a fleece jumper for bedtime, it can go really chilly in the middle of the night.

Good luck and have fun.

of course we make s'mores.

two weeks until our cub camp. then it's guides and pathfinders the week after.

i am frankly terrified though. we are about to move to an area where they have (ahem) bears. cougars. wolves. etc etc.

i may have to re-think this whole camping lark.

have fun everyone!

Blimey madwoman. I am guessing you are not in Blighty?!
We went to Oregon last summer and DH wouldn't let us camp because of the bears.