It is customary for each scout to have their own camp blanket, you would normally start one after going on your first camp. Beaver scouts who begin a camp blanket can count it towards their camp craft badge.
A camp blanket is individual to YOU – it is part of YOUR scouting history.
A camp blanket serves two purposes:
1. They’re great for keeping you warm at camp.
2. it’s a place to sew on all those badges that don’t belong on your current uniform! These include badges from a previous section, badges that are only worn for a prescribed period of time and “blanket badges” such as reward badges, souvenir ones from a campsite, trip or even swapped badges from another scout.
The blanket is worn around the camp fire to keep warm and is then used as a normal blanket at night over or under a sleeping bag.
A camp blanket is usually dark in colour and woollen.
Fleece blankets are starting to make an appearance BUT although they are lighter and cheaper to buy, they are also far more likely to melt with sparks from the fire than traditional wool or cotton blankets and have the potential to catch fire if your child gets too close to the fire. They are also more likely to lose their shape when lots of badges are sewn on!
Making Your Camp Blanket
A camp blanket is usually made by taking a standard blanket and cutting a hole in the middle so that it can be worn like a poncho. The hole needs to be reinforced by blanket stitch or by sewing on some binding tape. A blanket can also be made by hemming one end and threading a cord through so that it can be worn like a cape. A third option is just to throw it over your shoulders with no holes or fastenings at all – it really is up to you!
If you need to purchase a camp blanket we can recommend the CAMPFIRE BADGE BLANKET from one stop scouting.
A Full Blanket showing a long history in scouting