Re: $500 in gear? (was: Wow! Cost of Scouting)

My first time, well, here goes nothing!

We added 18 new bows to the troup this last spring. Obviously, for them
to start camping on a regular basis they would need equipment. Many of
them allready had some equipment from Webelos campouts, but backpacks
and other gear was needed. Many of the boys puchased their backpacks
from Campmore, buying the $50-$60 pack on special, and then we used
the Campmore troop discount to bring it to about $50 or less. Eastern Mountain
Sports
here in the NorthEast has 20% off days for outdoor organizations (Scouts
included!) and sometimes 30% off. The compases were puchased there
for about $9 each. LL Bean has outlet stores in this area as well
(Nashua, NH) that you can get good gear at (I got my nylon hiking shorts
there for about $15). We are starting to lean away from each boy having
their own mess kit, and using patrol plates and cups to deal with who's
gear is whos at the Council and Troop campouts. My point, which I'm
sure others might have made, is that you need to shop carefully, and over
a longer period to save money.

Yours in Scouting,
Dave Edgerton - Advancement
Troop 20 - Littleton

P.S. My Fieldbook from the 60's (The dark green cover) had a fair
amount of equipment the Boys could make. I think Frostline is still
out there. I wouldn't want to make a Backpack or a Tent, but some
of the PolarFleece hats, mits, vests and the like can be done.

Storms, Randy wrote:

> OK, so a number of people have commented both privately and to the list that
> a scout does not need $500 to be properly equipped for camping. That
> estimate was constructed using the items on the "Personal Overnight Camping
> Gear" list in the Scout Handbook , with approximate prices derived by
> comparing similar items in the Official BSA Catalog, the REI catalog, and
> the Campmor catalog.
>
> Here's the rough list I compiled:
> Knife 20.00
> 1st Aid Kit 5.00
> Rain Gear 10.00
> Canteen 17.00
> Flashlight 15.00
> Compass 15.00
> Pack 100.00
> Sleeping Bag 170.00
> Foam Pad 30.00
> Mess Kit 20.00
>
> I also added these items which I consider essential:
>
> Cook Stove 50.00
> Hiking Boots 50.00 (Yeah, right. my last pair of crappy tennis shoes
> cost $70.00!)
> --------
> Total: $502.00
>
> Note that I did not bother pricing Extra Clothing, Trail Food,
> Matches/Firestarter, Sun Protection, Clothing for the Season, Ground Cloth,
> or Cleanup Kit, as I felt most of this could be found at home.
>
> None of the prices listed reflect "Rolls-Royce" gear. I think everyone will
> agree it's possible to spend a LOT more on all of these items, and in many
> cases, you'd definitely want to. (here in Washington State, a $10.00 poncho
> just won't cut it.) I stand by my original estimate. However, I am a big
> fan of homemade/garage sale/hand-me-down gear, and I surely do inform
> parents that those are terrific options.
>
> YiS,
>
> Randy Storms
> ASM T25 Blaine, WA

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