Philmont Scout Camp List

The Philmont Scout Camp Gear List is designed for the long-term treks at Philmont. The list is fairly extensive. Remember, all items marked optional are just that. Even if you are not going to Philmont, this list can be useful.

For the most current Philmont gear list, you would need to contact the camp directly.

INDIVIDUAL ITEMS

  • addresses, postcards, stamps & contact telephone #'s (mail can be sent from staffed camps) (optional)
  • athletes foot or talcum powder (optional)
  • backpack tag (blue plastic Philmont tag - one per Scout)(will receive at Philmont)
  • backpack & cover (compartmentalize all gear in ziploc bags) (line with plastic bag)
  • bags (a few small plastic ones from grocery store)
  • bandannas (2) (you can use one for a target at black powder rifle shooting)
  • batteries for flashlights (new!)
  • bowl (deep one for eating - forget the mess kit!) (strong plastic - tupperware is good)
  • bungee cords or compression straps
  • business cards (optional)
  • camera & film (extra batteries) (4+ rolls of film) (panoramic camera is good)
  • camp shoes (lightweight) (NO SANDALS OR OPEN-TOED SHOES ARE ALLOWED!)
  • cards, playing (optional)
  • carabineers (optional)
  • chapstick
  • clock/calculator with electronic alarm (optional)
  • coffee cup (large plastic with handle)
  • coffee/tea bags (adults only) (optional)
  • comb / hairbrush (optional)
  • compass (GPS unit is optional) (learn to use a compass!)
  • contact lenses, case and cleaning solution (bring glasses also!!) (optional if you wear them)
  • daily itinerary and schedule (adults & crew leader)
  • dental floss (this is a great emergency repair item!)
  • dirty clothes bag (small plastic)
  • ditty bags for personal stuff (small) (helps compartmentalize gear)
  • earplugs (optional)
  • eyeglasses repair kit (if you wear glasses) (optional)
  • fanny pack or small day pack
  • first aid kit (put in small, red, stuff sack) (small personal kit - see crew gear for items to include)
  • flashlights / headlamps (2 very small ones with new batteries)
  • flint & steel (with dryer lint & soapless steelwool in waterproof containers) (optional)
  • food for snacks (PowerBars) (just a few) (optional - not really needed)
  • gaitors (optional)
  • glasses (if you wear them) (consider a backup pair or contacts)
  • glasses strap holders (optional)
  • gloves (1 pr. lightweight polypropylene) (socks can be used as extra gloves if needed)
  • groundcloth (one for each tent - heavy duty, fitted to tent size - consider taking a small, lightweight tarp for severe weather)
  • hand lotion (at altitude your skin will become uncomfortably dry)
  • hat (baseball style)
  • hat (wide brim for sun and rain) (also put a shirt on your head if it's really cold)
  • highlighter/marker (optional)
  • hiking boots (not new ones!)(use Kiwi Camp Dry Hvy Duty Water Repellant Spray or Tectron Boot/Shoe Protector)
  • iodine tablets & neutralizer (optional) (use the Polar Pure Philmont provides - take extra so you have one bottle for every 3 crew members) (water filter is not necessary!)
  • jacket or sweater (fleece, wool or Polartec is best)
  • knife (small pocketknife that locks) (sharpen before leaving) (no sheath knives)
  • leather for branding (souvenir item) (also brand boots & hats)
  • lighter (Bic)
  • long johns (polypropylene)
  • lozenges (optional)
  • matches in waterproof container
  • medication required on a daily basis plus Tylenol, Advil or aspirin (all dates on medicine must be current!)
  • mesh bag (can be used to dry clothes on backpack while hiking) (optional)
  • mirror, small (non-breakable)
  • money for the trail ($25 - $35 should be plenty) (adult crew advisor must take a credit card)
  • "O" rings and pins for backpack repairs (optional)
  • pad or notebook for writing (optional except for crew leader, journalist and lead advisor)
  • parachute chord (6-10')
  • parafin / votive candles (optional)
  • pen
  • personal hygiene items (toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, etc.)
  • pillow case (small, stuffed with clothing to use as pillow) (leave pillow home!) (optional)
  • poles for tent
  • rainsuit (jacket with hood and zipper legs) (leave your poncho at home)
  • razor (use soap to shave) (or grow abeard!) (optional)
  • rubber bands (optional)
  • safety pins
  • sahara convertible pants (shorts with zip on/off legs) or other long pants (not jeans)
  • sanitizing gel for hands (Purell at Wal-Mart or similar) (must use for personal hygiene!)
  • Scout t-shirts (3 only) (2 shirts to wear and another to stay in your sleeping bag at all times!)
  • shampoo (optional) (use Camp Suds)
  • shirts (one very lightweight long sleeve and one long sleeve polypropylene)
  • shorts for hiking (2 pair mesh or lightweight synthetic -- only 1 pr. if you have convertible sahara pants)
  • shorts for sleeping (stays in sleeping bag at all times!)
  • sleeping bag rated to at least 30° (20-25° is best) (line stuff sack with a plastic bag)
  • sleeping pad (foam or small thermarest) (optional)
  • soap (biodegradable) (Camp Suds)
  • sock liners (2 pr)
  • socks (2 pr) (heavyweight synthetic/wool) (SmartWool is good)
  • stakes for tent (take 2 extra per person) (needle-type -- ground can be hard as a rock)
  • string (a little)
  • stuff sack lined with plastic bag (at night food, toiletries and other smellables go in here and in the bear bag)
  • sunglasses (optional)
  • sunscreen (at least 15 SPF non-scented) (share this)
  • survival blanket (silver) (optional)
  • tape (just a small amount of duct & electrical) (wrap around a pencil, flashlight, or something)
  • tent & tent fly (seal seams at least 1 week before leaving) (1 for every 2 Scouts)
  • toilet paper (about 1/4 roll) (put in plastic ziploc bag)
  • towel (old & lightweight or super absorbent synthetic)
  • trail tape (a very small amount of bright surveyor's tape for emergencies if lost) (optional)
  • trash bags (2-50 gal. bags)
  • tripod (lightweight -- for camera) (optional)
  • trowel (for catholes)
  • twist ties for trash bags & emergency repairs (just a few)
  • underpants (2 pair CoolMax, nylon or polyester -- no cotton)
  • utensils (Lexan is best -- no plastic) (2 spoons - no forks or knives) (mark with your name)
  • vaseline (optional)
  • vitamins (optional)
  • wash basin (collapsible or use large zipbag) (optional)
  • wash cloth (optional) (use one of your bandannas instead)
  • watch with an alarm (especially crew leader!)
  • water bottles, bladder bag or folding water bag (be able to carry 4-5 qts. of water and drink 4 qts./day-8lbs. or 8 qts/day-16 lbs. in hot weather) (dry camps will require each person to carry at least 4-5 qts. of water - that's 8-10 lbs.)
  • whistle on lanyard
  • wire (small amount -- thin & medium thickness for repairs)
  • wipes for hygiene
  • ziploc bags (one small, one big and one extra large to wash clothes on trail)

CREW ITEMS

These items will be distributed among all crew members:

Crew equipment provided by crew:

  • bag for carrying water from water source for purifying (or use large heavy-duty zip bags) (optional)
  • combination locks for base camp crew lockers (2)
  • dining fly tent stakes (10) (needle-type -- ground can be hard as a rock)
  • duct tape
  • Eagles Soaring High for trail worship (chaplain's aide carries)
  • first aid kit (crew size):
  • absorbent pads w/ sticky side (2), acetominophen (25 tablets),
  • adhesive tape (1 in. x 10 yds.), antacid (20) & Pepto Bismal tablets
  • (12), antibacterial cream, antiseptic, bandages (2 large triangular),
  • bandaids (12 large), Benedryl, butterfly strips (10), chapstick, cotton
  • balls (12), elastic wrap, eye protection, gauze (2 in. roll) & pads (6-4x4
  • and 20 1x1 or 2x2), hydrocortisone cream, ibuprophen (25 tablets), ice
  • packs (2 - crushable), imodium (25 tablets), latex gloves (8 pr.), mouth
  • barrier device, moleskin & foam (2 sheets of each), oral
  • thermometer, Q-tips (12), safety pins (10), sanitizing gel (Purell), syrup
  • of ipecac, small scissors, liquid soap, tongue depressors (4),
  • tweezers, wipes - soap & alcohol based (10 each). Take an Epi pin if
  • someone is allergic to bee stings!
  • crew flag (make before leaving) (string & markers) (optional)
  • frisbee
  • fuel bottles (3 - 16oz.) (ship with stoves) (16 oz. allows for better weight distribution)
  • insect repellent (no aerosol) (optional)
  • maps (put in ziploc bag) (2 large overall and 2 for areas in which you will be hiking)
  • (purchase at Philmont or order from the Tooth of Time Traders)
  • measuring cup (8 oz)
  • nylon or plastic sheet (3' x 5' for kitchen items while preparing meals) (trash bag or emergency blanket works well for this)
  • nylon cord (1/8 in. - 3x50')
  • packing material, labels & postage to mail stoves & bottles home
  • radios (2-way) (with fresh batteries)
  • sewing repair kit w/ buttons and fishing line
  • shovel (small, cheap, metal trowel for moving hot ashes from fire ring)
  • snake bite kit
  • songs, cadences, skits, cheers, etc.
  • stoves (2) (white gas/dual fuel -- not propane/butane) (name marked on stove) (must be purged of fuel &
  • transported by land [USPS] with fuel top off) (wrap in plastic, bubble wrap & tape) (cannot be transported by plane -- even if empty!)
  • strobe light (small) (for emergency rescue at night)
  • tools (multitool)
  • turkey roasting bags (one for each dinner) (large enough to fit an 8 qt. pot - 24lb. capacity) (optional)
  • water jugs (two collapsible plastic) (2.5 gals)

Crew equipment provided by Philmont:

  • bear bags (3)(1 ½ lbs.)(In 1999 Philmont began issuing lightweight polyethylene bags instead of burlap)
  • cooking pots (weight 3-4 lbs.) (this is all you will need -- leave the rest behind in your locker):
  • 1 - pot with lid (6 or 8 qt.) (use 8 qt. for 12 person crews) (when cooking dinner everything goes in one pot!) (we also cook dessert in this pot)(bring a sturdy pie pan for the lid instead of using the frying pan - it's lighter)
  • 1 - extra pot with lid (6 qt) (for washing dishes) (nest this in the 8 qt. pot) (some crews carry another 8 or 6 qt. pot, but this is not necessary, if you do one pot cooking)
  • dining fly (12'x12') (weight 4 lbs.)
  • dining fly poles (2) (weight 1 lb.)
  • dishwashing soap (Campsuds)
  • food (up to 4 days worth)
  • hand sanitizer
  • crew lockers (one or two) to leave gear at base camp (21" W x 22" H x 31 1/2" D) (extra gear
  • can be stored unsecured in the backcountry warehouse)
  • 2 bottles Polar Pure for purifying water (bring extra so you have 1 bottle per 3 crew members)
  • pot tongs (1) (weight 1/2 lb.) (leave the second tongs behind)
  • rope (150' of 1/4" nylon rope)(weight 2 1/2 lbs.) (for bear bag)
  • salt & pepper
  • sanitizing tablets for rinse water
  • scrub pads (8)
  • sump frisbee (strainer)
  • sump scraper
  • toilet paper
  • trash bags (10)
  • utensils for cooking (2 large spoons, 1 large spatula) (1/2 lb.)
  • yum-yum bag (for food scraps)