Essential Gear for All Boy Scouts

Becoming a Boy Scout is a great experience for young men. Graduating from Cub Scouts, they will now get the opportunity to have many new adventures, exploring the outdoors and learning many new life skills. With all of these new experiences, the Boy Scout motto sums it all up: be prepared. To keep your keep Scout prepared for each adventure, here is a list of the essential gear your Scout needs to be prepared.

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A solid backpack is critical to all Scouts and adventurers. When you are in the woods, you need a backpack that can hold all of your gear and be comfortable enough to ensure you can reach your destination. This backpack should be flexible to carry your gear for a day hike or for a multi-day trip. The backpack is the foundation on what an adventurer relies upon to help them get to their destination.

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During your trip, you will need shelter. An oasis to protect you from the storms, a sense of security while you traverse unknown terrain. Depending upon each trip, you’ll need a reliable shelter to protect your gear, your mates and be more than functional to get you to your destination.

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Map and compass are likely the essential devices one can convey if there should be an emergency of getting lost, along with the skills to use them when in need. With experience, these tools can be utilized to determine where you are at, and how to get where you want to go.

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Sun protection should never be dismissed. Especially when you are outside all day and night. Sun protection includes a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock. Not only will it help with sunburn, but more importantly it’s your defense against sun exhaustion or sunstroke.

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Extra clothing should always be included to match your environment. Dressing in layers is key, as it gives you the ability to take off what you don’t need as the day progresses. This allows you to change your clothing depending upon the environment and activity you’re involved with.

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Lighting is important as night falls. Once the sun goes down, you’ll need a reliable source of light to help you navigate the campground and complete your task. A flashlight is also critical when you wake up in the middle of the night looking for that missing item, or a source of light to guide you to the restroom.

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First aid kits are critical. You’ll never know when a first aid kit is needed. This is the most important part of being prepared.  You could be on a walk, on a high adventure trip, regardless a first aid kit is essential to keep you rolling. A basic kit will include bandages, medical tape, sterile gauze, moleskin, soap, antiseptic, scissors, and band-aids and more.

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Firestarters are very important to any wilderness trip. They can be used to start fires for heat, or for signaling purposes. When you’re in the woods, you definitely appreciate a warm meal and evening. Fire starting equipment is definitely an essential to the top 12 list.

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A knife/multi-tool are critical to wilderness success. Pocket knives or multitools like Leatherman/Swiss Army Knife can come in handy in a wide variety of situations. These tools can greatly improve your opportunity to survive in the wilderness and make it home. When you’re in the woods, miles away from home and your toolbox, this tool is the only option you have. Before you get your Scout a knife, it is critical that they achieve their Totin’ Chip award or whittling chip award.

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Trail food is critical to maintaining your energy. Hunger and low blood sugar can interfere with concentration and coordination. While water is the most critical need, food only second to water where quality food and protein is required each and every day.

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Water is the most important of this list. Dehydration will result in heat exhaustion, heat stroke or death. The human body can only survive a few days without water. So it’s absolutely critical that no matter where you are, potable water is readily available. If potable water is not available, Spring Outfitters offers many filters and pumps that can provide you drinkable water no matter where you are at.

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A sleeping bag is a luxury in the summer, yet an essential in the winter. A quality bag will allow the Scout to use the same bag year round. Not only does it help with your comfort, the bag also helps with your survival. It’s always recommended that you buy a bag that can survive the worst winters, yet also provide safety and comfort.