Camping and Hiking Dates

This information is distributed directly to Scouts and their parents.  If you need information please contact Scoutmaster Tainter

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Camping (especially on the beach)

Troop 1 generally has its campouts on beaches. This could pose some problems if you know that indigenous insects are fond of blood. In this case it is good to use some sort of insect repellent such as OFF! or Cutter to keep the bugs away while you are asleep. If not, you might wake up the next morning with two arms and a leg full of sand tick bites. On a related note, you should also generally try keep sand out of your tent. What you might want to do is keep your shoes outside during the night. This keeps the bugs that may have attached to the sand on your shoes - outside. Unfortunately, this may not prevent some sand from getting inside the tent, but your efforts will make the camping experince more enjoyable. If you are using a tarp, you might also want to bring something that can hold it down down while you put up your tent, especially if it is windy, which is usual on the beaches that we camp at. Your handbook is a good example of such a deadweight.

If you are slated to cook a meal, it is a better experience for both the chef and the patrons if you bring some loose newspapers to act as a makeshift 'counter' (e.g. for pouring soup or putting sandwiches together.) If not, and you're not careful, the 'sandwiches' might become just plain old 'sand.' Also if you are using a camping stove (the can-like version) to cook a hot meal, MAKE SURE you submerge it as far down into the sand as you can. If not, whatever is on the stove runs a very high risk of tipping over and the crabs may feast on your meal. The more stable the center of gravity, the less chance there is for the pot/pan to tip. Many seasoned campers in our troop are used to having sand with anything (Charlie likes to crunch sand) but if you do not have such a fancy pay attention to these tips.

In rainy conditions it is standard operating procedure to use a trash bag to wrap around your backpack so that whatever is inside does not get soaked. Most of your personal belongings should be in plastic bags so they are not overly affected by the rain when and if it comes.

What to Bring

Here is an equipment list prepared by one of our scouts which you can refer to for packing purposes:
For information on where you can buy this stuff click here or scroll to the bottom of the page.

EQUIPMENT LIST

Where Can I Buy All Of This Equipment?

Hong Kong Island

Mountain Services International Ltd. 
271 Gloucester Road
Wanchai
2541-8876

Protrek
46 Hennessey Road
Wanchai
2529-6988
(opposite New Harbour Hotel; take MTR Exit for Southern Playground.)

Sunmark
(Small store but has everything you need)
1/Fl, 121 Wanchai Road
Wanchai
2893-8553

Well Garden
144 Stanley Main Street
Stanley
2813-9066

Kowloon

Chamonix Alpine Equipment
(Karrimor dealer, lots of packs and clothes, excellent selection of technical climbing gear.)
1/F On Yip Building
395 Shanghai Street
Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon
2388-3626
(Take MTR to Yau Ma Tei Station, Take exit A1 to Pitt Street, walk to Shanghai Street and go right).

Nikko Camping Supply Store
(Good Nikko supplier, otherwise somewhat limited selection). 67 Sai Yee St., 2nd floor
Mongkok Kowloon
2398-2898
(Take MTR to Mong Kok Station, exit D3)

Wise Mount Sports Co.
(Extensive supply of equipment repair parts as well as camping and watersports gear.)
1/Fl.,  395 Portland Street
Mongkok, Kowloon
2787-3011
(Take MTR to Mong Kok Station, exit A2)