Question & Answers BillS on 26 Dec 2009
If you’re like a lot of Scouts, you’ve collected plenty of patches over the years. Unfortunately, many get tossed into plastic bags or shoeboxes where only dust mites see them. Don’t let that happen to yours. Use a hide rack patch display. Based on Native American “hide racks” that cured fur pelts, this display lets [...]
Question & Answers BillS on 20 Dec 2009
Q. Hey Gear Guy, I am going cold-weather camping later this month, and I need a good new sleeping bag at a good price that I can use for a long time. It needs to be: Synthetic, at most 15 degrees, at most 4 pounds, and compact enough for backpacking. We are low on cash [...]
Question & Answers BillS on 19 Dec 2009
“Backpacking lets you get away from the city and go to places that are magical and special,” says Eagle Scout Jon Almquist, who works for national outdoors retailer REI. “Not everybody can see those places. In order to get there you have to pay your dues a little bit. But if you do it right, [...]
Camping Info and Question & Answers BillS on 20 Dec 2008
Chicken Stew And Dumplings With Video via Trail Cooking & The Outdoors by Sarah on 12/15/08 This is a classic from the old blog. It is archived in the Trailcooking pages. Being that winter is nearly here, this one pot meal is perfect for cold evenings on the trail! To watch the video in HD [...]
Question & Answers BillS on 18 Dec 2008
So what’s with the Buffalo? via The Scoutmaster Minute by tbirdironchef@gmail.com (Jerry) on 12/13/08 A week or so ago, I was asked to participate in a “Trivia Contest”. This was a unique contest as it was to be part of a Scouting Podcast called The Leaders Campfire, hosted by Cubmaster Chris and his sidekick Scoutmaster [...]
Camping Info and Question & Answers BillS on 10 Dec 2008
Repair Your Down Bag via BoyandGirlScouts.com – News, Opinion, Advice by admin on 12/9/08 Boys’ Life Gear Guy answers a question about what to do when your down bag you spent too much money for, but is worth every penny, develops a leak of feathers. Q: My dad gave me an old Marmot sleeping bag, [...]
Camping Info and Question & Answers BillS on 29 Nov 2008
Best Layering Article Ever via boyandgirlscouts.com – News, opinion, advice by admin on 11/27/08 I’ve never seen a better written article about what layering is and how to do it than the one from Camping Blogger. I’m sending every Scout I know to the site to read it. Now you know which items to look [...]
Advancement and Camping Info and Question & Answers BillS on 26 Nov 2008
Knot Basics via boyandgirlscouts.com – News, opinion, advice by admin on 11/25/08 I have a few links on the side to knot sites, but I’m going to put them front and center today as you think about what to do over the Thanksgiving weekend (besides giving thanks and eating a lot of turkey). Alan Folsom’s [...]
Camping Info and Question & Answers BillS on 25 Sep 2008
First-aid kit buying guide By Mark Anders From the September 2008 Boys’ Life magazine You’re on an outing with your troop when a buddy slips off the trail and messes up his leg. Miles and at least a day’s hike from the nearest trailhead, what are you gonna do? Hopefully, you have the first-aid training [...]
Camping Info and Question & Answers BillS on 09 Sep 2008
Q. When and how should I sharpen my pocketknives? A. How often you sharpen your pocketknife depends mostly on how often you use it. Basically when the blade feels dull to the touch or if it starts to feel awkward cutting with your knife, it’s time to do a little sharpening. Click here to check [...]