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Campouts, cooking, backpacking and Leave No Trace. The outdoors is where Scouting happens, and these posts are full of gear lists, Dutch oven recipes and lessons learned on the trail.
540 posts · 2006–2020
Showing 1–50 of 55 posts
Here is our troop’s year round camping summary for 2014: 1) Jan – Ice fishing/winter camping on Rockport Reservoir 2) Feb – Winter camping at Little Sahara 3) Apr – Meadow Hot Springs and Lava Tubes at Tabernacle Hill 4) May – 5th annual Backpack outing to Rudy’s Flat 5) Jun – Backpacking to Diamond Fork Hot Springs 6) Jul…
Here's the "poem" I read on Podcast 248. I've had several requests for a print version of the poem I read on Podcast 248 . A PDF of the image below is available to download (link at the bottom of this post) and I have included a text version below if you'd like to print it…
Here is a technique for anchoring your tent. In this video, I demonstrate using a snow stake. A stick works just as well. Snow stakes are versatile and light and are worth carrying into camp. It is important to anchor your tent well.
photo courtesy of Thermarest Getting a good nights sleep is an important part of any camp out, and very important when camping in the cold. Sleeping in the cold creates some anxiety in young Scouts. While the Scout is up and moving he can control his level of warmth.
Just as a recap… Cold weather camping is a High Risk activity that is challenging, fun, and rewarding for those that venture into the cold weather environment. This type of camping takes discipline, skills, and a great attitude. Once leaders understand their role in accountability to those they lead, monitor behavior, and maintain the same…
Camping in the cold is adventurous and fun. It poses challenges and requires more training to ensure a safe, fun time spent in the winter camping. I love cold weather camping, it is perhaps some of my favorite camping. Since becoming a Scoutmaster, I have taken pride in sharing that love of winter camping with…
Choosing great gifts for Scouts or Scouters can be a challenge, here's some of my personal favorites: Rayovac Sportsman's Lantern I've tried out several different LED lanterns, and the Rayovac Sportsman is built more solidly, is smaller, tougher, and has higher brightness and longer battery life than any of the others.
As with many other things in Scouting, some "rules" get made up as they go. Cell Phones? NO.. No electronics on Scouting Outings. Not written down anywhere from the BSA, but ask many Scouters and they will proclaim this as gospel.
As you know by reading the blog, I am a fan of gear. I like to play around with gear, test it, try it, and change it often. There are pieces of gear that I love and pieces of gear that I am always looking for the newer, better, more efficient, or just cool.
This is the eighth of twelve installments in a story that follows a new Scoutmaster, Chuck Grant, attempting to use the patrol method in a troop that has forgotten how. I've based this work of fiction on the stories shared by readers and listeners, questions they have asked, and the advice I commonly share in…
Sturdy, reliable tools are important components of any camping kit and make great gifts for Scouts or Scouters. There are cheaper alternatives to some of my choices, but I have chosen tools that I think are a are great value for cost.
A reader asks: I would really like to hear how various troops handle money. While I am certain there is no "one" right way to handle Scouting and money, I feel we can learn from sharing each other's methods. How is the money collected, who collects it and when is it collected?
The 2015 National Camping School informational brochure is now available online. National Camping School provides adults with training needed to operate council camps. These key staff members will, in turn, train and supervise other staff personnel in your council camping program.
Here is the Scoutmaster Minute that I gave to our Troop the other night… Hope you find it useful. As you travel on the trail to First Class Scout you find that there are many skills that you develop. You learn them and eventually master them well enough to use them in your daily lives…
Few Scouts don't enjoy a campfire and even fewer dislike cooking over one. I wonder how many marshmallows have been roasted by scouts this past summer? Poking food on a stick, wrapping it in tin foil, or tossing it on a grate have been the main ways to cook over fire.
I have been talking quite a bit as of late about the Solo Stove . In fact, I became an affiliate of the Solo Stove this week. The more I use this stove, the more I like it and realize I should use it more.
It is that time of the year when we share our knowledge of camping with those youngsters that are preparing to cross over into our troops. For many of them, their camping experience has been family camping and not straying to far from the car.
Here is a quick review of the AB-13 Max hybrid Alcohol stove by Tatogear . I really like this stove for a couple of reasons. First, it's small and light but produces the same energy to get your trail cooking done.
Next month (November) will be the annual Philmont registration lottery when many thousands of units will sign up for a few thousand 2016 treks. Best of luck to you all! If your troop or crew is already accepted for a trek next summer in 2015, then you won't be participating in that lottery, but you…
If you've been reading the blog for the past few years you've likely read about wood burning stoves for camping. High efficiency wood burning stoves have been around for many years but there's been a renaissance in wood burning stove technology over the past decade or so.
If you think the advice in this infographic is nutty, heretical, or (to be charitable) merely inadvisable; so did I until I tried it. I first read about this in Cliff Jacobson's book Camping's Top Secrets . Jacobson is an author, wilderness guide, Distinguished Eagle Scout, and a regular contributor to Scouting Magazine .
Last week we looked at the Cub Scout Outdoor Ethics Awareness award. There is also a Boy Scout Outdoor Ethics Awareness award (and another award for Venturers). So today we will look at the requirements for Boy Scouts. By earning this award, Boy Scouts become more aware of the principles of Leave No Trace and…
For Scouts of all ages are guided by the Outdoor Code and the principles of Leave No Trace when they participate in outdoor activities. Cub Scouts and their leaders can earn the Outdoor Ethics Awareness award to start learning about being responsible citizens while outdoors.
Tomorrow starts this year's long hike for me. I'll be taking a plane to D.C., then bus, metro, and train to Harper's Ferry, WV where I'll find the Appalachian Trail. The trail runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt.
Only you — and your Scouts and Venturers — can prevent Scouting fires. Follow the 10 tips to minimize fire risk and be prepared for that rare moment when a fire does break out on your Scouting adventures. These and other fire-prevention ideas can be found on the 59-cent Unit Fireguard Plan Chart , available at ScoutStuff.org .
The opening campfire of a week of Boy Scout summer camp. It is time to meet the staff that will play an important role during the success of your troop's time at camp. Is the staff enthusiastic? Are they energetic?
The Boy Scouts have come home. About an hour and a half ago the ten Boy Scouts and two adult leaders of Melrose Troop 68 arrived home from spending the week at Many Point Scout Camp in northwest Minnesota. From the few minutes I was able to talk to them I discovered they had a…
Many Point Scout Camp. That's the place to be. It's where the best of Scouting is and that's the place for me. You hear the loon a'calling, and the Little Beaver roar, and you'll come again the legend says, just like the Scouts of yore."
[cs2015] Tigers in the Wild is one of the Tiger CORE Adventure Requirements. In the current Tiger Cub program, it is most similar to Tiger Achievement 5 – Lets Go Outdoors and the Hiking Belt Loop and Pin . For this adventure, Tiger Cubs and their adult partners learn some outdoor skills, go hiking, and participate in…
[cs2015] Paws on the Path is one of the Wolf CORE Adventure Requirements. In the current Wolf program, it is most similar to Wolf Elective 23 – Lets Go Camping and the Hiking belt loop and pin . For this adventure, Wolves learn how to hike safely and under the guidelines of the Outdoor Code and LNT.
The high-adventure base will now sell the MSR Thunder Ridge tent, a Philmont-approved tent designed specifically for Scouting use.
[cs2015] Camper is one of the Arrow of Light CORE Adventure Requirements. In the current Webelos Cub Scout program, it is similar to the Outdoorsman activity badge and Arrow of Light requirement 5. In this adventure, Webelos learn how to set up tents, how to be prepared for weather and natural disasters, and other outdoor…
[cs2015] Bear Necessities is one of the Bear CORE Adventure Requirements. In the current Bear Cub Scout program, it is similar to Bear Achievement 9 – What's Cooking , Bear Achievement 12 – Family Outdoor Adventure , Bear Achievement 22 – Tying It All Up , Bear Elective 2 – Weather , Bear Elective 25 – Lets Go Camping , and the Weather Belt Loop…
Two humble things find a number of uses at summer camp; clothespins and index cards. I usually have a pocket full of index cards, and use them all day long to take notes, leave messages, and post reminders or notices for youth leaders.
My first backpacking trip was a family hike to a trail shelter in Shenandoah National Park in the early seventies. My brother and I carried frame-less canvas backpacks with webbing shoulder straps that my dad padded with upholstery foam. I don't recall much else about the gear we used because my brother and I were…
The motto of the Boy Scouts of America is "Be Prepared". Prepared for what? Well, any old thing said our founder. Being prepared for your backpacking trek is an absolute must. When planning your next trek you need to consider those things that can go wrong.
We have picked our destination, did a good map survey, know how long we are going be gone, and are super pumped that we will soon be on the trail. The next thing that we need to plan is our food.
Whether it is for your Scout Troop or you are heading out into the wilderness by yourself or with buddies there are some things that need to be planned before you go. To get the most of your backpacking experience if you follow a few steps, you won't forget something and will set yourself up…
How bad will the mosquitos be at camp this summer? When was the last time that bunkhouse mattress was cleaned? Are there mice running around these floors at night? Whenever a night is spent at scout camp, these sorts of questions might keep you awake.
What are your favorite places to go camping or hiking? How would you reply? Leave a comment or let me know on the forum . I was asked to share my favorite camping and hiking locations for Florida Outdoors . Here's my contribution: It takes a certain kind of person to go out alone and enjoy wild…
Here's one owner's manual that's actually worth reading. It isn't for your car, smartphone or new camp stove. The 2014 Fieldbook is a user's guide for the entire outdoors, and it's a must-own for everyone who spends time outside. The fifth-edition Fieldbook: Scouting's Manual of Basic and Advanced Skills for Outdoor Adventure is published by…
BSA provides Bear den meeting ideas for den leaders on the Scouting.org website. These Cub Scout Bear den meeting plans are step by step guides to carrying out a den meeting. In addition to the basic den meeting plans, there are supplemental plans which can be used if you have additional meetings left.
At the end of every Troop meeting our Troop circles up, joins hands, and sings Scout Vespers followed by reciting the Scout Law. This has concluded our meetings for years and has become a great tradition in our Troop. A couple of weeks ago a young Scout asked why we sing that particular song, since…
Since word is out that our Troop is doing a 10 day backpacking trip this summer as our summer camp, there has been some concern as to how we are going to incorporate all of the "Scouting Methods" that normally come with the summer camp experience.
Texas isn't known for cold weather like I described in the last post! It's known for the heat! I remember vividly the hottest camping trip I've ever been on! It was a summer camp a few years ago; the humidity was high and the temperature was over 100 degrees all week long!
I clearly remember one early camping trip I went on in the middle of winter. We got into camp after dark and everyone hurried to set up their gear as the cold chilled our fingers to the bone. I was ill-prepared for the cold weather in both clothes and sleeping gear.
Two perfectly reasonable people can read the same phrase and have drastically different interpretations. Just ask the U.S. Supreme Court. That happened recently in a troop in eastern Washington. The phrase in question relates to the National Outdoor Awards, and a Scouter contacted me looking for guidance.
This last weekend I got to hang out with some great Scouters at our Lodge's Rendezvous. A few years back a few of the guys became interested in my hammock set up, which I use every camp out. Slowly the interest became more hammock campers.
This backpacking program feature offers the opportunity to learn more about hiking and low impact camping. A Boy Scout troop PLC can plan a whole month of activities incorporating a backpacking theme. The plans for the Backpacking troop program feature can be found in Volume 1 of Troop Program Features from BSA: Backpacking can be…
As most of the country is still experiencing Winter conditions and here in the Northwest, the Winter Camping season is really in full bloom, as late as it is, there are still Troops and Crews that are venturing into the woods for some good winter camping.
