Holiday and Birthday Gift Ideas for Scouts Each year, we get asked for ideas and suggestions for gifts that Scouts can use for camping. Please note that the discussion of backpacking gear can be as personal as religion and politics. Here are just some general thoughts and ramblings, not meant to be the only answer when it comes to gear. We also have a wide range of economic situations within the troop. There are items on this list that run the range from stocking stuffers to the top end. Hopefully this list is helpful. Please feel free to bring questions to one of the Scoutmaster Staff, who have had many good (and not so good) experiences with gear.
o Packs: quality packs with padded shoulder straps and waist belts. Large enough to carry a week's worth of gear AND crew food and other items. New packs should be bought at a place where the hiker can try them out with weight added. Younger Scouts tend to do better with external frame packs.
o Foam pad should be closed-cell pad. Inflatable Therma-Rest pads are popular and some swear by them. Others, swear at them. However, they do require extra care that is sometimes a challenge for Scouts. Also, they are difficult/impossible to repair on a camping/backpacking trip. o Sleeping bags should “backpackable”. Should be 10 to 0 degree-rated mummy bags. They can have either down or synthetic stuffing. See the discussions on the Backpacker and REI links below about synthetic versus down. In Colorado and the West, we rarely have a problem with wet down bags. We do tend to have a problem with cold-rated synthetic bags being too large and/or heavy for Scouts to stuff or carry. There are lots of combinations of clothes, liners, and multiple sleeping bags can work for a range of temperatures. o Quality rain gear with Gore-Tex or the breathable fabric equivalent. Do not get “water-resistant.” Avoid heavy rubberized rain jackets and ponchos. Quality raingear can be the difference to avoid hypothermia on a serious trip. o Multi-tool or pocket knife. o Tents--get a two-person backpacking tent, with a rain fly. Ideally the tent should be rated for three-seasons. Must be good in rain and snow. v Other Camping Gear Ideas o compass o wool socks o synthetic liner socks (if you like the two sock liner/wool sock system) o wide-mouth plastic water bottle (two needed for desert trips). Ideally with ounces marked on side for cooking. o camping cord o ski hat o polypro long underwear (tops and bottoms) - Needed for winter trips, spring break trips and most high adventure trips! o Other items and Stocking Stuffers:
Weakest Links in Gear: Most gear issues on our trips involve the following items:
For the Scout Who Has All the Gear:
Gear Advice: The REI “Expert Advice” page is linked to videos to teach many aspect of gear, packing and outdoor adventure. Suppliers and Information Sources: § Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) – 28th street in Boulder and on-line. Great source of how-to-buy information: § Costco. They’ve got nice merino wool long sleeved shirts for $15 (M & W), wool & wool blend socks in big packs, and women’s fleece pants & long sleeved athletic/polypro shirts. § Sierra TradingPost. Great prices and good customer service <-- ONE OF THE BEST PLACES FOR GOOD PRICES! § Used Gear Boulder is a wonderful used gear town. Look on Craigslist: § Play It Again Sports 653 South Broadway |
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