I'll echo the suggestion to emphasize the Boy Scout Outdoor Essentials. The typical Boy Scout should be fairly well equipped, though they do tend to hike without much of it (THAT is what you should teach - gear left in a tent is of no use when the unexpected happens).

Add to that the following:

>>Whistle - orientaltrading.com sells some cheap whistles that aren't half bad and cheap enough you can hand them out.

>>Large plastic bags - for shelter beyond rain gear - personally I prefer carrying two - one for the top & one for the bottom. HD sells giant clear ones, though I prefer bright-colored bags.

>>Duct tape (small role on a pencil or similar)

A lot of folks teach boys how to use a ferro rod - with VJ-covered cotton balls. Don't overlook the benefit & simplicity of Bic lighters.

At another meeting consider teaching basic use of a GPS to save a waypoint and then find their way back to it - possibly with a geocache-type activity in groups. We've been known to do this and have them find their fixin's for Saturday evening cobbler.