1st camp for ds, ideas on what to take

[Jesusgirl]

I was out shopping all day for ds's 1st weekend camp and got really confused. I had a list that we were given but I wasn't really sure what to get. We got a sleeping bag, but we might have to return it because his feet were touching the bottom of the bag! I'd really appreciate any advise on what extras to take. Thanks.

Get a new list of things he needs. It's really annoying for children to not turn up with vital 'must haves' like a plate and the like.

When camping: Wellies. Grass is very wet early in the morning. Dry clothes. Being dry=being warm. Being wet and cold is horrible. A torch with enough batteries to stay up until midnight on the first night. The second night will see them all asleep by 8.

Ideally sleeping bags shouldn't be too big as it is more air to warm up. It is worth while getting a reasonable one.

Spare batteries for torch.

Extra socks.

Waterproof trousers are good.

Not jeans and ideally not joggers. Cotton cargo trousers are best.

Think layers. Two or three thin layers are much better than a thicker one.

Our Cubs don't have to take crockery/cutlery but Scouts do, so I would check

A Sharpie. When you have got everything sorted, go through it and mark everything with your child's name.

Thanks a lot.

On the list, we were told to pack'suitable' footwear- what might that be? Wellies, or just old trainers?

And for the sleeping bag, what would an ideal size be? His feet gets right to the bottom of it. So how much room should an ideal bag have? And I got him a small pillow and plan to pack a blanket or duvet as well.

Do I need to pack snacks or stuff to eat in between. I thought it might be a bit unfair if he has little thinks to snack on and others don't, but then again, I don't want him to be the only one that doesn't have things to snack on. So do kids generally have crisps and stuff apart from what is provided at the camp?

Footwear - both. Wellies are great for first thing in the morning if you have to trek across to the toilets - easy to just jump into without faffing with laces (do make sure they are big enough though) but they can be a bit clumsy for some activities. Walking boot type things are best, but don't go buying them - ask the group if they keep a stock you can borrow or buy 2nd hand off them (a lot of Scout groups do this for example - don't know who your dc is going with) of try asking on Freegle, or around friends to see if anyone has any you can borrow. Some dcs wear wellies full time though, so not to worry if you can't.

Sleeping bag - I wouldn't buy one where feet touch the bottom. 1) you need to be able to snubble down in it and scrunch it up round your shoulders and 2) if you are paying out good money, you want it to last several years, and he's only going to grow. There is unlikely to be room for a duvet, but a good investment is a roll mat. Honestly, it sounds illogical, but the more layers you can get between you and the ground, the warmer he will be. Also, make sure he has a warm hat and knows he can wear it at night (if he's got more than one, pack one in with his PJs)

Snacks - I'd say no, but this varies group to group so ask the LEaders.

Torch - Either use a wind up one, or put the batteries in upside down AND SHOW HIM HOW TO PUT THEM BACK so it doesn't get switched on in the bag and end up with no battery when he wants it.

LAbel everything clearly - several children sharing a tent means clothing WILL get lost and if it's clearly named you stand a chance of other parents returning it to you

Send a good waterproof with a hood, and sun cream! British weather is unprdictable.

Make him pack his own bag, or at very least, pack it together, so he knows what/ where everything is.

Is it organised e.g. Cubs? They surely must have a list for you!

But in general, apart from all the great advice above...

double the amount of clothes you think he'll need although resign yourself to the fact he will probably keep the same pants on all weekend anyway

long sleeved thermal vests, because being cold at night will keep him awake and thus miserable the next day

a bin liner to put wet clothes in

a much larger kit bag than you think you need, because there is a world of difference between your efficient packing and the vague stuffing in of belongings he will do, and having to zip up 20 bulging rucksacs is no scout leader's idea of fun on a Sunday afternoon..

roll up a day's set of clothes - pants, socks, top, fleece, in the pair of trousers for that day....so no scrabbling round..it revolutionised DCs camping for us and them!

and put teddy in even if stuffed discreetly and secretly at bottom of rolled up sleeping bag even if he's 15!

YY to all advice you have been given.

Another thing to think about - will he have to carry it himself. In which case make sure it is all fairly compact and easy to manage.

We are always asked not to send food so I don't. DS1s cub leader had to get sticky sweets out of a cub's hair once. Everyone sends a tray bake, so there are always snacks on offer at regular intervals.

Gloves.

Our Cubs asks you to send a clothes peg to peg their wellies together. We send it, but I have no idea if it is used.

Sleeping bag - agree about not feet not touching the bottom. Go to a camping shop and get advice, even if you then go elsewhere. This worked a treat for DS1. If its scouts you get a discount in some shops eg Mountain warehouse.

Wow! Thanks for all the advise.

We did get a list but no specifics. It just read 'sleeping bag' and 'suitable footwear' which I found very vague especially as its his 1st time.

But thanks everyone, your advise was really helpful and does help me put things into better perspective.

pack all his kit in a thick bin liner in his rucksack or kit bag as bags can get wet. Also spare bags for wet stuff. A sleeping bag liner is a must at this time of year. A cheap way to do this is buy a cheap fleece from tesco or sainsburys and sew it into a bag shape.
If it's scouts, generally sweets etc are banned as they are given loads of snacks as well as main meals.

i've just put together the kit list for the brownie camp.

i have to say that it just says 'sleeping bag'. it has honestly not occurred to me that people might find this vague.

ask the camping shop staff to recommend a suitable bag, for his size, and the temperature rating you think he might end up using it in. weight and bulk (and expense) vary too, so think about whether he's going to carry it for three miles or ten metres from the van. and how long it has to last - this season? adulthood?

i honestly would never ever dictate to a family what sort of bag to buy! sometimes all the siblings share them, sometimes a family camps a lot in a trailer, sometimes a family backpacks in mongolia - as long as the child turns up with a bag that will keep them warm in the location i am taking them on that particular weekend (be it in a snow shelter or a nuclear heated bunker) it is their choice.

i have, however, stated both rubber boots and trainers, lol.

you might be overthinking this.

Our scout group always advised a three-season bag if you're buying one.

Mutt,
I'm slightly relieved to note that your v organised leader has made the same mistake I did.

Freaking water bottle.

Thanks everyone. And Mutt, that was a fantastic list!

There are so many things you never think of!

We are still trying to decide if ds1 can go. £150 seems like alot of money.

That sounds an expensive camp, oblomov. I am paying that for DD and DS1 in June, but it includes train and ferry fares, plus activities . Also I know they will be happy away as they have done lots of camps before.

This one is still UK though. Wait til you get to the international camps!!!!

Thats what I thought, Pavlova. And my Mum was shocked too. I thought it was argely subsidised.
Gone are the days when you go on a Cub Camp for a fiver. When most of the kids had never gone away before because their parents couldn't afford it. These days many kids apparently quibble at going to a Cub camp in Essex, Kent, or Surrey because they normally go to Mount Tizzy-man-jargo. Oh well.

How long is it forOblomov?

Ours are normally £10 per night for food plus £10 per night camp/activity fee, plus travel costs if theyuse the mini-bus.

DS is going on a one night 'Beaveree' just up the road, own transport, and it's £20!

I found the best trousers are those horrible track suit ones (the shiny ones) They cost about £4 from primark and Matalan and dry really quickly.

A blanket (fleece) or poncho for sitting around the camp fire is useful.

Crocs are good for getting wet in during the water fight. Or as inside shoes if it's an indoor camp.

A 2 night camp cost us £20. The week long one in the summer (7 nights) costs us £150 as it's indoors. The scouts pay £130 as they have to camp

Mon to Fri, so 4 nights.
Am making notes of mutt's great list and hebe's trouser suggestions, etc.

A sleeping bag tip.

Tie some string around the foot end of a too long sleeping bag. This means
a) he won't have to heat that extra air up, so will be warmer
b) he won't disappear down inside it in his sleep - this freaks some kids out
c) he can use it for several years and it will 'grow' with him

Who is that with Oblomov ? Scouts or school or another organisation ? Scouts (+ Guides + Cubs + BB + GB etc) are generally far cheaper because you are not having to pay staff (indeed, every time dh goes,as a leader he is paying out for the priviledge!), whereas schools tend to use centres where staff are employed to lead activities, which then bumps the cost up.
Is your transport included ? (Another massive cost to be factored in)

Back for good, it is Cubs.
We drop then at the Scout hut, near our home, on the monday They are transported on the Scout minibus, to the Scout owned campsite/camp (with tents, climbing wall and go-karts and all the activities they wil need, so I am told, it does look FAB) approx 1 hour away, still in our county. They come back on the minibus and we pick them up on friday, from back at our scout hut.
It does sound great, but I was just a bit shocked at the £150. I don't know how much I expected, but alot less, I thought he scout organisation would fund it more, so that the price was a bit lower.
But hey ho. They do only go once. Or ds will only be going once!! with all his mates. so dh and I , after having said no, agreed he could go.

I think camp fees on Scout sites are £10 per head. This includes the activies, instructors etc. So with food I'd expect the cost to be about £80 + petrol - maybe another £20, so not sure why this is so much more.

He will LOVE it though

And, like me, you may find you have NO washing to do on his return. (Work it out....)