“Be Prepared”

The scout motto is “be prepared.” Print this list off and give it to your scout. Make them responsible for their gear, but it’s okay to check them- it makes life better for the adult VOLUNTEERS.

When I was a new adult leader, I would “loan” a flashlight, poncho, and etc. to the poor scout that failed to pack properly. Often, would never get it returned. Or, they would expect me to have extras of everything on every campout. I could not afford to outfit three people (me and my 2 scouts), plus others.

If your son forgets a poncho and it’s raining, I am going to be dry and he isn’t. It’s called “natural consequences.” Adults will NOT allow your son to freeze to death, but they need to be responsible for packing properly. Please double check them!

Adult Leaders

Adult leaders do not get paid to be scout leaders. In fact, it usually costs them money, in addition to their time. Adult leaders are parents and parents of former scouts. They want to build a great program so young people can enjoy and learn as they grow into adulthood. They need your help and support.
Please be active in the troop. Without your support the troop will not be at its best. Volunteer to drive to an event, help with a merit badge, or fundraiser. A troop is only as strong as the participating adults.

Adult leaders are volunteers. Please thank them for their time and efforts. Please be understanding if a mistake happens, they are doing their best.

What time do we meet?

I estimate that 99.9% of the campouts we go on we meet at the Lake Meade entrance by 6:30 pm on Friday evening. Check the schedule or ask your scout about this. My wife and I enacted a rule that we never answer the phone on a Friday afternoon that the troop is camping. We would get a handful of calls asking when to meet. At the meeting I would hear the scoutmaster announce the time and I would send the information in emails, but I would still get calls. It’s 6:30 unless your scout is told otherwise.

The scoutmaster will let you know when we are leaving to return home. One weekend, everyone had either left Saturday night or first thing Sunday morning. That left the scoutmaster, myself, and two scouts to clean the entire cabin and finish packing the trailer. Imagine how we were feeling. In my opinion, if that happens to another leader, they should resign at the start of Monday’s meeting and have their son join another troop. I know I will no longer be involved.

Packing it all up

For most of our campouts, I can get by with a military duffle bag. They can be found for $10-20 brand new or even less when bought used at the flea or yard sale.

Many scouters like to use the plastic “footlockers” found at box stores. These work well if they don’t have to be carried far. I have seen them in the $20-40 price range.

If we are backpacking, you need an appropriate backpack. It is beyond the scope of these random thoughts to get into the details, but scout leaders can provide some insight. Often, your scout can borrow one for his first trip.

I advocate the use of zip-lock bags to place rolled up clothing and a garbage bag to put your sleeping bag in. I do this regardless if I am using a footlocker, duffle bag or backpack. Sometimes gear gets wet while you are putting up a tent in the rain. At summer camp, I have seen scouts leave their tents and footlocker wide open, only to find an inch of water in their box after a summer downpour.

When packing, use several zip-lock bags: a bag of socks, a bag of underpants, etc. Stuffing everything in one bag is better than nothing, but separate bags can prevent major problems when camping or backpacking. I reused the same bags until they have holes or no longer seal.

Money, money, money!

Where to buy

I have bought a fair amount of equipment at yard sales and Williams Grove Flea Market (Sunday mornings and is outdoors). You save a lot of money when buying from people who just want “to get rid of it.” One day I picked up a high quality and almost new internal frame backpack, compass, and sleeping pad for $60. It had to cost the seller at least $400 new. I sometimes wear a scout hat when going to flea markets and yard sales and mention I am buying it for scouts. Some folks have memories of being in scouts and knock down the price a bit.

If you attend gun shows, you can frequently find army surplus. I have purchased mess kits and other items for a reasonable price. Military field gear is made to handle incredible abuse, but is heavier than its civilian counterparts. Another place for surplus military is ebay. You can look at “sold” items to get an idea of value then shop/bid online or use that knowledge at flea markets and gun shows. I find that most surplus stores are more expensive than fleas, yard sales, gun shows, and online.

Early on I purchased a lot of stuff at Walmart. I replaced almost all of it after a few campouts. The ponchos tear, tents leak and rip easily, and mess kits fall apart. There is a reason the prices are so low.

Gander Mountain gives 10% off for scouts when buying outdoor equipment, just take his membership card along to the store.

I don’t buy a lot at Cabela’s, but I do like shopping there. They have a great return policy and shipping costs are reasonable. If you have a chance to go to one of their stores, it is a fun trip.

Campmor is another quality outdoor retailer and I have always been satisfied with them.

I haven’t purchased much camping gear from Dick’s Sporting Goods, but what I have, I am generally pleased with. They frequently have sales.

Fundraisers

My last Court of Honor I presented a sandwich bag to the audience. It wasn’t full. It contained patrol patches. That partially filled bag cost the troop $140.

Scouting is expensive. I know this both as a parent and scout leader.

The last time we went to West Point (2009?) by the time the tents were up, they were already underwater. We decided we needed to buy new tents and spent over $1,200 on new ones. We also needed a new trailer, that was a $5,000 investment. Part of outdoor code is “leaving it better than you found it.” In my opinion, this applies to life in general.

This new equipment was earned by scouts, many of them you will never know, yet you are benefiting from their efforts. Please do the same for future families. Selling peanuts, raking leaves, and participating in other fundraisers can be a drag, but a necessary part of the overall wellbeing of our organization. Please do your part and give back to scouting.