What Are the Cub Scout Six Essentials for Hiking?

The Cub Scout Six Essentials are the tools that our Scouts need for hiking and other outdoor activities. Do you know what's included? Find out by reading up on the 6 essentials.

We all want our Cub Scouts to be safe especially when we're doing outdoor activities such as hiking. That's why the Boy Scouts of America has compiled a list of the Cub Scout Six Essentials for Hiking. The essentials can also be used for other outdoor activities as well.

If you search online, you'll find many different lists of hiking essentials. But how did these lists get started?

An outdoor recreation, education, and conservation nonprofit organization called The Mountaineers published a book called Mountaineering:  The Freedom of the Hills. Written by a team of over 40 experts, it's considered standard reading for mountaineering and climbing.

The third edition of the book, published in 1974, listed the Ten Essentials recommended for safe outdoor activities. Through the years, the list has been updated to reflect changes in gadgets. 

For example, the original list called for a map and compass,  but that has changed to “navigation” which could also include a GPS receiver.

Since our Cub Scouts won't be out hiking alone, the Cub Scout Six Essentials is pared down to what they would need. The items are listed below. 

Cub Scout Six Essentials for Hiking Quick List

1. First Aid Kit
2. Water Bottle
3. Flashlight
4. Trail Food
5. Sun Protection
6. Whistle

Cub Scout Six Essentials for Hiking Explained

So, Cub Scouts will only need a small kit of their own. These are the kinds of supplies their kits should have:

1. Adhesive Bandages
2. Moleskin (to prevent blisters)
3. Antibiotic Ointment (these single use packets are great)
4. Insect Bite Pain Reliever

This isn't a comprehensive list, but it will get your Cub Scout started.

There are two things the kids need to know about the whistle: 

1. It's only for emergencies
2. Three blasts of the whistle means “Help!”

Because they're going to blow it, tell them that you're all going to practice the help signal. After a couple of minutes of this, maybe they'll get it out of their system! 🙂

Who's Responsible for the Cub Scout Six Essentials?

Being responsible for their own gear is an important lesson for our Cub Scouts to learn. This includes packing and carrying it. As you're preparing for your outdoor activity, have your Cub Scout use the list in their handbook to collect their essentials.

Because they're still little folks, Cub Scouts should have a lightweight backpack for their gear. This Zomake backpack only weighs about 8 oz. and is roomy enough for the six essentials with room to spare.

After they've packed their six essentials, go over the list with your Cub Scout to make sure they have everything. This is a great time to talk about what might happen if you forget to pack an item.

For example, you could discuss how not having your sunscreen could lead to a really bad sunburn. Or how not having enough water could be very dangerous to your health.

Speaking of water, Bryan on Scouting asked Scouters for their favorite hydration slogans. My favorite is “Don’t Be A Drip! Take A Sip!” These can be fun to share with your Cub Scouts while you're enjoying the outdoors.

What do you think? Do you have any additions to the Cub Scout Six Essentials for Hiking?

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. Here's a cool den meeting idea to help the Scouts learn the Six Essentials!