Gear

Inventor Kent Haring has developed the elegantly efficient Littlbug stove that deserves a second look from campers in general and Scouts in particular. Most of us have come to rely on the convenience of propane stoves and would be hesitant to trade them for wood stoves. I think there are some compelling practical and ethical arguments for using high efficiency wood stoves. But first let’s take a close look at the features and use of the Littlbug....

In forty years of camping I’ve seen the canteen replaced by the plastic water bottles like these Nalgene water bottles. Canteens (remember them?) were opaque, narrow mouthed, heavy and had a metallic taste with overtones of whatever drink mix one last used. Washing them out thoroughly was hit-or miss because you couldn’t see inside. I did not like canteens. My first wide-mouthed Nalgene bottle was really kind of miraculous. I could see how much water it contained; I could wash it out thoroughly, and it never ever leaked....

This question got me thinking about Canoes, Troop Trailers, & Buses. Julus Pahl writes: Clarke I am wondering how to go about getting canoes for a troop? The troop I am working with only camps and the current SM is training me to take over. In the past the boys pretty much only camped and this has taken a toll on the older Scouts! They want something more…something different! My troop growing up tended to canoe and backpack so I am eager to introduce the boys to both....

A fairly recent development in first aid the emergency bandage combines a sterile dressing, elastic wrap, pressure bar and closure that maintains direct pressure on bleeding wounds. Originally developed by the Israelis for military use it comes highly recommended from military medics and civilian paramedics: I was first introduced to the Israeli emergency bandage several years ago as a medic in Iraq… The Israeli emergency bandage was the first of a new generation of bandages that made a difference when it really counts....

Kevin Callan tells a great story about a canoe hat: I didn’t give it much thought at first when my paddling buddy began handing over his sleeping pad, rain jacket and canoe pack to his nephew. I just considered it a nice gesture; after all, we had finished our trip – 27 days paddling Quetico park – and his nephew was just beginning his – a summer spent working as a canoe guide for Scouts Northern Tier Camp....

Here’s another survey of chuck boxes and camp kitchens. There’s lots of interesting ideas, plans and designs out there! Troop 416’s chuckbox plans available here Have you seen my book The Scouting Journey? The Scouting Journey The Scouting Journey is a map for Scouters guiding Scouts on a voyage of challenge, adventure, and achievement. Scouting’s continued relevance hinges on the attitude of each individual Scouter. We are good, practical people concerned about the next meeting or camping trip....

Bill Macfarlane is blogging about an unusual quest; Years ago, when I was a Boy Scout, I would wait impatiently for the next issue of Boy’s Life just so I could see the Whittlin’ Jim “Slide of the Month” feature. But try as I might I could never make one of those slides. (I have the scars to prove it!) ….Flash forward 40 years and I discover a couple of links to the original Whittlin’ Jim patterns....

Walter Underwood has posted a great review of the Mountain Laurel Design’s two pound Speedmid shelter: It is plenty roomy inside. I’m 6’ 3” and my tent buddy is nearly as tall, and we both had room, with our gear inside. The tent walls do slope at a pretty low angle—the heavy nighttime rain was surprisingly close to my head and a little distracting. This was a very exposed campsite and it was uncomfortably windy and...

I came across PatchDisplay.com on Facebook. It is “owned and operated in historic Chester County , Pennsylvania by individuals involved as both parents and leaders with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for over fifteen years.” They construct custom displays (you provide the patches, etc) to commemorate a Scout’s accomplishments. They advertise the display above for $300.00 which seems very reasonable when one considers the cost of a decent quality frame and the amount of work that goes into assembling something like this....

My old Mountainsmith lumbar pack bought used on eBay a few years ago served me very well and it’s time to replace it. I bought a newer, smaller Mountainsmith lumbar pack for my son to use a while back and I like the updated version even more than my older one. A lumbar pack makes a great ‘day bag’ when canoeing for all that one needs to access easily throughout the day (camera, binoculars, rain gear, etc....

Sewing Scout patches can be a challenge! … let alone figuring out where they all belong! Here’s some information that should answer your questions about where those patches belong, how to sew or iron them on and some ideas for displaying them. Where to Sew Patches? Merit Badge Sashes How do you iron-on? Hand or Machine Sewing? Extra Patches? Are There Patch Police? Where do you sew all those patches? Start with these resources, 99% of your questions are answered in the Official Uniform Inspection guides;...

This review was first published in 2008. I still carry and highly recommenced my Big Agnes setup! For many years I carried my trusty Gerry goose down sleeping bag on Troop camp outs. My father bought it for me in 1976 prior to an extended trip to Alaska. At the time it was among the best bags he could afford (or ill-afford). But even the best sleeping bag may have be retired after twenty or thirty years of faithful service....

Picture from George Griffin at BackpackingGearTest.org The Tilley LTM6 Airflo Hat is quite a piece of engineering. I have worn one now for a few years and I recommend it highly. My faithful, cheap,(ten bucks at a hardware store) straw hat gave up after three years of canoeing in Canada, summer camp and carpentry. In searching for a replacement I decided to check out the much touted Tilley hat. After some research I decided on the LTM6 Airflo and hoped it would be equal to the rather steep ($70....

This is all the official verbiage you will find about how to wear the Scout neckerchief – anything else you have heard is urban legend. From the BSA Insignia Guide : The Neckerchief Boy Scout neckerchiefs are optional. The troop decides by vote, and all members abide by the decision. If the neckerchief is not worn, then the shirt is worn with open collar. Boy Scout and Boy Scout leader neckerchiefs may be worn in a variety of plain colors and contrasting borders....

Boy Scout neckerchiefs have been with us since Baden Powell published Scouting for Boys: The Scout Uniform is very like the uniform worn by my men when I commanded the South African Constabulary. They knew what was comfortable, serviceable, and a good protection against the weather. So Scouts have much the same uniform. … … the scarf or neckerchief which is folded into a triangle with the point at the back of the neck....

I have had a few different multi tools over the years but none of them compare to the Leatherman Wave. I read lot’s of multi tool reviews and the Wave came out on top in each one. The wave is solidly built an each component functions extraordinarily well. I blanched slightly at spending around seventy bucks for mine, but it has proved it’s worth many times over. I carry the Wave at work and when I am out in the woods and it has yet to let me down....

Not the actual stitches mentioned below Knives for Scouts or knives vs. Scouts? In the battle between knives and Scouts the infamous record for my Troop is eight. Stitches, that is. Minor knife cuts are reasonably rare and I can recall only three trips to the emergency room because of a knife in twenty three years ( about 1000 days and nights camping) of being a Scoutmaster. Knife safety is comprised of training in common sense augmented by careful attention....

The tent you are looking at are standard German scout tents. Each scout carries a panel and when they reach the destination for camp they put the pieces together. These tents are called ‘khote’ and are based on the shape and function of the Saami tipi-like reindeer skin tent. The Saami (sometimes called Laplanders) are the indigenous people of Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia....

(picture from Cool Tools) Cool Tools featured green laser pointers a few months ago. Mine arrived a few weeks ago and it is, indeed, a cool tool. The clearly visible beam of an astronomy grade laser pointer at night is ideal for pointing out stars to a group of Scouts. During the day the green dot is bight even in direct sunlight – handy for pointing out distant locations or features on a nature hike or as an emergency signal....

I have used Campsuds for many years. Do you really need special camping soap? Yes, you do, it does make a difference. Camp suds has lots of cleaning power in cold water, is environmentally responsible and super concentrated- you don’t need more than a few drops. I have yet to empty an eight ounce bottle shared by a group of 7 over a week of canoeing. The one gallon size is handy for refilling smaller containers and costs less per ounce than the smaller sizes....