Equipment for New Scouts Dave Sloat

7 years as ASM 23 years as a father of 3 sons 9 years as a Y-Guides leader Lots of nights camping with BSA… Backpacking, Car and Boat camping WA, OR, CA, AZ Backpacking, hiking, biking, rafting, skiing, sailing, motor boating, rowing…

Keep them: Warm Dry Well Fed Safe (Happy Parent) And be “Thrifty” (Happy Parent)

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

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

Personal Equipment Patrol Equipment

An 11 year old is not ready for a dragonfly stove, a Leatherman tool, & ultralight tent. Consider children’s sleeping bags Children’s fleece Don’t waste $ on storm proof matches Used boots Used Packs

External frame pack Sleeping bag Sleeping pad Boots & socks Fleece Rain gear TP / shovel Toiletries Flashlight or headlamp Mess Kit Sunglasses Sunscreen 2 poly bottles Matches / candle Compass First Aid Kit

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

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.

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

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

External Internal Hip Belt No Bungee Cords

Inside stuff bag Inside plastic bag (trash compactor) Synthetic Vs. Down

Minimum: One set of Wool or Fleece 3 pair wool socks Shorts (not cotton) T-Shirt (not cotton)

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

Leather or Synthetic Water proof Sealed! Broken in

Knife, fork, spoon (or spork and pocket knife) Plate (or bowl) Cup or Mug Plastic vs. metal

Each Scout has his own Includes Moleskin & Scissors Leader kit is larger

Tennis shoes / aqua socks Insect Repellant / bug screen Litter bag (zip lock)

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

MP3 player Radio Cell phone Fire works

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

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

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

Stoves & Fuel 1 stove every 2 or 3 Scouts 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

Propane – Coleman White Gas – MSR & others Canister - Jet Boil & others etc

Ax for Service Projects Saw if planning on a fire