Boy Scout 10 essentials: Items every Scout needs in the outdoors

Before you answer the call of the wild, pack these 10 emergency 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. In the woods, the products here (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.

: POCKET KNIFE: SWISS ARMY SERRATED SPARTAN

: WATERPROOF SACK: SEALLINE BAJA DRY BAG

: FIRE STARTERS: REI STORMPROOF MATCHES

: HEADLAMP: PRINCETON TEC FUEL

: COMPASS: SILVA POLARIS 177

: WATER: PLATYPUS BIG ZIP SL

: WATER PURIFICATION: POTABLE AQUA TABLETS

: HAT: OR DRIFTER CAP

: WATERPROOF SHELL: MARMOT PRECIP

: FIRST AID: AMK MEDICAL KIT .9

STEPHEN REGENOLD is editor and founder of GearJunkie.com.

READ MORE GREAT GEAR REVIEWS AT SCOUTINGMAGAZINE.ORG/GREATGEAR.

18 thoughts on “Boy Scout 10 essentials: Items every Scout needs in the outdoors”

Just wondering who told you Scouts aren’t allowed to use lighters. Maybe it’s a council thing?

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Good ,but I think a bigger knife might come in handy

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Dan on April 14, 2013 at 1:45 pm said:

As a Scoutmaster and an avid backpacker, we need to teach our scouts to be resourceful rather than reliant on excess equipment. A single blade knife will suffice in 99% of the situations a scout will encounter. I see too many boys packing extra pounds that just aren’t needed. +1 for the large trash bag. Recycle aquafina water bottles rather than heavy Nalgenes/metal…

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There is a much more useful Swiss Army knife for the same money, the Tinker model, it has a Phillips screwdriver instead of the corkscrew. Don’t see much need for a corkscrew on a Scouting outing……

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Patricia Duarte on March 11, 2013 at 8:10 pm said:

Agreed! My scout has the Tinker model

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- David Richardson (Obiwan) on March 17, 2013 at 4:58 am said:
  
  I have a leatherman for work, I also have one in my scout pack for hikes and camps wouldn’t go anywhere without my leatherman, also carry a Ka-bar as well for when the leatherman isn’t satisfactory
bill on May 10, 2013 at 7:48 am said:

I agree you don’t need a cork screw if you are going camping

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Better to put new batteries in flashlights, lanterns, and radios before the trip begins, so you don’t need to carry extra batteries. Only applies for a short trip, though.

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Get a more reliable fire starting system than matches. Carry a butane lighter and ferrocerium rod (possibly with magnesium) and carry your own tinder/fire starter. Practice using them first.

I agree that a stainless steel water bottle without plastic is best, in case boiling water becomes necessary.

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GP Willoughby on October 5, 2012 at 9:40 am said:

Believe it or not, you can boil water in a Nalgene bottle.

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- Ben on October 30, 2012 at 10:26 pm said:
  
  Just remember that scouts arent allowed to have fire starter such as butane lighters, or normal kitchen lighters
- bill on May 10, 2013 at 7:50 am said:
  
  really ……that’s cool

1. Cutting Tool. Good fixed blade knife. quality 4 to 5″ blade full tang.
2. Cover. Proper clothing, 55 gal. Drum Liner. 5′ X 7′ reflective tarp.
3. Cordage. 100′ of paracord, 500′ of bankline. Gorilla Tape
4. Combustion Device. Lighter, waterproof matches, best is a magnesium block with ferro rod.
5.Container. Stainless steel water bottle. 5 Liter sealine bag.
6. Sail Needle.
7. Compass.
8. Candle or light
9. Multi-tool
10. 100% cotton bandanna

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Dan Newman on October 3, 2012 at 4:27 pm said:

ah, Dave Canterbury I presume …

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The pictured SOL Scout is a neat little kit – I carry one, but there is not much in it that is First-Aid in nature. That said, AMK does does offer some hybrid survival/first-aid kits under their SOL brand – these might be worth a look if they fill gaps in your kit(s).

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