10 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 10 Essentials can keep you comfortable, warm, hydrated, safe and, most of all, prepared to face what nature puts in your path.

These are the Scouting 10 Essentials:

1. Pocket Knife

2. First-Aid Kit

3. Extra Clothing

4. Rain Gear

5. Water Bottle

6. Flashlight or Headlamp

7. Trail Food

8. Matches and Fires Starters

9. Sun Protection

10. Map and Compass

Gear Examples

1. Pocket Knife

• A knife is a very personal and special piece of gear for a Scout

• A giant survival knife is generally not necessary or desired in a mixed group

• More on Scout Knives in our Knives Section

• These are reasonable options

  • Traditional Scout Folding Knife

    • Multiple blades with different functions 

    • Example: Spartan Swiss Army Knife 

  • Small Locking Blade Knife

    • A locking-blade is much safer for whittling and carving wood

    • Examples

      • Gerber Paraframe Knife 

      • Opinel No. 6 Stainless Steel Pocket Knife 

  • Mora Companion Fixed Blade Knife

    • A fixed blade knife like this will enhance a scout's outdoor experience 

    • We allow the use of fixed blade knives on outings but discourage use at regular troop meetings

    • Discussed on our Bushcraft  Knives Page

2. First-Aid Kit

• A homemade kit placed in a Freezer Bag 

• Adventure First Aid, 2.0 

  • Covers the basic needs likely encountered by Scouts

• Adventure First Aid, 1.0

  • Good starter Kit

  • Small and compact 

  • You can add what you need for a specific outing

• Ultralight / Watertight .9 Medical Kit 

  • Nicer kit for older scouts

• Fox 40 Classic Whistle

3. Extra Clothing

• Your choice of warm gear

  • Cotton is NOT acceptable as it absorbs water and loses its ability to insulate when wet

  • Fleece of puffy jacket/vest

• Beanie Hat 

4. Rain Gear

• If you can't see Mount Rainier, pack Rain Gear

• If you can see Mount Rainier, pack Rain Gear

• Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Waterproof Breathable Protective Rain Suit

  • Affordable option that's light weight 

  • Not very durable - so expect to replace it 

• Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 Poncho

  • Reasonable alternative to Jacket

  • May NOT be used on canoe outings

5. Water Bottle 

• An empty water/drink bottle works fine and will likely weigh less than other options

• Klean Kanteen Water Bottle

  • Wide Mouth Preferred 

  • Metal container is durable and can be heated with a campfire

• Nalgene Water Bottle

  • Wide Mouth Preferred 

  • Metal and plastic versions

  • Metal versions can be used to boil water on a fire or stove

6. Flashlight or Headlamp

• A good Flashlight or choice of Headlamp

• Fresh batteries

• Extra batteries should be packed for overnighter outings

7. Trail Food

• Something your scout loves

8. Matches and Fires Starters

• A scout should have 2 different types of fires starters

  • Titan Stormproof Match Kit 

    • These will burn underwater

    • If you can't start a fire with these, you can't start a fire.

  • LMF Swedish FireSteel BIO scout 2in1

    • Good Ferrorod

    • Great for honing basic survival skills

  • These are further discussed in our Firestarters Page.

9. Sun Protection

• Sunscreen

  • Broad spectrum sunscreen (both UVA and UVB protection)

  • SPF of at least 15

• Choice of brimmed hat

  • Scout Cap

  • Boonie Hat

• Sunglasses

  • Wrap around style preferred for side protection 

10. Map and Compass

• A good functioning compass

  • SUUNTO A-10 Compass

    • Made in Finland

    • Quality Compass

• Map of area in freezer bag or map case

  • USGS Maps 

    • Basic maps for trip planning

    • viewer.nationalmap.gov/basic - Basic downloadable USGS Maps

    • natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads - USGS Maps in nice format

  • US Forestry Service Maps

    • Similar to USGS Maps - but with forestry information such as camps

    • data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/states.php - 

  • Avalanche Slopes

    • caltopo.com/m/4M3E - Mapping tool with many features - such as Avalanche Slope Overlays 

  • AllTrails

    • Excellent commercial mapping service

    • Catalog of thousands of hiking trails

    • Allows you to map out your own routes

    • alltrails.com - a pro account or some tech savviness is needed to print out maps

  • Mapping Apps for phones

    • These are great, especially with a GPS feature

    • Scouts should still have a Paper Map as a backup and for skill building

Updated 10 Essentials Gear List