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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 301–350 of 540 posts
Click the picture if you'd like to see a video recap of my Arizona Trail hike. It's about 10 minutes. It won't win any awards, but you can see some of the terrain I covered. I hiked the trail from March 17 to April 28, 2012.
Once upon a time, we used maps printed on paper to find our way. We studied laminated sky charts to identify constellations. We counted seconds after thunder strikes to locate storms. What were we thinking? Today, thanks to the ubiquitous smartphone, we can do all that and more with a few taps.
My son just got back from a week backpacking trip without me. The troop leaves tomorrow for a week backpacking trip without me. I need to get out on another trek! I've been hiking about 8 miles each morning and looking around for a long, but not too long, trail to do.
I couldn't be more excited, going into this year's summer camp…. I may not have posted much lately, but I decided to put my fingers on the keyboard and some words on the screen. The hardest part about blogging is saying what you mean.
I may not be a scoutmaster anymore, but Boy Scouting is still in my blood. I may not have gone with the troop to summer camp last week, but I could not completely stay away. I took a day off work last Friday spent the day with the Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 at…
I did not go along with the Boy Scouts of Melrose Troop 68 when they left for their weeklong stay at Many Point Scout Camp on Sunday, July 8th. The boys and the camp were on my mind all week though.
Ultralight backpacking may be the biggest change to hit Scout backpacking since the development of the hip strap. While still slightly contentious among some traditional Troops, Ultralight is increasingly accepted as a viable alternative to carrying the entire equipment list developed by traditionalists.
Personal items have been packed. The troop gear has been loaded. The freshly uniformed Scouts have chosen their rides. The vehicles have left town. Boy Scout Troop 68 is on its way to a week of camping at Many Point Scout Camp in northern Minnesota.
I've gotten to talk about my AZ Trail hike with a few scout troops and groups over the past month. The most common question I'm getting is how to lighten a pack for a backpacking trip. I tell about all the ways I cut out ounces and pounds from gear, staying safe and comfortable and…
This past weekend's Scout outing put me at 100 nights of camping… a count I have been tallying since I first got involved with Scouting some twelve years ago. I don't really know if this is a recognition for adults, but I did it for fun at first and then as an example once I…
On a 50 miler, getting into camp every afternoon means a brief sense of accomplishment which is followed by a flurry of activity. Backpacks have to be emptied of group equipment. Water has to be filtered. Bear bag trees need to be located.
To be honest, this week's Photo Friday topic - Great Moments at Summer Camp - is a little redundant. After all, it's hard to find any moment at summer camp that isn't great. I speak from experience. I attended Camp Cherokee (now called Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp ) with my troop six years in a row when I…
When it comes to life-changing experiences, there's no substitute for camping. And when it comes to the Eagle-required Camping merit badge, there's no substitute for Requirement 9a. It reads as follows: 9. Show experience in camping by doing the following: a.
Who's going backpacking this summer? (Yep, I've got my hand raised, too!) After you've collected the essentials-like a great stove, sturdy boots, a lightweight tent-did you remember the most important item for a long-distance trek? … a comfortable backpack? We've got your back.
Give and you shall receive. At this fall's Volunteer Vacation at Philmont Scout Ranch, participants give a week of trail service and receive an unforgettable adventure in the captivating Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northeast New Mexico. The American Hiking Society and the Boy Scouts of America joined forces to craft this trail stewardship event…
The following is a Guest Article by Mike Dubrall. Mike "Dub Zero" Blogs and writes informative articles on backpacking and snow camping at 50Miler.com. Philmont sits at the apex of the Scout backpacking experience. For skilled backpackers the Philmont routes are not difficult.
I received an email the other day asking some questions about the backpacking video that I recently put up on the blog. They are great questions and so I thought I'd share the email and answers here. Question: What sort of Food Bag do you use?
Here's the Situation: While camped in an area that does not allow collection of wood for fuel, you notice people a few campsites over dragging large logs to their fire ring. It's getting dark and the temperature is dropping, but the campsite host that typically sells firewood isn't around and the wood is locked up.
A long time ago a Scouting mentor of mine told me that the secret to success in a Troop is PROGRAM, PROGRAM, PROGRAM. When you have a strong program you have Scouts that stay in Scouting, you have good advancement, you have Trained leaders, you have active Scouts and Scout parents.
OK.. I tried to get this post out yesterday.. not sure if it was the computer or the operator.. but lets try it again… I have been playing with a new stove the last couple months. Taken it out on the last three outings and I am in love with it.
The following is a Guest Article by Mike Dubrall. Mike "Uncle Dub Zero" Blogs and writes informative articles on backpacking and snow camping at 50Miler.com. Its Spring – a time when every good Scout starts thinking about his backpack. Across the country, people are pulling their packs out of the closet, cleaning out the leftover food…
Ok so since I made the decision to expand on the Boy Scout Campout and Scout Summer Camp series I should probably correct some titles in order for things to make sense so there will be several different posts that need to have their title changed in order for me to clear up a mess…
While most people familiar with Leave No Trace generally do not burn trash, those who are uninformed occasionally (or perhaps more often) burn trash in their campfire. While this seemingly innocent act may not cause seemingly significant immediate impacts, there are impacts nonetheless.
Before we dive into long term and summer camp types we need to review the concept of the weekend outing. Weekend outings have always been a essential part of the Scouting since its creation in the United Kingdom. While there are many many many options for what you can do on weekend campouts, Troops all…
The following is a Guest Article by Mike Dubrall. Mike "Uncle Dub Zero" Blogs and writes informative articles on backpacking and snow camping at 50Miler.com. Snow camping is a popular winter activity for sturdy Boy Scouts. Every year, thousands venture into snow covered fields and conduct a variety of maneuvers, all designed to prove that…
Just as a reminder the focus of 2012 is going to be on anything that relates to Summer Camp. So just as a reminder I wanted to put together a list so far of all the posts I have created that relate to Summer Camp(Just a FYI some of these posts were created in late…
Well after spending some serious time thinking about the best way to proceed with how to show the various types of outings I have decided that my original estimate is probably going to be a fair amount lower than I originally thought.
We've all been there: Huddled next to a clunky backpacking stove waiting for water to boil after a long day on foot. Is that a bubble? Wait, is it boiling yet? Stomachs groan in anticipation of dinner. No more. One lucky winner of Scouting magazine's "GET COOKING QUICK: 'HIKE OUT' EDITION" will take home a…
Well I guess before I get too carried away with "Why Scout Camp Is Important" posts I should probably move beyond that subject. So for Summer Camp so far we have introduced the planning process of arranging the details for Scout Camp but we really only focused on when we should start planning and how…
Cortez, CO. A long standing partner and supporter of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, Osprey Packs, Inc. holds a Kid's Essay Contest every year. This year, Osprey is seeking great writing that highlights kid's very best adventures with a pack and demonstrates an understanding of the principles of Leave No Trace.
I've been thinking lately that I really need to get our youth camping more. This has been a chronic problem in our ward since before I moved in. The Scouts (deacons) go camping exactly once each year--to summer camp. They should be camping monthly.
Leave No Trace designates Fourmile as first 2012 Hot Spot The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics selects the Fourmile Area near Buena Vista, CO as this year's first Hot Spot, putting a check on excessive recreational impacts. February 6, 2012 (Boulder, CO): The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has selected the…
Hiking Jim is obsessed (in the best possible meaning of the term) with backpacking stoves. I have never run into anyone more expert on the subject; it really is something! His blog is ‘ Adventures in Stoving'. Now Jim is kind of maybe sure that he has tested the ultimate ultralight stove system.
First published in 1884 Camping and Woodcraft was the first widely read "how-to" book on on the subject . It's author Nessmuk wrote ' ' The temptation is to buy this or that bit of indispensable camp kit has been too strong and we have gone to the blessed woods handicapped with a load fit for a pack…
As we get into serious winter camping again for this season, we reinforce with our Youth leaders and other adult leaders some of the principles that make for a successful outing. In developing Youth leaders we put a lot on their shoulders and give them responsibilty.
Scouting Thought of the Day: Is it too early in the year to start thinking about summer camp plans????? I personally believe that a month after you conducted summer camp for last summer you should at least at the very minimum do the following.
1. Go to bed Warm Jumping jacks, push ups or something similar – just enough to warm yourself up but before you start sweating. If you getin a sleeping bag when you are cold you'll likely stay cold. 2. Fuel up If it's going to be a very cold night consider a pre-bedtime snack that will…
Selecting a backpack for Scouts can be confusing; here's one that I think fits the bill. Backpacks fall in to two basic types; ones with an external frame to which the pack bag is attached and ones with the frame built into the bag (internal frame).
Sleeping well can make or break a camping trip. As I get older it becomes even more important, and sometimes more difficult, to sleep comfortably. In 1974 the first Therm-a-Rest self-inflating foam sleeping pad was manufactured by Cascade Designs in Seattle; a company started by laid-off Boeing engineers.
If you aren't cooking in a dutch oven you are missing a lot of fun and some great food! Now nobody is going to carry a dutch oven backpacking; this is a ‘car camping' option for sure. Check out my illustrated dutch oven pineapple upside down cake recipe here (here's the cake recipe and some…
Last night I sat with a couple Scouts, they just crossed over on Friday and were having their Scoutmaster Conference for their Scout Badge. I love this first conference, it is a great way to learn about the new Scout and a little about where he comes from.
Managing your pack weight when winter camping is a task that seriously needs consideration, skill, and knowledge. I know that most of us are always looking to shave some weight here and there, lets face it, most of us need to shave the pack weight, and body weight too.
This is a follow up to the Planning Conference. The results are in and Troop 199 has an annual calendar for 2012. I spoke earlier on how great it was to watch these guys plan and organize an entire year that would make all 124 Scouts happy.
Here's my sleeping bag replacement for my long hikes starting in the spring. It's a quilt rather than a bag, well, it will be a quilt when I finish. Right now, it's just instructions, a bunch of black yarn, some thread, a few yards of silver grey nylon fabric, and a big bag of polyester…
You never know what animals, scenery, and cool stuff you might see while hiking or camping. I get excited with the anticipation of seeing something new each morning of a campout, especially when I'm up early before the bugler. It might just be crystals of frost or a foggy sunrise, but there's always something - if…
The Map and Compass belt loop is part of the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program . This belt loop is a good way to introduce Cub Scouts to the basic principles of reading a map and using a compass. These are basic skills which all Scouts should be familiar with.
Good advice about how to wash down sleeping bags at Tom Managan's Hike Hacker: … don't wash the bag a lot, but do launder it at the end of the season before long-term storage, or after your annual two-week backpacking trip.
Every time we go out into the woods for an outing with our scouts we should expect that some planning and preparation has occurred. In a Backpacking style troop this is an absolute must. You are walking away from your cars and comfort items, you are sustaining on what you bring on your back, you…
Earlier this year, we met Buckeye Flash, who was planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail. He completed his journey earlier this month and we asked him to explain how he used Leave No Trace while on the trail: On March 22, 2011, I began my attempt to thru-hike the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail (AT).
EDITORS NOTE: This is an excellent example of carpe minutea or ‘seizing the minute' from contributor Larry Gieger . It also gives us all a look into the thought processes and keen observational skills of a veteran Scouter. What are you seeing when you are out camping with your Scouts?
