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 onto the bus. Please make sure you bring your uniform shirt on the bus and wear your uniform shorts or pants.

Provided by Cape Cod & Islands Council

Tent (2 Scouts per 4-person tent) – council property
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

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 on a 30-degree bag or make sure you bring a base layer if you get cold at night.
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
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)
Water shoes, sandals, or Crocs to wear to take a shower – you must wear closed-toed shoes outside of the campsite/shower area
Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
Sunscreen and lip balm
Insect repellent
Lunch bag – a small, reusable sack to carry your lunch and snacks in your day pack
Hat (wide-brimmed recommended)
Sunglasses (if desired)
Medications (must be on your health form and reported to your unit leader)
Eyeglasses and lens cleaners or contact lenses and solutions (and an extra pair or a copy of your prescription)

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 – I recommend trail shoes that are not waterproof. Waterproofing can cause your feet to sweat in hot weather, leaving them wet. I don’t recommend sneakers since many of the paths at the Summit have large crushed stone with sharp edges.
Broken-in waterproof hiking boots (it may be muddy) – I recommend a pair of waterproof hiking boots. 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 (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)
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)

Other equipment (optional):

Laundry/trash bag/zip lock bags for wet or dirty clothes
Swimsuit (for aquatic areas)
Swim towel
Small pocket knife (optional)
Notebook & pen or pencil
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.
Smartphone – having a phone will make it more convenient to communicate. There is a Jamboree app that will have program information, including event times. However, there are also a few charging stations for your phone, and you have to stay with it while it’s charging. You can purchase solar chargers that let you charge your phone, but small ones aren’t very effective. If you bring a phone, make sure you bring the appropriate power cables. You can also bring a power bank (or banks).
A watch – it’s always good to know the time, especially if your phone battery dies.
Personal first aid kit
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

Notes on laundry:

Laundry service is not provided. If needed, participants can wash their own clothes in a 5-gallon bucket 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.

Gear for Whitewater 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
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 on that brings you back – don’t plan to leave any items on the bus)

Aerial Sports & Climbing

Everything tucked in – no clothing hanging out.
Closed-toed shoes.

Extreme Sports

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