I recently went through a similar exercise with the Girl Scout Troop that my wife leads.

Each kid got:

A small First Aid Kit -- http://countycomm.com/pocketfirstaid.htm

A good whistle -- http://countycomm.com/fox40.htm (this right here is your entire budget, but I wouldn't waste your money on a lesser whistle)

A keychain flashlight -- http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1100

Some cordage -- http://countycomm.com/teather.html (I would have preferred orange paracord http://countycomm.com/550cord.htm)

A contractor bag

The troop leaders got some mylar emergency blankets. I tried to get them to buy Heatsheets, but they cheaped out.


I also conducted a very abbreviated "lost in the woods" course for the girls (wear appropriate clothing and shoes, stay in groups of three or more, make sure the troop leaders know where you are, look behind you on your way out of camp so you'll know what the way back in looks like, S.T.O.P., hug a tree, blow your whistle three times every minute or so).


Mike