Let's get you ready for summer camp!

Summer camp is so much fun, and we can't wait to get outdoors and make the most of summertime this year! There are lots of activities we enjoy at summer camp, from paddleboarding and canoeing to rock climbing, zip-lining, and honing our archery skills—it seems like there’s something new to enjoy each day. With all the fun and good times awaiting us this summer, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. To help you get ready for camp amidst all the excitement, we asked some of our camping experts to curate a list of the top gear you will want to take with you to enjoy the best summer camp experience.

If you’re getting ready for summer camp, check out our Get Ready for Camp checklist with everything you need to pack before the fun begins! We’ve also included a list of personal items with recommendations like extra hiking socks, a jacket (better to have one and not need it than need it and not have one!), and money for the trading post, as well as a list of camping extras like a hammock and power bank to charge your phone.

Learn how to set up a hammock on your next outdoor adventure!

• Ben's 100 MAX Tick & Insect Repellent
• BSA Ultra-Lite Summer Weight Rectangular Sleeping Bag
• BSA String Bag
• Swiss Army BSA Tinker Multi-Tool Pocket Knife
• Nalgene BSA Water Bottle
• Scouts BSA Adjustable Uniform Cap
• Frogg Toggs Driducks Rain Poncho
• Nebo Einstein 400 Headlamp
• Scouts BSA First Aid Kit

Download the Summer Camp Checklist!

Ben's 100 MAX Tick & Insect Repellent — Summer camp is the place where Scouts can come together and have fun while enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors. However, if they are not well prepared, the outdoors can be the exact opposite of fun, especially when dealing with insects. The best way to avoid them is to make sure you’re applying insect repellent. Ben's 100 is an excellent repellent to bring with you to camp because of its powerful formula that lasts up to 10 hours. It comes in a super-easy to use, 1.25-ounce spray bottle that should be enough to last you throughout the week. Finally, you don't have to worry about critters ruining all the fun!

BSA Ultra-Lite Summer Weight Rectangular Sleeping Bag – When it comes to camping, packing the right gear for the right weather can really make or break your experience. To help keep you cool and get a good night’s sleep, the BSA Ultra-Lite Summer Weight Rectangular Sleeping Bag is the way to go. This sleeping bag comes with a temperature rating of 50°, making it the perfect companion for warmer temperatures but still ideal for chilly mornings.

BSA String Bag – You’re going to be bringing this string bag everywhere you go at summer camp. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and super-convenient! And it’s the perfect bag for smaller, more personal items like sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, towels, a pair of sandals (for showering), and deodorant. Plus, you can adjust the length of the drawstrings by adding slip knots. The string bag is made of a durable 420D polyester oxford fabric and will last you many Scouting adventures besides summer camp.

Swiss Army BSA Tinker Multi-Tool Pocket Knife – This slim, lightweight knife can fit in your pocket or day pack. It's a multi-tool knife that works as an everyday carry and features 12 tools, including tweezers for safely removing splinters or ticks and a can opener for trailside convenience. Made in Switzerland, the Swiss Army BSA Tinker Multi-Tool is durable with high-quality craftsmanship.

Nalgene BSA Water Bottle – You’re going to need to stay hydrated if you want to have the absolute BEST time at summer camp. And, yes, even when you’re doing super fun activities like paddleboarding or swimming in the lake, you still need to drink plenty of clean water! So, take this BPA-free bottle with you to camp. Its leak-proof design ensures you don’t spill any water when you’re having fun and comes with printed graduations to help you keep track of how much water you’re drinking each day.

#BobtheBottle is living his best (fully hydrated) life. Snap a pic of him doing his favorite activity at summer camp and tag us at #ScoutShopBSA.

Haven’t heard of Bob? Check him out on Instagram!

Scouts BSA Adjustable Uniform Cap – Besides applying a healthy dose of sunscreen, you will want to bring a hat with you for extra protection from the sun, because, you know, a sunburn can put a damper on all the summer camp excitement.

Frogg Toggs Driducks Rain Poncho – Staying dry is so crucial when you’re exploring the outdoors, especially if you’re on a day hike. This rain poncho won’t keep you warm (perfect for summer), but it sure beats exploring the outdoors soaking wet. The poncho is made of a bi-laminate non-woven material that keeps the rain and winds out!

Nebo Einstein 400 – Okay, so maybe sometimes, on a hike, we are having so much fun that we lose track of time (or perhaps we take the wrong turn and get lost) and don't make it back to camp before sundown. In that case, you wouldn't say having a headlamp handy was a bad thing, RIGHT? We love the Einstein 400 because it is a low-profile, compact 400-lumen rechargeable headlamp with five light modes. The rechargeable battery allows for up to 8 hours of operation between charges. You don't want to be making your way back to camp without a light source, and you always want to follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, the first being Plan Ahead and Prepare!

Scouts BSA First Aid Kit – The best thing you can do is prepare for the unexpected anytime you’re outdoors—even at summer camp. To stay safe and be prepared, make sure you check and stock up your first aid kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment, and sterilized gauze pads (among many other things).  You can even get moleskin blister dressing for blister prevention during those long hikes! Before you get ready for camp, remember to pack any essential medications such as an inhaler if you suffer from asthma or any personal medicine you might need, and make sure your Annual Health and Medical Records are up-to-date! 

• Clothing
• Thorlos Socks
• Toiletries/Cleanup Kit
• Watch
• Camera
• Swimsuit
• Sunglasses
• Pens and Notebook
• Scout Handbook
• Extra Pair of Shoes/Hiking Boots
• Money for Trading Post
• Scout Field Uniform (shirt, shoes, socks.)
• Warm Jacket (fleece or sweater)
• Pair of Sandals (for shower only)
• 1 Towel for the Waterfront
• 1 Towel for the Showers

• Sleeping Pad
• Camp Pillow
• Lantern
• Hydration Pack
• Mosquito Net
• Hammock/Straps
• Camping Chair
• Compass
• Camp Games
• Power Bank

Goal Zero Venture 30 Power Pack – Want to conveniently charge your phone (so you can keep Mom updated) and your favorite electronic devices when you’re away from home? Check out the Goal Zero Venture 30 Power Pack! It’s a waterproof portable battery pack that lets you keep your devices like phones, cameras, and tablets charged outdoors. This power pack includes a built-in Micro USB Tip for tangle-free charging and can be recharged using USB or SOLAR POWER.

Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad – Blow this baby up in as little as 10 – 15 breaths and get plenty of cushioning and insulation to help you get a good night’s sleep so you can recharge and give every day at camp your absolute best effort.

BSA Single Person Hammock With Straps – This hammock is lightweight and compresses down to a small ball for an easy fit inside your pack. It already comes with straps for an easy setup anywhere at camp and makes a great spot for those afternoons where you just want to relax with a power nap between adventures.  

We can’t wait to see you at camp, and we hope you have a super-memorable and fun summer with your friends and fellow Scouts. Whatever outdoor items you need, from hiking gear and camping equipment to mess kits, hammocks, and sleeping bags, ScoutShop.org has everything you need to get ready for camp! Join our email list to be the first to hear about our latest deals on outdoor gear.