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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 Scouting 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
- First Aid Kit
- Water Bottle
- Flashlight
- Trail Food
- Sun Protection
- Whistle
Cub Scout Six Essentials for Hiking Explained
- First Aid Kit – So, Cub Scouts will only need a small kit of their own. These are the kinds of supplies their kits should have:
- Adhesive Bandages
- Moleskin (to prevent blisters)
- Antibiotic Ointment (these single use packets are great)
- Insect Bite Pain Reliever
This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it will get your Cub Scout started.
2. Water Bottle – If you’re going on a longer hike and need to carry more water, a Camelbak hydration pack is a great solution. This one holds 50 ounces and has awesome flames printed on it! My boys love their Camelbaks!
3. Flashlight – Rather than worrying about fresh batteries, why not take along a rechargeable crank flashlight? We have a couple of these, and cranking them up to use them definitely has a cool factor! I like that this one has a carabiner too.
4. Trail Food – I love trail mix! Maybe it’s because I can convince myself that the M&Ms are healthy. 🙂 You can purchase trail mix or you can make your own.
5. Sun Protection – We all know how important sunscreen is–even when it’s cloudy. These small bottles with a carabiner or these single use packets are perfect to carry on your hike. And don’t forget your hat!
6. Whistle – This kids’ camping whistle includes a thermometer, a magnifier and a compass which makes it a great value.
There are two things the kids need to know about the whistle:
- It’s only for emergencies
- 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!
22 responses
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Extra socks! I always have my son put extra socks in his backpack (mine too 🙂 ) and he always thought I was being silly, until a few months ago when we were on a hike, and he stepped into the water. His shoe was still wet, but he was happy to have a dry sock to put on. And everyone thought he was awesome for being so prepared 🙂
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[…] have been hiking since Day 1. Boy Scouts have a short list of six hiking essentials for Cub Scouts (first through fifth grade) and twelve hiking essentials for Boy Scouts (fifth grade and up). The […]
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Bug spray!
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Maybe it’s a left-over from my own boys being in Boy Scouts and hiking longer distances at Philmont and in the Appalacians (I’m back in our pack with my grandson now…) but I insist on rain gear during the appropriate seasons. A sunny start doesn’t always mean it will stay that way. A rain jacket or a poncho doesn’t take much room and can be compressed even more in a ziplock. No rain gear? Go with the trash bag. It can make a great rain covering with the appropriate holes cut in it.
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That’s a great addition!
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That is a great idea. I love that idea and getting them ready for a hike
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Thanks!
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[…] have a den meeting to focus on these–especially the discussion about why we need each of the Cub Scout Six Essentials for Hiking. Webelos will need time to make their hike […]
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Used old plastic peanut butter jars for the boys to create a ‘kit’ that could be customized and be ready to go into their backpack for an adventure. Wrapped on the outside with a few turns of different duct tape (lots of colors to choose), filled with 20 feet of paracord (practice the square knot or make a bracelet), a whistle buckle, a zip lock 1st aid bag with bandages, ointment and wipes, a few sealed snacks and cheap finger flashlights (in lieu of a Maglite solitaire) — it was a starting point and helps them think about organization. Even included 20 sheets of toilet paper in another small baggie. Of course the boys thought it was hilarious talking about needing TP when camping. Due to some skin sensitivities, we didn’t add sun screen, but one could get a sample size tube and throw that in too. A grocery bag in each for collecting trail trash. It ended up looking like a little goody-bag-jar of sorts. Cheap way to have every boy get a kit. Wrote name on lid with Sharpie.
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I love this idea! In fact, I want to write a post about it, giving you credit, of course. Would you mind? Do you have any pictures you could send me? If so, you can email them to [email protected].
Thanks!
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[…] important for our boys to know the Cub Scout Six Essentials for Hiking. This is one of the first steps in teaching them how to enjoy the outdoors […]
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Having been on Search and Rescue incidents, I would also add a large-sized plastic garbage bag. Doesn’t take up much space. Can be used as a sun shelter, cut a hole in the center of the bottom of the bag it can also serve as an emergency rain coat and in winter as a thermal insulation barrier.
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