I did it!

As I talked about in my last post, I went on the 'Mom's Camp out'.  It was a canoe trip and I promised to tell you all about it....Phew...I'll be typing slow as my shoulders down to my finger nails are sore!

So we meet in the church parking lot(is there anyone that does not meet in a church parking lot?) and load up.  We had 21 adults and 32 scouts?  Something like that.  Needless to say, a lot of people.  Now our troop assigns kids to cars.  Kids dont get to pick cars.  I like this plan. Although my GF and I would have not complained if we didn't have our sons in the car with us. 

Now we dont try to caravan because there are just to many cars.  some with lead feet, some with out.  we each have a map along with a list of all leaders cell phone numbers.  2.5 hour trip and we have to stop for dinner.  I dont think that McDonalds will ever recover :)  I wonder what they thought when they saw all of us walking up to the door!  The trip went fine(not like last year when one of the trailers got Three! flat tires!!)  We were only delayed once when the road was closed by a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE accident.  It was very scary!  This showed us why we had a list of cell phone numbers.  After sitting for a few minutes, we received a phone call from our SM who was doing a head count.  It could have very easily been one of us in the accident.  Thank god it wasn't and we all said a prayer for those that were involved. 

So we get to our campsite.  Its raining and its dark.  We have our rain gear easily accessible so off we go to pitch our tent.  Did it very quickly.  It was raining but slowed down a little.  Mother nature must have been watching us!  Tents pitched, tent organized, air mattresses blown up(hush)

It was quite interesting watching the boys.  With seemingly very little direction, they moved picnic tables, assembled big tall dining tents?  They didn't have sides but did have tops to them.  then the assembled the cook area, and only when they were done with all of that, were they able to set up their tents.   We looked like a military campground.  11 scout pup tents!


I slept horrible..I think it was because the rain was so loud!  I wasn't cold, heck was quite comfortable.  It was just so loud!

Next morning we were woken up by one of the scouts and his bugle.  WOW!  He played beautifully and he's only a first year!  So a quick breakfast...wait, what am I talking about.  I knew this part would be hard for me.  I want a quick breakfast and to go go go go!  Well, that is not how it works. 

Each patrol makes their breakfast.  So, they get all of their gear out, all of the food, their stoves etc etc.  Yes, even the youngest patrol, made up of those little bitty 11 yr olds, are playing with a stove!  :)  Once breakfast is made and eaten, then everything has to be washed and put away.  Wait!Why can't they do this at home????

So, we are finally off.  We have, at least my GF and I, and most of the other adults, have packed extra stuff, like clothes, etc for the trip.

So, we are lined up in the mud! and all of the boys are pairing up with each other, you know, best friend with best friend.   Leaders come along and inform all of the boys that if they have never canoed before they will be paired up with  someone who has, and of the youngest group, they will be paired up with older boys or leaders.  Period!  And, there was no complaining about this.  No one whined or anything.  They just did it! 

Now my GF and I were very very very nervous and she was terrified we were going to tip.  Just getting in the canoe was scary!!!!  But, we did it, that is we got in without tipping and actually moved forwards.  I was overall, totally impressed with ourselves.  We never went sideways or backwards, and never ran into the shore! 
We did hang back from the rest of the crowd though.  It made me extremely nervous to have that many canoes around me.  (canoeing accident years ago with my two then young children)  So off we go.  We have 5 miles to go till lunch.  It was beautiful, cold but at least not raining. 

So we almost hit the lunch portion, where we beach and eat, when we come upon a bit of a cluster.  We quickly realize that there had been an accident, a canoe had gone in.  BAD when it is this cold.  Huge proud shout out to the older boy of the canoe.  The younger boy, a first year, had forgotten the number one cardinal rule, besides not standing up, no leaning over the side.  As soon as the they went over, the older boy jumped up and started shouting out for the younger boy until he found him and then got him to shore and somehow up the very muddy and slippery and steep bank! 

We stuck around long enough to see if they needed any of our extra clothes or hot hands and got quite a kick out of seeing their canoe being rowed back up the river on top of two other canoes!  and then we moved on.  We knew they would be ok, they were in capable hands and to many adults in the mix will cause more problems.  They knew what they were doing, so off we went.

So we get to lunch, simple stuff, sandwiches for leaders and whatever the patrols brought for themselves.  Except for the one patrol that forgot to put their cooler in the truck!  So, no lunch for them.  Well, to be fair, they did get to eat, but only after all of the patrols ate and the leaders.  If there was leader food left, we offered it to them, and if there was patrol food left, they could as for some.  The scouts will never be made to go hungry, but they will have to wait and lean a lesson.  and again, no one complained about it.  no one accused anyone...it was just something that happened and they moved on.   

BTW, the wet boys were ok.   The older took some of his dad's clothes and hung his up to dry, the younger boy was given clothes by various leaders and wanted to continue.  My GF and I offered to drive the poor wet cold lad back to camp and sacrifice the rest of our day, but he was good (grin)

So, off we continue.  5 down 5 to go.  It was beautiful!  To be honest, it got a little boring.  The boys were having a blast.  I think some of them went 15 miles in total instead of the 10.  According to my son, it was pinball aquatic style.  They went from shore to shore, zig zagging most of the time. 

The last 1.5 miles were were told, would be a little harder.  We would be meeting up with the mighty Mississippi and going upstream.  The water was calm them so it will be fine.

It was very cool seeing where the Ole' Miss met up with the river we were on.  You could see where the waters were hitting each other. One clear, one very dark brown.  Now the Miss was quite over its banks and it was quite tempting to canoe through the forests!  Some of the other boys did canoe through the grasses, there was no current there.  but they kept getting stuck!  We stuck with the river, stayed out of the grass and woods!

Again, it was quite beautiful, until we rounded one corner and then BOOM!  WIND!  I'm not talking just normal wind!  I'm talking the OMG WHAT WERE WE THINKING, WHY ARE WE HERE, ARE WE GOING BACKWARDS WIND!

That's right.  BACKWARDS!.  We were paddling forwards yet going backwards!  It was insane!  1, 2, 3, 4 switch, 1, 2, 3, 4, switch.  rest for 1 second, go backwards 10 yards, repeat. 

I would have quit but where were going to go?  There was not AAA to call!  it was insane!  but, WE DID IT!  I will never do it again, but I can say, I did!  I canoed the mighty Mississippi and survived!

We got ourselves back to our tents, where it again started raining...changed out of our wet muddy clothes and got ready for dinner.  Again, the boys all had to prepare their own meals.  We did step in on occasion, to remind boys that we don't cut raw meat and then done meat with the same knife without it cleaning it, kind of things.  

i think the cutest part of the day, was when a couple of the new kids asked their patrol leader that if they were done with everything, could they go to bed.  AND THEY DID!  It was still light out, barely even 8 o clock and off then went to bed! 
The next morning, woke up stiff and tired.  I didn't sleep as well as it was colder and wetter.  It was just plain damp.  nothing warms you up from damp. 

We ate pancakes and sausage while the boys prepared their meals.  One patrol forgot to buy breakfast so they waited till we were all done and then they scrounged :) 

Then  patrol lines, police lines, thorns and roses and off to heated seats in my GF's mini van! 

I had a wonderful time.  Despite the cold and the rain. Took a couple of great pictures, didn't lose anything except sleep.  all and all, a great experience.

Would I do it again?  Camping, yes, Canoeing 10 miles and camping in the cold damp rain....probably not.  

My GF and I decided that the next camp out should be about surviving outlet malls and matching discounts with coupons...then....we are so there!

I'm going camping!

Well, this weekend is the Mom's weekend.  Once a year, us moms, go camping with our boy scouts, much to their horror!  (my son has forbidden me to bring my knitting, lest I embarrass him!  I'm sneaking it in my pack)

This trip happens to be a canoe trip.  and the weather has gone from 90(record temps for may) to the 50's during the day and 40's at night.  Which brings me to the, 'holy crap, what to pack' section.

For the boys its easy for them.  They pack changes of clothes they never actually change into.  We force them to take warm clothes they would rather freeze to death than put on. 

I consider myself a rather light packer, i pack necessities but also think and look ahead.  This is not my first time in a canoe, or camping.  I have been white water rafting in the Rockies and also backpacked two weeks.  I consider this type of camping, car camping.  If I can see my car, it just doesn't count as real camping :) 

Regardless.  I hit my twitter feed up asking for suggestions.  Hoping I didn't forget anything....tarp...where is my tarp...why do we need a tarp?  anyway

I have, closed toed crocs for the canoe
hiking books recently bought and worn to break in
warm socks, cool socks(knitted of course)
jammes in layers, sweats, tshirt, long sleeve thermal and hoodie
hat and gloves, just in case
jeans, capris, and shorts
rain gear...shoot...where are the pants, I have only found the tops so far...
tylenol, excedrin, allergy meds, and pamprin (you never know)
contact stuff, tooth brush, glasses
flashlight, headlamp
spongbob uno
mess kit
sunscreen
dry bag for my phone and if I can find my camera
oh, I wonder which hat I should wear
sleeping bag, (air mattress and just hush)
camp pillow
camp fan
carmax

now, I know I am forgetting something.  I just dont know what?  and what do I expect?  Will my son embarrass me?  I will tell myself that he will just be acting like the rest of the boys, dumb.  Will the male leaders treat us like stupid moms.  That will annoy me and I dont think so.  I do have a background in camping, heck in the mountains back in Albq where I used to live.  Will my GF tip our canoe?  Will our tent be next to the snoring people?  Why do they have to bugle at 6am?  WE HAVE A BUGLE KID!   

I hope and pray we have fun.  I dont care if it rains...been there done that.  One cub scout camp out had to flee in the middle of a tornado!  I guess I'm excited and nervous? 

Wish me luck, say a prayer  and if I survive this weekend, look for a new posting on how things went, on Sunday or Monday!

Not about scouting....again...but very important!

It was a busy night in my house tonight.  I was thrilled when C1 had a bunch of friends show up and they decided to walk two miles back to one of the friends house.  I thought it was wonderful. 
After dinner, I went to visit two friends who had the unfortunate pleasure of being in the hospital.  I had txted C1 and told him I would pick him up on my way home. 

So, around 9:30, I got several frantic texts from my son begging me to come pick him up.  I figured it was typical teenage drama.  I hugged my GF goodnight, bid her well, and headed off.  I get to the friends house and C1 and his friend get in the car, obviously upset.  I didn't push, I didn't pry...C1 says to friend, should we tell my mom.  Friend says, I am not telling my mom.  I say to C1, you know you can tell me anything.  C1 proceeds to tell me that the friends house they were at, the parents were drunk.  and that they, C1 and his friend were very scared.  C1 also told me that the friend's house they were at, the friend told the boys that they(the parents) also smoke pot.


Yes, my heart stopped.  Yes, I wanted to cry.  Yes, I wanted to get angry, not at the boys.  Instead, I told the boys that they did the right thing.  I then dropped off C1's friend.  I turned to C1 and told him how proud I was of him.  I wanted to cry, to hug him, to protect him.  C1 then proceeded to tell me how friends dad was mean to his friend, called her horrible names along with the mom.  HORRIFIED!  I am absolutely horrified. 


I again told C1 how incredibly proud I am of him!  How he did the right thing.  Then, I told C1 that he was no longer allowed to go to this friends house.  I told him that he was not being punished.  I dont want him to be afraid in the future to tell me things, but what else am I to do.  He will never be allowed to go back there. 


I told him, that his friends will always be allowed to come to our house...have bonfires in our backyard..but never, never be allowed to go back there.


How horrible for him.  What a horrible thing for him to experience at such a young age.  (13)  But, I am so so so proud of him. 


Parents, please, please talk to your children.  We teach them to respect their elders, to be polite, that adults are always right.  but have you taught them what to do when an adult is wrong, or what to do when an adult's actions make them uncomfortable.  Teach them what to do, how to do it, what to say.  I have always told my kids that if they are in a situation that makes them uncomfortable, to call me....tell me their stomach hurts, tell me they have a headache whatever.  Just call me.  I will come and save them, protect them, hug them and tell them it will be ok, and tell them how proud of them I am.

And yes, I will be talking to C1's friends parents, the one that I dropped off. Their son might not have been taught that's its ok to tell them when something happens.  They need to know that that house is no longer safe.  I pray that they do not get mad at their son, I hope they get upset with themselves for not teaching their son, or not having an open relationship with their son.

I am proud of my son and his friend!

Not quite about scouting...but important

Boy have times changed..This blog posting is not quite about scouting, ok, its not about scouting at all, but it is about one of my children.  C1, my 13yr old, first class Boy Scout. 

It was in the news today about how the social media is affecting our children negatively.  My first thought was 'hogwash'.  But, tonight, I realized, it is effecting my son and I wonder how many other kids it affects.  (I never know if its effect or affect)! 

My son has been very moody lately.  he spends 90% of his time on FB or txting.  (its still cold here in the midwest, to cold and muddy to be outside playing yet)  I realized tonight how much he is being effected by the thoughts and opinions that are bombarding him every waking second of his day. 

I have to admit, I txt and FB all day long too.  But its innocuous stuff.  Comments about my kids or dogs, or the vacuum.  I'm Txting a gf about a funny sign, or does she want to meet for lunch.  We as adults, txt or fb about unimportant stuff. 

Kids are not txting or fbing about stupid unimportant stuff.  Or at least my son isn't .  Its always about drama...and in his world, its major drama.  whose fighting with who, who likes him or who doesn't, who said what about who.  Yes, we had this drama as kids, but when we got off the bus or walked in the front door, it was gone.  It was left behind.  Yes, there were occasional phone calls, but for the most part, it was left behind. 

Not anymore.  Now my son is being bombarded with this stuff every moment he is awake.  This is what is causing the warnings on the news. 

Imagine it like this...Someone in your family is very sick or dying or going through a divorce or whatever.  They are close to you..it is very painful.  And you are talking about it every single moment of your waking day, for days on end.  It will destroy you!  I'm sure many of you have been there, know the feeling, know the pain. 

Imagine your kids doing this, its what they are doing.  In their world, their drama is just as painful, and they are living it every waking moment of the day.  It is destroying them emotionally.

C2, my daughter, 11yo, went to neighbors house to be with her gf's.  She came home after a few minutes.  I asked why, she said cause they were only sitting around texting.  WTF!  All of the girls were in the same room, not talking to eachother, but txting others. 

So much for the art of conversation!  Now my daughter wants a cell phone so she can participate with her gf's while sitting in a room not talking to each other but texting others???? 

I really really think that this is a huge red flag!  IM, Texting, FB.  We have to be very very careful here.  Our children are losing touch with society as a whole.  They are losing the ability to carry on a conversation, they are not learning what should be said, or what should not. They are just saying it.  I have always worked hard on teaching my kids what to say, what not to say, etc etc.  I stand next to them when they are on the phone (when they are younger) and coach them on what to say etc etc. With Txting, IM, FB,  I dont have the ability to help them, to coach them. 

Some people may call this spying...NOPE!  Its teaching!  Ok, maybe a little spying, but how else is he/she going to learn what is right and what is wrong.  If you think that your parents never read your notes, or looked in your diary as a kid, YOU ARE WRONG! 

Just because our kids are not in our hair anymore, they still need us, now more than ever!

Hubby and I discussed this with our son, and have decided to limit his phone and fb time.  We told him it is not because he is in trouble, but because he needs to turn his brain off.  Take some time away from the drama...relax...

I think he understands...I hope he does...I'm sure he will when he becomes a parent........

Selling Stuff for all Branches of Scouts

One of the things that can be the most difficult and time consuming is selling stuff.  Out here our Cub Scout sells greenery as does our boy scout.  Boy, that can be difficult.  My BS also sells popcorn(who wants some) and mulch.  Not to mention Girl scout Cookies!!!

First, competing sales for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.  How do we do it?  I look at it this way.  My CS has a limit that they suggest, and he gets a percentage back in the form of a gift card.  My oldest gets a percentage into his scout account to use towards camps.  I think this is a no brainer :)  My youngest does not need a gift card to spend on junk at the store.  My oldest does have to learn that in order to attend an expensive camp, he has to earn money to pay for it.  I dont care if you as a family make six figures or are hardly getting by.

A scout is Thrifty.  A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future.

Trust me, I know what a pain it is to be marching up and down the street knocking on doors asking if they want to buy things. And yes, I used to do it with one in a stroller, and one in a wagon while I followed my now BS from house to house.   I would much rather be knitting.  But, it is a HUGE lesson to be taught.  My BS wants to go to camp..he must earn his way.  And, its a great way to meet your neighbors! 

Now, in our CS pack, we do require a min sold, only because last year we had to many who didn't and would up in the red.  We suggested that if a scout did not sell the min amount the parents would be 'ASKED' to donate $100.  I could not believe how many parents chose not to be inconvenienced by selling and just wrote a check. It was shameful.  They personally didn't even buy something from their son.

Everything we do with our children is a wonderful chance to teach them something, whether they like it or not!  Dont pass this opportunity up!

Now when it comes to GS cookies, that is not even a stretch.  Who doesn't want GS cookies!?  For some reason though, its always freezing or a blizzard when we have to start selling.  One year we had to drive from house to house because the snow drifts were to high to walk through!  I would love to petition to move the sales from Feb to July!

Because GS's dont have the same type reward system, outside of cookie dough, its entirely up to you if you want to share sales or just let them fend for themselves.  I dont have that problem so I dont know.  One of my GF's has that problem and they share sales.  *shrug*

You know the worst part of selling....DELIVERING!!!  When my oldest was a CS, it would take me three trips to pick up all of the greenary!  AT least now we have a trailer! 

Be prepared, if you have never sold before to have to eat the cost of something because someone has gone out of town for the month.  Personally, we are always off on our counts.  I never know why.  Probably because someone pays at the time of ordering and I pocket the cash and forget what its for :) 

Remember, this is a great learning experience, and teaches the kids how to talk to all different types of people, count up orders and add money for the younger kids.  It teaches the older kids how to earn something they want!  Yes, we have to suffer, traipsing through the cold, wet icky weather.  Dragging our kids away from the computer/tv/video game.  yes, its tempting to give in and not do it.  But, you were doomed the day you signed him/her up for scouts :) 

Happy selling!

Your new boy scouts first campout..what to expect...

Well, now that I am back from the dead, or the flu that my cub scout gave me, I can head back to my advice on your new Boy Scout.

Previously, I talked about gear...I re read this today and boy, was there foreshadowing I was getting sick or what...talk about a scattered post! 

So...now...Your sons first camp out and his first week long camp! 

DO NOT VOLUNTEER TO GO!  This is that point where I talked about letting go!  Now is the time!  He will do just fine without you!  If he gets homesick, they will handle it!  Yes, not the same way a mom would, but they will not tie him to a tree and tell him to deal with it.  Remember, they are parents also! 

Step one!  BE EXCITED FOR YOUR SON TO LEAVE!  Dont even think about saying I'll miss you!  Say it in your head a hundred times, but dont say it out loud!  He is going to be nervous in the first place, your job is to kick him out the door!  If he says, I dont want to go, tell him you will be fine, you will have fun and help him pack.  The leaders know that all new boys will be nervous! 

He has his big pack(I hope).  Sit your self down on the couch, and tel him what he should pack.   Dont forget, its always colder at night and its February/March so it will be either hot or cold!  If you have never packed a big pack, here is how it should go.

In first
Underwear, socks, jeans, shirts on the bottom.  Why, they will never get taken out and worn anyway..at least if they are on the bottom, they stay clean.  If you live anyway where its cold at night, have him wear his long underwear!  If he complains, dont fight about it, just have him pack it.  He will learn and I've never heard of a boy freezing to death while his long underwear was in his pack on his back! 
Next, sweatshirt then jammies.  he is packing the big part of this pack in the order he will use the items.  When he gets to camp, providing he leaves Friday night, he will need his jammies first.  Yes, I still call them jammies!  On the very top, his scout book and camp pillow, hat and gloves(if its cold)

Now your pack comes with a ton of different pockets.  The first couple of campouts is like setting up a new kitchen in a new house/apt.  You put things away in places but a week later decide it would work better somewhere else.  Pick a spot for the toothbrush and toothpaste and floss to go in on the pack (first put in ziploc bag).  Then next camp out put them in the same spot.  Dont worry, they wont get used anyway.  Do the same with the rest of his gear.  (minus the ziploc part)

The first aid kit does not have to be a big box you buy from the store.  It can be a zip loc containing a couple of bandaids etc. 

Frisbee, for a dinner place and silverware and a cup should go in one section, headlamp, rain gear in another etc etc. 

Dont forget a deck of cards!

Remember to make him do it.  If you put anything in there he wont know what or where it is.  Its like if your kids empty the dishwasher and put your favorite bowl in a different spot.  You have no idea where it is! 

Its ok, the pack will be to heavy, and will be huge on him.  You will over pack, he will complain.  Its ok.  he will survive.  You can then attack the sleeping bag to the bottom of the pack and slip the bed roll in there somewhere. 

Viola!  Packed.  Dont forget to have him put his pack on and take a picture!  I'll bet he pretends to fall over backwards onto the couch!!

Now, my sons troop, his old one and his current one, leave on Friday Nights.  Give you son money for food for the drive up!  This was not told to us....  I dont recommend an arch card as there is no guarantee that they stop at McDonalds.  Give him a $10 and dont expect change.

If this is a week long camp out, he will need money for the camp store and for events. I recommend putting money into different envelopes for different things.  Camp store money goes  into an envelope labeled as such!  or, ask a leader for help doling it out.  Depending on the cost of merit badges he wants to earn, we average sending an extra $50 to week long camp outs.  Weekenders, if there is a store there, $20.00    Dont expect change!

If you son is on ANY medication, put only what is needed for the weekend or week, in the prescription bottle, or OTC bottle, put it in a ziploc.  Put a note inside with his name, the dose the time needed to take.  With a sharpee put his name on the outside of the bag and troop number.  Your troop will have a drug guy.  You can give this to him in the parking lot. 

DO NOT LINGER IN THE PARKING LOT!  DO NOT EXPECT A HUG GOODBYE!  DO NOT CRY!!!!  its ok to wait until he gets in a car to leave. but spend the time talking to the other parents.  If you hover over him and coo and aww at him, he will think its not ok to be going.  Its like the first time you took him to preschool.  You handed him over and walked out the door.  SAME THING HERE!   

He is old enough to know what is right and what is wrong.  There are plenty of adults there to help guide him.  He may feel lonely but he will never be alone. 

When he gets home....oh that is a funny one...you will never actually know what time he will arrive.  The paperwork may say noon, but it could be 10 am or 3pm.  So dont make plans.  Make sure your son has your cell number and go about your daily routine.  My sons troop passes around a cell phone in the car for the boys to call home with an estimate. 

When he gets home....he will be tired, cranky, dirty and just plain gross!  You will be all excited wanting to know every single detail of every second of his time away.  he will shrug and say it was fun and say nothing else.  THIS IS GOOD!    It means he had fun!  You may or may not hear funny stories about what 'belch' did.  (they give each other disturbing nicknames, dont ask what his is)  Dont pry.  Nothing went wrong.  Everything was fun and fine!  If there was a problem, you would have heard about it already.  Trust me, there is at least one mom of a scout whose hubby is there as a SM or ASM who they have talked to.  If there was a problem, it would have been relayed back to you.

Last but not least!  MAKE HIM UNPACK HIS GEAR IMMEDIATELY, NO MATTER HOW TIRED ETC HE IS.  It is his responsibility!  Unpack it, just go ahead and wash all of it because it all smells like smoke anyway, make him wash his gear(not clothes if you dont want).  If possible hang his pack and sleeping bag outside to air out.  DONT LET IT STAY ROLLED UP AND PACKED UP  It will mildew! 

Once his gear is aired and dried, have him repack the stuff that will always go with him, then let him shower for 20 minutes and crash to video games!  :) 

Congrats!  You have survived your sons first camp out! 

My son is a Boy Scout....so much to get.!

Well...your son is now a Boy Scout.  If your new troop(remember its no longer a pack) is anything like ours, you were pointed to a website(www.smdscouts.com) where there is a 67 page pdf of the ins and outs, do's and don'ts. 

Please note, your son will be going on a camp out every single month! and for a week in the summer!  It is important to get the right gear but not have to sell one of the other kids to afford it.

Most important gear, backpack and sleeping bag.  Actually, lets start with the scout clothes. 

Most troops have class B's, which are simply t-shirts that they wear at camp.  Your son is 11 and not a huge kid.  Mine was five foot 5 at age 11, not typical.  Buy the shirts big!  Not huge, but big.  Your troop might recommend 5 shirts, especially for camp.  If you are money conscious, dont do it!  They wont change their clothes at camp!  My son came home from his very first weekend camp out wearing the same clothes he left in.  I asked him about it, he says to me, mom, there's no where to change there but in your sleeping bag.  Your son is 11 and wont want to strip down in front of other boys especially the older boys.  I buy three class b's, one size larger than he needs.

Scout pants.  Our troop requires the official scout pants.  Yes, I know they are $40 and I dont even spend that on myself for a pair of pants.  but what can you do.  I suggest that you buy the ones with the zip off legs.  Oh, and dont buy them big.  Buy them to fit.  The zip off legs work great...unless a minor flood comes along.  Last summer, one camp out, they had 8 inches of rain in one night!!!  One of my sons legs floated away never to be seen again.  True story!

I totally recommend a good backpack, one with a frame. Internal or external, its up to you.  I am partial to external because I like to have the ability to hang things on the outside of the pack, and you have more options, in my opinion, to hook things up.  Yes, its a lot of money!  I spent over $100 on my sons. but, keep in mind, its going to be used at least 12 months a year for the next 7 years.  Its worth it.  I shudder when I see kids show up in the parking lot with two or three duffels or even ,yes, a rubbermaid container!   Why do we use a purse with a long strap that we can loop over our head....to keep our hands free!  You can fit EVERYTHING into one of these packs!  There are more pockets and hooks!  We use our sons when we go to the beach.  It fits everything we need in on pack! 

Oh, go out and buy a dozen carabiners.  They are great for hooking things on the pack! Home Depot sells them cheap!

Sleeping bags, it depends on your neck of the woods.  Yes, down is the warmest, but if you are in a wet and cold area, like Chicago, you dont want down!  If it gets wet, its useless! 

This is a great site for explaining the types of gear.  Scout Gear.  Its got great information, but is a bit of mind blaster with so much information.  Wicking and layering etc etc...   It was a little to much for me but help me pick out the right bag for my son.  You dont need to buy a $100 bag.  My sons is a mummy bag that cost $30 at Farm and Fleet.  It is rated -15 and they never camp outside when its that cold.  Make sure it comes with a good stuff sack that can attach to the backpack.  Remember, hands free.

Now, they will also need a sleeping mat.  Again, they dont need a $100 mat.  I think the one I bought was around $20 at sports authority.  You can blow in one end to puff it up a little.  Then, go to a fabric store and get some long velcro straps.  Mats dont come with bags and you want to be able to roll it and attach it to your pack.

Dont forget a camp pillow!  If it gets wet, its much easier and faster to dry on a line than your son's pillow from home.  And it stuffs into a small bag and fits into the pack much easier.

Mess kit.  Stumbling tripping boys, not watching where they are going with their food on a plate...Frisbee!  I know this sounds crazy, but a frisbee!  Upside down it holds quite a bit in!  Knife fork cup etc yes, and engrave your sons name on it!

These are the most important items that I can think of.  Yes, there is a huge list of things, but they can all be purchased cheaply at your local stores and even the dollar store.  Check there for a headlamp and flashlight and batteries! 

Keep in mind, what you buy will probably get lost!  Which is why I dont recommend spending a lot of money on gear.  Except the big gear.  Harder to lose that! 

Oh..one more thing that is not on most lists....a deck of playing cards!  It should be a must!  Last summer camp out, one of the trailers got three, count them three flat tires... yes a two tired trailer.  Deck of cards can be a lifesaver!

Under no circumstances should you pack your sons pack!  You can assist, with what he should put in there, but dont touch his stuff.  He wont know where to find it or if its even packed, if he hasn't packed it himself!  And he has to learn somehow how to fit all of it. 

If rain is predicted, days of clothes in Zip Loc bags.  But dont be surprised when he comes home and all of his clothes are still neatly packed in those zip loc bags. 

They have a ton of fun at camp outs.  They dont change their clothes, they dont brush their teeth, they dont use deodorant!

They come home smelly and filthy and exhausted! 

Last bit of advice on this really log and scattered blog posting......

Make YOUR SON unpack his pack first thing!  Empty it completely, and then if possible hang it outside to air out, along with his sleeping bag and pillow.  They will reek!  Then, have him re pack the items that he uses for the camp outs in his pack.  Mess kit, first aid kit, flashlight, etc etc.  That way he is not frantic five minutes before its time to leave because he can't find his spork :)

Happy Camping!!