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My point is, everyone's idea of required equipment is different, especially when it's not their own, and your answers are going to be all over the board.


I think this is a great point. And, this is the BIGGEST problem with newbies and scouts. Both groups tend to take more than they need. Usually, the younger scouts' moms try to make sure their little baby has everything and loads him up with 4 pairs of extra clothes (all heavy cotton even). Is the discussion of what is NEEDED too much for this little post? Well, probably, so I will say this, boys don't change clothes unless forced to. They put on a jacket when cold, and take it off when warm. Anything more is asking a lot. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> As for trip duration, the average is a weekend, or two nights (although I am in the one night only group for religious reasons). So two nights out.

Don't worry about being nitpicky, I work in a nitpicky profession as well, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> .

The total weight is everything carried minus the nekked body. Another good point you bring up is that many scouts already own equipment. Or, their brothers or cousins have it. But, there are always brand new scouts with nothing, and clueless parents. Or that new person who has never backpacked before and has nothing as far as equipment. This is for them.

Thrift stores are hard to use because they don't always have something, like the ridgerest I bought for $3. But, there are things that they always have, like fleece, wool sweaters, nylon shirts and pants. If you can walk into any thrift store and find it, then it is legal to use in this scenario. The idea is, if you are scoutmaster, and you get a new scout, and their parents are asking what to buy, where do you send them for a guaranteed piece of equipment?
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