BE PREPARED - Desert camping typically presents warmer weather during the day and colder weather during the night. Especially when there is wind. Night-time temperatures can fall into the 30's!   Certain types of clothing retain heat better than others. You have to be careful because some cloth can keep a person warm even when they're wet, like wool, and others, like cotton, cause the person to become cold. Clothing made out of wool and polypropylene are the best for camping out in the desert.

CLOTHING

• Daytime: hat or cap for protection against the sun.
• 2 or 3 pairs of socks depending on how many nights spent and how dirty a scout can get.
• boots or walking shoes for possible hikes.
• spare shirts and pants (or shorts)
• long pants for after dark...wind pants or ski pants work well
• warm jacket
• sweatshirt
• If you get cold then LAYER YOUR CLOTHES. If you're still cold then GO TO BED.

SLEEP WEAR

• knit cap made of wool or synthetic material (most body heat is lost of the head).
• wool socks.
• clean long sleeve shirts or thermals.
• sweat pants.
• Daytime perspiration can make you cold after dark so change your clothes before going to bed. You also shouldn't layer yourself in your sleeping bag because it cuts down your blood circulation and that makes you colder.

PERSONAL GEAR

• Rolled sleeping bag (stuffsack sleeping bags are preferred)
• Closed-cell foam insulating pad - closed-cell foam pads don't soak up water so please make sure you don't have an open-celled foam pad
• Flash light
• Canteen
• Poncho or large trash bag
• Tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, etc.
• Travel bag or backpack (backpacking frames are also acceptable)
• Scout book (required for first year scouts)
• 2 GALLONS of WATER - this is a primitive campsite with no running water