NEI263Beaver Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 I would like to get my son (boy Scout) something scouts oriented for Christmas. Any original ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosetracker Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Don't know how original these ideas are but here is some I did over the years. Stocking stuffers - hand warmer packs, (Eastern Mountain had ideas over the years like) animal track cards, straps (to tie to backpacks), stuff sacks, pocket knifes Larger gifts have been normal stuff like sleeping bags, backpack tents, backpack stoves, water purifiers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwazse Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 "scouts" oriented Well, you want to get your boy oriented? Get him a nice compass! If the boy is a little older. A map set of his favorite hiking areas might be a good investment. A lightweight multi-tool is a great idea for hikers. Or a pen knife. Some of our boys are really proud of their one-man tents. Whatever you get, engrave or otherwise label it with his name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troop185 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 It is too late for you for this year, but each Christmas, I give a 8 x 10 picture to each 1st yr. scout that went on the Northern Ontario trip with me, during the summer. Sometime it is a group picture, but usually it is an individual picture of the scout playing in a waterfall, etc. Sometime I get a real good picture of the scout with his father. On the picture, I put in the writting "Scouting, enjoy the journey". The scouts do not know they are getting the picture. I wrap them up, and have another scout leader deliver them to the scouts at the last troop meeting, before Christmas. I spent the winters in Florida, so I can not hand them out myself. Several scouts (and several dads) told me, it was the best present! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Turtle Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I scout some of the military surplus sites and have got some good ideas there. Boys tend to get a lot of stuff at first and pare down to the good (and costlier) basics as they progress and physically grow. Hard to go wrong with a knife or multi-tool. Compass is good. If it is a big gift maybe one of the "big 3" - sleeping bag, backpack, or tent. I got my boy some military type poly long johns one year and that was pretty popular as was an old UK style camo jacket. They always seem to go on the trips as well as an (expensive)Hennesy Hammock. Stuff sacks and animal cards are great ideas. They may need to get them anyway. I would go for a simpler and better quality knife. Note if your boys is a lefty--mine is and he has a hard time with a think swiss type knife. A knife with something that makes it easy to get the blade out may get used more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKlose Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 SM uses the opportunity to upgrade something for his son -- a lighter-weight sleeping bag or tent, a backpacking stove, etc. Last year, I gave my sons "stocking stuffers" consisting of small things for their survival kits. Haven't thought much about this year yet. Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resqman Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Is you son likely to ever attend a high adventure base? Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, Bethel. Each of those require you to pare down your gear to small, lightweight, essential. A good knife, a good water bottle, a good compass, a lightweight sleeping bag that compresses significantly, a thermorest, a good rain jacket, a small LED headlight, sock liners, wicking T-shirts, 50 ft of 1/8 braided nylon cord. I have and use the backpack I took to Philmont in 1976. Still have the water bottle. My son went to Philmont last summer and the only thing he bought was a new thermorest and new boots. All the other gear he had been graduly upgrading over the last 5 years. Sure helped lower the total overall cost. Similarly went he went to Northern Tier he had to buy differnt boots and a waterproof stuff sack. Buy good quality essential gear. It makes camping so much easier and lasts for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwazse Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Oh yeah: waterproof digital sport camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadenP Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Beaver How about Baden Powells book Scouting for Boys, you could show him how exciting and outdoor oriented boy scouts used to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeBob Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Boots! Really good socks. Folding saw (Depends on where you go...) Raingear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc2008 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 My son is only a wolf but he loves his hydration pack (like a camelbak). Or something more sentimental like an engraved knife ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA24 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Extra scout socks Extra uniform shirt Nice leather belt http://www.newcreationleathercraft.com/boy_scouts.htm A campaign hat Some really nice hiking boots A nice backpack A top of the line thermarest pad A top of the line down sleeping bag A leatherman wave multitool 1000' of paracord A red wool scout jack-shirt (ebay has them all the time) Make him a really nice hiking stick. A sterling silver eagle medal from yonder days on ebay for him to receive one day in the future (do this anyway and stash it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertrat77 Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Good stuff, especially like BSA24's idea of an old-school Eagle medal. Made of sterling silver till '80 or so, the old medals can be picked up quite reasonably on ebay these days. Seems many come and go without a single bid. A cool and unique way to pass on scouting heritage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5scoutmom Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Tampa Turtle - What kind of knife did you get for your lefty? My 13 year old is my only lefty and he's about ready for a good knife. As for other gifts, depending on your climate - fingerless gloves scout belt homemade fire starter kit cook kit headlight lantern hanging lantern for tent attachable reading light (my youngest even reads in his sleeping bag) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzisk8 Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Love going on www.scoutstuff.com! My son is just a Bear, but I got him a backpack, a water bottle and a couple of posters. Plus I got this years ornament. I started doing that tradition when he first joined in Tigers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now