Well, it is 6 degrees F this morning and I am sure there are at least a handful of parents thinking “This is way too cold for camping.”  Let’s talk about that.

While I was in the Navy, I spent a year in the Aleutians where I learned–or re-learned–a lot about being outside in cold weather.  It was often wet and cold in the Aleutians, a tough combination.  What we have here is cold to be sure (colder than the Aleutians), but there is almost no wind and it is dry.  I have already been outside this morning to stack firewood and it was a pleasant experience.  Since I was lightly exercising, I didn’t even need a parka.  Yesterday, I made the trek between St Brigids or Hayden and the Town Office Building six times which is between 0.6 and 0.8 miles.  Again, I wasn’t cold because I was exercising a bit and, while the temperature was low, there was no wind and it was dry.

This weekend will sleep a little colder because they will be using tents.  So remember to carry a stuff sack into which things like mittens and boot liners can be stuffed so they can go inside the sleeping bag where they will be warm in the morning.  When we go on the Deep Freeze trip, it might be colder outside, but it will be a warmer sleep because we will be inside snow caves.  Keep in mind that it got down to 45 degrees one night at camp this summer.  The inside of a snow cave with three Scouts in it is about that warm.  So a snow cave is about the same as a cold night at camp … and we all lived through that.

So remember layers, play intelligently so you don’t end up wet, and take an extra pair of mittens or gloves just in case.  And pack at least one extra pair of socks and a hat to sleep in.

-Hank Manz