There’s something magical about winter camping: waking up to frost on your tent, the crunch of snow under your boots, and that first sip of hot chocolate that warms you from the inside out. But winter camping can also go sideways fast if you’re not prepared. I’ve seen Scouts shivering in cotton hoodies, watched tents collapse, and learned firsthand that cold toes at 2 AM are no joke.
To help you have an awesome (and warm!) winter camping experience, in the latest edition of the ScoutSmarts Scribe Newsletter I asked Scouts and Scouters to share their best cold-weather tips, their coldest campout memories, and their favorite winter activities. The survey answers that came back were a treasure trove of practical wisdom, hilarious stories, and ideas that can make any troop’s winter program stronger.
In this article, I’ll share the biggest themes from the survey, highlight the tips that came up again and again, and give you practical ways to stay warm, dry, and safe on your next winter adventure. Plus, I’ve included some great ideas for winter activities your troop can try!
Overview: What These Survey Answers Reveal About Winter Camping
Across the survey, the biggest pattern was simple: winter camping shouldn’t be about toughing out the elements, but instead being prepared. Most responses clustered around a few key themes: smart layering and avoiding cotton, keeping feet and head warm with small “comfort hacks” like hand warmers, staying dry and changing fast when wet, using properly rated tents and sleep systems, and choosing winter activities that keep everyone moving while making hot food and drinks part of the plan.
Several Scouts also emphasized learning moments from very cold trips – sub-zero temperatures, blizzards, wet snow – where good planning and teamwork made the experience memorable instead of miserable. The cold becomes part of the adventure when you’re ready for it!
Dress for Winter: Layers, Wool, and No Cotton
If there’s one tip that came up more than any other, it’s this: layers matter, and cotton is your enemy. Cotton absorbs moisture and holds it against your skin, which is a recipe for getting cold and staying cold. Wool and synthetic materials wick moisture away and keep insulating even when damp.
“More layers!”
Maya L
“To not have any cotton”
Joshua K
“Bring extra wool socks, don’t use cotton”
Tom G.
“To consider and pack wool clothing for the winter nights.”
Richard S
“Always bring extra fluffy socks!!!”
Nolan P
Practical lesson: Plan your clothing as a system: base layer + insulating layer + shell. Prioritize wool and synthetics; avoid cotton completely. Pack at least one full warm backup set (especially socks) so you can swap if anything gets damp. The Scouts who stay warmest are the ones who can change into dry clothes when they need to!
Feet, Hands, and Head: Small Items That Make or Break the Night
You can have the best sleeping bag in the world, but if your feet are cold, you’re going to be miserable. The small stuff matters more in winter than in any other season. A warm hat, dry sleep socks, and hand warmers can be the difference between a great night and a long, shivery one.
“Bring hand warmers for the sleeping bag.”
Jerry N.
“Always bring hand warmers.”
Julian O.
“Pack a hat! You would be surprised at how many scouts forget and are cold.”
Ethan L.
“Bring some women’s nylons to wear under your wool socks to keep your feet warm.”
Troy B.
“Put your daypack/backpack or your spare clothes UNDER your feet and your sleeping bag when you go to sleep – the extra insulation helps your feet stay warm all night (I check they are all wearing good socks and stocking hats too obvs).”
Sophy A.
Practical lesson: Make a “warmth kit” checklist before every winter campout: warm hat, dry sleep socks (only worn in your sleeping bag), hand warmers, and a plan to insulate your feet at night (extra clothing under and around your feet works great). Treat cold fingers and toes early. You don’t want to wait until you’re miserable to do something about it!
Stay Dry: Manage Sweat, Snow, and Emergencies
Getting wet in winter is serious. Whether it’s from sweat, snow, or rain, moisture pulls heat away from your body fast. The “dry rule” is simple: if you get wet, change immediately.
“When you get wet, change immediately, because you will get cold and stay cold.”
Holden W
“Keep your sleep bag dry.”
Joshua K
“Desert camping in the winter is no joke! For me, the coldest was 25 degrees with a wind chill factor of 15.”
Serena G
Practical lesson: Use the “dry rule.” If you get wet from snow, rain, or sweat, change immediately. Keep your sleeping gear protected in a waterproof bag or liner. Have a buddy check system for signs of cold stress, and always keep wind exposure in mind. Wind chill changes everything, even in temperatures that don’t seem that cold on paper!
Gear & Planning: Tent/Sleep Ratings, Shakedowns, and Cold-Proof Cooking
Winter exposes every weakness in your gear. That summer tent that worked fine in July? It might not handle snow load or wind. That propane stove? It might not even light. The time to discover these problems is before the campout, not during it.
“Remember to check your tent to see if it’s a three person tent and summer or winter!”
Maya L
“Definitely make sure your tent and sleeping bag are rated for cold weather camping”
Serena G
“My advice is for adult leaders to do shakedowns especially for the first timers.”
Richard S
“Use jetboil instead of normal propane because it won’t light”
Ethan L
“Pack a pair of boots AND shoes for in the cabin.”
Ethan L.
Practical lesson: Do a pre-trip gear shakedown – confirm sleeping bag temperature ratings, make sure you have adequate sleeping pads (insulation from the ground is crucial!), and verify your tent is suitable for winter conditions. Plan your cooking for cold weather, since some fuels fail in low temperatures. Test stoves beforehand and bring a backup ignition plan. Pack camp shoes for indoors and keep wet boots out of your sleep system.
Make Winter Fun: Shelters, Sports, Hot Food, and Unique Events
Here’s the thing about winter camping: it doesn’t have to be about survival mode. Some of the best Scouting memories come from winter adventures. The key is planning activities that keep everyone moving and warm, with hot food and drinks as anchors throughout the day. In this section, I asked about the most epic winter camp memories and activities readers had.
“Making our own snow cave and sleeping in it.”
Aiden J
“Dutch oven cooking. Hot food and hot coals keep you warm, and you can cook anything in a Dutch oven.”
Aiden J
“We made and slept in quinzhees.”
Holden W
“Wonderful feeling around the bonfire with hot chocolate.”
Jerry N.
“Broomball is fun.”
Jerry N.
“Cross country skiing is big for us”
Troy B.
“Ice hockey on our frozen lakes and curling.”
Troy B.
“My favorite Scout activity in the winter is to go with my troop to a big hill and make snow jumps and sled off them and get crazy air.”
Holden W
“Skiing was the BEST!!!!!”
Nolan P
“Snow shelters if there is enough snow, snowshoeing, skiing and also pulling sleds with our camping supplies.”
Ethan L.
“Our younger Scouts spent ‘A Night at the Museum’ at Lone Star Aviation Museum in Houston, TX.”
Sophy A.
“My troop sells mistletoe during Christmas season.”
Maya L
“Service projects – helping community gardens get ready for spring planting.”
Serena G
Practical lesson: Build your winter schedule around warmth and movement. Plan active daytime events like Klondike derbies, skiing, broomball, sledding, or snowshoeing. Add evening anchors like hot drinks, Dutch oven meals, and campfire time where fire restrictions allow. Consider creative winter “outing alternatives” like museum sleepovers or service projects when conditions are unsafe for camping. The goal is to make cold weather something to embrace!
Winter Camping Takeaways
For Scouts:
- Use the clothing rule: layers + wool/synthetics, and “To not have any cotton.”
- Pack the forget-me-nots: “Pack a hat! You would be surprised at how many scouts forget and are cold.”
- Keep sleep gear dry: “To keep your sleep bag dry.” Put dry sleep socks on before bed.
- If you get soaked: “When you get wet, change immediately, because you will get cold and stay cold.”
- Bring a little warmth help: “bring hand warmers for the sleeping bag.”
For Youth Leaders:
- Run a quick pre-departure check focused on socks, hats, gloves, and sleeping pad/bag ratings.
- Plan winter programming that keeps bodies moving (broomball, sledding, snow shelters, skiing) and includes a hot-drink break.
- Build a simple cold-injury plan into the duty roster: buddy checks, dry-change reminders, and a warm-up location.
- Make menus winter-specific: hot breakfast, hot dinner, and a “backup no-cook” option if stoves fail.
For Adult Leaders:
- Do shakedowns—especially for first-timers: look through all of your gear beforehand so you dont get caught out in the cold, unprepared.
- Verify tents/sleep systems are appropriate: “Definitely make sure your tent and sleeping bag are rated for cold weather camping” and that Scouts know what they have.
- Plan for fuel and weather: test stoves and consider cold-performance (“use jetboil instead of normal propane because it won’t light”).
- Have a clear escalation plan for extreme conditions (wind chill/blizzards) and a safe warming shelter option when needed.
Conclusion
Winter camping goes best when you treat warmth like a skill: dress in layers, stay dry, protect feet/hands/head, and match your gear to the forecast. Add active winter games and hot food, and the cold stops being the “enemy” and becomes part of the adventure Scouts will talk about for years.
What stood out to me most in these responses is how often the “best winter camping memory” was about solving problems together. My takeaway from all of these awesome responses is that winter makes preparation matter more, but it also makes teamwork and small comforts feel legendary!
Thanks to everyone who shared their tips, memories, and favorite winter activities! Your wisdom is going to help Scouts across the country stay warmer and have more fun this winter. Whether you’re building a quinzhee in Alaska, skiing in the Rockies, or just trying to survive a chilly Texas campout, remember: preparation is your superpower, and the memories you make in the cold will last a lifetime.
If you have a longer winter camp coming up, make sure to check out my full article on Scouts BSA Winter Camps: Costs, Prep, Tips, And What To Know. Best wishes, and stay warm out there, Scouts! 🏕️❄️