What to Bring to Camp

 If possible, DO NOT bring expensive items (wrist watches, expensive cameras) or items of great personal value. You are responsible for being diligent in keeping track of all your belongings.

Staff and noncoms should bring the following (items marked in bold type have special comments below):

  • Bible & pens

  • Uniform shirt

  • Light jacket/sweatshirt

  • Pillow

  • Shorts

  • Swim trunks

  • Personal kit/toiletries

  • Sleeping Bag

  • Jeans

  • Socks

  • Towels

  • Flashlight      

  • Sport shirts

  • Sneakers

  • Insect repellent

  • Swim mask & fins

  • T-shirts

  • Water shoes

  • Caps/hats (at least 2)

  • Combination lock                 

  • Underwear

  • Rain gear

  • Alarm clock

  • Sheath or jackknife

  • Laundry bag

  • Notebook paper

  • Wrist watch

  • Clipboards     

  • Sturdy shoes (for climbing/rappelling)

  • Old shoes/clothes for possible wet/muddy situations

Comments:

  1. Bible. Be sure to bring a full Bible (not just a New Testament version). NIV and ESV are the most common versions used at camp, but you can bring whatever version you want. Pocket Bibles are great for camp, but you should bring a full, inexpensive Bible for morning and evening devotions and leading Bible Ex.

  2. Uniform shirt. Every noncom needs to have a green Brigade uniform shirt. (See the Camp Service Details form to order one). Veteran noncoms, make sure you can find your shirt, that it still fits, is in good condition and that it is up-to-date as far as emblems and ranks are concerned.

  3. Swim mask & fins. These are used for Lifeguard Training and will be kept at the waterfront for emergency search and rescue situations. For rookies, we recommend moderately-priced equipment but not from the toy department. Check that the mask fits you. You’ll find the fins with the full shoe much better than those with straps. Veterans, check to make sure you can find your equipment and that it is serviceable.

  4. Wrist watch. A cheapie is better because camp is hard on watches. Waterproof is nice but rarely lasts long. Even if you don’t normally wear a watch, you will need one for camp!

  5. Alarm clock. The best are battery-operated, but a wind-up version will do. A key point is that it is loud enough to wake you up. (Clock radios, phones, iPods, etc. are NOT allowed in camper cabins).

  6. Sheath knife or jackknife. A good one is better than a cheapie (if you are able to keep track of your things). If you bring one, be aware these are tools, not toys. Their use is to be limited to legitimate functions at appropriate times. Remember that campers are not allowed to bring these so DO NOT flaunt the fact that you have one. Get it out when you need to use it, then put it away.

  7. Clipboards. One or two cheapies are worth their weight in gold at camp. Most guys use one for their craft instructor notes and records, another for their Bible study notes. Use a magic marker to write your name on the front or back of the board. The notebook paper (three-hole punched) can be used either with your clipboard or your noncom manual (which first-year noncoms will receive in May).

  8. Flashlight or Headlamp. Mark it with your name.

  9. Sleeping bag & pillow. Bring your own pillow (for the best rest...you’ll need it!), a light sheet (for those hot nights) and a heavy blanket (for those cold nights). Count on a couple nights in the 70s and a few in the low 40s throughout the summer. Most of the time, though, it is good sleeping bag weather.

  10. Combination lock. Nice to have on your locker in the washhouse to protect personal items.

  11. Regarding Cell Phones - Smart or otherwise. You may bring your cell phone to camp but there are specific restrictions about its use. Noncoms are required to keep their cell phones in the office. There will be a cubby with your name on it. If you need to make an important call you may go to the office to use your phone. Of course, when you leave came (to go home on the weekend, for example) you should go to the office and pick up your phone.

Finally, there are washing machines and dryers at camp, but since staff and noncoms go home most weekends, a week’s worth of clothes is best. (Pre-camp training does run for two weeks, however, with no break). Everything you bring to camp has to be carried by you when you change cabins each weekend, so don’t haul the entire contents of your bedroom up to camp with you.