A couple years ago, I wrote about a library program with a backpacking expert. While going through my personal library, I came across this 1963 printing of the Scoutmaster's Handbook from the Boy Scouts of America. I must have bought it at a garage sale, because it has no sticker or penciled-in price like used book stores typically employ. Let's see what they suggest for everything from a hike to a jamboree!
The section headings are my attempt to adapt these charts to Markdown code. Hive logo dividers end the excerpts and start my own comments. I also added some italicized notes inside square brackets within the lists.
Hike Equipment
Personal Equipment
Necessary
- Scout uniform
- Raincoat or poncho
- Sweater (when needed)
- Stockings and shoes (suitable for hiking)
- Canteen (if you aren't sure of drinking water)
- Eats
- Cup
- Notebook and pencil
- Waterproofed matches
- String
- Toilet paper
- Advancement scorecard
If wanted
- Packsack
- Eating utensils or cook kit
- Camera
- Watch
- Extra socks
- Compass
- Flashlight
- Knife
- Tablets for water purification
- Boy Scout Handbook
- Boy Scout Requirements
Patrol Equipment
Necessary
- Belt first aid kit
As needed
- Maps
- Axe
- Rope
- Soap—paper towels
- Trench shovel (for fire building and latrine)
- Cooking utensils
- Signal flags
Troop Equipment
Necessary
- Troop first aid kit [this will be a theme in each list, and should be a priority for readers, too]
As needed
- Tracking irons or trail-making material [I can't find any detailed information about "tracking irons," so please add any info you have in the comments!]
- And so on according to the theme of the hike
Many people get lost in the woods here in the wild west, and if they just took a few precautions, they could be prepared for minor emergencies and either avoid getting in trouble in the first place, or be better prepared to wait for rescue.
Any day hike plans should include some extra gear, up to and possibly including basics for an overnight shelter. A basic first aid kit, some energy bars, a water bottle, cordage, and a multitool aren't too heavy and can be carried in a small satchel or backpack. A tarp for a shelter and a stadium blanket can serve for warmth or as a picnic blanket. Bring suitable clothing to stay dry and warm for your climate and season.
These guidelines then aren't far from what is recommended today. This book is from long before GPS units and smartphones were ubiquitous, but even now, maps and means to mark a trail are worthwhile.
Suggested Patrol Equipment
"Tenting" Crew
Two-boy tents for all
Flashlight for each tent
First aid belt kit
Spade
Axe
Tent poles and pegs (if they cannot be improvised at camp)
2 Guard ropes
Patrol flag
Cleaning bag containing: polish, brush, rag
Repair bag containing:
- Canvas pieces
- Safety pins
- Thin wire
- File with handle, for axe sharpeing
- Sharpening stone
- Needles and thread
- String or strong cord
"Cooking" Crew
2 cooking sets (each containing, for instance, one six-quart pot and one four-quart pot with lids, one frying pan, nesting in canvas bag) or one Trail Chef cook kit
2 canvas water basins
2 canvas water pails
Oilcloth or plastic table cover
First aid belt kit
Axe
Spade
Dining tarp
Kitchen bag containing:
- Carving knife
- Peeling knives
- Ladle or big spoon
- Large fork
- Can opener
- Salt shaker
- Pepper shaker
- Dish mop
- Steel wool
- Soap flakes (or detergent)
- Bread bags
Dustproof provision bags for flour, sugar, salt, oatmeal, cereal, dried fruits, beans, rice
Waterproof and fatproof provision bags for fresh meat, smoked meat, fish
Screw-top containers for butter and jam
Here, the idea is managing a large group, and dividing the load and duties along the entire troop. Family or other small group camping trips may require one or more people each taking responsibility for cooking and shelter along with the respective gear. Kids can only carry so much on their own. My backpacking kit makes some compromises to keep weight and bulk down, but I also only need to feed and shelter one or two people.
Suggested Personal Equipment
The following equipment list should be varied to meet specific conditions that exist during the varying seasons and in different sections of the country, etc. On this page are listed the Scout's personal items. It is understood that each Scout will carry also his fair share of the "patrol" equipment suggested on page 197 [or in this post, the prior section]
Complete Scout uniform
Blankets or sleeping bag
Straw tick [modern campers use foam or inflatable mattress pads instead]
Packsack
Waterproof ground cloth
Raincoat or poncho
Clothesbag containing:
- Change of underwear
- Sweater or lumberjack [I think this refers to the Macinac/Mackinaw jacket]
- Extra pair of stockings
- Pajamas
- Swimming trunks
- Handkerchiefs
Mess kit containing:
- Plate
- Soup bowl
- Cup
- Knife
- Fork
- Tablespoon
- Teaspoon
Toilet bag containing:
- Soap in container
- Toothbrush in container
- Tooth paste or powder
- Metal mirror
- Comb
- Towel
Repair bag containing:
- Needles
- Safety pins
- Thread
- Buttons
Carry in outside pocket or packsack or in uniform pocket:
- Pocket first aid kit or sterile bandage
- Matches in waterproof case [a Bic lighter works, too]
- Advancement score card
- Strong cord or thin wire
- Notebook
- Pencil
- Scout knife [a Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman-style multi-tool nowadays]
Other equipment as desired:
- Scoutcraft supplies
- Flashlight
- Boy Scout Handbook
- Field glasses [a.k.a. binoculars]
- Blanket pins
- Compass
- Maps
- Camera and films
- Canteen
- Axe
This book makes several references to the Handbook for Patrol Leaders for further information, but it does have the list of basics above. It also suggests the HPL as a source for plans to make your own tent from scratch. I'll need to see if I can find a copy somewhere. I like having old-school DIY ideas on my bookshelf.
Compare and contrast this comprehensive checklist with the systems approach used by modern backpacking gurus. This covers the 10 essentials, but in the form of a checklist the scout (or his parents) can easily double-check. It also largely covers the 10 C's of Survival, albeit without duct tape or modern communication gear. I'd add sunscreen and insect repellent to the essentials list, at least at the troop level, and perhaps as part of individual toiletry kits. This is before the advent of camping hammocks and ultra-light trekking pole tents, too.
I bought some collapsible buckets for my road trip last year, and I have put together sub-kits in my travel bag and backpack alike for toiletries, repair, mess kit, and clothing. Dry bags and mesh organizer bags keep everything categorized and easy to find. Nothing in this list leaps out to me as revealing something I've omitted, but it's nice to have the alternative list to double-check my own travel and camping preparations.
Final Thoughts
I've never been a Boy Scout myself. My grandfather and his brother were Lone Scouts long before this book was published, and I have a reproduction of an early Boy Scout Handbook from even before their time somewhere in my boxes of books. I have some reservations about BSA hyper-patriotism, but I also appreciate the skills, self-reliance, and general good citizenship it promoted. It's certainly less militaristic than the Young Marines, which I did join for several years, and would certainly not recommend today as my opposition to government has grown with my study of history, economics, and philosophy.
Have you been in scouting, and are you familiar with more recent guidelines for hiking and camping? What has changed? How do these lists compare to what you might take for solo or family camping? What would you add or subtract? And would you like me to share the meal suggestions for troops of hungry boys from 1963? Comments (but not spam) are welcome below!
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