From the boy scout handbook, we find that the Scout outdoor (ten) camping essentials include: a (folding) pocket knife, first aid kit supplies, extra clothing, rain gear, a water bottle, a flashlight, trail-food, matches and fire starters, sun protection, a map and compass.  

From backpacking.net (number one on Google on 2 Sep, 2008) the ten outdoor camping equipment essentials plus four, we get the same basic list of essentials minus the rain gear, plus the essentials: sunglasses, whistle and insect repellent.

From Mountaineering the Freedom of the Hills we get the same list as backpacking.net plus the essentials: Ice axe for glacier or snowfield travel (if necessary), repair kit, including duct tape and a basic sewing materials and plastic tarp and rope for expedient field shelter.

So as you can see the ten essentials can be a very long list of items to carry with you. We present to you those essentials that we were able to find suppliers for.

One of the (ten) essentials is a (folding) pocket knife. We have a good selection of folding pocket knives by Leatherman, Gerber and Wenger (the Swiss Army knife). The Boy Scout Handbook states that a folding pocket knife is the most useful tool you can own, but you must also keep it sharp. We offer a pocket sized pocket knife sharpener. TIP: A sharp folding pocket knife has gotten many people out of trouble.

What is survival without a first aid kit? Everyone agrees that the (ten) essentials must include a personal first aid kit. Which one do you need? Agreement here is inconclusive as well. No real minimum/maximum for your first aid kit is stated.

The Boy Scout Handbook states that as a minimum a personal first aid kit should include: Adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads (at least 3 by 3), adhesive tape, at least 3 by 6 pad of moleskin, soap, antiseptic, scissors, latex (or nitrile) gloves, mouth barrier device for rescue breathing or CPR, plastic goggles or other eye protection and pencil and paper.

Our personal first aid kit will get you started, but it is not complete by any medical standard. Check out our other first aid supplies.

What would life be without water? Unless you are a desert plant, water is number one of the (Ten) Essentials. So the next essential is the water bottle. The Boy Scout Handbook says ‘Fill your water bottle before your start out, and sip from it whenever you are thirsty…’. You usually will not miss your water bottle until you do not have one or it is dry. If you are out in the wilderness what do you do when your water bottle runs dry. There are no convenient taps around to get water from. Now you need a water purification method. We have both water purification tablets and water purification filters. Life is so fragile and without your water bottle and a supply of good pure water you are dead.

Flashlights are definitely one of the (Ten) Essentials. According to the Boy Scout Handbook finding your way in the dark can be tough without a flashlight. Anyone who can disagree with this has never really been in the dark. Once you are away from the city lights nighttime can be the darkest and without a flashlight not only can you get lost you can get hurt. Please, look over our fine selection of flashlights.

Preventing sunburn and possibly skin cancer is definitely one of the (Ten) Essentials. The Boy Scout Handbook tells us that too much exposure to the sun’s rays can be harmful, especially if you have a fair complexion. They recommend a sun protection factor of SPF 15 or higher. Our sunscreens are SPF 22 and SPF 30. The SPF 30 claims UVA and UVB protection.

Here come the bugs! Make them stay away with your insect repellent. While the Boy Scout Handbook does not mention insect repellent, the others do recommend it (and if you have ever been to Boy Scout Camp, you know you need it). We have a selection of insect repellent that offer DEET insect repellent, Citronella insect repellent and Picaridin insect repellent (a new alternative to DEET insect repellent) and other methods of controlling the insect biting problem.

‘Carry a compass and map whenever you travel in areas unfamiliar to you’, recommends the Boy Scout Handbook. ‘A map and compass prevents one from getting lost in the field’, says Wikipedia. A Compass can show the way. In fact The Mountaineers Hiking and Climbing Club in the 1930’s placed a compass number 2 in the Ten Essentials. Check out our large selection of compasses from Brunton and Silva.