Winter Camping

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Eskimo Snow
Winter Camping

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To many Scouts and leaders, winter is a time of year to be endured until the weather warms for summer camping and outings.  Many of us have a latent fear of winter.  We are afraid of becoming cold, of becoming frostbitten or injured, of being cut off by deep snow.  Perhaps most of all, we are afraid of venturing into the unknown: of camping in winter conditions that we have never camped in before.  We are not mentally prepared to deal with winter conditions.

Most of our fears can be traced to a lack of knowledge.  If we knew how to keep warm, our fears of being cold would dissipate.  If we knew how to prevent cold- weather problems, our fear of frostbite or injury would lessen.  If we knew how to travel through deep snow, we would not be concerned about being trapped by it.  If we knew how to camp in winter, we would not be afraid of it.

Cold Weather Training is designed to acquaint you with the knowledge and skills required to camp successfully in winter.  Once you have learned these fundamentals and have experienced several days or overnight winter outings, a whole new world of winter camping adventure will open to you.

There is a magic to camping in winter.  It's challenging, adventurous and exhilarating.  Winter campers become more self-reliant by acquiring a wealth of knowledge and skills.  At the same time, winter camping builds teamwork with everyone working together toward common objectives.

Many areas that are well traveled in summer become a wilderness in winter.  Traveling the untrampled wilderness is a thrilling experience.  Unbroken trails beckon with adventure.

The aesthetic beauty of winter is unsurpassed; fresh powder snow carpets both hill and vale with white fluff.  Boughs of evergreens are laden with snow.  Litter is nowhere to be seen.  The possibilities for photographs are terrific.

Camping in winter is invigorating.  The air is cold, clean, crisp, and pure.  The physical activity is demanding-a great way to stay in shape.  Snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snow shelter building help to develop new muscles.

The stillness of nature is prevalent in winter.  Only the wind in the trees and blowing snow striking your snow shelter breaks the tranquility.  Animal tracks can be easily seen.

Perhaps the greatest magic of winter camping is the satisfaction of having successfully met the challenge, of doing something that few others have ever attempted and of having done more than you thought you could.

Once you have successfully camped in winter, you will become captured by its magic.  The memories of it will last a lifetime and you will eagerly await your next winter adventure.