Outdoor Essentials

Prepared. For Life. It’s more than a motto for Scouting; it’s a way to plan and execute each outing, even if it’s just a Saturday morning hike. On an outing, the items listed below (stowed in a daypack) can keep you comfortable, warm, hydrated, safe and, most of all, prepared to face what nature puts in your path — whether you asked for it or not.

This list is based upon the Scout Basic Essentials included in the Scouts BSA Handbook (pg. 268) with a few twists.

POCKET KNIFE – A pocket knife is the all-purpose tool of the outdoors. Use it to cut cord, trim a bandage, slice cheese, whittle a tent stake, open a can, tighten a camp stove screw, and take care of hundreds of other tasks. Choose a quality knife that includes one or two sharp blades, a can opener, a screwdriver and possibly a scissors. Invest in a good knife now, and it will serve you well through years of adventures. Scouts must first earn their Totin’ Chip before carrying a pocket knife
RAIN GEAR – Be prepared to face the elements with rain protection in the form of a poncho or a shell jacket and pants. Rain gear can also be very beneficial to your clothing layering system, by providing a wind-stop layer.
TRAIL FOOD – You will be very happy to have an emergency supply of trail food if a trip in the field lasts longer than planned or if your provisions run out sooner than you expected. Rely on foods that are compact, high in energy and unlikely to spoil — a small bag of GORP (good ol’ raisins and peanuts) or beef jerky, for example, and perhaps an energy bar or two (do not pack candy or junk food).
FLASHLIGHT OR HEADLAMP – (or both) – You might intend to be home before nightfall, but things don’t always go as planned. A flashlight will illuminate a site as you set up camp in the dark or light up a trail as you find your way after the sun has gone down. Carry spare batteries, as well. A handheld flashlight can be heavy and sometimes awkward to use, but they are fine for trips not limited by the amount of weight you can carry. A compact headlamp powered by AA or AAA batteries, with an elastic band that fits around your head, will free your hands for hiking when visibility is limited, for dealing with emergencies after dark and for reading in a tent.
EXTRA CLOTHING – Weather in some backcountry can change — sometimes with startling swiftness. Have the clothing you need to deal with the extremes of heat, cold and storms. For summer campouts close to home, you can probably find most of the clothing you need in your closet. Using a layering system allows you to stay comfortable by adding or removing clothes as the weather changes. During hot or wet weather, something as simple as a dry pair of socks can drastically improve your outdoor experience. Falling temperatures and the possibilities of snow require more attention to what you wear and the additional clothing you carry.
FIRST AID KIT – Having basic first-aid items on hand will allow you to treat minor injuries and to provide initial care if more serious emergencies arise. Zippered into a self-sealing plastic bag, a personal first-aid kit has what you need to treat a blister, clean a wound and bandage a cut. Use the list provided in your Scouts BSA Handbook (pg. 108) to create your personal first aid kit.
SUN PROTECTION – Sunburn is among the most common injuries suffered by people who enjoy being outdoors. Repeated sunburns can cause long-term skin damage and the potential for skin cancer. While people with fair skin are the most at risk, everyone should be aware of the dangers of too much sun and should take steps to protect against it. Use sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants to provide more complete protection. UV-blocking sunglasses are also a good choice.
MAP AND COMPASS – Staying found is an important responsibility for anyone traveling outdoors. Learning to navigate on trails, over water and across open country can bring a great sense of enjoyment and confidence. Carry a map of the area you are exploring, along with a simple compass to help make your way through unfamiliar terrain. Even when they aren’t essential for route-finding, practicing with navigational tools can be fun. Practicing will help prepare you for times when you might need to rely on these tools.
MATCHES AND FIRE-STARTERS – Plan your clothing, shelter and meals well enough that you won’t need a campfire. But be prepared to build one in the event of an emergency. Carry several different kinds of fire sources so if one fails, you’ll have a backup. Matches, butane lighters, tinder aids, traditional fire starters are all good examples. Scouts must first earn their Firem’n Chit before carrying matches and fire-starters
FILLED WATER BOTTLE/CANTEEN – How much water you’ll need depends upon what you will be doing and whether you can replenish your supply along the way. Hot and humid conditions increase your thirst, but you need to drink plenty of fluids in cold, dry weather, too. An inexpensive option is to simply rinse plastic water or soda bottles and fill them with drinking water. Or, you can choose a wide-mouthed plastic bottle that’s easy to fill and clean. Other options include a hydration bladder/pack or collapsible water jug. REMEMBER to fill your water bottle prior to departing, because an empty water bottle will not quench your thirst. 🙂

Additional Scoutmaster Recommendations

The 10 items listed above are the bare-minimum for going outdoors, but with a few more items, you can greatly improve your safety, comfort and enjoyment in the outdoors.

WHISTLE – There are many uses for a whistle, but one of the most useful ways to use a whistle is to stay alive. In an emergency situation, when you need to signal for help, a whistle can be heard further away than your voice, and takes much less energy to use. The most recognized distress call with a whistle is a series of three short blasts (about 3 seconds each with a second in between). Allow a few seconds in between each series to allow your sound to travel and so you can hear if anyone is responding.
INSECT REPELLANT – The outdoors are great, but they are enjoyed so much more if you’re not having to swat, swoosh, and chase bugs away. When it comes to types of insect repellants, there are numerous choices. Some for your skin, some for your cloths, some pre-treatments and some for the air around you. To help decide which is best for you, REI has a great guide for choosing insect repellants.

PREPARATION – Know what you’re doing out there. Be well-trained. Also, for each trip, know where you are going and what your plans are. Feel free to ask your SPL for details and he’ll be happy to share the information. The more people know what we’re doing and where we’re going, the less time we waste milling around aimlessly.
A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE – The best thing you can bring on any trip—helps you truly enjoy any outdoor adventure and it is the key to survival in any sticky situation.

Grubmaster Guide

By Scoutmaster | August 27, 2021

Buying Food for Your Patrol

Attention Grubmasters: Managing the food-buying task for your patrol is a very important job!

Your patrol members are going to be hungry and unhappy if you don’t buy enough food and leftover food is often wasted if you buy too much. A Scout is Thrifty is an important Scout Law to remember. You must keep track of which patrol members are going and if they have paid their money. Knowing your budget, planning your meals, and managing your funds are a big part of being successful in this leadership task.

Plan the menu with your patrol

Get a firm count of how many patrol members are going at the outing prep meeting. If you have 10 patrol members and 7 have said they are going, your budget is $140, not $200. Once you know the number going camping, use the Menu Planner and plan to buy only as much food as your patrol will need. Buying too much food will cost your patrol extra money and is often wasteful. Stay within your budget.

Save all your receipts

Place them in an envelope labeled with your name and Patrol, and the total cost of the food, ice and supplies. Buying food for the patrol is supposed to be a break-even proposition. As Grubmaster, it is your responsibility to stay within your food budget. Spending beyond your budget must be approved by your patrol members.

Packing the food

Do you like squished bread for sandwiches? Pack the food in ways to protect it in the coolers and totes so it can be safely transported to the campsite. If needed, the troop will provide a cooler and food tote for the Grubmaster

Remove excess wrappings to reduce weight and trash at the campsite. Zip-lock type plastic bags are an excellent choice. Instead of purchasing bagged ice, fill one or more clean one-gallon jugs ¾ full of water and freeze several days before departing. Remember to keep the jug’s cap off during the freezing process. By having frozen water jug(s), you can avoid melting ice making your patrol’s food in the cooler all soggy and, if need, you’ll have another source of cold drinking water

At-home preparation will also make cooking at camp easier and quicker.

Scrambled eggs? Scramble the raw eggs at home and placed in a tightly sealed container.
Diced meats and veggies (chicken, carrots, celery)? Wash and dice at home and put in separate zip bags.
Bacon, ground burger or sausage? Pre-cook at home. Works great and eliminates grease to make clean-up easier.

It is easier to prepare meals inside in a nice warm kitchen with running water than outside in a barren cold campsite with pouring rain!

During the campout

Patrol leaders – if your Grubmaster will be preparing any food at home, prior to the campout, be sure to remember this effort when planning the duty roster for the weekend.

After the campout

The Scout who bought the food is responsible for removing all food from the food totes and coolers and disposing of it. Spoiled or ruined food is thrown out. Food that is okay should be offered to be split among the patrol members.

The Parent’s role

Parental advice, input, and transportation are important to the Grubmaster’s success. The Grubmaster is the Scout. He is expected to plan and purchase for the outing. This means that the Grubmaster goes to the store, not just the parent(s). Parental advice about nutrition and price comparison at the store is important.

Note: There are several tips for parents on the back of the Menu Planner to help you during your shopping trip. Tips for parents include:

Let your scout do the shopping. While it’s okay to give your scout a ride to the store (and a little free advice), the scout needs to choose the food and make the decisions.
Follow the patrol’s plan. At least five days before the campout, the patrol is supposed to develop a menu and shopping list for your scout to use. Our menu planner worksheet helps facilitate the planning process.
Make sure you know how many people to shop for. Again, our menu planner worksheet should list a firm head-count for the patrol members attending the outing.
Shop early. Part of the logic behind the five-day-out policy is that it gives you several weeknights on which to shop. You shouldn’t have to shop the day of the campout.
On the day of departure, you may pack your cold items in a personal cooler for the weekend or your scout may borrow one of the troops coolers. Dry goods are best packed in a tote or box to avoid items getting damaged during transport to the camp site.
For ice, it is recommended to fill a gallon water jug ¾ full of fresh, clean water and freeze it. For best results start the freezing process several days prior to the campout. During really hot months, multiple frozen jugs may be necessary. Avoid bagged & loose ice. They end-up making the cooler a soggy mess by the end of the weekend.
Plan to spend between $15 to $20 per scout for a weekend campout. That includes a Friday cracker barrel, three meals on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. For longer or shorter trips, adjust accordingly.
Don’t overbuy items like milk, fruit, and vegetables. While we all want our scouts to eat right – and we strongly encourage them to plan balanced menus – the fact is that we end up throwing away a lot of healthy stuff on Sunday.
Don’t buy things we already have. Your scout’s patrol should have checked supplies in the scout trailer before going shopping; we usually have items left over from previous campouts that can be reused.
Control costs. You can do this by purchasing store brands, avoiding individually-packaged items, and picking raw ingredients over prepared foods.
Turn in your receipts when you drop off the food. The sooner we get your receipts, the sooner we can reimburse you and close out the event budget.
Don’t worry. Since the BSA was founded in 1910, there have been absolutely no recorded cases of scouts starving to death on a weekend campout.

Planning Meals

Preparation Time

Plan your meals so they can be prepared, eaten and cleaned up within the time constraints of the weekend program. A camp-out with a planned activity schedule will offer a limited specific time for meals (Fall Camporee). Other outings may allow more time for meals.

Budget

A weekend campout food budget is usually between $15 to $20 per Scout. Other outings will have their cost determined early in the planning process and communicated to the Scouts. Always save all your receipts and turn them in at the next Troop meeting.

Menu Requirements

Review your menu to see that it is balanced nutritionally. Represent the four basic food groups at every meal.
- Group 1: Breads, cereals, rice, pasta (up to 11 servings per day)
- Group 2: Fruits (4-5 servings per day) & Vegetables (4-5 servings per day)
- Group 3: Milk, yogurt, cheese (2-3 servings per day) & meat, fish, eggs, beans (7 oz per day)
- Group 4: Fats, oils, sugars (use small amounts)
Sodas and canned-drinks are not allowed. Water is always available as dehydration is a major concern due to the physical activity at outings.
Store-bought donuts, pop-tarts, candy and Sunny-D are not allowed.
Food preparation is always directed toward fulfilling the requirements of the 1st Class or cooking merit badge.
Stay within your budget.
Ensure you plan for patrol members with dietary restrictions. It is EXTREMELY important to get their input for satisfying food substitutes (i.e. meat, dairy, gluten-free, etc.).

Breakfast Ideas

Entrée	Sides	Beverage	Fruit
Cold Cereal Regular Oatmeal Scrambled Eggs French Toast Breakfast Burritos Omelets Pancakes Bagels & cream cheese	Toast Bagels & CC English Muffins Canadian Bacon Sausage Bacon Ham	Orange Juice Apple Juice Grape Juice Milk Hot Chocolate Water	Bananas Raisins Strawberries Fruit Cups Apples Oranges Tangerines

Lunch Ideas

Entrée	Sides	Beverage	Dessert
PB&J Grilled Cheese/Ham Hoagies Cold Cut Sandwich Sloppy Joes Soup / Chili Franks & Beans	Bananas Apples Oranges Crackers Energy Bars Fruit Cups Cheese / Salami	Troop Cooler –Iced Tea -Fruit Punch -Lemonade	Cookies Fig Newtons Snack Pies Twinkies

Dinner Ideas

Entrée	Sides	Beverage	Dessert
Beef/Chicken Stew Spaghetti Mac & Cheese / Franks Hamburger Helper Pot Roast Tacos Foil Meals	Salad/Dressing Bread/Rolls Potatoes Dumplings Corn Carrots/Green Beans Coleslaw	Troop Cooler –Iced Tea -Fruit Punch -Lemonade	Cake Cobbler Canned Fruit Snack Pies Pudding Jell-O

Cracker Barrel Ideas

Cold Weather Camping	Warm Weather Camping
Jerky Pepperoni Cheese Peanuts Crackers Pretzels	Grapes Watermelon Cantaloupe Apples Oranges Plums

Notes on Meals

Breakfast	Sunday morning is busy with packing and preparing for the trip home, so a simple breakfast is best. Something warm is good during the cold months. Have a hot drink (cocoa or tea), fruit and an easy to fix main dish that doesn’t need a lot of clean-up. Consider having bagels and cream cheese, muffins or oatmeal.
Lunch	Lunch should be another simple meal as there is often not a lot of time to prepare, serve and cleanup. Have a build-your own sandwich with some soup and fruit. Depending on the weekend’s activity, your Saturday lunch may be a “brown-bag” or packed lunch, where you prepare it in the morning and take with with you on your activity.
Dinner	A full dinner is welcome at the end of an active day. Typically there is more time to prepare, serve and clean up so a nice meal can be planned. This should include fruit or salad, a main course, some side dishes of vegetables or starch (potatoes, pasta, etc.) and even a dessert. A carefully planned and prepared dinner can really brighten up a weekend.
Cracker Barrel	Lights-out is at 10pm. Having a small snack prior to bed-time, especially during cold weather campouts is a great addition to your meal plan. Avoid sugar-loaded snacks. Instead, focus more on hydrating snacks for the summer and protein snacks for the winter. Going to bed with a little food in your stomach will make for a better night’s sleep on a campout.

The Goal

The goal for every outing is that each patrol is responsible for its food and meals, and that each scout is provided with tasty balanced meals at each appropriate dining time.

Adult Leaders

Adult leaders and parents camp and eat together. They do not camp or eat with the Scout Patrols. They intervene only when the safety or health of a Scout is at stake. The Scout Patrol Leader is responsible for seeing that all arrangements for patrol cooking are completed. An adult leader or parent may mentor (demonstrate once) or offer advice (talk to) the Patrol Leader, Grubmaster, or Scouts, but they do not do the cooking or cleanup for the Patrol.

Social Distancing Merit Badge

By Scoutmaster | April 14, 2020

For a limited time, Troop 279 will be conducting a troop-wide Social Distancing merit badge to have a little fun while we’re unable to meet in-person.

All troop leaders are honorary merit badge councilors for the Social Distancing merit badge. No blue cards are necessary for the Social Distancing merit badge, but all Youth Protection guidelines must still be followed while working with a councilor. To learn more about merit badges, please visit the Merit Badge page on the Troop’s website.

Upon successful completion, scouts will receive the Social Distancing merit badge patch to commemorate the activities, sacrifices and personal perseverance during these unique times.

Requirements

Do the following:
1. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter when practicing Social Distancing, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
2. Tell what you can do to prevent or reduce the occurrence of the following injuries or illnesses:
  - Irritability
  - Lethargy
  - Gaining weight
  - Cabin fever
3. Define the following Social Distancing terms:
  - Flatten the curve
  - Self-quarantine
  - Incubation
  - R₀ (pronounced “R-naught”)
  - Binge-watching
  - Slow the spread
  - Do the five
List and explain at least 5 different ways to estimate a 6-foot distance. For example, “6 feet equals one Ryan Reynolds” or “the span between potholes in PA”.
Rank the following 20 popular sports from Best to Worst for Social Distancing appropriateness:
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Hockey
- Tennis
- Golf
- Boxing
- car racing
- wrestling
- volleyball
- swimming
- skiing
- bowling
- horse racing
- martial arts
- weight lifting
- ultimate
- bicycling
- speed skating
Do the following:
1. Create a list of at least 5 common Social Distancing hashtags, for example #StayHome. Your list may not include #StayHome.
2. Create a list of at least 5 new hashtags that you feel would help people understand, remember, or implement proper Social Distancing.
3. Share your two lists with your counselor. Be prepared to explain your new hashtags to your counselor.
Using Discord (https://discordapp.com/), Zoom (https://zoom.us/) or other remote conferencing software approved by your counselor, do the following:
1. Install and configure the conferencing software on your computer or handheld electronic device.
2. Help another person install and configure the conferencing software.
3. Schedule and run a meeting that lasts at least 5 minutes and includes at least 5 people. The people must include yourself, your counselor, and at least one other adult.
Demonstrate to your counselor your ability to socially distance yourself by doing at least 4 of the following Social Distancing activities:
1. Wash your hands correctly
2. Cough into your elbow
3. Wave to another person
4. Pass someone on a walking path
5. Correctly put on and take off nitrile gloves
6. Sew a face mask (https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/168194/neckerchief-face-mask/)
7. Order a take-out meal for your family using a phone or the internet. You or your parent may pay for the meal.
Simulate Social Distancing by doing the following:
1. Live in a simulated quarantine environment by not leaving your house or physically interacting with any other humans except your immediate family for 4 days. During this simulation, complete at least three of these tasks:
  - Complete 1 jigsaw puzzle of at least 500 pieces
  - Memorize lyrics to 3 songs
  - Play 12 games of solitaire
  - Play 10 games of Pandemic 2 (https://cdn2.addictinggames.com/addictinggames-content/ag-assets/content-items/html5-games/pandemic2/index.html) or similar symptoms simulator.
  - Watch 1 full season of any video series, totaling at least 6 hours and approved by your parent or guardian
  - Read 1 book of at least 300 pages
  - Watch at least 4 movies starring Tom Hanks (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/)
  - Make a Bucket List of at least 12 things you want to do once your quarantine is over
2. Document what you did and present your accomplishments to your counselor, patrol, or troop in a 2-minute presentation
List two types of germs. Briefly describe each one, and tell how they differ, what they do and how you can protect yourself from these germs.
Find out about three career opportunities in the global health industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor and explain why this profession might interest you.
Do TWO of the following. Take pictures of your activities. Send or share your images with your counselor and scoutmaster.
1. Take a family walk or hike
2. Camp outside in your back yard
3. Cook a meal for your family
4. Take a bike ride
5. Sew a patch on your uniform or merit badge sash
6. Use lashings to make a useful gadget or structure
Show your counselor your current, up-to-date Cyber Chip.
- Earn the Cyber Chip: Earning the Cyber Chip can help you learn how to stay safe while you are online and using social networks or the latest electronic gadgets. Topics include cell phone use, texting, blogging, gaming, cyberbullying, and identity theft. Find out more about the Cyber Chip at https://troop279.us/earning-your-cyber-chip/

Click here to download a copy of the Social Distancing merit badge pamphlet.

Re-Numbered!

By admin | April 1, 2019

To promote greater unity and cohesion between all the scouting units at St. James, Troop 276 has re-numbered to Troop 279. The re-numbering of Troop 276 to Troop 279 does not erase the decades of history earned by the Troop. If fact, just the opposite! With this change, the leadership at Troop 279 is rolling out a whole new social media presence with a new website, Troop279.us and a new Facebook page. Please visit these sites to learn more about the troop, its distinguished list of Eagle Scouts and all the Troop’s outdoor adventures.

Furthermore, the Troop is grateful to have a Charter Organization, St. James Presbyterian who is dedicated to creating a home for all who wish to learn and grow with the scouting principles. Together with Cub Scout Pack 279, Troop 279 for boys and Troop 279 for girls, everyone, from kindergarten through young adulthood can start their scouting journey at St. James!

Tag: St. James