KenK,

I hear your pain... I just had an outdoor skills weekend with the Scouts this past weekend. Mind you, we are all adults in the training.

Well, one of the presenters was talking about backpacking. He had a good assortment of gear and fully understood the choice of proper fabrics and not becoming a "smellable" for bear and keeping food in a bear bag. Afterwards, I asked him what he carried on his person, hoping he would state some survival gear. Nope... nada... Mostly just a map and compass, the rest being in his bag, not even matches. I asked him what would happen if he lost his pack. He went on about the buddy system and that he would be able to navigate with the compass, yada yada yada.

I was just amazed at how little survival training plays out in the scouts. You would think it should be part of training, but it really isn't.

Needless to say, the members of my "patrol" were impressed at what I had in the pockets of my switchbacks.

Mike
ASM - Officially trained... finally!