Launch the e-edition
Subscription Service

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Cub Scouts
        • How to head off homesickness before—and during—resident camp
        • Pro fisherman Tom Redington shares how to hook Scouts on fishing
        • The history behind the pinewood derby’s success
        More Scouting stories →
    • Cub Scout Activities
      • Uniforms & Insignia
      • Tiger Cubs
    • Webelos Scouts
      • Adult Training
      • Forms & Applications
  • Boy Scouts
        • Ten reasons why your Scouts and Venturers should try stand-up paddleboarding
        • How to head off homesickness before—and during—resident camp
        • Encourage mentoring between Eagle Scouts and new Scouts
        • Pro fisherman Tom Redington shares how to hook Scouts on fishing
        More Scouting stories →
      • Adult Training
      • Advancement & Awards
        • Merit Badges
        • Eagle Scout
        • Eagle Palms
      • Service
      • Order of the Arrow
      • Jamborees
      • Special Needs Scouting
      • Boy Scout activities
        • Outdoor activities
        • Indoor activities
        • Winter activities
        • Backpacking and hiking
        • Camporees
        • Intercultural activities
      • Uniforms & Insignia
      • Forms & Applications
  • Venturers
        • Ten reasons why your Scouts and Venturers should try stand-up paddleboarding
        • Pro fisherman Tom Redington shares how to hook Scouts on fishing
        • Learn more about religious emblems that aim to promote reverence
        More Scouting stories →
    • Adult Training
      • Advancement & Awards
      • Sea Scouts
    • Venturer Activities
      • Venturer Resources
      • Forms & Applications
  • Training
        • Why you should take Youth Protection Training today
        • How (and why) longtime Scouter Linda Case stays committed
        • Heat up winter camping with tips from Northern Tier's Okpik training
        More Scouting stories →
    • Wood Badge
      • Youth Protection
  • Leaders
        • A last-minute fitness routine to help you get in shape for summer
        • Launch a Sea Scouting program with this Mate's advice
        • Get your Scouts reading with tips from author Michael Gurian
        More Scouting stories →
    • Awards and Square Knots
      • Cub Scout Leadership
      • Money Earning
      • Recruitment
      • Venturing Leadership
      • Youth Protection
    • Boy Scout Leadership
      • Leader Advice and Inspiration
      • Scoutmasters
      • Volunteers
      • Wood Badge
      • Youth Leadership
  • Outdoors
        • Ten reasons why your Scouts and Venturers should try stand-up paddleboarding
        • How to head off homesickness before—and during—resident camp
        • A simple and hearty Dutch oven side dish
        • Waterproof the contents of your backpack using these expert tips
        • How to survive a bear encounter
        More Scouting stories →
    • Aquatics
      • Safe Swim
      • Paddle Crafts
      • Outdoor Awards
      • Camping
        • Backpacking & Hiking
        • Camping Advice and Tips
        • GPS Navigation & Geocaching
        • Leave No Trace
        • Orienteering
        • Outdoor Gear and Equipment
        • Understanding Nature
    • Cooking
      • Backpacking Meals
      • Campground Cooking
      • Stoves & Fire
      • Dutch Ovens
      • Kitchen Cooking
      • Health
      • High Adventure
        • Philmont Scout Ranch
        • Local Council Sites
        • Florida Sea Base
        • Northern Tier
        • The Summit
  • Life Skills
        • A last-minute fitness routine to help you get in shape for summer
        • Ten reasons why your Scouts and Venturers should try stand-up paddleboarding
        • Get your Scouts reading with tips from author Michael Gurian
        More Scouting stories →
    • Youth Development
      • 21st-Century Parenting
      • Character Building
      • Education
      • Mental Health
      • Physical Fitness & Sports
      • Technology
    • Emergency Preparedness
      • Reading
      • Technology
Scouting magazine > Outdoors > Camping > Camping Advice and Tips

Camping Advice and Tips

Make sure you and your Scouts are prepared for every activity and adversity that you might encounter in the outdoors.

Post navigation

← Older posts

How to head off homesickness before—and during—resident camp

2
I-Want-To-Go-Home

Don’t let homesickness sidetrack your Scouts’ summer camp plans.

Continue reading →

Waterproof the contents of your backpack using these expert tips

2
SCMayJune13_GroundRPack

Heading out on the trail for a couple days—or weeks? Make sure your backpack is waterproofed with these techniques for keeping your stuff dry.

Continue reading →

A quiz to test your knowledge of winter camping

76
Cold Weather Quiz Homepage Banner

Take this quiz to see how much you know about winter camping.

Continue reading →

Explore coastal California’s Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Reply
Trail Guide Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Experience the wonders of an ancient world in California’s Humboldt Redwoods State Park.

Continue reading →

Heat up winter camping with tips from Northern Tier’s Okpik training

13
Winter Camping Okpik Banner

When the temperature plummets, the fun begins at Northern Tier High Adventure Base. The Okpik Cold Weather Leader Program helps teach adults how to make fourth-season camping more accessible in their hometowns.

Continue reading →

An expert’s tips for avoiding accidents in the wilderness

3
Ground Rules Safety Weather

Equip your Scouts with these expert-approved safety and accident-prevention tips before heading out into the wilderness.

Continue reading →

Ten reasons why you should try hammock camping

27
Hammock

What is hammock camping all about, and should your troop really take it seriously? Author and hammock-camping enthusiast Derek Hansen shares his top 10 reason why you should try hammock camping.

Continue reading →

Hats to keep you cool on the trail

8
Outdoor Research and Buff Headwear

Put a lid on your head with hats designed to keep you more comfortable on the trail.

Continue reading →

Camp in comfort using these handy tips

22
Camp Comfort Ground Rules 2

Brush up on your camping strategies—what you pack, how you travel—to help create a more comfortable camping experience.

Continue reading →

Backpacking advice from explorer Andrew Skurka

7
Andrew Skurka Banner 2

Here’s what the world’s best-known long‑distance hiker, Andrew Skurka, can teach you about leading your Scouts on a day hike—or a 100-miler.

Continue reading →

Post navigation

← Older posts
HELPFUL LINKS FROM SCOUTING.ORG

Camping

  • The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
  • Conservation Good Turn
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • Age Guidelines for Scouting Activities
  • Types of Outdoor Scouting Activities
  • Beginning Cold-Weather Camping
  • Resources for Boy Scout Troops and Varsity Teams
  • Resources for Planning Troop Outdoor Programs
  • How to Use Geocaching to Promote Scouting
  • Leave No Trace
  • How to Teach Leave No Trace Principles

Cooking

  • Cooking Without Utensils

Aquatics

  • BSA Online Training
    Login to MyScouting to take BSA online training courses, including Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat and more. Requires a username and password.
  • Resources for Aquatics Safety
  • Snorkeling BSA
  • Scuba BSA
  • Mile Swim BSA
  • Kayaking BSA

High Adventure

  • Philmont Scout Ranch (Cimarron, N.M.)
  • Florida Sea Base (Islamorada, Fla.)
  • Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases (Ely, Minn.)
  • The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve (Beckley, W.Va.)

Health

  • The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • National Agreement Between the BSA and the American Red Cross
  • How to Plan and Conduct a Safe Scout Outing Training
  • Latest on CPR and First Aid for Wounds
  • Guide to Safe Scouting

Shooting Sports

  • Shooting Standards for Shooting Sports

Outdoor Awards

  • Conservation Good Turn
  • World Conservation Award Requirements
  • William T. Hornaday Awards
  • 50-Miler Award Requirements
  • Historic Trails Award
  • National Outdoor Badges Requirements

Outdoor Forms & Applications

  • Application for BSA Lifeguard
  • Historic Trails Program / 50-Miler Award
  • 50-Miler Award Application

Videos

Pro fisherman Tom Redington discusses his partnership with the BSA and how he aims to help leaders hook Scouts on fishing.

View Now

Cub Scouts

Take the panic out of planning your Webelos’ activity badges.

Read More

Boy Scouts

Learn how to help your Scouts earn the brand-new (and wildly popular) Game Design merit badge.

Read More

Venturers

Start planning a summer hike along Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Read More

Outdoors

Learn how to prevent—and survive—a bear encounter.

Read More

Life Skills

Advice for parenting a strong-willed child or Scout.

Read More

Contests

Enter to win great prizes, including Hydrapak water reservoirs, RoadID armbands, free KOA camping, and more.

Enter Now

Back issues

  • Subscribe Now!
  • Subscriber Services
  • Scouting en español
  • Contact Us
  • Fundraising ads
  • Advertiser Information
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Topics:

  • Cub Scout Activities
  • Webelos Scouts
  • Camping
  • Boy Scout Activities
  • Cooking
  • Merit Badges

Copyright 2013 by the Boy Scouts of America.

All rights thereunder reserved; anything appearing in Scouting magazine or on its Web site may not be reprinted either wholly or in part without written permission. Because of freedom given authors, opinions may not reflect official concurrence.