Family Camping Checklist Essentials – Fall 2023 Edition
The Ultimate Fall Camping Checklist
I'm a big camping fan no matter what season, but fall sure makes for the most incredible camping. I think it's a combination of the air being so crisp that it feels "new," along with the start of a new Scouting year—maybe it's the leaves turning color and the perfect campfire temps happening that just cannot be overlooked! Fall camping can be a wonderful time to make new memories with friends and family, but if you're like me, you can easily miss some items you need to pack once the temperature drops. To help you prepare for fall, I've paired up with our in-house camping expert and pulled together a comprehensive list that is great for family camping. Whether you're a seasoned Scout who wants to use this checklist to supplement the gear you already own, or you're new to Scouting and need help before you get started with all your camping adventures, read on to make sure you've got everything you need to explore the outdoors with peace of mind!
Essential Gear Checklist for Fall Camping
- Tent
- Ground Cover
- Sleeping Bag
- First-Aid Kit
- Cub Scout Handbook
- Pocket Knife or Multi-Tool
- Flashlight or Headlamp
- Water Bottles
- Map
- Compass
- Whistle
2023 Fall Camping Checklist: The Gotta-Haves
Let's start with the items you must have to help you have the best outdoors experience. From a 3-person sleeping tent and 20-degree sleeping bag to a swiss army knife, BPA-free water bottle, and much more, this list includes the Cub Scout Six Essentials and the Scouts BSA Basic Essentials—so don't go anywhere without these!
Tent
MSR Elixir 3 Three-Person Tent - This sizeable tent allows the whole family to spread out! Its unique pole geometry optimizes headroom, two large doors provide easy entry, and the square foot floor area fits up to three sleeping pads. The included footprint offers multiple setup options, and the adaptable rainfly allows for excellent views of the fall colors! I really like this tent's combination of breathable mesh and solid canopy fabric that provides ventilation, warmth, and privacy. Plus, you won't find this price anywhere else—not even on Amazon!
Pro Tip: I have said it before, but it is worth repeating – to figure out what the “correct” size is for your family, take your family’s size and add two or three. That will give everyone extra elbow room for maneuvering or keeping gear inside the tent.
Check out all the tents Scout Shop has to offer with one click!
Sleeping Bag
Scouting America 20° Mummy Sleeping Bag - This sleeping bag is a great choice for cooler weather – it is lightweight and packable while still maintaining a solid warmth factor. It has an adjustable foot box (so size up to fit someone that is 6’2” or size down, as needed!), and it’s water resistant with synthetic fill.
Pro Tip: Check out this blog to find out the perfect temperature rating for you, and find more sleeping bags at Scout Shop below!
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight First Aid Kit - This first-aid kit is a great choice for single-day outings and packs a lot of first-aid into a little space. Designed for a variety of outdoor sports, this medical kit is perfect for your pack! The resealable DryFlex bag remains watertight after each use so that you can stay prepared for adventure after adventure.
I also really love these new Backyard Adventure Medical Kits at Scout Shop. You can get the Owl or Fox; either design you choose is super fun and cute and perfect for Cub Scouts!
Despite the small size, each kit has extra room, so you can add your Scout's medications or treasures from their adventures. The carabiner makes it easy to clip this mini first aid kit to your backpack for school field trips, family hikes, summer camps, or backyard adventures.
The Backyard Adventure Kits include:
• Adhesive bandages
• Hand sanitizer
• Antibiotic ointment
• Carabiner Clip
• Room for medication storage
First-Aid Kit
Scouts BSA Handbook - Bring it along! It’s a great resource and will allow you to work on "adventures" while you are out adventuring!
The 14th Edition of the Scouts Handbook is still the go-to book for every Scout. Featuring updated images and design for 2022, this edition offers more information than ever before, including additional information pertaining to:
- Service at All Ranks
- Healthy Eating Habits
- Requirements
- Physical Fitness at Each Rank
- Outdoor Ethics
- Weather Safety
- Risk Assessment
- Requirements incorporating Duty to God to show Scout Spirit
Find all the Cub Scout Ranks Handbooks, the 14th edition of the Scouts BSA Handbook for Girls, the Den Chief Leader Handbook, and more on our website!
Cub Scout or Scouts BSA Handbooks
Multi-Tool 13-in-1 with Pouch - Take charge on your next adventure with this multi-tool! With thirteen tools in one, this pocket-sized device is perfect for camping, hiking, and fishing!
- Pliers
- Scissors
- Sharp Knife
- Small Screwdriver
- Medium Screwdriver
- Bottle Opener
- Large Screwdriver
- Single-Tooth File
- Double-Tooth File
- Can Opener
- Key Ring
- Wire Cutter
- Pouch for easy, safe carrying
Pocket Knife or Multi-Tool
ENO Moonbeam Headlamp - This headlamp is a really solid choice for a first headlamp. It acts as more of an area light than a direct laser beam and is the perfect all-around camping light. The magnetic base allows you to transfer the light from its super soft headband to just about any object for on-the-fly lighting. With high, low, and color-changing modes, the Moonbeam gives visibility when you need it and some fun for all your campsite needs.
- Rechargeable USB with impact-resistant plastic light casing
- 1.25" wide band with a universal stretch fit (poly-stretch fabric)
- 40 Lumens with approximately 10 hours of light-time
Scouting America 32oz Blue Nalgene - If you are new to camping, a really great rule of thumb is to bring one gallon of water per person per day for drinking, and an additional one gallon of water per person, per day for other needs (cooking, teeth brushing, cleaning, etc.). That is probably extra, but for SURE better to be prepared with too much than stuck in a bind with too little.
Pro Tip: If you are going to a campground with access to water, fill up this Solar Shower when you get there, and you can use it for bathing and cleaning! If your campground has access to drinking water, then you can also forego bringing in multiple gallons and just fill one up as needed.
Flashlight or Headlamp
Map/Compass/Whistle - These are part of your Cub Scout Six Essentials and Scouts BSA Basic Essentials.
Silva Starter Compass - The rotating capsule has a 2° dial graduation and a transparent base plate to make it easier to read a map and plan a course. It also features both inch and millimeter scales. The lanyard hole in the base plate makes it easy to carry.
Coghlan's Six Function Whistle - This six-function whistle includes an LED light, a compass with a glow-in-the-dark dial, a magnifier, a Fahrenheit/Celsius thermometer, a signal mirror, and a whistle. It also comes with a convenient lanyard and clip. Batteries included.
2023 Fall Camping Checklist: Personal Gear
Do NOT forget these items! You can probably use your home gear to make this part easy.
Clothing: [Scouts BSA Basic Essentials] Bring layers so you can adjust to temperatures without being too hot or too cold. Always bring extra socks in case they get wet or to use while sleeping – this is important! Bring an extra pair of clothes to sleep in because who doesn’t want to wear clean clothes to bed!? And it will also help keep your sleeping bag fresh and clean! Lastly, don't forget your rain gear [Scouts BSA Basic Essentials]. Weather can change in an instant, and it is important to be protected against the elements.
Pro Tip: Pack your gear individually by the outfit in baggies to help keep them warm and dry, AND it will help you stay organized as well.
Necessary Odds and Ends: Be sure to pack your sunglasses, bug spray, sun protection [Cub Scout Six Essentials and Scouts BSA Basic Essentials], deodorant, toothbrush, etc. The Goal Zero Flip 30 is another item we love because it is super lightweight and the perfect power pack to give your phone a few charges in an emergency.
2023 Fall Camping Checklist: The Nice-To-Haves
Get Ready For Fall Camping With Scout Shop
And there you have it – the total rundown of what you need before you head out on your first camping adventure. Remember, starting out by borrowing gear is a great idea until you figure out what works best for your family. Hint: you can take a screenshot of this list, so you always have it, and make sure you share how you are using your #ScoutShopGear by using the hashtag and tagging us on Facebook and Instagram. Have comments and your own must-have items? Be sure to comment below to share with your fellow Scouts so we can all benefit from your experience and knowledge!
Find all your fall camping gear at ScoutShop.org—the official online retail store of the Scouting America!
Not necessary for survival… but really, really high up on the list.
Hammock: Here’s the thing with a hammock. It is not an absolute must-have, but it is for sure a game changer. Like once you have one, you will never be able to go back to life without one. Also, it is becoming increasingly popular to sleep in a hammock instead of on the ground, and there are a ton of accessories to make that more comfortable (sleeping pads – next bullet! hammock lights, bug netting, and rain covers). Plus, there are some actual health benefits to relaxing in a hammock!
Sleeping Pad: We love the Klymit sleeping pads because they are super quick and simple to inflate (seriously, we have tried it, and you can inflate with 5-10 breaths). They not only add an element of cushiness to the hard ground but also a layer of warmth! There are both regular and insulated options available. If you are choosing to sleep the nights in your hammock, there are hammock pads available see the previous item on the checklist). As we move into fall and winter, those insulated pads for the ground and hammock are crucial.
Camp Chair: Sitting on the ground is totally doable, but if you have ever done that, you know that it can get damp and cold real quick-like. We love the GCI Pod Folding Rocking Chair because it is packable compared to some of the other rocking camp chairs!
Camp Pillow: The Klymit Luxe Pillow is our favorite camp pillow because, just like the other inflatable Klymit products, it is super easy and quick to inflate, and when you aren’t using it, the pillow packs away to basically nothing. The other highlight is? It has a soft, cushy pillowcase that you can take off and wash when you get home!
Lantern: The Luci Lantern is a great choice if you want to read inside your tent at night!
2023 Fall Camping Checklist: Outdoor Kitchen
Everybody’s gotta eat! Having the right gear to make mealtimes easy is KEY.
Mess Kit: The GSI Stainless Steel Mess Kit is perfect for both individual camp cooking AND for your mealtime dishware. First, I love this kit because of its durability. Second, this kit nests together simply so that it is a really easy kit to travel with. Lastly, you can use these pieces for cooking – they are mini pots and pans that double as dishware. When I first started camping, I didn’t have camping dishes. We literally took dishes from home to eat off of… which was kind of stressful because the last thing I wanted to do was break something while traveling. Don’t make that mistake as a first-time camper!
Camp Stove/Fuel: If you are heading out for the first time with your Pack, they will most likely have shared some cooking gear. Cooking over the fire is great for a night or two, but cooking more advanced meals than hot dogs (and who wants to eat those all day, every day) can be a little tough. A really fantastic, affordable first-time option that we love is the Coleman Classic. It is compact and can fit on a table, along with being all you need to get meals on the table.
Matches: [Scouts BSA Basic Essentials] Being prepared for the weather is really important. To make starting campfires totally foolproof, we love the Titan Stormproof Matches. They are waterproof and have a long (25-second!) burn time, so you will never be left in a bind.
Cooking Supplies: These are our favorite supplies and extras for cooking because ya can’t just cook with sticks and eat with your hands all the time (ok... so according to my 5-year-old, you can, but you know what I mean)!
- GSI Stainless Steel Troop Cookset: I love this cook set – it comes with everything you need and nests together to pack up easily.
- GSI 3-Piece Cutlery Set: Crazy affordable, and to-the-point – no frills you don’t need!
- GSI Java Press: Because coffee is the best always, but ESPECIALLY out in the woods.
2023 Fall Camping Checklist: Family Fun
I mean… the whole reason you are doing this is for FUN! Make sure you create the environment that will foster that.
Books: If you want to take it up a notch (and this is for all you adults out there), grab the Scouts BSA Handbook or Scouting America Fieldbook for some light reading that will totally make you all sorts of knowledgeable on the out-of-doors.
Games: The Backpack 5-in-1 Game Set is great for its packability (at this point, can you fit one more thing in your car?! The answer is yes… if it’s this). Double bonus that you can also pack this up for other road trips and vacations! It includes Checkers, Backgammon, Chess, Ludo, and Snakes & Ladders – magnets hold the pieces on the board while you play (no fuss, no worries).
Camera: Not much to add here – how else are you going to document your epic adventure?!
