What do you boy scouts carry?

[scotsmanspride]

I am an eagle scout and even after this stayed active in scouting for about 5 years and I worked very hard with our local scouts putting on new programs and classes. As to my knowledge it is up to the local troop as to what is carried. I carried both fixed and a large SAK. I do urge those of you with a lot of experience to get involved with scouts and volunteer your time. The only way that these guys will get good. Realistic experience is if someone is willing to take the time and help. Back in 1996 I began putting on a program similar to a worst case survival with things similar to a plane crash and how to deal with this. Scouts were sent with limited gear and simulated plane parts. They loved this and it really helped them to think outside the box. We got permits so kids could trap food and it was just a really big hit. Another thing I was highly involved in was I worked at a backpacking store and I would go around to troops on my own time and work with them on proper backpacking equipment and ways to pack lighter. This was also a big impact on kids. Also showing them how to get by on a tight budget because a lot of these kids are lower income so building a penny stove over buying a $100 stove worked out very well. So yes the boy scouts is a joke in some areas but the only way to make it better is to volunteer. I plan on going back as soon as my son Is old enough to get involved.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

Side note - knife carry is limited to 3" folders - no fixed blade knives. Axe yes, big survival blade no.

No Mora? Even my Endura a no-no? I guess one option would be to buy a Sabre grind Delica and reprofile it to a Scandi - under 3" folder and it would be plenty useful for carving wood. I guess anyone getting into scouting should check with their local troop and find out what they allow and go from there.

 

[FwdHO]

No Mora? Even my Endura a no-no? I guess one option would be to buy a Sabre grind Delica and reprofile it to a Scandi - under 3" folder and it would be plenty useful for carving wood. I guess anyone getting into scouting should check with their local troop and find out what they allow and go from there.

It was pointed out that the blade requirement that I was told by my son's local troop was not the national standard, but a local one - bummer. I have since challenged the leaders to address survival tools with the scouts. First thing I did was ask them to build a shelter with their folders...

 

[Whynacht]

They always carry too much, and too heavy of stuff, lol.
I've never been in the scouts, but it just seems every time I see them when we ae out backpacking, they look like they are all carrying 50 lb packs.
I think a lot of it depends on your particular troop and troop leaders, as the stories I've heard have varried greatly from one persons experience to another.

I was "Troop Scouter" - what scouts Canada came to call a Scout Master - for two different Nova Scotian troops over a period of six years. Depending on duration, mode of transportation (foot, canoe, vehicle) and time of year, hikes and camping trips required a kit of basic personal equipment each Scout was required to have, in addition to team equipment for each Patrol that was farmed out over all members, each of whom was responsible for carry and care of any item assigned to him. The Troops was divided into Patrols, each under the supervision of a more experienced Scout (the Patrol Leader) and an Assistant Patrol Leader who was slightly junior in experience. Below that was a mixed bag of kids all the way down to at least one greenhorn per Patrol.

At the beginning of each year I handed out both the basic equipment and team equipment lists with explanation as to why each item was included. This rapidly evolved to having each Patrol present their lists to me for approval before each trip.

It was always amusing to watch the new kids showing up for their first hike. It was the 50 pound pack issue that caused me to adopt the policy of having all Scouts pack their gear on the last meeting night before a trip, and then require that a parent remain while a final gear check was done immediately before embarkation. The tiny skinny greenhorn who couldn't stand up under the weight of his pack invariably had a mother who honestly believed that six wool sweaters, three hats, ten changes of underwear, his pillow and favourite comforter were essential to his survival on a day hike in April. My removal of these items, and handing them over to the teary eyes parent who was now convinced I planned to kill their offspring, was always a load lifted off the boy, on several levels as the trip played out.

That was how I did it, and that was back in the day when we taught safe use and carry of knives of all types and sizes. Quite right as stated throughout this thread - the quality of the experience is dependent on the leaders of individual troops.

 

[raybadge]

I'm also a old scout leader and followed my son from cubs to boy scouts to venture crew. We've backpacked together in New Mexico (Philmont), camped in Scotland (the Scotish Jamborette), and canoed in Canada (the Northern Tier). He earned his Weblos badge in cubs, his Eagle badge in scouts, his Silver Award in Venturing, and I don't know how many leadership awards along the way. Not only was it a great experience for the two of us, but it ended up getting him a very nice scholarship to college. He's now studying to become an officer in the Marines. It was a great run.

 

[carspidey]

my nephew is a scout... he likes the camping, hiking, backpacking...
I am actually going on their training hike (3 mile hike and camping overnight) this weekend... i made sure i could carry my ESEE RC6 with me...

 

[mneedham]

I'm also a old scout leader and followed my son from cubs to boy scouts to venture crew. We've backpacked together in New Mexico (Philmont), camped in Scotland (the Scotish Jamborette), and canoed in Canada (the Northern Tier). He earned his Weblos badge in cubs, his Eagle badge in scouts, his Silver Award in Venturing, and I don't know how many leadership awards along the way. Not only was it a great experience for the two of us, but it ended up getting him a very nice scholarship to college. He's now studying to become an officer in the Marines. It was a great run.

You have much to be proud of there:thumbup: I hope my son stays with it to Eagle. As a leader I have to say that the adults involved in scouting are some of the most dedicated folks I have met. BTW, most of the American men that have stood on the moon are former scouts..

 

[mark_r]

Scouting can be a wonderful thing for children.

My Cubs have to pass a knife safety course in order to carry a knife. Our (Canadian) rules are the knife must be a locking blade. Fixed blades are for the older kids. I encourage the kids to carry knives to camps and on hikes. We meet at a school, so they can't have them there.

I can't wait to pass down my grandfather's scout knife to my son when he goes up to Venturers. (Scouting for kids 14-17)

 

[baldtaco-II]

It does seem to vary a lot here. On one hand you've got that association with mosques, bibles, singing daft songs, and round ended pallet knife type knives which gives the movement a bit of a stigma. On the other hand some of it is very much like the The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme type stuff that is much more dynamic and embraces endeavour. It depends a lot on location. A guy I know that worked for the scout shops did a lot of that big circus tent and huge wooden pegs and a mallet type stuff with them. He was too afraid to get a group of them together to come out sailing with us because he felt he was putting his head in a noose what with the law and the attitudes of some parents here. His bunch scored about a zero for adventure in my book but probably got a 4 for domestic science. Conversely, some have organized trips up Everest.

There's a guy that does some commendable outdoor stuff with them about an hours drive from me. WARNING – CONTAINS BEAR GRYLLS CONTENT



















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Thread here

 

[knifephan]

I went through Cub Scouts and into Boy Scouts. To echo what most the others have said, the experience varies widely dependent on the troop you join. I had a blast in Cub Scouts and learned a lot. Did a lot of hiking and camping (with a 50 pound pack most times) and also did a lot of shooting at camps (both bows and guns). My experience with Boy Scouts was not as good, my troop was kind of slow moving and did not produce a lot of Eagle Scouts. I ended up dropping Scouts in favor of other pursuits. My Dad is an Eagle Scout, and I am sure he was disappointed that I dropped out, but he also saw the issues with the troop I was in. In the end I ended up getting into competitive Tae Kwon Do, and I think he was proud of what I accomplished there as well as the dedication I showed to the sport and my rigorous training schedule. I was fortunate enough to have a very good teacher and get to compete on a national level (invited to international events, but cost kept me from that). I would still recommend Scouts to kids, and plan on signing my kids up should I have kids at some point.

 

[ElSitherino]

I don't remember a whole lot of my experiences in Boy Scouts. We had a rather poor set-up and did relatively little in the way of adventure. We had camp retreats and a couple of the dads taught us how to peg small game with .22's and pellet guns, but that was about it. I was an eagle scout, but to be honest, it didn't feel like much of an accomplishment, given the "challenge" I faced. I got rid of my arrow and all of that, I felt it was best to just forget the whole thing.
I didn't even put that I'd made Eagle Scout on my enlistment papers, it felt unrealistic.

These were just my experiences, but I think it's important to know that there are many poor feelings some of us got from Scouts. I do know here in Texas it's even worse than when I was a boy, due to the principle arguments.

 

[Havokk]

Remember that your son or daughter is not joining Scouts - your family is joining Scouts.

I was a Scout Leader of a group that folder because of lack of parent help. Apart from two parents, everyone just treated it as a free babysitting service once a week.

As for the knives, in my opinion they are an essential part of the Scouting movement. The whole point of the movement is to turn kids into responsible adults and a big part of being a responsible adult is using dangerous tools responsibly.

The Group that I was in only had two rules for knives. First, no butterfly knives. Second, you lark around with it, you lose it (it goes back to Mum or Dad a few weeks later with a short letter from me). A few scouts had fixed blades, most had SAK-type folding blades. Personally I carried a SAK Huntsman. (A piece of trivia, what tool did I use the most? The awl).

B

Edit: just read the post above about the outdoor activities with kids dressing animals. I want to say "awesome!" I like the idea of teaching kids that meat comes from dead animals, not from antiseptic plastic trays at the supermarket. I believe its good to expose kids to these realities of life and death. Protecting kids from the realities of life makes them less able to deal with life when they get older.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

just read the post above about the outdoor activities with kids dressing animals. I want to say "awesome!" I like the idea of teaching kids that meat comes from dead animals, not from antiseptic plastic trays at the supermarket.

It is also a great survival skill and sadly one that I lack. I have never turned an animal into food and I'm not that keen on the idea, but I would like to learn anyway just in case I ever find myself lost in the bush without a supermarket in sight. Trapping, killing, dressing, cooking & eating animal - much better than dying IMO. If one day one of those scouts is saved due to those skills learnt as a scout then it is well worth it!

 

[Pritch]

I sent this article from Backpacking Light to parents prior to our last backpacking trip: Boy Scout Gear List

I've made it a bit of a mission to take on those who would mistakenly profess that sheath knives are prohibited in scouting. I'm preparing a Edged Tools: Selection, Use and Safety presentation that will showcase everything from a SAK Classic to my Busse FFBM.

 

[bulgron]

I have daughters, so I never really had to confront my decision to avoid Boy Scouts with my kids head-on. But if I had a son, I'd think long and hard about letting him join scouting here in CA, if only because of the "No Knife" rule that I hear troops around here have.

I don't know how you can teach a child to get along in the wilderness without a knife. I also happen to think that teaching kids about knives is a good way to teach them about responsibility in other aspects of life. The idea that Boy Scouts have a "No Knife" (or "No Fixed Blade") policy in my local area really irritates me. I'll never have anything to do with them as a result.

And, yes, I was a Boy Scout growing up in Minnesota back in the 1970's. I didn't give a damn about merit badges. I was in it for the camping and wilderness experience. My Scout Master figured this out, and so he spent most of our time together teaching me wilderness skills. I cherish those memories and what I learned in those days. Too bad modern scouting is apparently incapable of that kind of an experience.

 

[Pritch]

Bulgron, I would verify there is an actual policy. Its incredible how much misinformation gets put out there. I've been told "no fixed blades" was a national [WRONG!], council[WRONG!], or troop [WRONG!] rule. When I Asked for the written policy it never materialized. Each time, the "expert" sheepishly mumbled that they were "sure" it was a rule (and that it otta be.)

 

[dangreco]

i was never very jazzed about it, we camped every month but we never learned much. survival skills wise, we didnt learn jack. its only through my personal fascination with all this business that ive learned anything that i know. we were never allowed to carry a fixed blade knife or a hatchet, something that was absurd to my dad who carried both of those things when he was in.

I, too made Eagle two months ago. However, my experience was quite different. I learned a TON about survival skills, woodworking, and first aid stuff, as well as a ton about cooking. I love the Scouts, and though I just turned 18 want to stay active.

Also, there is a tendency to bring too much stuff, but I was always the lightest packer. Some pansy kids always insisted on air pads and pillows from home

Obviously, the program differs from troop to troop.

 

[Brutane]

My parents would never let me joint the BSA when I was a kid because of local rumors about one of the main scouting leaders in our area being a child molester (turned out to be true and now that I am as old now as my parents were at the time I am thankful). I'm not sure that the BSA is what it was once touted. My wife's boss's two boys are both scouts one is a new Eagle and the other is following closely behind. I recently overheard their father talking about a planned camping trip and he was upset because he couldn't find a park for the troop that had cabins or yurts available. I questioned why they couldn't use the tent sites instead and he said, "Oh no, our troop never does that" So there is at least one troop out there who has never really even gone tent camping unless they did it on their own!

 

[dangreco]

I was in it for the camping and wilderness experience. My Scout Master figured this out, and so he spent most of our time together teaching me wilderness skills. I cherish those memories and what I learned in those days. Too bad modern scouting is apparently incapable of that kind of an experience.

Just want to say that not all is lost. My troop still is very survival/wilderness skill oriented and it's awesome.

AND, you can carry whatever darn knife you want (though the biggest I've ever tried is a Buck 119 special).

 

[Tasselhoff]

All I know is that I was up in the mountains of Colorado with the wife doing some car camping. The scouts pulled up to a site down the road. they had a trailer full of stuff including a gas grill to cook on, a chain saw which they used, a deep fryer, and lights hooked up to batteries. I have seen 70 year old couples driving winnebago buses have to rough more than those scouts did. It was sad.