i found this extremely helpful in teaching my scouts what and what not to do at snow camp.

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It would be useful to point out that the proper size sleeping bag is important as well. A 12 year old, 80 lb. boy would be ill served using an extra large bag. I found this out the hard way, having bought a bag with "growing room" and almost ending up with a "scoutcicle". I found the information here extremely useful for instructing new scouts AND parents in cold camping in Texas where really cold weather is not that common. Thanks.

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Having just returned from Winter Camp, I learned a few things the hard way.  Even though we thought we were "prepared" as all good boyscouts are, we endured four of the coldest days our area has seen in a few years at winter camp.  

I will definately do more than just send an email to parents asking them to preview the boys' packing before the trip.  Next year I'll require the boys to bring their packs to a troop meeting and do a shake down before the trip.

While we all came back in one piece, we were definately chilly the entire time.  

The suggestions made above like using a zipped coat or a trash bag over the feet would've been a huge help had I thought of it.  The heated water bottles would have helped out as well.  

The low night temps were in the 20 degree range but my boys were acclimatized to an unseasonably warm winter with temps the week before being in the 60s.  

Thanks for the good info on staying warm.

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thanks i found this very helpful for putting a presentation to gather for my fellow scout

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-Fill the tent or cabin with as many scouts as possible. More body heat given off means a warmer tent or cabin.
-Don't sleep in anything you wore during the day; clothes you wore contain perspiration even if you don't feel any.
-Keep your bare feet outside the tent for a minute with your toes spread to remove all perspiration, then bring them inside and rub them with baby powder.
-Check the temperature rating of your sleeping bag. Supplement with a sleeping bag liner if necessary.

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Just did a winter weekend campout with night temps in the mid 20's sleeping in a tent pitched on snow.  Two of the ridged closed cell foam pads were my only significant isolation from the snow. I might have been laying on my heated living room floor for all I could tell.  Definitely worth the minimal weight of a second pad.

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Putting a trash bag or space blanket over your sleeping bag is not a good idea because it will cause your perspiration to be trapped inside the sleeping bag which will make you extremely cold during the night.

Having camped out in winter in Canada I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to go to bed dry.  If possible warm your clothing that you are going to wear to bed close to your fire.  Warming will help to drive off moisture.

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Grant - Wrapping in plastic would be a vapor barrier as you say.  But, covering the foot end of the bag allows moisture to escape while keeping the foot end drier and a bit warmer.
When dealing with extreme low temperatures, there is some point in the insulating layer between your body and the air where your perspiration condenses and freezes.  Wherever that point is, it will become a frozen, saturated layer.  Safely dealing with extreme temperatures for extended time requires specialized gear, such as internal vapor barriers or insulated shelters.

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