See my post again. Some items are not useful for the environment
and population.

Sorry, I see your point now. I am still interested in anyone with comments on the safety of the kids with respect to certain survival kit items. Blast, are you there? Anyone else with little ones that can comment? As a parent I have thought long and hard about this and have been fortunate that nothing has befallen us so far and my son is old enough now that he can learn and be responsible with such items, but as I said before I am concerned with the other younger scouts. Right now I am really leaning toward giving out all the options available, with a disclaimer, and letting the parents decide. This may also encourage some of the parents to get involved with teaching their kids some outdoor skills. Sorry to distract, I am thinking out loud and getting my thoughts together. Thanks for letting me ramble.

I spend a lot of time out in the woods with my 3 and 6 year old daughters. I give them whistles and have taught them the "hug a tree" procedure if they get lost. In the past I also included a small water bottle, some hard candy, and an LED flashlight in small bags for them, but they'd always get sick of the bags and take them off. As they get older I'll try increasing the amount of gear they carry, but right now it's just the whistles.

-Blast

p.s. Sorry for the short answer, things are nuts here at work.

About fish hooks: There is absolutely no need to include them. Food is of little concern in a 1-3 day survival situation. Water is totally another story... (But hey, don't take my word for it, check Doug's FAQ about his PSK: http://www.equipped.org/psp/amk_psp_faq.htm#_Toc62951667 Fish hooks were included in his kit for market purposes only... because people somehow expect every decent kit to have fish hooks. )

But food is good for morale, and helps you keep warm. They could have a snickers bar tucked in there. Somehow, you're not as lonesome when you hug a tree and eat a snickers.

Mark, try this link to my previous post.

Mike

One of the requirements for Communications Merit Badge is to teach a skill to younger Scouts. THey must first clear it with their merit badge counselor, which is always part of the merit badge process (1st step is to meet with Scoutmaster for approval and sign off on the blue card. 2nd step is to meet with the counselor to understand the rquirements and what he or she expects the Scout to do or demonstrate.)

Also, First Aid has a requirement to teach a First Aid skill to another Scout. That's oriented towards one of the skills required for Tenderfoot, Second Class or First Class rank advanacement.