One of the things we always have to worry about here in Florida is the rain. If you are camping over a weekend here you can almost bet that at some point it's going to rain. Also several of Troop 237's outings during the year may involve being on the water, canoeing and kayaking. No matter what you do you will get water in your boat, so protect you gear. There isn't anything much more uncomfortable than sleeping in a wet sleeping bag. The following are recommendations that will keep your stuff dry under most conditions. These methods will also help you organize your gear and make it simpler to pack and locate your stuff in your pack and at in the dark.

1. Use zip lock bags; Two gallon heavy duty bags can be used to pack you closes, include a change of underwear, a pair of socks, and tee shirt. This way went you go to you tent each night you will have a change of close for the next day and a "container" for the dirty stinky stuff you take off. Make the package as small as possible by squeezing out all the air possible. If you are careful with the bags you can reuse that for many months.

2. Use stuff bags; Pack your stuff in different stuff bags, put your rain gear in one. Jacket in another, mess kit, toiletries, etc. If you have different color even better, that way all you have to do is look for a certain color and you know that is your rain gear. Just makes life easier.

3. Packing you sleeping bag; Use a stuff bag! You can also line the stuff bag with a trash bag to keep it dry. Using a stuff bag makes packing easier and also helps preserve the sleeping bag. If you roll the bag in the same way all the time it will create a permanent crease in the same place which compresses the insulation in the same spot. What happens over time is that this will cause a cold spot in the bag which will become very apparent on a cold outing. Also when storing the bag between campouts, take the bag out of the stuff bag and hang it up to allow it to air out and let the "loft" (the insulating material) to fluff up and prevent permanent creases. Follow these simple ideas and your sleeping bag will last a long time.

4. Got a Back Pack? Use it. It just makes life easier. You can keep most of your gear stored in your pack from month to month. All the stuff you need for every outing can stay in you pack so you never have to worry about forgetting it. Make sure anything that needs to be cleaned you boyishly have to take care off, month old dirty socks aren't a nice surprise when you set up camp, but flashlights rain gear, compass. and stuff like that will be there.

5. Rain gear: Keep a rain suit of poncho with you. I prefer a rain suit to a poncho 'cause I like to keep my knees dry, but that is a personal thing. Also have a rain cover for your pack, or you can use a large heavy duty trash bag. Stay dry!!