Here's the list I use for multi-day scout backpacking trips. It's been tweaked and changed over the years. This is the current iteration.
It's in two parts: The first is the part that goes out to the scouts and parents regarding the scouts' personal gear. The second part is the group gear.
Some notes:
Our troop has 3 Black Diamond Guiding Light tents. They hold 4 boys and weigh about 5 and 1/2 pounds including stakes, guylines etc. I also have 4 Kelty Cosmic Down 20 degree sleeping bags that I use as loaners for the boys that don't have appropriate sleeping bags.
No doubt someone will point out that liquid fuel stoves are forbidden by the Boy Scouts. I realize that, but we use alcohol stoves (Trail Designs Ti-Tri) anyway. In my experience, alcohol is the safest fuel there is. We generally use alcohol for breakfast, and wood fuel for dinner. (lunch is generally not cooked.)
Here's the list:
Necessary Equipment: Anything not on this list must be approved by me. This is a long and very strenuous trip, and only the essentials should be carried. DO NOT BRING iPods, radios, gameboys, or other useless stuff. Also, because we will be out for so long, more than 20 miles from the trail head, all of this equipment is necessary. If there are some items you don't currently have, I can let you know where to obtain them at the lowest cost. I may also have items which may be borrowed.
Pocket knife
2 Sports drink bottles A 2 quart “Camelback” or similar bladder is also good. (If using a Camelback, just bring the bladder, not the pack for it.)
Flashlight A small headlamp is best. Do not bring a big, heavy flashlight. If you conserve batteries, an extra set of batteries will not be necessary.
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent. NOT a metal aerosol can. SMALL pump spray bottle. Best is Ultrathon brand.
Backpack Must have either an internal or external frame, and a padded hip belt which will support the weight on the scout's hips, NOT his shoulders.
Sleeping bag (NOT a big heavy bag. Should weigh less than 3 pounds.)
Sleeping pad. Closed cell foam sleeping pad (i.e. Ridgerest, Z-rest, blue pad) is best.
Plastic or aluminum bowl Don’t bring a big army mess kit. All you need is a bowl. The best bowl is a light plastic bowl with a lid, made by Ziploc. You can get them at the grocery store for about 3 dollars for a package of them. (only bring one.)
Spoon (get a lexan-plastic spoon at the Walmart sporting goods section for $1.50
Cup (lightweight plastic cup)
Toothbrush
Small tube of toothpaste (get a trial size tube)
Small travel pack of diaper wipes.
1 ounce bottle of liquid Soap (camp suds, or similar biodegradable soap)
1 ounce bottle of Purell hand sanitizer.
First Aid kit with lighter and tinder
Clothing:
Sunglasses
Baseball Hat or other sun hat
Bandanna or “Buff”
Warm hat
Warm fleece sweater/jacket NOT a cotton sweatshirt, jean jacket, etc.
Rain jacket with hood and Rain pants (One of the lightest and least expensive options for rain pants and rain jacket are “DriDucks” rain suits, which can be purchased for $20-$40 depending on which model you buy.)
Shirt(button up with collar is better than t-shirt, as it keeps bugs and sun off your neck) NOT cotton.
Swimming suit (also to be used as shorts for hiking)
2 pair underwear
2 pair WOOL hiking socks NO COTTON SOCKS!
Trail runners or other running shoes. Waterproof trail runners are the ideal footwear.
Synthetic or wool Long john top and bottoms (these will be worn for sleeping; evenings; and for cold days. NO COTTON.)
Pants NOT COTTON. NO JEANS. Polyester or nylon hiking pants. Best ones have zip-off legs that double as shorts, but any comfortable, non-cotton pants will work.
Snacks: Some between-meal snacks are a good idea. Bring something that won’t crush or melt or go rotten. Also, bring a 1-quart powder Gatorade mix.
Optional Items:
Camera
Lightweight liner gloves (if you have them, they can be nice on cold evenings)
Hiking poles (If you have these, bring them. They really help, especially on the downhill sections)
Light-weight camp shoes (teva sandals, Crocs, aqua-socks etc. for creek crossings)
Sheath knife
Group Gear
Black Diamond Guiding Light Tents and stakes (1 per 4 boys
Water purifier chemicals (Micropur tablets, 2 per person per day)
Platypus gravity water filter system
Trail Designs Ti Tri stove with Inferno insert and Open Country 2 Quart pot (1 per 4 boys) (Use Trangia burner in place of stock burner.)
Pot lifter
Alcohol fuel (1.5 oz per day per person)
Titanium grill
Line and sacks for bear bags
2 Maps
2 compasses
Android cell phone with GPS software
inReach communicator
Leader first aid kit
