Deals on Camping Equipment

One of the cool things about the Order of the Arrow is that we promote camping. Not only do we have to camp to become a member of the OA, we should be encouraging other scouts and scouters to camp as well.

A tent, sleeping bag, or a pair of hiking boots can be a substantial purchase. You may want to consider following options:

1. ScoutDirect. Subscribe to their newsletter and every few months you will receive an email message explaining discounts you can receive on ALPS Mountaineering products just because you are a scout or scouter. The email will have price lists attached that show prices retail stores cannot match. In fact prices may even beat the wholesale prices that retail stores get for products. If you want to check out an item at a local retail store—which I do recommend—before you buy an item, make sure not to brag about the price you can get with ScoutDirect.
2. Emergency Essentials. Scout units that register with them can get 10% off on any camping/hiking gear. It's certainly worth going in and checking them out.
   
3. Sierra Trading Post. When many name brand retail stores or manufacturers want to get rid of products because there are newer products they want to promote, Sierra Trading Post purchases them at reduced prices. You can get name brand products at substantially reduced prices. Realize that name brand doesn't necessarily mean quality. So you will still have to do your homework. So if you know what you want to buy and have saved up for it, it would be worth your while to look here before you buy.
   

Feel free to post a comment if you know of any other camping equipment deals.