State Rally is a lightweight camp designed to give you the opportunity to practice what to pack and how to camp for overnight hikes.
The best way to work out what you do and don’t need is to go on a practice hike with your pack. When you get home again, get out everything you took and consider whether you really needed it. Think about how you can use gear for more than one use. Do you need a big heavy jacket when you have a t-shirt, a long sleeve shirt and a light jumper that you can wear together? Consider the weather you may encounter and how much walking you will do. Don’t let mum and dad pack for you (they will pack too much!).
Waterproof your boots, and carry a good rain-jacket and pants or poncho. They don’t need to be super expensive but just be without any tears or holes (spray jackets are not sufficient).
Line your pack with a strong plastic garbage bag and put your sleeping bag in a separate bag. If you put anything like a tent on the outside of your pack, put that in a plastic bag as well.
Below is a list of what each Patrol member and Patrol might need.
Individual Scouts Compulsory
Everyone must have these:
- Scout Uniform (shirt and scarf) to be worn to and from State Rally
- A sturdy backpack – see below
- Good sleeping bag. One that has a good cold climate rating or with an inner sheet. You can make an inner by sewing a flannelette sheet into a bag shape.
- Wet weather gear – a good rain-jacket & pants or poncho (make sure you have a hood)
- Warm clothing including a beanie
- 2 litres of water 2 x 1L bottles ideal, such as PET soft drink bottles – they can be refilled onsite.
- 1 x 3 metre lightweight lashing ropes (for activities)
- A day pack
- Hand sanitiser
- Mask
- BACKPACK! You need a Backpack, one that fits you. You don’t want it too large as the temptation will be to keep stuffing more and more in. Remember YOU have to carry it. You should not carry more than about a 20% of your body weight.
About Packs
- Fit the Pack Harness correctly to your body.
- Line your pack with a plastic bag (like a garbage bag) so everything stays dry.
- Put everything inside your pack so nothing falls off and you won’t lose anything, AND to keep all your gear dry.
- Pack your pack yourself! You know what is in it and where it is.
- Don’t carry more than a quarter of your body weight. Larger Patrol Members may need to take a larger portion of team gear like tents.
An easy way to get a backpack to fit correctly is to get it done when you buy it, otherwise there are some helpful videos on YouTube just search ‘how to fit a backpack’.
Your sleeping bag must be in its own plastic bag and placed inside your backpack. If you don’t have the greatest sleeping bag, get a sleeping bag liner, or make one from a flannelette sheet (sewn into a bag shape) – it will increase the warmth of your sleeping bag. Also think about taking thermal underwear to sleep in. It is vital to keep your sleeping bag dry all weekend.
Other items
This is up to you but you must be adequately prepared for wet and cold conditions to be self-sufficient as a Patrol.
Sleeping mat – essential for keeping your body heat from leaking into the ground, foam mats are very cheap from any camping store.
Clothes – Start at the bottom and work up, if it gets cold put layers of clothing on. Look at the list, you can make many layers, thermal undies, track pants, rain pants
- Boots are preferred, but sturdy sneakers will do
- Socks
- Long pants (track pants)
- Shorts
- Undies
- Thermal undies – an excellent investment especially if you don’t have the greatest sleeping bag
- T-shirt – wear one and carry one
- Long sleeve shirt
- Beanie – get one, great at night
- Hat – Must be wearing one during the day
- Reusable Bowl (plastic), knife, fork and spoon, mug, tea towel (small)
- Cleaning Soap (small piece)
- Towel (there are HOT showers for you to use)
- Deodorant (roll on – no cans)
- Toothbrush/paste
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent (no cans)
Other stuff (remember, think light)
- Torch (very small)
- Matches
- Lollies – think things like jubes or jelly babies – minimal packaging.
- First aid kit – space blanket, triangular bandage, bandaids, elastoplast strip (covers blisters)
- Keep it simple and able to treat the problems YOU get.
Patrols Compulsory – Every Patrol must have these
(Hooches and flies are not an acceptable form of shelter at State Rally)
CHECK YOUR TENT, fix any holes, make sure the poles aren’t broken and you have the pegs, bring some plastic bags to put it and the fly in separately (when they get wet). Beware of ultra lightweight tents that have thin nylon floors, they allow water in and will wet you in your sleeping bag.
- Food – Saturday’s Breakfast through to Sunday’s Lunch (Please eat dinner Friday before you arrive)
- Compass
- First aid Kit – tailor the kit to injuries and problems that you get, keep it simple.
- Cooking Stove (light weight)
Patrols must be fully self-sufficient, and prepared for wet and cold conditions. Patrols may be inspected during the event. Members of the Patrol will need to carry equipment, food and water whilst out on activities. You will need a Day Pack for this as you are not permitted back to your RAC during the day.
