Here’s some advice from Wade Bastian on the Appalachian trail gear he carried on his hike. Wade set out on the 2200 mile trail with fellow Eagle Scout Bucky Kellorg in February. As planned, Wade interrupted his hike to spend the summer employed as a peak steward in New York’s Adirondack mountains (he’s stewarding a peak in the photo above). […]
Gear
1925 Scouting Equipment Catalog
This Scouting Equipment Catalog from 1925 is a fantastic piece of Scouting history. I’ve scanned all 50 pages and created a PDF document that you can download at the end of this post. On the cover there’s a full color illustration by Benjamin Goodwin Seielstad of Scouts in their campsite with a cowboy in the background. No […]
Future Camping Gear Reviews
As a happy gear nerd I enjoy writing camping gear reviews once in awhile, especially when that gear stands the test of time. When I write about gear it’s usually stuff I have used for at least a year or two, and often a decade or more. I turn down most of the requests I receive to review camping gear. Most […]
How Do You Purify Water?
We’ll purify many gallons of drinking and cooking water for three crews spending a week canoeing in Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park this summer. Here’s what I have learned about purifying water for a hundred or so Scouts and adults who have taken this trip over the past dozen years. We need water for drinking and cooking, and treat […]
Tents, Tarps, & Sleeping Gear Wishlist
Tents, tarps and sleeping gear form the foundation of your camping kit, here are my choices for adequate shelter and a good night’s sleep. Kelty Noah Tarp In most camping situations I prefer a tarp to a tent. The tarp can be pitched in more places, configured in different ways, and provides plenty of space. Naturally […]
Camping Gear Wishlist
You can spend as little or as much as you like on camping gear and accumulate lots of things you may use once or twice and lay aside. My choices here are all personally tested and proven, with a good balance of cost for value and durability. You can send yourself and someone else a Camping […]
Outdoor Clothing Wishlist
A modest investment in well-made outdoor clothing will assure that you are comfortable in all weathers and better able to enjoy your experiences in the out of doors. I have never regretted spending a little more for clothing that is as durable as it is functional. That being said most of these choices are are […]
Camp Cooking Wishlist
Cooking over an fire is probably the thing I like most about camping. Over the years I’ve tried a number of tools and techniques – here’s some of my current favorites – You can send a wishlist from this post too! You’ll find it after the descriptions below. Winco Pot Gripper I’ve used many different kinds […]
Camping Tools Wishlist
Here are time-tested and reliable choices that make great gifts for Scouts and Scouters! You can send a wishlist from this post too! You’ll find it after the descriptions below. Pocket Knives High quality Victorinox Swiss Army Knives will last a lifetime. Victorinox knives are reasonably priced and guaranteed for life, a bit more expensive than cheaper alternatives, […]
REI Camp Coffee French Press
I don’t have one yet, but this coffee press was mentioned on one of our recent live chat sessions and it looks like a “must have” for connoisseurs of camp coffee! REI offers the press in three different sizes, they all get great reviews. The 48 ounce size would mollify a number of grouchy Scouters! Simple to use—add […]
CM Scrubber for Cast Iron
When you first see the CM Scrubber you’ll probably say the same thing I did; “it’s too expensive!” But the next time you have a crusty dutch oven to clean you’ll agree that it’s worth every penny. Put some water in the oven while it’s still warm, and scrub away. The chain mail design won’t scratch, and […]
Teton Mountain Ultra 3 – First Impressions
A couple of years ago we replaced our troop’s tents with the Marmot Limelight 3 (you can read about the rationale and the Marmot Limelight here) The folks at Teton sports offer a similar design, the Teton Mountain Ultra 3 . I had my first chance to set up the Teton Mountain Ultra 3 this weekend, and […]
Eagle Scout Gifts
Every so often I am asked for ideas about choosing gifts for Eagle Scouts (gifts for new Eagles Scouts are nice, but they aren’t expected as a rule). I believe any Eagle Scout would be pleased to receive any of the gifts listed here. Here’s a selection of Eagle Scout gifts with the Eagle Scout emblem. The BSA […]
Custom Neckerchiefs and Patches
We recently ordered new custom neckerchiefs and patches for our Troop and Crew, and I wanted to share two sources that I can highly recommend to Scouters looking for custom neckerchiefs or patches. (Please note that these companies are not advertisers or affiliates with Scoutmastercg.com. I approached them as any customer would. I did not receive […]
Philmont Dining Fly Infographic
The Philmont dining fly or crew tarp is a 12′ by 12′ nylon tarp rigged for simple, easy setup. Hiking sticks or trekking poles can be used as poles, eight stakes and three paracord lines are all else that’s required. A 40′ paracord ridge line is rigged underneath the ridge of the tarp and a loop of the line is threaded through […]
Gifts for Scouts & Scouters – More Gear!
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. Rayovac Sportsman’s Lantern on Amazon Storm Matches 25 Stormproof […]
Gifts for Scouts and Scouters – Great Gear
Some of my favorite camping gear sees a lot of use around the house or on the job. Here’s ideas for practical gifts for Scouts and Scouters nearly anyone would welcome receiving; Coffee! The first time a GSI java press showed up on a camping trip I scoffed, it seemed a little over the top. After I had […]
Gifts for Scouts & Scouters – Handiwork
My favorite gifts for Scouts and Scouters are the ones that keep giving by encouraging making and doing. Here’s some simple ideas that could spark young and old imaginations alike. Paracord Craft Scouts and Scouters can make tons of practical projects with paracord, get them a few 100 foot lengths of different colored cord and point them […]
Gifts for Scouts & Scouters – Camping Tools
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. Pocket Knives There is not one absolute best pocketknife for every Scout in every situation, but any one of […]
Caring for Axes and Hatchets
Here’s a handy one-page reference that highlights care and sharpening of axes and hatchets. A good quality new hatchet will cost more than lower quality tools, but they are worth the investment. Many highly touted hatchets and axes on the market are upwards of seventy to a hundred dollars, and I suppose they are probably worth the […]
Solo Stove Campfire
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. This renaissance has its roots in engineering simple […]
Ten Essentials for Camping
The ten essentials are things every responsible camper should carry. In addition to what you’ll use regularly carry some spares in your First Aid and Contingency Kit. Contingencies are more common than actual emergencies. I recommend a first-aid kit supplemented with a few other items on the ‘ten essentials’ list: a spare flashlight, spare whistle, trail food, matches, and fire […]
Outdoor Footwear 101 Infographic
There are so many options available selecting the right outdoor footwear for camping, hiking and backpacking can be confusing! The basic information in this infographic will help you choose and, more importantly, get a proper fit. To see my specific recommendations for outdoor footwear check out this page in my Gear Guide. Don’t miss these other helpful Gear Infographics! The […]
Backpack Basics Infographic
This infographic measurement instructions and basic information on choosing the right backpack. See my specific recommendations for backpacks here The most important thing about a choosing the right backpack is getting a proper fit. To carry correctly and comfortably a pack must fit both torso length and hip size. Torso length is measured along the spine between the […]
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