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The Scout Outdoor Essentials, as practiced by the Boy Scouts of America, are a list of ten items that should be brought by each individual to any outdoor activity, such as camping or hiking. The origins of the list derive from the Ten Essentials listed in the climbing course taught by the Mountaineering Club since the 1930s.

Different levels of Scouting have different lists of essentials, and a different number of items. The differences come from an effort to use appropriate items for each age.

Boy Scout Essentials

As listed in the Eleventh Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook, they are:

• A Pocketknife (presumably more than just a knife, a Swiss Army knife for example). In order to use a knife in Scouting, you must have your Totin' Chip award.
• A first aid kit. A basic kit for first aid might include adhesive bandages, medical tape, sterile gauze, moleskin, soap, antiseptic, a mouth-barrier device for CPR, scissors and band-aids.
• Extra clothing to match the weather. Multiple layers are superior to a single massive jacket, because layered clothing is adaptable to a wide range of temperatures.
• Rain gear.
• A flashlight.
• Trail food such as trail mix and granola bars, etc.
• Water Portable water purifiers and water stills may be used to obtain potable water from virtually any source. If a water-source is unavailable the use of a dromedary bag should be considered. Also bring bottled water.
• Matches and/or a firestarter may be used to light fires for heat, or for signalling purposes. (Publicly owned forests in the United States often have lookout stations for forest fires and signal fires.)
• Sun protection may include sunblock, sunglasses, lip balm and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Trail maps and compass.
• some troops like to have duct tape as the eleventh essential

Webelos Scout Essentials

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (November 2020)

The 2003 edition of the Webelos Handbook lists these items as the "Outdoor Essentials". This list is part of the additional information for the Outdoorsman activity Badge.

1. First aid kit
2. Filled water bottle
3. Flashlight
4. Trail food
5. Sunscreen
6. Whistle
7. Map and Compass
8. Rain gear
9. Pocketknife
10. Matches or fire starters.

Bear Cub Scout 10 Essentials

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (November 2018)

The 2003 edition of the Cub Scout Bear Handbook lists these items as the "Outdoor Essentials". This list is one of the requirements for the "Let's Go Camping" elective, #25.

1. First aid kit
2. Flashlight
3. Trail food
4. Sunscreen
5. Whistle
6. Map and Compass
7. Rain gear
8. Pocket knife
9. Matches or fire starters.
10. Extra clothing.

Wolf Cub Scout Six Essentials

The 2018 edition of the Wolf Cub Scout Handbook lists these items as the "Cub Scout Six Essentials". This list is detailed in requirement 1 of the "Paws on the Path" required adventure. Wolf Scouts are cautioned to "have items with you to take care of any minor emergencies that could happen"

1. First aid kit
2. Flashlight
3. Filled water bottle
4. Trail food
5. Sun Protection
6. Whistle

Placing items in a backpack is recommended, and an extra pair of socks and rain gear are also mentioned.

Tiger Cub Scout Six Essentials

The 2018 edition of the Tiger Cub Scout Handbook lists these items as the "Cub Scout Six Essentials". This list is detailed in requirement 1 of the "Tigers in the Wild" required adventure. Tiger Scouts are advised that these "are the most important things you need to have with you when you are hiking"

1. First aid kit
2. Flashlight
3. Filled water bottle
4. Trail food
5. Sun Protection
6. Whistle

A small backpack or fanny pack to carry it in, rain gear, and bug spray are also mentioned.

Lion Cub Scout Six Essentials

The 2016 edition of the Lion Parent and Leader Guidebook (Pilot Materials) lists these items as the "recommended Cub Scout Six Essentials". This list is detailed in the required "Mountain Lion" adventure. Tiger Scouts are advised that these "are important for them to have when they go on an outdoor adventure"

1. First aid kit (This can be a small personal kit.)
2. Flashlight (Always check batteries before leaving.)
3. Filled water bottle
4. Trail food (Always check for allergies.)
5. Sun Protection
6. Whistle

See also

• Hiking
• Hiking equipment
• Ten essential items of gear
• Survival kit
• Mini survival kits
• Survival skills

References

1. Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities
2. Boy Scout Handbook. Boy Scouts Of America. 2016. p. 239.
3. Cub Scout Webelos Handbook, 2006 printing, Boy Scouts of America, pages 363, (2003), ISBN 0-8395-3452-3
4. Cub Scout Bear Handbook, 2005 printing, Boy Scouts of America, pages 277, (2003), ISBN 0-8395-3451-5
5. Wolf Cub Scout Handbook, 2018 printing, Boy Scouts of America, pages 79-80, (2018), ISBN 978-0-8395-0110-7
6. Tiger Cub Scout Handbook, 2018 printing, Boy Scouts of America, pages 95-96, (2018), ISBN 978-0-8395-0109-1
7. Lion Parent and Leader Guidebook (Pilot Materials), 2016 printing, Boy Scouts of America, pages 41, (2016)

External links

• "Boy Scout Handbook".
• Scoutstuff.org - The Official BSA Supply website
• Webelos Outdoorsman activity badge on MeritBadge.Org
• Scouting Magazine article on The 10 Essentials

• Boy Scouts of America