Cold Weather Clothing Ideas

 Notes from our discussion at Roundtable:

·        Cotton kills.  Find a Wool/Spandex fabric for the lowest layer. Synthetics can get sticky.

·        Sorel brand boots. https://www.sorel.com/

·        Boot liners are found at Cabela’s, remove to dry easier. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en#

·        Two pairs of socks, thin knee-high then wool Wigwam. https://www.wigwam.com/

·        Army Surplus glove liners, then deerskin welders gloves.

·        Military Surplus leather mittens with wool liner

·        Farm Supply leather gloves with built-in wool liner – warm but harder to dry, as liner is attached.

·        Ski mask + neck cover, topped with a Navy Surplus Watchman’s cap

·        Fit-over sun glasses or ski goggles for folks who wear glasses

·        Carhartt has outer shell of cotton, but they are very warm. https://www.carhartt.com/

·        Darn Tough socks https://darntough.com/

Patrol Boxes

Demonstration video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z0ZEDtIBiw

Contents:

http://www.scoutlists.com/Fall/Inland/Patrol-Box-Contents.aspx

http://www.usscouts.org/netresources/forms/genpatrolboxinv.pdf

Designs:

http://www.troop42.com/patrolboxes.htm

http://www.bsatroop680.org/documents/Plans/patrolboxplans.pdf

http://www.troop325.com/resources/PatrolBoxPlans.pdf

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/23246-Patrol-Box-project

http://www.bsatroop1288.org/Patrol%20Box%20Plans/Forms/AllItems.aspx

http://www.blueskykitchen.com/index.html

Examples:

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=patrol+box

http://www.scoutmastercg.com/even_more_chuck/

http://www.scoutmastercg.com/chuck-boxes-and-camp-kitchens/

http://www.scoutmastercg.com/the-perfect-pat/

http://www.scoutmastercg.com/two_patrol_boxe/

http://coloradoscouter.com/family-patrol-box/

Troop Trailer Round-Up 2012

This past fall was our third Troop Trailer Round-Up and our best attended yet, with 10 troops participating. Not every troop had a trailer, but everyone showed off how they transport gear to campouts and other events.

Roundtable Scouters visiting ten troop trailers in the parking lot.

So much can fit into this van.

Troop supplies

Trailer storage and drop-down door

Patrol boxes, shared propane, tents

Patrol boxes have a spray finish to increase friction

Gear for multiple patrols to share one large propane tank

Extra storage at the end of the tent cabinet.

Extra storage in the side door.

Troop logo and double swinging doors

A web of bungie cord holds items in place but moves aside for easy removal.

White board to check out numbered tents and tarps.

A web of bungie cord holds items in place but moves aside for easy removal.

Troop trailer with double swinging doors.

Trailer storage.

Yes, this troop trailer has a freezer chest.  A spare tire is also a good idea.

Troop logo

This trailer includes a four-drawer filing cabinet

One of the drawers holds important files, others hold a number of small items

.

Troop logo and drop down door

Side door access

Rear door access

Troop storage with double swinging doors

Troop logo and double swinging doors

Troop storage and double swinging doors

Side door access and again, a spare tire is important.

Trailer storage

Bungies hold back tables.

Pick-up truck with a topper

Winter Camping

Just because the snow falls doesn't mean that camping season is over.  Winter camping requires more preparation, but also presents new opportunities for growth and FUN!  Make sure that your Scouts and leaders are prepared, then have some activities on hand:  Snowshoe hikes, sledding, ice fishing.  Klondike Derby games can be fun on a campout, perhaps some patrol competition.

Winter Camping Tips

http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/winter%20scouting.pdf

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss12.aspx

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/library/wintercampingtips.asp

http://www.ehow.com/list_6495668_overnight-packing-list-young-scouts.html

http://univmail.mcmaster.ca/~outdoor/docs/winter-3.pdf

http://www.macscouter.com/keepwarm/

http://www.scoutingpages.org/us/ca/troop451/Forms/Winter%20Camping%20Manual-short%20version.pdf

http://www.scoutscan.com/resources/winter.html

http://www.scoutscan.com/resources/wintcamp.html

Checklist

http://www.troop2ithaca.org/Winter_Camping_Equipment.pdf

One troop in Canada approaches snow camping as “Hobbit” camping in this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y2PIIEIfQQ

Encouragement

http://www.wintercampers.com/_articles/2008/Winter%20camping%20teaches%20Scouts%20survival.pdf

Klondike Derby ideas

http://www.netwoods.com/d-activity.html

http://www.netwoods.com/document/klontxt.html

Other winter camping activities

http://www.netwoods.com/document/winter%20active.html

High Adventure

http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/NorthernTier/Adventures/WinterAdventures.aspx

Camp opportunities for Scouts in MN and WI

http://www.northernstarbsa.org/Camping/BoyScout/Winter/

http://www.scouting.org/northerntier.aspx

More links

http://insanescouter.org/c/80/winter_camping.html

Troop Trailer Round-Up

Last year's event was so well-received that we're bringing back the Troop Trailer Round-Up.  

This is an opportunity for Troops to show how they store and transport their gear, for leaders to discuss trailer practices, and in some cases, it's a good excuse to give the trailer a good scrubbing before winter sets in.

Our own Troop 42's trailer ranks high in search listings.

http://www.troop42.com/busandtrailer.htm

This Troop in Illinois has quite a set of equipment for their Scouts.

http://troop33dekalb.net/equipment-trailers.html

Guarding against theft: http://www.lakeshoredistrict.com/drupal/node/1808

Here are more trailers, as shown on Scouting Magazine's blog, again showing Troop 42 among them.

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2011/04/21/lets-see-your-troop-or-crews-trailer-design/

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2011/04/28/take-a-look-at-some-of-my-favorite-troop-trailers/

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2011/04/29/nine-tips-for-preventing-troop-trailer-theft/

Discussion on trailers:

http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=80484

http://www.meritbadge.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1459

http://www.meritbadge.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2790

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/208471-scout-troop-shopping-covered-trailer.html

Cargo Trailer companies (for info only – no personal opinions)

http://www.wrightwaytrailers.com/  (Hiawatha, IA)

http://www.haulmark.com/

http://www.hhtrailer.com/

http://www.bulldogtrailers.com/

http://www.wellscargo.com/

http://www.homesteadertrailer.com/

http://www.interstatecargo.com/

http://www.aluminumtrailer.com/