Cleaning Camp Equipment

This page describes how to properly clean camping gear, so that the Troop’s outdoor equipment can last and stay fresh for years.

Tents:

• Dry tent immediately after camp (if it gets mold, it has to be thrown out = $300 loss).
  • If good weather, set up tent outside to allow it to dry; hang up fly, dry tent/pole/stake bags too.
  • If it’s raining (or snowing), hang tent and fly on clothesline in garage or basement until dry (tent/pole/stake bags too).
• Sweep out leaves and dirt.
• Roll up tent for return on Tuesday at the beginning* of meeting.
  • Fold tent in thirds.
  • Lay pole/stake/”hot dog” bags across short end and roll tent/fly tightly around bags.
  • Put in tent bag.
• Return on Tuesday at the beginning* of meeting.

Cook Kits:

• Empty cook kit completely.
• Clean ALL stuck on food before washing.
• Put all dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, knives, cutting. boards, pots/pans in dishwasher.
• Wipe out cook kit thoroughly.
• When dishwasher finishes, return all supplies to the cook kit.
• Return on Tuesday at the beginning* of meeting.

Wash Basins:

• Scrub each basin with soap/water (these are used to clean dishes, so they need to be clean for the next camp) and rinse.
• Once scrubbed, put 1 teaspoon of bleach in one basin, add 2 inches of water to the bottom, swirl briefly, then pour into next basin and repeat for each basin.
• Dry.
• Return on Tuesday at the beginning* of meeting.

Dutch Ovens:

• Soak to remove debris.
• Wash with soap/water (ALUMINUM/SILVER ONLY – NO SOAP IN CAST IRON/BLACK).
• Dry.
• Return on Tuesday at the beginning* of meeting.

Coolers:

• Wash with soap/water.
• Rinse.
• Bleach with 1 teaspoon bleach to 2 inches water.
• Dry.
• Return on Tuesday at the beginning* of meeting.