Cub Scouts 6 Essentials to take along on a hike

Paws on The Path

Requirement 1

Requirement 1- Show you are prepared to hike safely by putting together the Cub Scout 6 Essentials

When my son has to hike, I always make him wear a backpack with his 6 essentials plus some extra stuff. Do we use it? Sometimes. It's just better to get them in the frame of mind now better than later.

1. First Aid Kit- our 1st aid kit came from

a booth at a fun run or festival. Around here, a lot of hospitals participate with a booth where you get free stuff. Usually a small 1st aid kit and hand sanitizer. The one we have actually clips onto the backpack zipper, making it light, easy accessible, and doesn't take up space in the pack. We had one Webelos who had a big 1st aid kit but after a little while, he didn't want to wear it any longer. So he gave it to a den leader to carry around for a 3 mile hike. 

If need be, just make one with a Ziploc bag with neosporin, some band-aids, moleskin band-aid for blisters, hand sanitizing gel and I add tweezers for those pesky splinters.

You can also buy a small one:

I found them starting at 99 cents online, around $4 at Walmart, I mean they are everywhere!

2.  Flashlight

We have a $1 LED light that he got as a stocking stuffer in a burnt orange color, just so that it was easy to find in a backpack on the side.

Also he has a Cub Scout Flashlight that he received from his pack that we have inside the back pack.

This is the exact one he has that was $1 at Walmart.

3. Filled Water Bottle

Again, have a lot from Fun Runs and festivals that were free. Alot of times we will have an ozarka water bottle and then he has a water bottle that he received from Scout Day camp with his name on it.

4. Trail Food

We usually have beef jerky with, preferably from Bellville Meat Market. But sometimes he will make a mixture of nuts and chocolate to keep with just in case. But you can always just have an oatmeal bar or something.

5. Sun Protection-

My son hates hats! But on hikes, I make him wear one along with sun screen.

I tried buying the Bullfrog Sunscreen and mosquito spay in one.  I haven't bought it since. But I always have at least 30 spf sunscreen spray.  We burn easily so it is very important for us to keep on hand.

6. Whistle

He has the cub scout whistle that clips to his backpack. Works just as good as any other whistle, nothing special. So you can buy just a plain old whistle, just make sure it works.

Now I am going to suggest a 7th item for us southerners! This is just as important as the others, here in the south.

7. Mosquito Spray

LOAD UP!

They say everything is bigger in Texas. That includes the monster size mosquitos that I have seen. They bite through your clothes! So spray those clothes down too. Warning-They say don't use Deet products on children. They have child safe products out there. And load up a few more bottles if your camping. Your going to want them!

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