Camping Skills for Camping Merit Badge

Bill Howard ASM Troop 179 Fredericksburg, VA

First Aid A Thumbnail Sketch

Hypothermia warm victim any way you can, add clothing, put in sleeping bag, share body heat Frostbite warm the affected area with clothing, putting frozen hands under arms, lukewarm water, get to warm place, provide warm liquids Heatstroke head & shoulders low, feet raised, provide liquids, cool the victims body with wet towels, shirts Heat Exhaustion move to shade, head & shoulders up, do whatever is necessary to cool the victims body, wet towels, shirts, get assistance Dehydration see heatstroke, heat exhaustion Sunburn sunburn lotion, aloe, solarcane spray Insect Stings benadryl for severe cases, after bite lotion, watch for signs of shock and or breathing problems Tick Bites tick tweezers, hot match head, oil or grease to release
clean, antiseptic, anti-itch, or ammonia & baking soda

Snakebite lie down, lower affected area, constrictor band, cold packs, treat for shock, get help ASAP Blisters clean, antiseptic, apply Band-Aid, moleskin
Break only if necessary and then with sterilized pin
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Leave No Trace
No Trace Principles
Plan Ahead & Prepare
Minimize damage to natural and cultural resources Camp in designated areas, hike on established trails, minimize damage to vegetation and soil Pack it in, pack it out. Plan your waste stream to minimize the amount you must pack out. Allow others to discover. Leave rocks, plants, animals and artifacts where you find them. Campfires are necessarily messy. Cutting of wood degrades an area with heavy use. You are in their home, be quiet and observe. Dont feed wild animals and they will stay wild. Allow others to have the experience you expect to have. Keep the noise down, respect the boundaries of others campsites and the boundaries of private land

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Dispose of Waste Properly Leave What You Find

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Respect Wildlife Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Boy Scout Handbook pages 244-45 and the Fieldbook provide more info

The Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to:
Be Clean in my outdoor manners
Follow Leave No Trace Principles Pack out what I packed in Dont leave food scraps lying around Know the fire danger conditions in the area before you begin a trip Dont build a fire if you dont need to cook or keep warm Extinguish fires until the ashes are cold Keep the noise down, respect the rights of others to have an enjoyable experience Leave the campsite better than you found it

Be Careful with fire

Be Considerate in the outdoors Be Conservation Minded

Have as little impact on the outdoors as you can manage Respect the natural and cultural resources of the area you camp in

Note how this relates to the principles of Leave No Trace

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Trekking Plan
Helps to ensure thorough planning and serves as a precaution if help is required helps you to stay found Time, date and place of departure Time, date and place of return Destination
Show alternates if it is possible that a specific campsite is occupied or if weather conditions make a change in plan necessary

Roster of scouts and adults going along

Always have a minimum of two adults

Route of departure & route of return

Name trails, compass headings, landmarks, GPS coordinates Layout backcountry trips on a topographic or park map

Special equipment needed

Include a description quantity and colors of canoes, tents and tarps

Special clothing needed

Cold or wet weather

Leave copies with family, troop, park office and transportation, as necessary

Patrol Organization for Camping

Patrol Method Duty Roster
Rotate the job of buying food for each campout Patrol camp duties include:
Cooking Cleaning dishes

Share the work and work as a team Maintain a perpetual roster so that all jobs are rotated and shared Balance the load on backpacking trips
Share tents, pots, stoves Distribute food, water and equipment

Summer Clothing & Footwear

Hat for shade Long pants like jungle weight BDUs Shorts and T-shirts, loose fitting, synthetics preferred as they dry faster Boots or hiking shoes for the trail with two layers of socks
Two layers of socks to prevent blisters No cotton socks

Moccasins or sneakers for camp

Winter Clothing & Footwear

Dress in layers see slide on layering Outer layer of coat, knit stocking hat, gloves or mittens Middle, insulating, layer including sweater or heavy shirt Inner layer including synthetic long underwear Boots, heavy, waterproof with at two layers of socks
Inner sock should be a synthetic

Stay dry. If you stay dry you will be more likely to stay warm Change out of clothes worn on hikes or that youve worn all day, change before going to bed

Equipment Care and Storage

Clothing
When in doubt, follow the manufacturers instructions on the labels

Footwear
Dry out boots before storing them in a well ventilated place Waterproof leather boots with grease, oil, or wax based dressing

Bedding
Air out your sleeping bag after a trip. Hang outside or indoors or use air setting on home dryer Store your sleeping bag loosely stuffed and not tightly rolled to maintain its loft

Pack
Keep your equipment stored in your pack add clothes, food, water and youre ready to go

Canteen / Water Bottles

Drain and leave open to dry and air out

Layering
THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCEPT
Inner layer moisture management
Silk, wool, synthetic like polypropylene two piece long underwear

Middle layer insulation

Wool, fleece, goose down, synthetics (Thinsulate)

Outer layer wind and water protection

Windproof Waterproof Breathable avoid non-breathable Water resistant

Nothing tight or restrictive Avoid cotton! (socks, t-shirts, jeans)

Cotton holds moisture and you will lose heat because of it

YOU CAN ALWAYS TAKE IT OFF, BUT YOU CANT PUT IT ON IF YOU DONT HAVE IT
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Packing Your Backpack Some Tips

Keep your equipment together at home, store it in your pack Bring only what you will use, but be prepared for the conditions
Go as lightweight as you possibly can make it a habit

Pack all clothing in plastic bags 1.0 1.5 gallon Ziplock bags
Sit on the bags to push all the air out before closing them to save space Repack dirty clothes in the bag you took the clean clothes out of

Pack sleeping bag in waterproof covering garbage bag inside stuff sack Place items you will need during the trip on the outside of the pack within easy reach
First Aid kit Poncho / rain suit Knife Rope parachute cord Small flashlight or headlamp Fire starting equipment Eating utensils/cup/bowl Water bottle / canteen
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Packing Your Backpack More Tips

Use cargo straps that can be tightened avoid bungee cords Carabineers or clips to attach equipment to the outside of your pack hats, gloves Distribute the load
Tent, poles and stakes food water and pots

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Tents
Select a tent based on what kind of camping you are doing and what features are necessary for that kind of camping Trail Tarp Backpacking / fair weather
Versatile, can be used as a shelter or dining fly No protection from insects, blowing rain/snow

A-Frame - Backpacking
Light weight, include doors, walls, floors and bug netting, waterproof/breathable, exterior poles, limited room

Dome Tent Backpacking / Plop camping

Features of A-frame but relatively heavier and roomier than A-frame, stable in weather, moveable, can be pitched without stakes, exterior poles

Wall Tent Family camping / Summer camp

Roomiest and heaviest, 2 or more persons, fits cots, interior poles Good for summer camp, family camping
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Tents - More
3 season and 4 season
3 season tents are best for most of your camping 4 season tents are suited for winter camping and snow
These generally cost more

Tent Care
Seal the seams as directed for nylon tents Always roll your tent toward the front door to let the air out without stressing the tent seams Hang your tent up to dry for a day or two after use especially if you camped in the rain. Mildew and funny smells will result if you skip this important step

Tent Stakes
Nylon Metal Flukes and deadmen for sand or snow
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Water
Normal conditions require 2 quarts per day
Clear urine indicates good hydration, dark indicates the opposite

Dont drink water that is not potable or from an untested source

Drinking from streams, lakes, springs and other sources without purification is unnecessarily risky Avoid areas with animal activity e.g. pastures, beaver ponds Avoid sources downstream of mine runoff Go upstream and get water from still, clear, sources Use clean ice or snow and allow additional time and fuel for melting it

Purification, why is it important?

To ensure you can enjoy your trip, prevent serious illness, disease or worse Cysts, parasites, viruses, bacteria, chemical contaminants
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Water Purification Methods

Filtering ceramic filters with 1 micron or less absolute pore size
very effective most expensive fastest better taste can break down cheaper slower bad taste effective but
some treatments are not 100% effective against cryptosporidia cysts Some individuals with thyroid conditions may not use it for long periods

Chemical treat with iodine tablets or chlorine

Boiling do it for at least a minute at rolling boil, three minutes at altitude

100% effective cheapest slowest requires heat source and depletes limited fuel supplies
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Camp Sanitation
Keep trash picked up and wrap up excess food Filter out particles and pack out with trash Scatter gray water & grease away from camp Locate latrines and cat holes well away from water sources and camp Why? To minimize attraction to animals, prevent disease from contamination, keep smells down and keep your site neat for others

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Packs
General Considerations
Storage space in cubic inches
3500cu in. for summer 4000-4500cu in. for 3-5 day trips 5000 cu in. for expeditions and cold weather

Remember to still pack as light as possible Add a pack cover or use a garbage bag to protect your pack from weather

External Frame
Advantages: Good for general backpacking, lots of pouches/compartments for easy access, accommodates bulky shared gear and extra gear for winter, gear can be easily tied on the outside of the frame Disadvantages: Not all gear is stored internally so it must be otherwise protected, tying stuff on the outside can unbalance the load Features: higher center of gravity, hip belt, adjustable for growth

Internal Frame
Advantages: OK for general backpacking but better for rock scrambling, skiing, mountaineering, all gear is stored internally and is protected, weight is held closer to the back Disadvantages: Usually more expensive, requires fitting, can be hot in summer, fewer external pouches/compartments, space is more restricted than with an external frame pack Features: snug fit to back, low center of gravity

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Sleeping Bags
Style
Square self explanatory
Good for cabin camping, summer camp Larger area around shoulders and feet must be heated by you

Bag liners can be used with another bag or by themselves

Good for backpacking in warm weather (50 deg), inexpensive, lightweight Can augment a sleeping bag for colder temperatures (additional 10-15 degrees)
Mummy fits head to toe, includes a hood that can be drawn up around your face Best for the coldest weather zero degree range No wasted space to heat Semi-mummy fits head to toe but doesnt include a full hood Good for cold weather good to the teens No wasted space to heat

Tapered

Insulation
Flannel OK if the weather is warm Synthetic warm, durable, capable of keeping you warm when its wet, low maintenance
Hollofill, Hollofill II, Quallofill

Goose down warm, but loses its loft when wet and wont insulate well

Weight & size

Bag liners, mummy and semi mummy bags are suited for backpacking due to size and weight 19 Square bags are good for plop camping as they are bulky and weigh more

Sleeping Bag Care

Know what the manufacturer recommends Carry it in a waterproof bag, a garbage bag inside a stuff sack will do Stuff or carrying bag should be heavy enough to resist tears from brush on the trail canvas or nylon/denier Dont keep it rolled up longer than necessary, it will lose its loft reducing the effectiveness of its insulation Synthetic and down bags can be dry cleaned, see makers label All bags can be aired in your home dryer on air setting

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Equipment Checklist
Many sources available
Boy Scout Handbook Chapter 8 pages 203-207 Boy Scout Handbook Chapter 9 pages 224-227 Camping Merit Badge Book Troop 179 Website Scouting Skills section Camping equipment stores/websites

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Equipment Checklist Absolutely Necessary Items

Backpack Sleeping bag appropriate to the season Sleeping pad (closed cell) or air mattress Additional clothing appropriate to the season Underwear Pants Shirt(s) Hiking socks outer layer Liner socks inner layer Hat for shade or warmth Coat or jacket appropriate to the season Rain gear jacket & pants or poncho

Tent appropriate to the season

Pack cover Stove and fuel a shared item Cooking pot(s) shared item Plastic bowl, cup and spoon Water bottle Waterproof matches in waterproof case Toilet paper or packet of kleenex Small personal first aid kit Food shared item Trash bag(s) for trash and storing boots in tent 30 ft of parachute cord

Waterproof boots
Gloves or mittens appropriate to the season Bandana(s) Small closed-cell foam sitting pad Personal hygiene items toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant, soap packaged for the bear bag as necessary Flashlight with extra bulb and batteries Pocket knife Boy Scout knife Nylon sack for smellables the bear bag

Thanks to Tom Thomas

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Equipment Recommended Items Cold Weather

Gaiters

Fleece pants
Pair of light gloves or mittens mittens are recommended Iodine water purification tablets Balaclava Sunglasses

Bandannas
Extra water bottle Extra pair of eyeglasses, if needed Repair kit for stove Chemical heat packs Trekking poles Extra trash bag to store boots inside tent Chemical (air activated) hand warmers Thanks to Tom Thomas

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Backpacking Food & Menus

Foods that are lightweight, nutritious, dont require refrigeration, and minimize trash that must be packed out
Grocery Store Items
Dry mixes including noodles, rice, side dishes, pancake mix that require only adding water Small canned products including potted meat, tuna, chicken Dried fruit especially useful when fresh vegetables arent practical Instant foods that require only cold or boiling water: oatmeal, instant pudding Dehydrated foods including group meals, entrees, side dishes snacks Preparation requires boiling water to frying and steaming

Sporting Goods / Camping Store Items

Foods that dont require many/no utensils or pots

Minimizes clean up, equipment weight Minimizes packaging and garbage favor burnable or packable packaging
No cans or bottles

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Food Storage
Weather
Keep foods the require refrigeration at home cool while camping
Dairy products, meats, eggs, cheese

Animals
Keep foods in hard containers such as coolers, chuck box, food box or the car but remember about refrigeration Use a bear bag when in the backcountry
All food and smellables go in at night Suspend on rope between two trees Soak the bear bag in Lysol concentrate and let dry the taste discourages even the most persistent squirrel

Dont leave food around your campsite or in tents

Contamination
Use multiple layers of plastic bags Store / carry potential contaminants like stove fuel and soap separately

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Gas & Liquid Fuel Stove Safety

Chapter 10 of Boy Scout Handbook Use, refuel and store stoves under supervision
Refuel at a safe distance from the camp

Operate and maintain per manufacturers instructions

Check stoves periodically and before leaving on a trip

Store fuel per manufacturers instructions

Stove fuel away from lit stoves and the camp Pack out empty containers, do not burn them

Let stoves cool before handling or storing Do not use stoves in enclosed spaces tents, cabins
Flames and fumes

Use on level surfaces, do not overload with heavy pots Never leave a lit stove unattended Dont burn leaves, twigs ect on the stove

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Choosing a Backpacking Stove

Consider what your needs are
How many people will you cook for? What kind of temperatures will you be cooking in?
Winter camping will require more heat Do the recipes or instructions call for frying, baking, steaming and include several steps? Are we planning muti-course meals entre, side dishes, dessert? Do the recipes or instructions call for boiling water and letting the food sit?

How complex will your meals be?

Some characteristics of backpacking stoves:

Light weight Can be disconnected from fuel supply for storage before or after fuel bottle is empty? Foldable or collapsible to save space Fit inside cookware Fuel types compressed gas, liquid fuel, multi-fuel Water boiled per pint of fuel how efficient is the stove? Set up time and time to light Ability to level Adjustments can the flame be adjusted or does it run wide open only Ability to repair in the field Burn time on maximum flame

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Backpacking Stoves - Comparison

Stove Type Compressed Gas Advantages Stove & Fuel Disadvantages Stove & Fuel Clean burning, easy to light, Poor performance in cold adjustable, no priming, weather, expensive fuel, fuel burns hot immediately, spill- bottles dont recycle proof Inexpensive, fuel availability, high heat output, adjustable Inexpensive, easy to light, adjustable, spills evaporate Low volatility, fewer moving parts Very inexpensive, fuel availability, adjustable Ability to burn many fuels, Messy, deposits on stove, priming required, Volatile, priming required, fuel availability Low heat output, cooking takes longer, no adjustment Extremely volatile, burns dirty, priming required Expensive stove, difficult to maintain
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Kerosene

White gas / Coleman fuel Denatured alcohol Unleaded gas Multi-fuel

Additional Sources of Information

Boy Scout Handbook Chapters 8, 9, 10 Boy Scout Fieldbook Camping Merit Badge Pamphlet Troop 179 website
Scouting Skills, Articles, Uncle Bart

REI www.REI.com
Learning and Sharing section Select Camping and Hiking Checklists, equipment comparisons

www.HikerWriter.com Backpacker Magazine

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