Gifts for Scouts

Headlights: These are very handy items, they keep your hands free. You can get them in many different styles. I recommend getting ones that take standard batteries (AAA or AA). The last thing you want is to find out your batteries are dead and you have no way to replace them.

Sleeping Pad: There are two choices here, the traditional blue foam pads and the self-inflating pads (i.e. Therm-a-rest). The self-inflating air mattresses are very comfortable and warm, but weigh significantly more and are more expensive than a blue pad. Any foam pad or self-inflating pad should have the Scout's name marked on it prominently.

Water Bottle: The best option here is a Nalgene Bottle. They are nearly indestructible and do not absorb the taste of the liquid. Another option is to get a "camelback", this is a backpack with a water bladder and hose for drinking from. You can get these from a variety of manufacturers in sizes from 2 Liters to 3 Liters.

Cooking gear: These are items you can put off buying until a later date. They will be needed for any backpack trips, but he can borrow or team up with an older Scout that has them already. When looking for a stove and cooking gear, ask the other Scouts/Adult Leaders what they recommed, a little research can save you time and money.

Compass: Get the simplest possible standard model [flat, transparent plastic base with a rotating liquid filled compass]; anyone that knows how to use a compass doesn't need a "deluxe" model.

Knives: For younger Scouts, a small folding lock-blade knife with a blade length of 3 inches or less (less than $15) is the safest model and all he'll ever need in Scouting. Although popular, avoid Swiss Army knives with 2 zillion functions - too expensive, too heavy, and 99% of the functions are never used anyway. If your older Scout is really into the outdoors, I recommend a "real" knife; e.g., a folding Buck or Gerber folding lock-blade with a 4 inch blade (typically $35 - $70). Don't go over 4 inches; a knife that large is unnecessary. Many high quality knife companies now have "backpacker" (again, high impact plastic) versions of their folding lock-blade knives - much lighter, but somewhat more expensive. If possible, get knives with brightly colored handles, and (as always) mark your son's name on it with an indelible pen.

MultiTool: A related item of interest is the popular "Leatherman" tools. Quite expensive ($30 - $60, depending on the size), although an increasing number of generics is beginning to bring prices down. I have mixed feelings on these - they're far better than Swiss Army knives, but still only rarely used in most Scout settings. Also quite heavy and easy to lose. Bottom line - only for older Scouts (15 and above).

Books and Magazines: The Scout "Field Guide" (the one with the green cover) is a great complement to the Scout Handbook; it contains a good amount of actually useful information, and the guys actually read them. Available at the Scout Shop. The Scout Shop also has a good library of additional books which may catch your son's eye, but you'll generally do just as well looking in the "outdoors" section of the local bookstores for practical books like "How to Stay Alive in the Woods," or "Supermarket Backpacker," etc. Books on mountain biking, rock climbing/repelling, caving, skiing, SCUBA-diving, or other Scout-like activities also tend to go over pretty well if your son enjoyed these programs with the Troop.