Boy Scout Survival Kit

Many folks will instantly associate Boy Scouts with being experts in outdoor skills. I just noticed that the current BSA catalog offers a Survival kit (I don't know if it's new or I just didn't notice it before). I am disappointed that its basically a small metal pot with a folding stove, fuel tabs and foodstuffs. Even the Survival Merit Badge pamphlet stresses that food is a lower priority first aid, shelter, water & signaling! Talk about lake of continuity between the two functional areas (program and supplies division). Having moms and dads buy this product with the though that it will save junior's life is crazy! Here's what's in it:

Survival Kit
Contains folding wing stove, fuel tablets, tea bags, candy, sugar, poly water bag, energy drink, matches, aluminum foil, instant broth, and survival instructions. Waterproof can becomes cooking pot and/or drinking cup. Wt.: 6-oz. Kit: 3 1/2" x 2 1/2". WW01258 $12.25


Doug, I would like nothing more than to see your new personal survival kit product venture replace this Can O' Junk.

Sounds like the dumb MPI "You CAN Survive" kit. http://www.equipped.org/mpikit.htm Besides the obvious issues you mention, it is way too bulky to be comfortably carried in a pocket, or even a small pouch, so it isn't likely to be available when needed anyway.

From your mouth to your chosen diety's ears. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Perhaps they could use a suggestion from an active Boy Scout leader...

I saw that, too. Good luck trying to even contact National... I wish they were NOT in Texas; the climate is not the "average" climate, for one thing, and that has contributed to some, um, inane Supply Division choices. At least you are close enough to Central Region to drive over and try to chat with someone one rung up the ladder. I'm "working the hierarchy" right now on a couple of issues, and - well, you don't need to hear how disgusted I am right now. Kudos to my local professionals, at least.

Supply Division's mark-up would price Doug's kit too high, FWIW - not a criticism; I understand the need for the mark-up.

National needs to quit hiding and make themselves accesible to Scouters.

This is the infamous "You CAN Survive" survival kit, already reviewed elsewhere on this site. I believe Doug only gave it a 'mediocre' rating. Not the thing to sending along on your Scout's wilderness excursions, unless he was carrying additional survival gear.

I just checked it out on the BSA website. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

And for what it's worth, things are much the same with the Girl Scouts, at least as far as their alleged outdoor gear goes. I have refused to buy my girls any of the "official" gear because what is not outright junk is either impractical, unsafe or both. You have to wonder who makes some of these purchasing decisions ...

I hope I can say this without running for my nomex suit. BSA is a business. They are in existence to make money. And although they are not a legal monopoly, they are pretty much the only show in town and they know it. With that said, I do realize that there are terrific people who work and volunteer at the local level. I also acknowledge that a lot of boys have benefited greatly from joining the organization. Sadly though, the BSA has changed its focus somewhere along the way from what Mr. Baden-Powell envisioned. My family hasn't been involved in scouting for twenty years but I can still remember the pressures placed on kids to buy complete uniforms in order to make their pack or troop "look good". That drove away at least a couple of disadvantaged kids. I also remember the selling point of how the BSA owned their own camps which was a benefit for all members. Those camps (around here at least) have all been sold off to developers. Sorry for the rant but this is a hot spot for me. I guess what I am trying to say is that you shouldn't count on BSA to keep your best interests in mind.


Chris

I do not find anything disagreeable to me in your post. Things work at the local level despite National. They do come up with some good stuff as well, so all is not lost... but I have little sympathy or tolerance for much of the nonsense at/from National. There is also a $ crisis constantly at all levels, which is sad, but way OT - it has created some of the problems of focus over the years. Events of the Vietnam era wrought terrible things on US Scouting that it has never recovered from.

...was waaaaay overpriced. I guess that little 'Scout' logo must make all the difference! <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Here! Here!

The closer the leader to the Troops (literally), the more effective and passionate they become. I doubt this will change in any organization. I remember as a scout in the '70's, my leaders lamenting the foolhardy decisions of National and Council. This was especially true when the implemented the "new" scouting program that drove away thousands of young men, and from which BSA has yet to recover even though they reverted their program to the old way (mostly).

They have also lost focus. What most people refer to as "Scouting," is now known as "Traditional Scouting." The wholly owned subsidiary "Learning for Life" program run through urban public schools has taken much of BSA's resources away from Boy Scouts. I also beleive (but am not 100%) sure that most if not all moneys that still come into BSA from the United Way are earmarkd for Learning for Life explicitly.

Getting back on topic (hopefully), It's through individual efforts of the troop leaders teaching skills and information, such as we learn here, that really makes the difference. I will continue to promote the knowledge and product tips gleaned from ETS. The BSA Supplied Division and even Philmont's High Adventure store, Tooth of Time Traders, are not much more than expensive souviner shops.

To offer an explanation in part of their defense, the prices are in part because of small market demand. Their distribution network cannot move products in the same volume as a Campmor, etc.

And even at those high prices, the locol shop ownes who agree to carry the line don't make a lot of money the items either, plus they put out their cash to carry the inventory. So even if I don't by "official" BSA gear all the time, I do make an effort to support the stores that carry them when I need to buy items that are part of their regular line.

As Tom mentioned, BSA NAtional is not known for listening and taking action on suggestions. But I will try and see if they have a contact name and I will proffer my suggestion. At the least, I know several boys in my troop who I know will purchase the new kit once it's introduced. At $25 street price it's a steal!

My Scoutmaster had us scouts make their own kit. He explained how many commercially available kits are great, but most others (especially the usual cheap ones) are absolutely terrible. He had us make their own kit, explain what was in it, then we would help them with what they were lacking. Now it is required we take our kit with us on every hike, campout, ect along with a small first aid kit (also hand assembled). Most BSA equipment hasn't really impressed me. Especially in the knives department, the BSA Utility knife and Scout Knife which are the ones most every scout buys are hard to open/close, and have non-locking blades. Those factors combined has led to many stiches, a few in my own troop. Also, the regular BSA sharpening stone isn't that great and the BSA mess kit is pretty flimsey. These are things that are used pretty often, I would expect them to be a little bit better.

Doug, being a scout myself I would definately like to see your kit replace the "You Can Survive" kit.

Thanks!

Paul,

There is no question that assembling your own kit has many advantages and is a great learning experience. OTOH, seems to me that if BSA is going to offer a product, especially something as critical as a survival kit, it should be of appropriate quality and practicality. But, what the heck do I know? <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I remain amazed that in this day and age BSA and others continue to promote folding knives with non-locking blades. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />