The first time you head to the local camping supply store with your eager young scout to pick up some supplies, to take to a camp out, can be enough to make you turn around and run the other way. From camp beds and sleeping bags, to mess kits, or a camping table you will walk up and down the aisles in wonder. Once you get over your initial awe at all the things they have come up with to buy for a camping trip, you will be able to zone in and focus.
Since having an overly tired and cranky kid come home from camp is not a happy thought, you should first focus on the sleeping situation. A good night’s sleep on a comfortable camping mattress can make a huge difference so head to the bedding aisle.
There are three scenarios when it comes to camp beds. One is the roughing it route, that is done on weekend tent camping or backpack trips. The second is your standard platform tent and with camping cots generally found at a formal summer camp and the third is the luxury route where you manage to bring all the comforts of home.
You will seldom find the third one at scout camp, but family camping will bring on the camping airbed not to mention the camping chairs and tables, or even a TV!
For scout camp you will be dealing with one of the other two. For weekend tent camping you will need a foam camping mat that is put on the ground under the sleeping bag. This keeps the body from feeling the worst of the bumps and stones that are on the ground when sleeping.
If your young scout is going to scouting summer camp they will have a camp cots in a platform tent where between your sleeping bag and mat they should be pretty comfortable. Sometimes you might find a folding beds, but they are not as common.
For your first big camping weekend you will probably luck out with only buying a sleeping bag and mat, and save the rest of the camp beds that are there for another time. Your next stop will be the cooking aisle, good luck!