​Cold Weather Camping

Cold Weather Camping
Recommended Equipment List for Weekend Camping
  • Scout Handbook
  • Hats (2)
  • Boots or shoes
  • Extra boots or shoes
  • Socks (4) [1 pair/day plus 1 extra, plus 1 clean/dry pair to sleep in]
  • Pants (at least 2 pair)
  • Shirts (3) [2 plus 1 clean/dry to sleep in]
  • Sweat pants or heavy pajama pants to sleep in
  • Fleece, sweatshirt, or sweater (for insulating layer)
  • Ground cover:
  • Sleeping pad OR
  • “Outdoor” blanket that you can get dirty OR
  • Tarp that can be folded to give thickness
  • air mattress [not recommended for cold weather (may be used with an insulation layer between mattress and YOU!)]
  • Sleeping bag (invest in a 20° or 15° F if possible)
  • Pillow if desired (probably will get dirty)
  • Poncho (or large garbage bag)
  • Water bottle – learn to take frequent small drinks whether thirsty or not
  • Mess kit/silverware
  • Flashlight
BE SURE TO PUT YOUR NAME OR INITIALS IN ALL OF YOUR GEAR!!
Winter Camping Tips
A Warm, Happy Scout is Prepared!
  • Clothing does not make you warm; your body processes keep you warm. Clothing merely provides the insulation to preserve your warmth.
  • 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.
  • Do not hang out next to the fire thinking it will keep you warm. If you can feel the heat of the fire then you are not adequately insulated and need to put on another layer.
  • Avoid sweating by ventilating your clothing. Use those layers and remove when hot, put back on when cold.
  • Keep rain and wind out of your insulation.
  • Keep active. Moving around is the best way to stay warm.
  • For your cold feet, make sure your socks are clean, dry and roomy. Tight clothing just won’t keep you as warm.
  • Remember the word “COLD” – 
    1. Keep your clothing Clean.
    2. Avoid Overheating
    3. Wear clothing Loose
    4. And Keep it Dry


RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR KEEPING WARM AT NIGHT
  • 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 A CANDY BAR or other 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.