Cub Scout hiking kit ideas?

Mneedham, I really like that presentation. That is geared towards the age of boys I'm dealing with specifically. That green pouch you posted would be perfect. Unfortunately they are somewhere around $20 each. I just don't think they are worth that much and some of the boys I'm working with aren't from families that have an extra $20 bill to spend on this. I look at that pouch every time I'm at the Scout shop though. It looks like it was built for exactly this purpose.

Fugawee, I love the idea of a little laminated book or at least a few pages. I can put down plant/animal information as well as things to remember if they get lost. That idea is definitely a keeper.

Go2ndamend, I do understand the hesitation of a neck based kit. The kits that my own kids carry are on ball chains so that if they do get hung up they will break away. I have also seen corded necklaces with a plastic connector that would give way if it got hung up. This kit will most likely end up being a small belt pouch though. I think I'd like them to get used to carrying a few more things than would work on a necklace.

I had another suggestion today. It was to have each boy build a leather belt pouch that they can decorate however they choose. It would give us a craft to do with leather and they would have the pride of knowing they built it themself. I'd likely have to cut out several kits so all of the parts are alike but that wouldn't be too difficult.

Thanks again for everyones suggestions. I haven't made any concrete decisions on this so if anyone else has ideas I'd love to hear them.

SDS
 
SDS,

You are right about the price of the pouch, but I gotta say that they are pretty neat. My Pack has lot of families don't have much either.. We always ask people to approach us in private if they can't afford to pay for pinewood derby car ($4) or Pack dues ($12).... But the Scouts are a great organization that way, we have never let a boy not get to participate in something because of finances.

Leave no child inside!
 
It sounds like we have a similar philosophy about making sure that the boys are taken care of. Our pack did really well this year with our fundraiser so most things are being taken care of at the pack level. I will make sure that all of the boys have an opportunity to be included.

Thanks for your advice on this. I really do need all of the help I can get. I feel perfectly comfortable taking off into the hills or into the woods by myself, but throw in a handfull of kids and they can make things VERY interesting.

SDS
 
Do you have a local Hobby Lobby? Someplace like that may have precut kits ready to go.

How about a car was as soon as weather permits? The money could go towards purchasing the gear?
 
Find a small fanny pack and fill it with:

-A plastic whistle
-A small LED key-chain light
-A brightly colored 30 gallon plastic trash bag

Teach them to dress for the weather - such that they could spent an unexpected night outdoors if necessary.
Tell them to carry this little kit with them all the time when outdoors.
Teach them that when they find themselves lost they should stop and make themselves as findable as possible (near a road, in a field, ...).
Ensure them that people WILL come looking for them.
Teach them to stay put, stay dry, stay out of trees, stay away from bodies of water.
Teach them how to tear a hole in the side of the trash bag and wear it for protection. Its best if they can actually tear the hole in a bag so they know how to do it.

See this excellent kids survival primer:
http://www.equipped.org/kidprimr.htm

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ has some decent whistles w/ wrist bands and nice small fanny packs.

http://www.countycomm.com/orngled.htm provides some great little LED keychain lights.

Contact our local highway department for some orange plastic bags.
 
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