Nothing Like a Bunch of Scouts Together for a Camp

This last weekend, my oldest son and I went to a scout camp together. He was there to learn about the difference between the Cub Scout and Boy Scout program. I'm not sure how much he learned, but we did have fun. (My back later disagreed with that assessment.)

The most interesting thing to me was the whole idea of preparedness. The Scout motto after all is Be Prepared. Well, the leaders did a pretty good job of preparing, but there was an oversight on immediate preparedness that was poignant.

Each group of Cub Scouts was assigned a Boy Scout to be a Patrol Leader. Some were better scouts than others. My son's leader was a bit disinterested in the boys. So at one point he was minding only his own business and whittling while the boys almost listened to the instructor. As he was doing so, he sliced his finger with his knife. With blood gushing nicely from the wound and trying to be inconspicuous, he put pressure on the wound and then was directed to the pavilion where there were some leaders free to attend to him.

In all this mayhem, my son realizes that he had packed his first aid kit and retrieves it from his day pack and offers it to the instructor. He was then sent off with the kit to the pavilion. His was the only kit readily available at the camp.

How important will it be to you to be preparedness minded? Will you hope for a young scout to save your skin, or will you Be Prepared?

- Mark

Value is based on perception.

Laundry List of 72-hour Kit Items

Sometimes laundry lists can be useful, so here we go. I'll have to comment on the items more in detail later.

Water (72 hours worth will depend on your location.)
Food (High energy and protein)

• 3 Breakfasts
• 3 Lunches
• 3 Dinners
• Snacks as you might need

Something to eat on and with depending on food
Weather gear

• Rain poncho
• Gloves
• Scarf
• Hat

Change of clothes (think about getting wet and how you'd want to prepare.)
Medications
Hygiene items

• Soap
• Towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Floss
• Feminine products
• Contact supplies
• Toilet paper (flatten the roll)
• Diapers and wipes

Knife (a good leatherman type utility tool would be better)
Compass
Whistle
Shelter
Bedding
Matches in a waterproof container
Candle
Copies of important documents

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificate
• Drivers Licenses
• Bank Account Information
  

Light (flashlight or headlamp)
Radio
Extra batteries
Toys and games
Something to put all this into for portability

As you can see, this is not an extensive list. I'll have to add to it as other items come to mind.

- Mark

Value is based on perception.

BBQs You Don't Want

On the way home Wednesday night, I got stuck in a traffic jam. I was wondering what the problem was when I noticed a lot of smoke. By the time I got to the problem area, it was plain to see that a Jeep roast was occurring. It got me thinking about how to be prepared for emergencies while on the go.

My 72-hour kit will do fine for me if I am stuck, but had I had a fire extinguisher in my car, I could have helped. Instead I drove by feeling sorry for the poor lady who was watching her car go up in flames. At the point that I passed, the fire was contained to the engine compartment. If I had been better prepared, I might have been able to help keep it from spreading. From the looks of the burn marks as I passed last night, I don't think that happened.

- Mark

Value is based on perception.