Scouting Stuff
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Scout Outdoor Essentials
• Pocket knife
• First aid kit
• Extra clothing
• Rain gear
• Canteen or water bottle
• Flashlight
• Trail food
• Matches and fire starters
• Sun protection
• Map and compass
• Pocket knife
• First aid kit
• Extra clothing
• Rain gear
• Canteen or water bottle
• Flashlight
• Trail food
• Matches and fire starters
• Sun protection
• Map and compass
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| “Leave No Trace” Principles: Plan Ahead and Prepare Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces Pack It In, Pack It Out Properly Dispose of What You Can't Pack Out Leave What You Find Minimize Use and Impact of Fire *********** LNT turns out to be really (really, Really, REALLY!) simple: Learn how our actions can harm the backcountry; Become committed to doing as little harm as possible; Go do it (or don't do it, as the case may be); and, Don’t be a wuss about getting fellow backcountry users to join in! ********** “The mission of Leave No Trace is to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships.” --From the mission statement of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics Field Book, BSA |
| Leadership Tools Be Realistic Do your best to see things as they are, not as you wish they were. Be a bit of a pessimist in terms of what might go wrong, but an optimist in guiding people toward the effective management of risk. Be Consistent and Fair Group members want to know what they can expect from you as their leader, and what you expect of them. Strive to be consistent in word and action, and make it clear that you are working together. Step In Cheerfully accept your share of the chores. Lead others by having fun doing whatever needs to be done. Monitor Yourself Are you chilly, hungry, sleepy, too hot, or too cold? Upset, angry or worried? By doing something about personal issues, you can more clearly focus on the leadership needs of the moment. It might simply be a matter of putting on more clothes, having something to eat, gathering more information or taking a moment to gather your thoughts. Be Caring Perhaps the most powerful tools of leadership is this: Care about the people you are leading. Respect and value others, and help each person feel that he or she has important contributions to make. Look for ways to draw on the strengths of every individual to the advantage of the entire group, and let all members know you are pleased to have them along. Say something positive to every person in the group at least once a day. Field Book, BSA |
Personal Overnight Camping Gear
Scout Outdoor Essentials
Clothing for the season
Pack
Sleeping bag or 2 or 3 blankets
Foam sleeping pad or air mattress
Ground cloth
Eating kit:
Spoon
Fork
Plate
Bowl
Cup
Cleanup kit:
Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Comb
Washcloth
Towel
Personal extras you may want to take:
Watch
Camera and film
Notebook and pencil or pen
Insect repellent
sunglasses
Magnifying glass
Binoculars
Bird and plant identification books
Musical instrument
Swimsuit
Prayer book or Bible
Scout Outdoor Essentials
Clothing for the season
Pack
Sleeping bag or 2 or 3 blankets
Foam sleeping pad or air mattress
Ground cloth
Eating kit:
Spoon
Fork
Plate
Bowl
Cup
Cleanup kit:
Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Comb
Washcloth
Towel
Personal extras you may want to take:
Watch
Camera and film
Notebook and pencil or pen
Insect repellent
sunglasses
Magnifying glass
Binoculars
Bird and plant identification books
Musical instrument
Swimsuit
Prayer book or Bible
| Laws of Boy Scout Summer Camp 1. The number of mosquitoes at any given location is inversely proportional to the amount of insect repellent remaining. 2. The distance to a given camp site is constant as twilight approaches. 3. Any stone in a hiking boot will migrate to the point of maximum pressure. 4. The probability of dysentery increases with the square of the poison ivy content of the local vegetation. 5. Universally, all foods assume the uniform, taste, texture, and color when freeze-dried. 6. Tent stakes come only in quantity "N-1", where N=the number of stakes required to hold down the tent. 7. When utilizing a mummy bag, the urgency to urinate is inversely proportional to the amount of clothing worn. 8. Waterproof clothing isn't. It is however, 100% effective at retaining sweat. 9. Weight of the backpack increases in direct proportion to the amount of food consumed from it. 10. When hiking boots are removed, it is not possible to put them back on. 11. Water bottles that are full when packed, will spontaneously deplete prior to arrival at campsite. 12. Under any condition, matches will find a way to get wet. 13. A single rock located under a tent will also be found to relocate under the sleeping bag. 14. All tree branches grow outward at exactly the height of the human nose. 15. The sun sets 3.5 times faster than normal when setting up camp. 16. No matter where you are going it's the wrong path. 17. No matter where you end up it is the wrong campsite. 18. Blisters always occur in a triplet arrangement on the human foot. 19. Socks which are designated as "an dry extra pair" won't be. 20. The universal constants are rain, poison ivy, and spiders. 21. The amount of rain that falls in the middle of the night, in inches, is equal to the distance you must travel to reach dry ground squared. |
Making the Most of Life
A Scout patrol camping in the mountains was hit
by a cold, wet storm. Even though they had snug
tents and warm sleeping bags, some of the
Scouts began to complain. They were sure the
storm was ruining their trek, and they wished they
had never come.
Another Scout thought it was terrific fun to be face
to face with a mountain storm. He loved to hear
thunder crashing down the long valleys. He saw
the beauty of a forest full of mist. He knew that bad
weather would put his camping skills to the test,
and he welcomed the chance to improve. "I always
hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and
accept whatever comes my way," he told the
others. "And then I have fun no matter what." With
a smile on his face, he had a fine campout.
Rain falls on everyone. There is not much you can
do about that. But you can decide to see storms
as opportunities rather than obstacles. You can
choose to make the most of a situation rather than
giving up and wishing you were somewhere else.
A Scout patrol camping in the mountains was hit
by a cold, wet storm. Even though they had snug
tents and warm sleeping bags, some of the
Scouts began to complain. They were sure the
storm was ruining their trek, and they wished they
had never come.
Another Scout thought it was terrific fun to be face
to face with a mountain storm. He loved to hear
thunder crashing down the long valleys. He saw
the beauty of a forest full of mist. He knew that bad
weather would put his camping skills to the test,
and he welcomed the chance to improve. "I always
hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and
accept whatever comes my way," he told the
others. "And then I have fun no matter what." With
a smile on his face, he had a fine campout.
Rain falls on everyone. There is not much you can
do about that. But you can decide to see storms
as opportunities rather than obstacles. You can
choose to make the most of a situation rather than
giving up and wishing you were somewhere else.
Founders of the BSA and Scouting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Baden-Powell
As a youth, Robert Baden-Powell greatly enjoyed the outdoors, learning about nature and how to live in the wilderness. After
returning as a military, hero from service in Africa, Baden-Powell discovered that English boys were reading the manual on stalking
and survival in the wilderness he had written for his military regiment. Gathering ideas from Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter
Beard, and others, he rewrote the manual as a nonmilitary nature skill book and called it Scouting for Boys. To test his ideas,
Baden-Powell brought together 22 boys to camp at Brownsea Island, off the coast of England. This historic campout was a success
and resulted in the advent of Scouting. Thus, the imagination and inspiration of Baden-Powell, later proclaimed Chief Scout of the
World, brought Scouting to youth the world over.
Ernest Thompson Seton
Born in Scotland, Ernest Thompson Seton immigrated to America as a youth in the 1880s. His fascination with the wilderness led
him to become a naturalist, an artist, and an author, and through his works he influenced both youth and adults. Seton established
a youth organization called the Woodcraft Indians, and his background of outdoor skills and interest in youth made him a logical
choice for the position of first Chief Scout of the BSA in 1910. His many volumes of Scoutcraft became an integral part of Scouting,
and his intelligence and enthusiasm helped turn an idea into reality.
Daniel Carter Beard
Woodsman, illustrator, and naturalist, Daniel Carter Beard was a pioneering spirit of the Boy Scouts of America. Already 60 years
old when the Boy Scouts of America was formed, he became a founder and merged it with his own boys' organization, the Sons of
Daniel Boone. As the first national Scout commissioner, Beard helped design the original Scout uniform and introduced the
elements of the First Class Scout badge. "Uncle Dan," as he was known to boys and leaders, will be remembered as a colorful
figure dressed in buckskin who helped form Scouting in the United States.
William D. Boyce
In 1909, Chicago publisher William D. Boyce lost his way in a dense London fog. A boy came to his aid and, after guiding the man,
refused a tip, explaining that as a Scout he would not take a tip for doing a Good Turn. This gesture by an unknown Scout inspired
a meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the British founder of the Boy Scouts. As a result, William Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts
of America on February, 8, 1910. He also created the Lone Scouts, which merged with the Boy Scouts of America in 1924.
James E. West
James E. West was appointed the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America in 1911. Although orphaned and
physically handicapped, he had the perseverance to graduate from law school and become a successful attorney. This same
determination provided the impetus to help build Scouting into the largest and most effective youth organization in the world. When
he retired in 1943, Dr. West was recognized throughout the country as the true architect of the Boy Scouts of America.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Baden-Powell
As a youth, Robert Baden-Powell greatly enjoyed the outdoors, learning about nature and how to live in the wilderness. After
returning as a military, hero from service in Africa, Baden-Powell discovered that English boys were reading the manual on stalking
and survival in the wilderness he had written for his military regiment. Gathering ideas from Ernest Thompson Seton, Daniel Carter
Beard, and others, he rewrote the manual as a nonmilitary nature skill book and called it Scouting for Boys. To test his ideas,
Baden-Powell brought together 22 boys to camp at Brownsea Island, off the coast of England. This historic campout was a success
and resulted in the advent of Scouting. Thus, the imagination and inspiration of Baden-Powell, later proclaimed Chief Scout of the
World, brought Scouting to youth the world over.
Ernest Thompson Seton
Born in Scotland, Ernest Thompson Seton immigrated to America as a youth in the 1880s. His fascination with the wilderness led
him to become a naturalist, an artist, and an author, and through his works he influenced both youth and adults. Seton established
a youth organization called the Woodcraft Indians, and his background of outdoor skills and interest in youth made him a logical
choice for the position of first Chief Scout of the BSA in 1910. His many volumes of Scoutcraft became an integral part of Scouting,
and his intelligence and enthusiasm helped turn an idea into reality.
Daniel Carter Beard
Woodsman, illustrator, and naturalist, Daniel Carter Beard was a pioneering spirit of the Boy Scouts of America. Already 60 years
old when the Boy Scouts of America was formed, he became a founder and merged it with his own boys' organization, the Sons of
Daniel Boone. As the first national Scout commissioner, Beard helped design the original Scout uniform and introduced the
elements of the First Class Scout badge. "Uncle Dan," as he was known to boys and leaders, will be remembered as a colorful
figure dressed in buckskin who helped form Scouting in the United States.
William D. Boyce
In 1909, Chicago publisher William D. Boyce lost his way in a dense London fog. A boy came to his aid and, after guiding the man,
refused a tip, explaining that as a Scout he would not take a tip for doing a Good Turn. This gesture by an unknown Scout inspired
a meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the British founder of the Boy Scouts. As a result, William Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts
of America on February, 8, 1910. He also created the Lone Scouts, which merged with the Boy Scouts of America in 1924.
James E. West
James E. West was appointed the first Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America in 1911. Although orphaned and
physically handicapped, he had the perseverance to graduate from law school and become a successful attorney. This same
determination provided the impetus to help build Scouting into the largest and most effective youth organization in the world. When
he retired in 1943, Dr. West was recognized throughout the country as the true architect of the Boy Scouts of America.
Scouting's Bottom Line
What happens to a Scout? For every 100 boys who join Scouting, records indicate that:
- RARELY will one be brought before the juvenile court system
- 2 will become Eagle Scouts
- 17 will become future Scout volunteers
- 12 will have their first contact with a church
- 1 will enter the clergy
- 5 will earn their church award
- 18 will develop a hobby that will last through their adult life
- 8 will enter a vocation that was learned through the merit badge system
- 1 will use his Scouting skills to save his own life
- 1 will use his Scouting skills to save the life of another person
**********************************************************
Scouting's alumni record is equally impressive. A recent nationwide survey of high schools revealed the following
information:
- 85% of student council presidents were Scouts
- 89% of senior class presidents were Scouts
- 80% of junior class presidents were Scouts
- 75% of school publication editors were Scouts
- 71% of football captains were Scouts
Scouts also account for:
- 64% of Air Force Academy graduates
- 68% of West Point graduates
- 70% of Annapolis graduates
- 72% of Rhodes Scholars
- 85% of F.B.I. agents
- 26 of the first 29 astronauts
What happens to a Scout? For every 100 boys who join Scouting, records indicate that:
- RARELY will one be brought before the juvenile court system
- 2 will become Eagle Scouts
- 17 will become future Scout volunteers
- 12 will have their first contact with a church
- 1 will enter the clergy
- 5 will earn their church award
- 18 will develop a hobby that will last through their adult life
- 8 will enter a vocation that was learned through the merit badge system
- 1 will use his Scouting skills to save his own life
- 1 will use his Scouting skills to save the life of another person
**********************************************************
Scouting's alumni record is equally impressive. A recent nationwide survey of high schools revealed the following
information:
- 85% of student council presidents were Scouts
- 89% of senior class presidents were Scouts
- 80% of junior class presidents were Scouts
- 75% of school publication editors were Scouts
- 71% of football captains were Scouts
Scouts also account for:
- 64% of Air Force Academy graduates
- 68% of West Point graduates
- 70% of Annapolis graduates
- 72% of Rhodes Scholars
- 85% of F.B.I. agents
- 26 of the first 29 astronauts
SANTA IS AN EAGLE SCOUT
Santa is an Eagle Scout,
it's very plain to see.
Just listen to this little poem
and you'll agree
Santa navigates by the stars
on Christmas Eve.
After all, his first merit badge
was Astronomy.
To fly his sleigh
with finesse,
Santa took
Aviation merit badge next.
Santa and his reindeer
have a friendly alliance.
He learned it all
while earning Veterinarian Science.
Engineering merit badge
was very hard for Santa Claus.
Going down a chimney is an engineering feat,
if there ever was.
Santa's service project
was for all the boys and girls.
He delivers toys
all around the world.
And lastly, Santa's work on
Communication merit badge was out of sight
That's when he thought of the phrase
"Merry Christmas and to all a good night"
written by Todd McMahon
Santa is an Eagle Scout,
it's very plain to see.
Just listen to this little poem
and you'll agree
Santa navigates by the stars
on Christmas Eve.
After all, his first merit badge
was Astronomy.
To fly his sleigh
with finesse,
Santa took
Aviation merit badge next.
Santa and his reindeer
have a friendly alliance.
He learned it all
while earning Veterinarian Science.
Engineering merit badge
was very hard for Santa Claus.
Going down a chimney is an engineering feat,
if there ever was.
Santa's service project
was for all the boys and girls.
He delivers toys
all around the world.
And lastly, Santa's work on
Communication merit badge was out of sight
That's when he thought of the phrase
"Merry Christmas and to all a good night"
written by Todd McMahon