Being a scoutmaster with a 12-year old son, the Michael Auberry story hits VERY close to home.

For a long time now I've thought about the kind of gear that Scouts should carry. The Boy Scout Handbook has an excellent list of "outdoor essentials", but the reality is that these boys want to travel light when out having fun. For the most part, they simply will not carry a daypack filled with gear around with them while out and about. Most of the boys in my son's troop won't even wear a fanny pack.

Don't misunderstand. They will bring all the gear with them when camping, and they might wear a daypack with gear while hiking or attending a special event, but that stuff is generally left in or near their tent when out having fun or exploring the local area.

So that gets me to thinking: What is the minimal gear that Michael Auberry, or any other Boy Scout, could have carried with him to increase his chance of surviving a few nights lost in the woods - something along the lines of a Boy Scout EDC.

OK, here is what I've come up with as a VERY minimal EDC, assuming he is dressed warm enough to at least survive night-time temperatures:

MINIMUM:
Pocketknife - primarily used to help fire building
Lighter - it should be tested before heading out the door
Whistle
Two Bright Trash Bags (33 gallon or 55 gallon, depending on the size of the boy) - one to cover the top and another for the bottom or as a flag

I'd prefer they also carry a bandanna - to try to soak up dew or water in crevises, do first aid, swat flies, tie together sticks, strain water, act as tinder if all else fails, etc...

A signal mirror would be a great addition, but they are too bulky and easily damaged in a Scout's pocket.

A tiny flashlight might be nice too, but for me it doesn't bubble up to the top of the list.

Your thoughts?

Ken K.