My son's PSK

Paleo,

Yep, another one for the list... We usually carry king-sized Snicker as rewards for getting to our destination, but the hard candy would go along way to improving someone's spirits if they were lost. His kit is improving by the post.
 
paleo25 said:
maybe some hard candy???? Kinda like comfort food for a kid if he gets lost
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I agree...food isn't a necessity for 72-96 hours (unless in very cold climates), but it keeps morale up and makes them stop and think or at least slow down enough instead of continually wondering which is a very bad thing. It's not perfect (and kind of hard to see with the relective lighting), but here's a small waterproofed card I keep in both their packs with their small IFAK...just something for them to follow to keep their mind woking in a positive direction. The hardest part of them being lost is to just teach them to STOP and stay in one location. We've rehearsed this before, but I still want to take my son and daughter out for a "controlled" solo night in the woods with their kits. No extreme weather, but the whole idea of being "alone" and practicing on staying put, signalling and possibly making a small shelter and fire would be a big confidence booster.

LostCards.jpg


ROCK6
 
A large trash bag. In my years of Boy Scouts, I only learned two things:

1. Do not throw M-80's in the firestack for the Arrow of Light ceremony or you will be kicked out.
2. It rains in the woods.

A trash bag can double as a poncho, but I tend to use mine more to pack everything within my pack. It isn't 100% water-proof, but it does keep my gear dry-ish.

Also, check at Target stores when they have their $1 section set-up. I bought a ton of waterproof matches, emergency blankets, those nifty 5 in 1 camp whistles, and inflatable pillows and spent about $30. Never hurts to carry a spare in some instances.

While I am thinking about Target, Eddie Bauer has some of their heavy-duty Nalgene-esque bottles filled with some pretty handy FA-type gear. Space blankets, small FAK, whistle, flashlight, EB's version of a SAK, cyalume sticks, etc.

I grabbed two different models as I was prepping a PSK for my 10-yr. old brother. He didn't do BSA, chose Tae Kwon Do instead (for this, I am grateful) so his camping/survival/hiking comes from me and the other guys in the family. I am planning on taking him on a short day-hike when my family meets at this place called Potter's Creek for Labor Day.
 
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LMAO...In my troop, the giant black trash bags were our "troop ponchos."

The M80 was a good laugh too, everyone is always serious at the big ceremonies like the crossing into the OA (order of the arrow for you "non-scouting" folks) and the Arrow of Light.

Perhaps a powdered mix of gatorade to add to the nalgene bottle (as long as you aren't in bear country), just for some added vitamins and whatever else is in gatorade. It's what we used the two times I went to philmont.
 
I stopped and picked up some real cordage for my son's kit, once I get everything together I will post it again. I made a decision not to use the garbage bags a while back, I put the kit together when he was pretty young, and went with emergency sleeping bag and poncho instead... That M-80 thing is great, I remember getting in a lot of trouble with fireworks when I was kid too, boys just like stuff that explodes...

Rock - mind if I reproduce your card and hand it out to Cubs this Fall?
 
Glad y'all thought the M-80 was great. The council thought I went too far. Much farther than when I convinced younger Scouts to build a fire ring with sandstone. They then told me to enjoy my time not being a Scout. I was not really scarred by the decision. All we did was camp about 20 miles from my house and shoot BB guns on occasion. Hopefully, Scouts elsewhere in the country is a program that is taken more seriously and has capable, competent leaders.
 
mneedham said:
Rock - mind if I reproduce your card and hand it out to Cubs this Fall?
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Help yourself and if you find something that may work a little better, let me know...it's always an evolution. We've practiced their checklist and it seems good, but I've found that even after they establish their "anchor" be it tree or rock, they can easily wander beyond line-of-sight to collect firewood or shelter material. It's a work in progess, but feel free to use.

ROCK6
 
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