Ready to go on a well-deserved vacation? Whether it's a week-long family campout or a weekend backpacking trip with your friends, summer is the perfect time for an outdoor adventure, and we're here to help you make the most of it! To help you be prepared, we went to our camping expert and got his perspective on a few summer camp- and camping-specific items that you really shouldn’t go without. Make sure these are on your list – each of these has been picked to make your life a little easier and more comfortable while home away from home.

Mosquito Oasis – This is a GREAT camp item to put on cots in wall tents OR set up inside a larger tent around your sleeping bag! The best part about this miracle product is that it is not just for mosquitoes! It keeps you protected against any and all bugs (ants, ticks, moths, spiders, you name it)! I don’t know about you, but that makes it a straight-up NEVER LEAVING HOME WITHOUT IT item. The pop-up style tent opens to 38" height x 34" width x 78" length and can be quickly set up and folded down into a 22" x 3" case. It even has lantern hangers so you can set up for bed comfortably before turning off your light!

BSA Hammock with Straps – It is hard to imagine camping without picturing a solid hammock setup. This is the perfect choice for those siesta times and comes with both the hammock AND the straps to make it simple to hang. Time to upgrade your downtime!

Coleman Fleece Sleeping Bag – This is a great item for summer when you don’t need a bulky sleeping bag, yet it still gets a little chilly in the early mornings. It is soft, lightweight, and so cozy – definitely an ideal layer for summer nights! Bonus, it can be zipped into other Coleman® sleeping bags to add up to 12° of additional warmth.

GCI Pod Rocker – Definitely a solid investment so you can hang comfortably. It folds down into a more compact size than the regular Fireside Rocker, so it is easy to carry and perfect for campouts! Cart it to the fishing hole and fish in luxury, tackle some light merit badge reading, whittle, hang by the campfire… I think you get the picture. And when you get home from camp, it is the perfect addition to your back deck!

Buck BSA 722 Spitfire Pocket Knife - This sturdy knife works great as an everyday carry and features a thumbhole for easy, one-hand opening when you need it most. The Lockback design features a stainless steel, 3 ¼’’ blade with a drop point that locks open. The aluminum handle makes it a lightweight option and the knife comes with a stainless-steel clip for effortless carry convenience. Made in the USA, the Spitfire is durable with high-quality craftsmanship.

Klymit® Static V Inflatable Sleeping Pad – This handy pad fits perfectly on a cot or under your sleeping bag and is an excellent addition to your sleep situation. Good sleep is one of the most important aspects of staying focused and energized – two things that are paramount to having a great day! It is easy to inflate AND packs down to a tight 3" by 8" cylinder, making it a no-brainer to keep on hand.

Klymit® Luxe Pillow – I would have to say that my favorite part of this pillow is the fact that it comes with a removable and washable cover. Someone somewhere was doing the right research when they came up with that! The bonus is that the cover is soft and feels cool to the touch so makes sleeping more comfortable. Just like the inflatable sleeping pad, it is simple to inflate and packs down to a compact 3" by 7" (super easy to slide down the side of your duffle or pack!).

Leatherman Signal Multitool – This particular tool has so many uses that I almost feel like I should just list what it doesn’t have because that would be shorter. Just kidding… but really. Ready for this? It’s got needle nose pliers, regular pliers, premium replaceable wire cutters, premium replaceable hard-wire cutters, a wire stripper, a 420HC combo knife, a saw, a hammer, an awl with thread loop, a can opener, a bottle opener, a 1/4" hex bit driver, a bit driver, a 1/4" box wrench, a carabiner, a 3/16" box wrench, a safety whistle, a ferrocerium rod, and a diamond-coated sharpener. So… 19 tools in a compact 4.5 inches. #whoa

Coleman Twin LED Lantern – No matter how dark the nights get, this lantern will take care of lighting the way! Whether you are using it to get from one place to another, or just trying to hunt for your toothbrush in the dark, you will be able to see everything you need with this guy. It is water-resistant and features three different lighting modes (high, low, and flashing). So to recap—durable, reliable, compact, lightweight. Boom – everything.

NEBO Einstein 400 – Does anyone else play the game where you have to bring your groceries inside an all-in-one trip? For all of you that know what I am talking about… you need this headlamp, haha. Hands-free lighting! I love this headlamp because it’s a low-profile, compact 400-lumen rechargeable headlamp with 5 light modes. The included rechargeable battery allows for up to 8 hours of operation in between charges.

K3 Duffle Bag – This waterproof duffle bag is perfect for camp and campouts! It has lockable zippers (lock isn’t included), a bunch of pockets to help you keep things organized, and can even be carried backpack-style. One of the tips we always give to campers is to make sure your stuff is packed in something weatherproof… this takes the worry about garbage bags ripping out of the equation!

Insect Repellent – I'm the person mosquitos target almost exclusively on camping trips. So, I rely on Ben's-100 Max Tick and Insect Repellent to get me through the journey. This powerful formula contains the maximum amount of DEET for use in areas of high bug density with intense biting activity. Before I discovered Ben's, other insect repellents just didn't cut it. Bens-100 MAX provides up to 10 hours of protection from ticks and insects that may carry West Nile Virus (WNV), Lyme disease, malaria, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and other infectious diseases. It's a small portable bottle that's easy to carry while providing enough repellent for several days on the trail.

The main thing to remember about summer camping is to have FUN! We can’t wait to see how you pack for summer camp! Share what packing looks like for you by using #ScoutShopBSA and #GetReadyForCamp when posting on your social media channels! Whether trying to find the right stuff to make your first time camping enjoyable or looking for the items that will make this year’s experience even better than the last, we have you covered at ScoutShop.org—the official online store of the Boy Scouts of America!