The whole point of going on a camping trip is to take a break from technology. It is about reconnecting with nature, living on just the bare essentials.
True, it is!
But, given our consumerist lifestyles, and our heavy dependence on modern conveniences, it can get complicated without our gizmos. Whether you are a seasoned camper or one setting out on your first scout camping trip, we’ve rounded up the best scout camping gadgets you can take along. While not too fancy, they only make a living outdoors more comfortable and manageable for city dwellers.
Read on to check if you have or need to purchase them. We start our list of the best scout camping gadgets with shelter options.
Tent
Tents don’t usually qualify as ‘gadgets’, but modern designs offer innovative features compelling us to add them to our list.
Get a good-quality, roomy tent. It should be large enough to accommodate the number of people it is expected to shelter. There are tent designs that can fit as many as nine people.
It should be weatherproof, durable, well-ventilated, and easy to set up. Dividers and zippered doors allow privacy too. Some designs incorporate LED lighting, too.
Lantern
There’s nothing like the soft glow of a campfire. But you will also need some light to cook or to read.
Lanterns are great to light up any area inside or outside the tent or even fix on your bike. Scout camping gadget vendors have an extensive range of portable lamps. You can choose foldable designs. They are the most convenient to carry around. Fold it flat and stash it in your bag. Inflate it before use.
If you opt for a solar-powered lantern, you do not need batteries. The solar panels charge the lamps during the day to provide enough light when the sun goes down. Battery-operated lanterns can be recharged with a micro USB input. You can also use these lanterns to charge other electronics, such as your smartphone.
Campstove
Camping is incomplete without outdoor cooking and grilling. You will be heating water, too, when the temperature dips.
While a standard stove should do the job, Biolite’s design is unbeatable. This scout camping gadget gives you the best value for your money.
It is well-designed and eco-friendly (it creates a smokeless flame). This gas stove is powered by burning twigs and branches. BioLite’s offering also doubles up as an electric charger for appliances such as your smartphone or LED lights. It converts heat energy into electricity.
And while we are still talking about building fires, don’t forget to stock up on enough storm-proof matches. They are specially created to withstand strong winds.
Filter
Campsites do offer a supply of fresh drinking water. However, considering your family’s health, carrying a water filter is advisable.
Filters are available as standalone units, and some are designed as bottles. They can filter up to 99.99% of disease-causing bacteria found in water. They can also remove lead present in water. Their membrane and carbon filters get rid of unpleasant tastes too.
With a carry case provided and lightweight build materials, these scout camping gadgets are very convenient.
Lighter
If you’ve struggled to light a fire with matches before, you will know the importance of having a pocket lighter handy.
Lighters range in size, from smaller ones in a pocket to larger, cylindrical lighters shaped like torches. They also differ in how they are powered. While some use lighter fluid in a standard lighter, others draw power from rechargeable ion batteries. You won’t struggle to build your campfire thanks to the windproof flames.
Portable Shower
Roughing out in the wild need not be a compromise on hygiene. A portable pressure shower enables you to have a bath while camping outdoors.
Yet again, you are spoilt for choice with this scout camping gadget.
Portable showers are battery-operated; some also use a foot pump. The handheld spray head adds convenience. Most of the mobile batteries have a water storage capacity of between 2 to 5 gallons of water. Some also allow you to hook the shower hose to the main water supply.
Thanks to the solar heating facility included on selected portable shower models, relax with a hot water bath. A rechargeable battery pack ensures your shower is ready whenever you need to wash up.
Are you worried about having to take a bath with dirty water? You can always opt for a shower unit with an inbuilt filtration system.
Take our word for it; having portable camping showers is a luxury.
Headlamp
It sounds simple, but it’s a great utility item on the trail. It comes in handy when you need light, but your hands are not free to grab a flashlight.
The resizable straps fit comfortably around one’s head. Get a compact design, especially one with sleek battery housing, to avoid looking silly; it also reduces weight.
The headlamp should have a good battery backup, given that you’ll be using it often but with fewer opportunities to recharge. Headlamps are among the cheapest scout camping gadgets on the market.
Buy one with rechargeable batteries. It should also be waterproof; you don’t want it getting spoilt when you take that hiking trip in the rain and need to use it due to limited visibility.
Mosquito Repeller
Pesky mosquitos often ruin the peace and calm of sitting outdoors on a moonlit night. They are a nuisance, and those mosquito bites can cause serious illness. A portable mosquito repeller can protect you and your family from disease-causing pests in the wild.
There’s one from Thermacell. Thanks to their small size and lightweight build, they fit into an EDC kit. This scout camping gadget creates a protection zone extending up to 15 feet. That’s a wide range. It uses mats heated by a fuel cartridge. The cartridge lasts for around 12 hours on a single charge. The repellent is smokeless and scentless. Strap it to your body in case you plan to go trekking.
The portable mosquito repeller ships with three disposable mats. So, if you plan an extended camping trip, don’t forget to buy refills.
Outdoor Grill
If you spend much time outdoors, consider investing in a sturdy outdoor grill. And if you are considering a purchase, look for the following – product weight, ease of transportation, ease of setting up, and building material.
There are dozens of portable grill designs in the market. There are foldable designs as well as those shaped like smaller-sized suitcases. Some models can be collapsed like a folding chair and stashed into a backpack.
But the one that blew us away was the rolling grill. It is the best designed for campers. Living up to its name, the aluminium grates roll into a sleek, compact cylinder. The legs can be adjusted to enable cooking over an open fire. Given their minimalistic designs and components – grates and legs – they must be placed on the ground over an actual fire or a firebox.
Smart Watch
An intelligent outdoor watch is yet another must-have scout camping gadget.
Technically, campers ought to be able to read and navigate the outdoors using good-old paper maps. But it does not harm to have a little aid from technology.
Smart outdoor watches are the most excellent navigating tools. They incorporate so many features into one simple gadget. Like any ordinary watch, they tell time. Their highly responsive touchscreen displays give you access to a range of apps. Pull up maps and use the GPS navigation facility to find your way.
What’s more? They are built for rugged use. They are water-resistant. As a camper, you will also benefit from their in-built barometer and altimeter.
Hand Warmers
A rechargeable hand warmer offers warmth and respite for all those chilly nights when you feel the nip in the air. You can adjust it to the desired heat level with multiple heat settings.
Your hand warmer can also double up as a power bank. Use it to recharge your smartphone when you are not warming your hands. These hand warmers are tested for safety.
Portable Cooler
Camping trips are incomplete without a good quality cooler that chills your drinks for days.
Portable coolers range in size, with larger ones designed to hold almost 40-45 cans at a time. They have inbuilt cooling systems and insulation to keep your drinks chilled for up to 5-7 days. While some have a drab and boxy outer structure, others are pretty good-looking. The larger ones are sturdy and can be used as an extra seat! Features such as wheels and handles enable easy transportation.
Suppose you are short on space; you can swap the larger-sized cooler for a cooler bag. The inner insulation lining does an equally good job chilling food and drinks. They are usually made in smaller capacities, with most able to hold between 12-15 cans. With shoulder straps and handles, it is easy to carry around.
Solar Charger
Looking at the impressive list of scout camping gadgets we’ve recommended and presuming you already have a few of your own, they’d be useless if you don’t have sufficient electrical energy to power them. Therefore, it makes sense to have a solar charger.
Solar chargers come fitted with solar panels. When exposed to the sun, they charge their battery pack, providing enough juice to recharge your other devices, like your smartphone or laptop. A solar panel charger is a great backup for an electric charger.
Survival Bracelet
Not exactly a gadget, yet an essential on our list of scout camping gadgets. These pieces of wearable tech are super cheap. Made of paracord, around 12 feet in length, you can adjust it to fit your wrist. There’s a mini-compass planted on the bracelet in addition to a metal fire starter and an emergency whistle.
It is not called a survival bracelet for no reason. This survival bracelet prioritizes safety over comfort. It is available in different styles and colours. So, choose what you like.
Other Scout Camping Gadgets to Carry:
- Get relief on warm, balmy nights on your summer camping trip with a solar–charged tent fan. Hang it by the hook in your tent, and you can start enjoying the cool breeze. They also have many LED lights, enough to illuminate your tent.
- For the colder months, don’t forget to pack a portable heater. The outdoors can get quite chilly.
- A portable power station that supplies ample power to charge all your other scout camping gadgets.
- GPS and satellite communicator, just in case you lose your way.
- A waterproof Bluetooth speaker. While options, it does a great job of creating the perfect surround sound.
Bring along This Camping Gear Too!
- A rainproof bag to keep your valuables protected in wet conditions. Choose bright colours for better visibility in the dark.
- A spade or shovel tool to help dig fire pits or tackle the snow.
- Cookware kits. The most significant advantage is you won’t be lugging around all your cooking pots and pans. They include essential cooking utensils that all fold and fit into one.
- Being out in the wild also increases the risk of injuries. Carry a well-equipped first-aid kit that can come in handy in an emergency.
We’re sure you never thought you could carry so many scout camping gadgets on your trip. While they may seem too much initially, you’ll happily take them along.
– Check out my post about Places To Travel Alone
Written by Boyan Minchev