What do you boy scouts carry?

[Ferrousknight]

My father runs a local troop and I am involved as an adult leader. The main advice I have for the OP is GET INVOLVED! There is nothing more irritating than when parents have absolutely no involvement and especially when the same people get stuck driving for all the trips, or trip size has to be limited because nobody volunteers to drive.

How trips are run is highly troop dependent. Depending on where you are, there may be multiple troops, so shop around.

 

[ohski]

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.

Thanks for posting this link... My GF and I were talking just last weekend about what her son will need this summer. I have been putting a list together (x-mas is right around the corner) and this will help me keep on track.

Thanks, Ski

 

[Havokk]

I have daughters, so I never really had to confront my decision to avoid Boy Scouts with my kids head-on.

Does the Scouting movement in your area not allow girls? It does in my country.
In my group, it was very interesting when the first girls arrived. The dress code went up competitiveness went way, way up.

 

[Fishstalker]

The Boy Scout's is a fabulous organization. I experienced it as a boy and became an Eagle Scout, both of my sons were in scouting with my youngest earning his Eagle this year. I've been involved as an adult as a Scout Master, Unit Commissioner, Advancement Chair, and I'm currently serving as a CubMaster.

You owe it to yourself and your son to check it out. Find out what district you're in, call the District Executive and find out which 5 units he/she recommends, then take your son and visit all 5. After that decided if scouting is for you and your son, and join the troop you liked best.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[bulgron]

Does the Scouting movement in your area not allow girls? It does in my country.
In my group, it was very interesting when the first girls arrived. The dress code went up competitiveness went way, way up.

I have never heard of girls being allowed into Boy Scouts in this country. My daughters are in Girl Scouts, but the focus of that organization has very little to do with actual camping. At least, that seems to be true of the chapters in this area.

 

[bulgron]

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).

As others have pointed out in this thread, the things I object to seem to occur on a troop-by-troop basis. Of course, I DO live in the California Bay Area, home of the raging liberal and land of the angry soccer mom. Hardly surprising, therefore, that Junior isn't allowed to use fixed blade knives. It wouldn't be PC, y'see.

 

[bulgron]

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

lol. I started to read through that article, and then I realized that I currently only have cotton for a base layer. So I just went and dropped some money on exofficio underwear.

Thanks for the reminder! :thumbup:

 

[Stormstaff]

It used to be back in my day that girls were allowed in the Explorer level, now known as Venturing. Not sure of the rules now though as my son is in Cub Scouts.

As has been stated before, get involved. The Troop/Pack is only as good as the leaders. If you don't like the way something is ran, make suggestions. If you are a good teacher, step up and teach.

To this day, I still stand behind the BSA. Doesn't mean I agree with all the policies but I do agree with the main concept of teaching and molding good young men as our next leaders.

 

[Skunk Ape]

My daughter is in Girl Scouts and we are starting to spend a lot of time on camping and outdoor skills. My wife got the Gold Award(Eagle equiv.)and believes it's not only fun but an important part of Scouting. By the way, on camping trips with the scouts, my girl carries her pink Izula and a Buck 105, my wife a BRKT Highlander, and I usually carry my Bravo 1 or ESEE 4.