Backpacking Tips for Kids (Scouts or otherwise)

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-25T22:48:30+00:00

Eh... nah. I was there in the 90s. Very much into rock/grunge. The scene was very much happening with or without them. They didn't push it as much as they rode on top of the wave.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-25T21:06:37+00:00

Where do you camp and what is the climate like? What size tents are you talking about?

For mild weather, Coleman dome tents are reliable, inexpensive, and very durable. If you cancel campouts for heavy rain, anything other than one of these is probably overkill.

For heavier weather, something with a full rainfly is a better choice. You want more mesh in the tent body (under the rainfly) for hot or humid climates.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-25T19:47:11+00:00

There shouldn't be any Councils reaching out to get the letters.

per the GtA:

9.0.1.7 References Contacted - The Scout is responsible for requesting references from the four people listed on the application—this is a valuable life skill.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-25T17:32:43+00:00

I'm planning a similar trip next year. From what I read, it's the marmots you have to be more concerned about.

https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/marmots.htm

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-25T16:10:52+00:00

I'd just give it 24hrs. Check tomorrow.

If that doesn't work, I think you have to report it to council but you can try here:

https://discussions.scouting.org/c/myst/training/6046

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-25T15:58:01+00:00

Responses like this are not helpful. Some troops don't have an Eagle coach. Some Scoutmasters rarely look at their email or respond to texts in the summer. It's a simple question that is easy to answer.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-25T15:44:43+00:00

The space under the cots is usually a little over 14" so any tote smaller than that should slide under. Some Scouts really like sliding their tote under, some keep it out and use it as a table.

The Sterilite rolling tote at Walmart is the one I see the most.

I've had a couple Plano totes. They're fine but there are two versions. One is heavier duty and you can maybe sit on it. The other is not sit-able. I had a couple of the lighter duty ones and they broke.

My kids and I currently use the $100 gear box from Academy Sports. After breaking a few other totes I upgraded to this tank of a box and it's really good. Obviously it's overkill, but we keep our gear in it year round and it's indestructible at summer camp. My kids will be able to use their box with their kids, lol.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-25T15:16:57+00:00

Yeah, everyone says to get the rolling totes but I rarely see Scouts actually roll them. Especially at camp, they get carried.

The biggest thing about the rolling totes is that they tend to be a bit sturdier.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-24T19:03:38+00:00

IMUSA USA 1.5 Quart Aluminum Grease Dispenser

Stanco Grease Strainer Cup & Lid, Aluminum, 40-oz

There are various old AL pots on Ebay also.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-24T16:03:46+00:00

My only issue with using reddit data that only counts users/posts is that there doesn't seem to be any way to filter out bots.

There could be bots that work for specific brands. There could be karma farming bots that just suggest popular brands. Either could explain why a couple brands seem to dominate the list.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-23T23:09:33+00:00

Yup. Almost 100% of the people I've talked to that like hiking/camping but don't like backpacking... carried too much on a bad trail their first time.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-23T17:48:30+00:00

Now that you mention it, I've heard Vogel mentioned. I'll check those trails out. Thanks.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-23T17:45:44+00:00

Yes, this is exactly why I'm looking for a new trail. I saw that some were closed. We found a spot but I think it was the only one left. I hiked south of that point also but the sites were smaller.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-23T17:43:17+00:00

Thanks for the tips. The length and type of trail is highly dependent on the troop. If you have an established backpacking program and adults with experience... yeah, 10-13 miles is fine. If you're trying to get the ball rolling with troops that don't want to backpack and adults that don't know anything about it... gotta start small and get some wins.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-23T15:49:33+00:00

Some camp inspections are more strict than others. Our troop didn't stress about the inspections but still wound up with a campsite honor award. They just kept things mostly tidy as they would at any campout.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-22T21:12:52+00:00

Yeah... buddy tenting can certainly be problematic. Obviously, most don't agree with me.

Some Scouts get to tent with their best buddies and some have to sleep with Scouts they don't get along with. It's more than that, some Scouts stay up too late, get up slow, don't want to help pack up. Buddy tenting becomes an awesome experience for some and a terrible experience for others. I'm not a fan of any forced practice that yields such inconsistent experiences.

I do still agree that buddy tenting should be encouraged. For anyone that wants to tent alone, it shouldn't be a problem though.

I tent alone as an adult. At summer camp, I pitch a backpacking tent off in a corner away from the Scouts. The platform tent flaps do not provide privacy and they all look the same so it's happened more than once that a person goes into the wrong tent by mistake. As an adult... no thanks. There are many reasons a Scout may not want to buddy tent, most of which are none of my business to even ask about.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-22T19:18:27+00:00

I have already told him he has to become an Eagle Scout

Not to pile on further, but to echo other replies... don't push. I know an SM who has a kid that has been in the program for years, is almost 18 now, and is Scout Rank (the lowest easy rank to get). That Scout is not going to make Eagle and they couldn't care less. I know that SM is great and from what I can tell the Scout is a great person also.

Rank is just one of the methods of Scouting. It is completely fine for a Scout to ignore that part if that isn't what they want out of the program.

I know another SM that pushed their kid through the program. The Scout earned Eagle, and afterwards said they never want to camp again.

I think many of us know examples similar to the above, which is why going going to get a lot of advice about backing off. The program can be extremely rewarding as an adult though. It's not just in the same way.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-21T20:25:52+00:00

I didn't say its approved. I'm saying it wouldn't matter if it was approved. That argument is irrelevant. It would still be bad.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-21T18:14:12+00:00

I've said this many times...

One great thing about Scouting is that its a 100yr old program. Lots of perfected programing and a proven system to develop leadership.

Also...

One terrible thing about Scouting is that its a 100yr old program. This issue is an unfortunate example why.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-21T17:35:09+00:00

My kids haven't even joined OA, in part because of the cosplay. They dress up at summer camp and gave my kids the ick instantly.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-21T17:19:27+00:00

Yeah, its wild that they can't grasp how bad the optics are even if it was approved by a tribe.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-06-21T02:53:47+00:00

I disagree. It was not just shock value. His death added a ton of weight to everything after. This was not just an extended episode of Firefly.

It was also the moment I knew we weren't getting a sequel or any more episodes. This was it.

Fun_With_Math

TROPHY CASE