Sleeping Bags
NOTHING will ruin the scouting experience faster for a scout than if he is cold and miserable on his camping trips. That doesn't mean you need a zillion dollar sleeping bag, but it does mean you need decent gear that will do what it is designed to do. A good choice is a quality synthetic sleeping bag, but you do need to be careful as there are a LOT of synthetics that don't live up to their expectations. One material that receives only positive reviews is "Lamilite," and personal experience has shown that for our troop it is one of the best, if not THE BEST material out there. If you don't have "Lamilite" insulation in your sleeing bags, on really cold winter weather try bringing a second bag, or even a thick wool blanket. It can really can make a difference. If you place a big wool blanket over the sleeping bags of two scouts sharing a tent, it serves to keep both of them warm and is a proven combination, that works well. The scouts that opt for two bags on the cold winter campouts are usually the warmest of all, and troop experience has shown that two lower priced sleeping bags when combined have more loft, and more insulation, that many of the marginal synthetic bags on the market. Down sleeping bags have been the choice for many for years, but experience in Alaska has shown that scouts tend to allow them to get wet, and once wet, they are heavy and do not insulate; a very dangerous combination.
Sleeping pads keep the cold ground from wicking away body heat. The $8 Styrofoam pads work well and weigh virtually nothing. Therm-o-rest sleeping pads are top of the line comfort pads, but are expensive and don't insulate as well as the $8 specials, and if punctured, don't do much. They are more comfortable if you take care of them, however. As for ground cloths, they form a moisture barrier under the tent, and can make a big difference in staying warm and comfortable. The troop has some arctic weight sleeping bags available, and the leadership can guide you toward some good deals in quality merchandise.
One company that in the past has offered our troop outstanding, arctic proven sleeping bags at significant discounts is Wiggy's. They have offered to help our troop, and maybe they can help you too. Their bags, work, and work well. Further, they don't make claims they can't back up, and what they do claim, they stand behind. Best of all, they use Lamilite, and consequently pound for pound they are the warmest bags in the world. If the scout gets a Wiggy's bag wet, the bag still performs and will get them through the campout.
To find out more about Wiggy's, take this link and check
them out: 