Equipment for New Scouts Your Facilitator Kent Brooten

Your Instructor >32 years as SM 831 nights of camping with BSA ~50 Long Term outings WA, OR, ID, MT, CA, NM, MN, MD, AK, HI, FL, BC, YT 28 years members of troop on summit of Rainier Backpacking, canoeing, biking, rafting, cross country skiing, climbing, snowshoes, sailing For the last 14 years – Tyke Hike – 5 day backpacking trip with new Scouts, just crossed over from Cubs.

Agenda Setting Expectations from the Start Age Appropriate Equipment Minimal Lists Troop Resources Other Resources Pack Inspection Equipment discussion Q&A

Setting Expectations from the Start Tell Parents when they visit the troop what they are signing up for Tell them during orientation –give them the equipment list –lend them the DVD on new equipment

Equipment Personal Equipment Patrol Equipment

Age Appropriate Equipment An 11 year old is not ready for a dragonfly stove, a Leatherman tool, and ultralight tent. Consider children’s sleeping bags Children’s fleece Don’t waste your money on blizzard proof matches Used boots Used Packs

Minimal Lists External frame pack Sleeping bag Sleeping pad Boots & socks Fleece Rain gear TP / shovel Toiletries Flashlight / headlight cup, plate, knife, fork, spoon Sunglasses, sunscreen 2 polybottles Matches / candle Compass First Aid Kit

Troop Resources Boot exchange Uniform exchange Packs Used clothes Stoves, filters, sleeping pads Tents Other Patrol Gear

Other Resources Thrift stores Garage sales REI “garage” sale Mountaineers used equipment sale Loan of gear from Troop Guides Grandparents Former scouts eBay Sierra Trading Post, etc.

Pack Inspection Conduct a PI prior to overnight outing Troop Guide uses the list, verifies with the boy’s parent what needs to be obtained Check at the meeting place if it’s there The boy MUST have the gear

What to take?

Pack Weight 1/4 to 1/3 of boys weight + first day’s food Older boys can carry more but...

Personal Equipment - Pack External Internal Hip Belt No Bungee Cords

Personal Equipment - Sleeping Bag Inside stuff bag Inside plastic bag Down Vs. Synthetic

Personal Equipment - Clothes Minimum: –One set of Wool or Fleece –4 pair wool socks –Shorts –T-Shirt

Personal Equipment - Rain Gear Pants Jacket Gaitors Pack Protection It’s not WATERPROOF if you can’t stand in the shower for 20 Minutes!

Personal Equipment - Boots Leather Water proof –Sealed! –Broken in

Personal Equipment - Vittle Kit Knife, fork, spoon –plastic vs. metal Plate, cup.

Personal Equipment - First Aid Kit Each Scout has his own Includes Moleskin & Scissors Leader kit is larger

Personal Equipment - Misc... Tennis shoes / aqua socks Insect Repellant / bug screen Litter bag

Optional Personal Equipment Camera Book Day pack Cards Fishing pole Binoculars Sit pad Walking stick Ice Ax Extra cup Chair

Don’t Bring MP3 player Radio Cell phone Fire works

Patrol Equipment Long cord to hang food Pot set, fry pan, spatula Soap, sponge, towels

Tents Tents & groundcloth –in WA use tents –bug screen for insects, snakes Dome, A-Frame, etc. Key is Rainfly –Covers entire tent –At least 2” off tent $5 to $385

Patrol Equipment - Rainfly Dinning Fly –for rain or hot sun Necessary Patrol Equipment 8’ X 10’ to 12’ X 15’ Make one out of rip-stop nylon 5 cords

Patrol Equipment Stoves & Fuel –1 stove every 2 or 3 boys –1.5 liters per person per week if boiling drinking water Pots, Pans, Fry Pan (if needed) –Dishwashing stuff Water Filter –backup when it fails

Patrol Equipment - Stoves Peak 1 MSR Seva Gaz (one season stove) etc

Patrol Equipment - Misc... Ax –for Service Projects Saw –if planning on a fire

Questions?