6packofun Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Ds' scout leader recommended that for their camping trip this weekend the boys have a cot or something to keep them off the ground. Short notice as usual. Can you recommend one that is easy and sturdy? (Less than $80 or so) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 ladybugs Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V3U9JK?qid=1453074579&ref_=sxr_rr_xsim_1_1&sr=0We got this one in July and both DH and I love it! DH loves the extra room, and I love that I can still co-sleep nurse with it. There is a smaller size if you prefer that. ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarinesWife Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Just a pad! Boys don't need cots in my opinion. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 We don't have these, but I want to buy them before our next trip- though I want to buy them for use in hotel rooms. 3 kids make for crowded rooms. I'd love to hear from someone who has them. http://www.amazon.com/Disc-O-Bed-Youth-Kid-O-Bunk-Organizers-Green/dp/B00U7R4YPI/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1453078221&sr=8-12&keywords=Kid+cot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoutingmom Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 In 25 years of scouting I have never seen the recommendations for scouts to have a cot.... is there some reason they are needed? (Snakes or something??) We use a foam camping pad generally. Air pads are not a great idea and are dangerous in Canadian winter camping.... Thermorest are excelent pads... they self-inflate a bit, but also have foam.... do not ever blow into them to inflate a bit more as the water vapour gets in (especially Canadian winter camping, as that water vapour will freeze makinv you sleep on an ice block....) Can you contact the leader for more information on why it is needed? Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I'm really surprised by this suggestion. IME usually a cot makes you cold, because cold air circulates under it continuously. I would think that a plastic sheet with a good camping pad on top of it would be best--either Thermarest (awesome!) or a lightweight bedroll pad would be much better. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Scout mom here. Cots are not appropriate for winter camping, and not really appropriate for Scouts either. Isn't the point of Scouts to teach best practices in camping and real survival skills? Cots are much colder due to the air circulation. Plus they are really inconvenient on real camping trips because of their weight and unwieldiness. Rolled foam mats are cheap and easy. If you want extra insulation, buy two. You can get them at a sports supply store or camping supply store. If you want something higher quality, go to REI or Dick's. REI staff are generally well trained and quite knowledgeable. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) Cots are unusual for Boy Scouts, unless they are going to resident camp, when tents and cots are supplied by the camp. What sort of conditions/weather is your Ds camping in? Does the leader have a lot of experience? Edited January 18, 2016 by Alessandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Cots were nearly mandatory in my son's last troop. They're also the ones who felt they needed an extra large trailer and 2 trucks to accommodate the "stuff" for a weekend trip of 15 boys. :glare: That said, the cot that we ended up with was this one: Rio Adventure Folding Cot. It's one piece, it folds up small, and though it's heavy, he can, and has, strapped it to his pack. It has held up well and fits within his footlocker for storage like the rest of his gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 I *think* it was recommended because the cabin they are staying in does not have beds. So it's a cold cement or wood floor with not great heating. Would that make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 So...can you recommend a camping pad? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 So...can you recommend a camping pad? LOL We went with a self-inflating one. It only gets about an inch and a half thick. But, lol, rolled up it's the same size as the folded up cot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Even with concrete or wood floors I would still go with a pad. If it's a cabin that is not heated well, a cot will be doubly cold. Plus it's expensive for just one trip. When I sleep on a cot, the only way I can survive is if I have an extra sleeping bag *under* the sleeping bag I am inside of. Personally, we went with self-inflating ones. It has been years since we bought one, so again I would recommend going to REI and talking to their experts. I have found them unbelievably helpful in the past. We also have a few foam pads. There is not much variance in them. This is the type: http://www.amazon.com/Therm---Rest-RidgeRest-Mattress-Charcoal/dp/B00HANOZRY/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1453137357&sr=8-14&keywords=foam+camping+mattress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I *think* it was recommended because the cabin they are staying in does not have beds. So it's a cold cement or wood floor with not great heating. Would that make sense? Oh, yes, that makes sense. I was picturing a tent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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