Here’s my recommendations for gear gifts for Scouts or Scouters that I have owned and used, some for many years. Check out my gear guide for more in-depth advice. If you follow my links and make a purchase I get a referral fee. My Tee Shirts & Books Check out my custom tee shirts for […]
Gear
Gifts for Scouts and Scouters – Camping Tools
Sturdy, reliable tools make a solid camping kit and great gifts for Scouts and 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. If you follow the links and purchase an item on this page I get a referral fee. I have owned and […]
Choosing Appalachian Trail Gear
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). […]
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 […]
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 – 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 […]
Two Things You (probably) Didn’t Think About Taking to Summer Camp.
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. With clothespins or thumbtacks I can clip them to a tent flap, a branch, or pin them […]
Outdoor Clothing 101 Infographic
Proper outdoor clothing is comfortable but, more importantly, it keeps you safe. It’s surprising parents sometimes don’t seem to give much thought to what Scouts wear to a camping trip. If your troop is like mine they will be rained on and experience unseasonably cold temperatures on just about every camp out! Without the right clothing, […]
Sleeping Bags 101
Your choice of sleeping bags starts with figuring out where it will be used, what size you need, and the types of fill and construction are available. See the sleeping bags I recommend for Scouts (and all kinds of other gear recommendations) on the Outdoor Gear Guide. Don’t miss these other helpful Gear Infographics! If you’d like to print […]
Three Things Scout Parents Can Do
This infographic explains three things Scout parents can do to help Scouts with their gear (and save a Scoutmaster’s sanity). Put your Scout’s Name and Troop number on everything. If they are attending an event with dozens or hundreds of other Scouts and misplace a piece of clothing or gear there’s a much better chance it […]
Action Packer Patrol Box Ideas
Have you seen out my outdoor gear guide? Here’s some pictures of a customized Rubbermaid Action Packer including a hinge on the lid reinforced with electrical conduit, wire organizers attached to the inside, a knife rack, and paper towel holder for the outside. The author mentions Viewtainer Storage Containers that he uses to store small items held in the lid […]
