Jamboree Gear List

Here’s my personal gear list based on the list posted on jamboree.scouting.org and on my experience attending the 2013, 2017, and 2023 National Jamborees and the 2019 World Scout Jamboree.

All of your gear must be packed in your duffel and day pack. You should not be carrying anything else. We will need to carry our gear from the bus drop-off location to our campsite. When traveling, the duffel will be stored under the bus, and you will carry your day pack on board. Please make sure you bring your uniform shirt on the bus and wear your uniform shorts or pants.

Items that you want returned if you lose them should be labeled with your name and troop number (3344).

Provided by Cape Cod & Islands Council:

• Tent (2 Scouts per 4-person tent) – council property, which may be available for sale after the jamboree
• Duffel bag (130 liter) – yours to keep
• Day pack – you will bring this on the bus to carry your uniform and anything else you may want to keep with you on the bus
• Luggage tags – one for your day pack and one for your duffel (you will receive this when you check in the night of our departure – you may also want to put your name and address information inside your day pack and duffel bag)

Provided at the Jamboree:

• Cot – you will sleep on a cot
• Cooking equipment – we will cook our meals in our campsite
• Picnic tables – there’s enough room for everyone to sit
• Dining flys – these will keep us out of the sun and rain and will be over the picnic tables
• More!

Personal gear:

• Sleeping bag – normal nighttime lows are in the 50s and 60s, but sometimes the temperatures may dip a bit lower. Plan for a 30-degree bag, or bring a base layer if you get cold at night.
• Personal eating kit (plate, bowl, utensils, insulated cup)
• Two 1-liter water bottles (can substitute a hydration bladder for one of the bottles)
• Toiletry kit (toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, shampoo, soap, fingernail clippers, powder, shaving supplies, deodorant, etc.) – since the showers are ambient temperature (cold), you may want to consider low-sudsing soap
• Two quick-dry bath towels – cotton towels don’t dry well
• Hand towels and wash cloths (if desired)
• Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Personal first aid kit
• Eyeglasses and lens cleaners or contact lenses and solutions (and an extra pair or a copy of your prescription)
• Hat (wide-brimmed recommended)
• Lunch bag – a small, reusable sack to carry your lunch and snacks in your day pack
• Zip-Lok bags for wet clothes
• Laundry bag, trash bags, large Zip-Lok bags for dirty clothes
• Medications (must be on your health form and reported to your unit leader)
• One permanent marker (for campwide game)
• Notebook & pen or pencil

Other equipment (optional):

• Air or travel pillow (if desired) – you could also stuff some of your clothes in a stuff sack to use as a pillow
• Sleeping pad (if desired) – the cots are pretty comfortable for most Scouts
• Sunglasses (if desired)
• Solar camp shower – the showers at the Summit are “ambient temperature,” which means they are cold. If you can’t tolerate taking a cold shower, you can fill a solar shower with water and let it sit in the sun to warm up. There are hooks in the showers where you can hang a solar shower.
• A watch – it’s always good to know the time, especially if your phone battery dies.
• Spending money for souvenirs, sundries, and snacks at the Jamboree trading posts. Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express are also accepted. However, some concessions will only accept cash. There will be some food vendors there where you can purchase snacks and lunch if you want to take a break from the lunches provided as part of our meals.
• Trading items (patches, t-shirts, etc.) – Patch trading is HUGE at the Jamboree! You will be provided with some Council Jamboree Shoulder Patches for trading and will have the option to purchase additional patches.
• Card games and other small games to play during downtime
• Musical instrument

Personal electronics:

• Phone
• Charging cord(s) with power block (make sure you have a USB-A connector for your charging cord – some places don’t have USB-C connections)
• Power bank(s)
• Solar charger (recommended)
• There are charging stations in each subcamp with USB A & C ports

Clothing:

Rapid-drying, wicking synthetic fabrics are encouraged for all participants. Cotton clothing absorbs moisture and can be difficult to dry. If you have issues with chafing on your thighs, synthetic boxer-briefs are recommended.

Note: Arrival day, stadium show, Sunday religious observances, and departure day are normal uniform days. Other days are Scout/Jamboree T-shirts or activity shirts with uniform shorts/pants. Other plain (non-commercial, Scout-appropriate) t-shirts/shorts are fine.

• One Full Class A Uniform with appropriate patches (including BSA pants/shorts, belt, and socks) – your uniform shirt and pants/shorts will be worn during stops on our bus trip, arrival day, departure day, and one or two other days during the Jamboree.
• Trail shoes – Sneakers are not recommended. They don’t have the traction required to walk around the Summit and may not last.
• Broken-in waterproof hiking boots (it may be muddy) – During past Jamborees, there have been muddy conditions, including water an inch or so deep in our campsites. This usually dries relatively quickly, but continued rain can make it worse.
• I also don’t recommend old shoes. We’ve had some Scouts lose the soles of their shoes during the Jamboree.
• Waterproof rain gear (lightweight hooded jacket and pants, but a poncho or umbrella may work for light rain). Water-resistant is not the same as waterproof.
• Jacket, fleece, or sweatshirt (it can get cool at night)
• One or two sets of sleep clothes (shorts and a t-shirt usually work)
• Twelve pairs of non-cotton underwear – one pair for each day, with a spare pair
• Five or more non-cotton t-shirts – some Scouts may be able to get away with wearing a t-shirt for two days
• Five or more shorts/pants – most Scouts can probably wear shorts for two days or more
• Two or three pairs of BSA uniform socks.
• Twelve pairs of other socks (non-cotton)
• Water shoes, sandals, or Crocs to wear to take a shower – you must wear closed-toed shoes outside of the campsite/shower area

Laundry service is not provided. If needed, participants can wash their own clothes in a 5-gallon bucket or 2-gallon laundry bag and hang them up to dry. Bring a small amount of laundry detergent (not a full Tide pod). Seal in multiple Ziploc bags. I recommend you avoid doing laundry.

Program-specific gear and equipment:

Conservation Service Project: Work gloves

Welding: Long pants

Skilled Trades:

• Closed-toe, fully enclosed shoes
• Totin’ Chip card

Zip Lines:

• Water bottle: Carry it with you everywhere and refill it often. Attach to your person with a carabiner or keep it in your daypack.
• Hair: If long, pull back and tie up – a low bun at the back of the head is preferred for proper helmet fit.
• Shoes: Closed-toe with laces required. No sandals, flip-flops, clogs, or Crocs.
• Pants/shorts: Inseam must be long enough to accommodate a zip line harness.
• Shirt: Must be long enough to tuck into shorts
• Daypack: Bring a daypack to hold personal items during the activity. Under most conditions, you will wear it while zipping.

Climbing:

• Hair: If long, pull back and tie up — a low bun at the back of the head is preferred for proper helmet fit.
• Shoes: Closed-toe with laces required. No sandals, flip-flops, clogs, or Crocs.
• Pants/shorts: Inseam must be long enough to accommodate a climbing harness.
• Daypack: Bring a daypack to hold personal items during the activity.

Buckskin: Closed-toe shoes

Jambo Warrior: Closed-toe shoes

Aquatics:

• Swimsuit (required)
• Swim towel
• Rash guard (recommended)
• Eyeglass retainer strap (recommended)
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, long-sleeve shirt, etc. (recommended)
• Changing areas are available near each aquatics venue.

Rafting:

Required:

• Medications you may need (epi pens, inhalers, etc)
• Clothing suitable for swimming
• Closed-toed shoes that can get soaking wet  (water shoes and sandals are good, hiking boots, crocs, flip flops are NOT GOOD, old tennis shoes are OK but not recommended)
• Sunscreen

Optional:

• Waterproof camera or waterproof case and lanyard for your phone
• Hat
• Eyeglasses/sunglasses w/ strap
• Water bottle with carabiner clip
• Outdoor sportswear – NO COTTON or DENIM
• Secure storage will be available at the rafting check-in location (the bus that takes you to your raft trip departure area will not be the same one that brings you back – don’t plan to leave any items on the bus)

Extreme Sports

• Biking Attire: Cycling gloves recommended but not required
• Skateboard Attire: Lightweight rubber-soled shoes that don’t go above the ankle.