In my troop, we spend 5 weeks (meetings) educating the younger kids before their first Polar Bear camp in February. These first-timers usually have been camping during the warmer months well. The older scouts go as a review and to add their help/comments/tips, and parents sometimes come to watch, because they are scared to death their little kid will freeze to death! After a few meetings, they can see all the older scouts are very familiar with winter camping, and they can help the younger kids to prepare their gear and meals. The older kids also have experience, and know what to do and when, so the younger kids have a good time, unless they get home sick.
Went winter camping with scouts, and in university with the outdoors club. Going to build a platform and frame for my canvas tent and install the wood stove for next winter. Hopefully winter returns in proper form next year. Love the winter - no crowds, no bugs, no overheating. 🙂
The most miserable times I've ever had is winter camping with my Troop. The worst is having to pee at 3am. Once you get out of what warmth your sleeping bag has, that's it!
I live in an area that sees serious cold temperature as well as windchills. The other night it was only -3 but the windchill was -30. I have seen it -50 plus a windchill. Personally I am getting to old to winter camp unless I have a large heated tent. I would cheat with some modern gear as some of the gear of the early 20th century is not available to us easily. They were able to purchase braided rabbit skin blankets, heavier wool clothing as well as parkas made from seal skins and like the rabbit skin blanket these were still being made by natives who were happy to sell. First of all if you live in snow country practice walking in it. Snow is like walking in sand, there is more work. Even better cross country ski and or snowshoe for distances during daytimes to get stronger and use to the cold. Bring a lunch. You will learn not only to eat in the cold but better regulating body temperatures so as not to get soaked with sweat and later shiver uncontrollably. This also allows you to get home, take a hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed not to mention not wake up cold then worry about breakfast. You will get good winter exercise and practice in traveling in the cold, plus get you more use to the cold. You might decide winter is for the birds instead.
My Winter camping experience is limited to Hunting camp. I’ve been teeth chattering cold all night on some occasions and toasty warm on others. A good barrier between me and the ground made the difference. I also found that a couple of heavy wool blankets were equal to or better than my synthetic sleeping bag.
In my troop, we spend 5 weeks (meetings) educating the younger kids before their first Polar Bear camp in February. These first-timers usually have been camping during the warmer months well. The older scouts go as a review and to add their help/comments/tips, and parents sometimes come to watch, because they are scared to death their little kid will freeze to death!
After a few meetings, they can see all the older scouts are very familiar with winter camping, and they can help the younger kids to prepare their gear and meals.
The older kids also have experience, and know what to do and when, so the younger kids have a good time, unless they get home sick.
love it!
I was campin during the winter of 1978! It was not easy, but I had fun and survived.
Went winter camping with scouts, and in university with the outdoors club. Going to build a platform and frame for my canvas tent and install the wood stove for next winter. Hopefully winter returns in proper form next year.
Love the winter - no crowds, no bugs, no overheating. 🙂
PPA needs to go camping! With newbies like me!
The most miserable times I've ever had is winter camping with my Troop. The worst is having to pee at 3am. Once you get out of what warmth your sleeping bag has, that's it!
I live in an area that sees serious cold temperature as well as windchills. The other night it was only -3 but the windchill was -30. I have seen it -50 plus a windchill. Personally I am getting to old to winter camp unless I have a large heated tent. I would cheat with some modern gear as some of the gear of the early 20th century is not available to us easily. They were able to purchase braided rabbit skin blankets, heavier wool clothing as well as parkas made from seal skins and like the rabbit skin blanket these were still being made by natives who were happy to sell. First of all if you live in snow country practice walking in it. Snow is like walking in sand, there is more work. Even better cross country ski and or snowshoe for distances during daytimes to get stronger and use to the cold. Bring a lunch. You will learn not only to eat in the cold but better regulating body temperatures so as not to get soaked with sweat and later shiver uncontrollably. This also allows you to get home, take a hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed not to mention not wake up cold then worry about breakfast. You will get good winter exercise and practice in traveling in the cold, plus get you more use to the cold. You might decide winter is for the birds instead.
My Winter camping experience is limited to Hunting camp.
I’ve been teeth chattering cold all night on some occasions and toasty warm on others.
A good barrier between me and the ground made the difference.
I also found that a couple of heavy wool blankets were equal to or better than my synthetic sleeping bag.
Ok I agree with the title, I’m gonna stay by my wood stove this week. 😂