Pack 79's
PUBLIC SITE
Home Page
Crafts
Camping Gear and Tip
Knots
Helpful Links/Contac
Code of Conduct
Pack Photo Album


 
Cub Scout Pack 79
(mentor, Ohio)
 
ScoutLander Contact Our Pack Member Login
  
 

Winter Cabin Clothes-equipment


Recommended equipment.. use your judgement whether it is necessary to bring.

The cabins have wood heat and no running water.  We must bring our own water.

Please bring 1 gallon of water per family.  Just take a gallon milk jug, clean it out and bring that.  The sinks are functional and the toilets are outside.  Cabins do have electricity. 
No electronic games are allowed.

 

____ BACKPACK (or large Sports Equipment Bag, or Duffel Bag). Line it with Lawn Bag first, to keep contents dry

____ SLEEPING BAG (see information regarding sleeping bag selection)

____ WARM JACKET & SCARF

____ SNOW PANTS

____ 2 EXTRA PAIRS OF PANTS (Try to find non-cotton pants if possible)

____ WOOL SWEATER, and/or POLAR FLEECE SWEATSHIRT

____ LONG SLEEVE SHIRT (Wool or synthetic fiber for good insulating quality & quick drying)

____ LONG UNDERWEAR (if buying new, buy 100% Polypropylene, NOT "waffle pattern" cotton blend)

____ 2 extra sets of UNDERWEAR

____ STURDY BOOTS (Rubber is better for winter than leather. Leather will get wet & freeze)

____ 2-3 pairs of HEAVY SOCKS (best if non-cotton)

____ PLASTIC BAGS (newspaper or plastic grocery bags to go under socks in case of wet leather boots)

____ WINTER GLOVES or MITTENS (As many as you own and can borrow!)

____ 2 WARM HATS (One for Sleeping ONLY-Sleeping hat should be designed to stay on at night)

____ ADDITIONAL SWEAT PANTS & SWEAT SHIRT (for sleeping only!).

____ MESS-KIT (bring a mug for Hot Chocolate and soup)

____ FLASHLIGHT, EXTRA BULB & BATTERIES.

____ TOILET PAPER (Half a roll in a Zip-Lock bag).

____ SNEAKERS, SLIPPERS or MOCCASINS (To only wear inside cabin)

____ PEN, PENCIL, SMALL NOTEPAD (No, you can't borrow ours).

____ Cub Scout HANDBOOK

____ ONE-QUART WATER BOTTLE, filled

____ CLEAN-UP KIT (Small Hand Soap, Small Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Comb, Floss, Fast-Drying Camp Towel).

____ SMALL FIRST AID KIT

____ CLOSED-CELL FOAM “CAMPING”/SLEEPING PAD (not sure if the cabin has pads… they could not confirm)


Our craft will be to make be to make den TOTEM POLEs.  Bring supplies to help decorate them.  Some supplies will be supplied (colored foam, glue guns, paint)

Cold Weather Sleeping Instructions


RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR KEEPING WARM AT NIGHT FROM THE SCOUT DIGEST

*THE SLEEPING BAG DOESN’T HEAT YOU; YOU HEAT IT. So use this rule: "Thickness is warmth." If you’re cold, add some more insulation (blankets, clothes, more newspaper).

*INSULATE UNDERNEATH YOU. The ground is cold and you will lose body heat if you are in contact with the ground. You should have 3 times more (in insulating value) under you than you have on top. Make sure you never come in direct contact with the ground. Stay on a foam pad or closed-cell self-inflating pad. Self-inflating closed-cell pads are best and now available in all camping departments and outdoor stores. You can also use blankets, piles of newspaper, or a piece of carpet to help insulate underneath you. Do not use a blow-up air mattress. Air mattresses only increase the amount of air that you need to heat up.

*DO NOT SLEEP WITH YOUR HEAD IN THE SLEEPING BAG! Your breath contains water. If you close your bag, with your head inside, the bag will get wet and you will be cold.

*CHANGE CLOTHES. Never sleep in wet clothes or clothes that you have worn during the day. Even perspiration will chill you at night. Wear a layer of dry polypropylene underwear, loose socks, wool or wooly dry socks, and a fleece or hooded sweatshirt. No Cotton!!! Cotton clothing holds water and will make you cold. Cotton sweats are just like the name implies: they absorb your body moisture and trap it next to your skin making you cold. Cotton is fine for hot weather, but it can kill you in cold weather.

*WEAR A SKI HAT TO BED. Remember 70% of body heat is lost through the top of your head. Wear a knit hat or a full ski mask. Wool, fleece, or acrylic (cheap knit watch caps from Wal-Mart) caps are best.

*VENTILATE YOUR TENT: Leave the back or top flaps of your tent open about 4 inches. This will allow the moisture from your breath to escape out of the tent and not collect on the sides. Closing the tent up will not keep it warmer.

 

*EAT high calorie food (nuts, etc.) before you go to bed: This increases your metabolism (moves your blood faster) and it helps keep you warm. Your stomach is your furnace and will generate heat while you sleep. Before going into the tent, drink some warm cider or hot instant cocoa to hydrate you and give you some carbohydrates for your inner furnace. Make sure you don’t try to sleep dehydrated: you’ll sleep colder. No food in the tent, though. Critters are still prowling for food in the winter.

*GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE BED: This saves you a trip in the middle of the night, keeping the heat in your bag and tent.

*DO NOT DRY "WET" CLOTHES IN OR UNDER YOUR BAG: Moisture will travel from wet clothes to your sleeping bag.

*PUT TOMORROW’S DRY CLOTHES UNDER YOUR BAG: This heats up clothes for tomorrow’s cold morning and also provides more insulation.

*FLUFF UP YOUR BAG: Always fluff up your sleeping bag before using to create the thickness important in keeping warm.

*KEEP IT DRY: Keep all your sleeping gear dry. Unzip your bag during the day and let it air-out. This reduces the moisture in your bag. Keep your sleeping clothes separate and do not wear them during the day. By night they should be dry and you should change into them from the clothes that you wore during the day. Pack all clothes in ziplock bags. Put your sleeping clothes together in a zip lock and store it in your sleeping bag until used, then lay them out to dry.

 

Sleeping Bags Considerations


Sleeping Bag Tips c/o http://www.tiso.com/ask_expert/buying_guides/sleepingbags/

  • Decide what the lowest temperature is that you are likely to encounter. Choose a bag that will perform to this temperature (and ideally a little below for extra peace of mind).
  • Synthetic bags tend to be cheaper and easier to clean than down bags. They also provide reasonable insulation when wet and dry out more quickly than down bags.
  • Down bags provide the best warmth to weight ratio, compress smaller and will last longer than synthetic bags.
  • A mummy shaped bag will provide the most efficient insulation compared to a rectangular bag which will give more space to move around in (but also to heat up).
  • A sleeping bag is no good if you don’t have insulation from the ground; use a suitable mat to get the most from your bag.

Which bag type is best for you

Weight vs. Warmth vs. Bulk vs. Cost

The above equation is the one you should consider when buying a sleeping bag. It’s important to decide which factor(s) is the most essential as this will influence the model you choose. Generally the more expensive or advanced a filling the more compact and lightweight the bag will be.

Sleeping bags can be divided into the following broad categories.

1.     Trail – Trail sleeping bags are ideal if you are away for only a few days at a time or when space in your rucsac is not so important. A good trail sleeping bag should be reasonably light and not too bulky depending on what time of year it will be used. If you are away for only a few days then you can allow for a slightly bulkier bag giving increased warmth. Usually synthetic filling is used to keep cost down.

2.     Trekking – Trekking sleeping bags are designed for longer trips where the total weight and pack size are more critical. They will make use of down or performance synthetic fillings to reduce the weight and bulk whilst maintaining a high level of warmth to weight.

3.     Mountain – Mountain sleeping bags may be specialist lightweight models for alpine use where the main aim is to keep bulk and weight to an absolute

Physiological Factors

Sleeping bags do not generate any heat. A sleeping bag works by retaining a layer of warm air that you generate around you; this is what keeps you warm.

  • Age – older people feel the cold more than young adults. Also, young children cannot self regulate their temperature very well.
  • Males & females feel the cold differently – females are generally more susceptible to cold than males.
  • Physical fitness & condition – seasoned mountaineers can generally sleep at a colder temperature than those who camp infrequently. Also, they are more used to it.
  • Build of the user – a slim man at 5’6 will fit the bag differently to a large 6’ tall man and may find the bag correspondingly feels warmer or cooler.
  • Body Weight – A light layer of body fat insulates you against cold. In addition, the larger the body, the ratio of surface area to mass reduces making it harder to lose heat.
  • Keeping well nourished and hydrated during a trip makes a big difference. If you are dehydrated and hungry your body may not maintain the correct temperature.
  • Exhaustion reduces the body’s ability to maintain temperature regulation.
  • General health – there are medical conditions that may make the user more susceptible to the cold; e.g. circulatory problems can affect the perception of cold.

Sleeping bag care

  • Ensure it is used with the best camping mat available. Most of your heat and comfort will depend on what you sleep on.
  • Sometimes it is easier to pack your rucsac with a sleeping bag that is loosely compressed (allowing you to pack things more easily around it).
  • If using your sleeping bag regularly, it is a good idea to use a liner inside the bag. This keeps the bag clean and the liner is easier to wash than the whole bag.
  • Take care washing your sleeping bag especially if it’s a down bag

Indoor Sleeping Bags

·         An indoor sleeping bag is generally much less expensive than a sleeping bag designed for camping or backpacking purposes. It generally will not provide the warmth and comfort of a sleeping bag designed for outdoor use. An indoor sleeping bag, often called slumber bags, are generally used for sleepovers by children. They may come in handy for younger members of the family when overnight guests means you have more people than beds. These bags often have cartoons or other popular media caricatures on them. Generally, they are not weatherproof and are not intended for outdoor use in cold weather conditions.

Camping Gear Recommendations


 

                                           

 
What does COLD represent?

Keep your clothing Clean.
avoid Overheating
wear clothing Loose
and Keep it Dry

*Layered thickness is warmth. Use synthetics against your skin. They wick moisture away from your skin and help keep you warm.

*Avoid Cotton in Winter! It holds moisture and takes a long time to dry. Wool clothing is best, but needs wind protection; modern synthetics are also good; down is OK as long as it stays dry.

*Make your outer-most layer wind-resistant.

*Keep your torso warm so that it can send heat to the extremities. A vest works wonders.

*Don’t constrict your wrists and ankles. It keeps warm blood from reaching your extremities.

*Use your head. Keep it covered when you’re cold; remove your cap as you warm up to avoid sweatinG

*If your feet are cold, put on a hat. Most of your body heat is lost from your head.

*Remember, sleep in clean/dry clothes so you don't get cold at night. 
Clothes worn all day will be damp and will cause you to chill. This could cause frostbite and hypothermia with really cold conditions

*For your cold feet, make sure your socks are clean, dry and roomy. Tight clothing just won’t keep you as warm.

 

 

 

SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO PACK:
The following items should be available for each Cub Scout on and outdoor trip.  Consider a small fanny pack or similar bag to organize the items and make them easy to carry without interfering with normal activities.

·        First aid kit (small)

·        Water bottle

·        Flash light

·        Trail food

·        Sunscreen

·        Whistle

·        compass

 

Overnight Gear

·        Tent or tarp, poles and stakes

·        Ground cloth

·        Sleeping bag, pillow, cot or pad

·        Rain gear

·        Warm jacket, sweatshirt, sweatpants

·        Cup, bowl, knife, fork, spoon, mesh bag

·        Insect repellent

·        Extra clothing (dry clothes to sleep in)

·        Tooth paste, tooth brush, soap, washcloth, towel, comb (personal items)

·        Scout uniform (A-formal & B-scouting tee shirt)

·        Change of clothes

·        Durable shoes

·        Hat or cap

·        Mess kit/plate, knife/fork/spoon, cup

 

Optional Items

·        Pocket knife -Only Cub Scouts with whittling chip in pants/shirt pocket are allowed to have knives (not in your tent or at home).  Remember the rules for use.  Others might not be aware of them so vigilance is necessary.

·        Camera

·        Sunglasses

·        Notebook and pencil

·        Nature books (tree, bird)

·        Baby wipes to clean hands/face/etc….

 

Pack clothes in plastic bags to ensure they keep dry.  Clothes should be geared towards the expected weather.