Once again I missed the Parents Meeting. Being a Field
Technician, my job keeps me on the road. I am traveling in the New
England States this week. Please keep me updated on your plans and
keep up the good work.
I wanted to bring up some gift ideas for you Parents
at this meeting for Christmas presents that the Scouts could use on
winter camping trips and skiing trips to keep them warm. There are only
a few days left so I hope this helps a little.
Footwear is very important. There is nothing like cold
feet to turn off a camping trip. One of the main things a Scout wants
to do on a winter trip is to keep his feet warm. Years ago we only had
cotton and wool socks. The problem with cotton is that it absorbs
water and then it freezes leaving you with a block of ice around your
foot. Your feet could loose about a pint of water a day, depending on
your age and your liquid intake. Therefore you should change your
socks a few times a day. A Scout should never wear one pair of socks
more then a half of day.
As Parents and Leaders you need to train the Scouts
and supply them with the proper equipment. I recommend the following
socks for winter trips. Wool or a wool blend is best. Wool does not
absorb water. Try to find a "Itch Free Comfort" sock, plus look for
socks that say "Wicking" or Wick-a-way". Socks that have "wicks" take
the water away from your feet (preventing them from freezing) and vent
it out at the top of the sock. You need to read the package when
buying socks, sometimes it does not say "Wicking" on the front.
These
socks can be purchased at most sporting goods stores and Wal-Mart in
the camping section. Suggestions: Field & Stream Cushion wicking
Extreme Cold -70 to -20 degrees F. Remington Sportsman "Wick-a-way"
cost around $4.00 a pr. Woolrich Wool Sock, itch free comfort is 65%
Acrylic/20% Wool and 15% Stretch Nylon, again check for Wicking. Chose
socks that have between 20% to 40% of Wool. 40% is better.
Even if wool gets wet, it will still
keep you warm. When buying boots, be sure to wear the sock you are
going to wear in them when trying on the boot in the store.
Boots are another subject, if you need my help, please
call me. If I don't answer leave me a message, I will get back to you.
Other gifts are:
Heat-A-Seat, sold in most sporting
stores. Also called "Hot Seat". Has no chemicals. Heats up when you
sit on it. They are better then sitting on a log or rock.
Mittens, allows your fingers to be in
direct contact with one another to help keep your hands warm. Plus the
next item fits great in mittens.
Hot Hands, hand warmers, air activated,
cost about $1.00 a pack of two. Can be purchased in hardware stores,
Home Depot, sporting stores.
Stocking hats are great for the
outdoors and add another one for sleeping. Buy them in different
colors so the Scout will know which on is for sleeping. During the day
perhaps one that covers your face and neck too to prevent frostbite.
Fleece jacket (100% Polyester) with a full zipper.
I recommend IZOD.
Plastic Clear Water bottles.
Scout Field Compass. Regular or Liquid
Filled.
Insulated Thermos-type of bottle for
hot drinks. Vacuum bottles are best and made out of stainless steel.
Sleep Pads, 1/2" to 3/4" thick. Make
sure they are long enough to go under the sleeping bag.
Headlamp, a good one cost around
$15.00. They have straps that go around your head.
Pitching Your
Tent. Look down--do not pitch
it in a low spot or you will have water inside when it rains. Look
up--do not pitch it under dead limbs ("widow-makers") hanging overhead.
Look around--if there is driftwood and leaves in the trees and shrubs,
you are in a flood plain.
Firewood. Wet firewood won't burn. But, if you peel off the bark
or split some smaller limbs, it will be dry inside. You may be able to
get enough of a fire going to dry the remainder of the wood you want to
burn.
Fire
Starters.An emergency fire starter can be made
from Vaseline or grease, and cotton balls or dryer lint. Mix the fiber
with the greasy stuff, and put it in a film can. If you need an
emergency fire starter, remove the lid and light the fiber.
Stoves In
Tent.Don't Even
Think About It !!!!
You might be able to cook in a vestibule, but light your stove outside first to avoid flame-ups that
could burn your tent. If it's raining you might have to sit inside your
tent with the stove outside in the rain, but do not risk fire and
boiling liquids inside your tent.
Scenic
Overlook.Avoid camping near a "scenic overlook".
Persons answering a call of nature during the night can easily become
disoriented and fall over the edge. Especially, don't combine the scenic
overlook with alcohol or drugs.
Vent Tent. Do not close up your tent
completely, regardless of how cold or rainy it may be. When you breathe,
water vapor is released inside the tent. You need to give it a way out.
The alternative is water inside your tent.
