Hi Ken,

Good question. I started to touch on it with my reply about the boy in NC. The guys in my troop seem to have arrived on what they consider outdoor EDC, based on our discussions at our meeting last night. It's essentially what you listed:

- Dress right for the conditions.
- Water (something that can be clipped to your belt or a pants loop.)
- Whistle
- Knife
- Firestarting "stuff" (matches, lighter, flint/steel, tinder)
- Shelter "stuff" (trash bag, bivvy sack, space blanket/bag, etc)
- Flashlight

They know that the other things we discuss are important, but, frequently don't "carry" them on their person. In fact, for many, the "real" EDC is reduced to knife, whistle, lighter, and whatever clothes they have on. Of course, if we can get them to do that consistantly, they will be better off than most people anyway, and they will also have experience actually using them, what a concept. They call it "outdoor EDC". Unfortunately, they can't really develop the good habit of "EVERY" Day Carry of this stuff, because they'd be thrown out of school...