Sleeping Gear

If you're cold when you sleep, the trip won't be as much fun. A mummy-type bag is much warmer for the weight, bulk, and price. Down will be smallest, lightest, most durable, and most expensive. It will also be useless when wet. It MUST be kept dry. If this is a concern, and it may be for younger scouts, consider a synthetic bag. A 20-degree bag should be sufficient for scout trips. You're safer if you stick to REI or Sport Chalet, but with some research, other sources may be slightly less expensive. Renting can be a useful first step---some places will give you rental credit on a purchase. Purchasing rental gear (often at the end of the season) can save a lot of money, if you're careful. So can ebay and yard sales if you know what to look for. You MUST have a pad if its at all cold. A half-inch or so, closed cell foam pad is fine for scouts. Adults may want to consider a Therma-rest type pad for those older bones.

Always carry a 4' x 8' (or a little longer) plastic ground sheet. Polyethylene 3 mils thick is cheap and durable. This can be used to protect your sleeping bag and pad if you choose to sleep under the stars. If you sleep in a tent, it can be used to protect the tent floor (which isn't cheap!).