BSA Troop 563

Troop 563 Gear Lists

You will need a bunch of gear to participate in Boy Scouts. Much of it you probably already have. Some you can borrow from friends. Some you can borrow from the Troop. Over time you will want to purchase many of these items for yourself. The Troop philosophy on gear is that you should save for the big purchases and make good choices so you don't have to buy the same equipment over and over. Many items that you buy can last a lifetime if you take good care of them. Buying cheap gear that has to be replaced in a year or two is just a waste of money.

Use these links to take you quickly to the list you would like:

Printable Version
Scout Uniform
Outdoor Essentials
Overnight Required Items
Overnight Patrol Items
Overnight Troop Items
Overnight Optional Items
Hiking and Backpacking Trips
Late Fall, Winter and Early Spring Trips
Caving Trips
Climbing Trips

**Scout Uniform:** Our Troop has not adopted a cap, belt, pants, socks uniform code. The Scout Uniform is worn for ceremonies, Troop meetings, public events, summer camp breakfast and dinner and at camporees. The Troop t-shirt is worn for patrol meetings, service projects and informal gatherings.
	Item	note:
	Short or Long Sleeve BSA Uniform Shirt	BSA Catalog $28.25
	Neckerchief (custom made for Troop 563)	Troop provides one then $10 each
	Neckerchief Slide	BSA Catalog (X00601) $2.20
	Boy Scout Handbook	BSA Catalog (Y33105) $7.95 or Pack
	Montana Council Patch	Troop provides one then $2.90 each
	Troop 563 Numerals	Troop provides one then $1.50 each
	World Scouting Emblem	Troop provides one then $1.20 each
	Red Shoulder Loops	Troop provides one then $1.65 each
	Patrol Medallion	Troop provides one then $1.70 or $6.20
	Quality Unit Emblem	Troop provides one each year earned
	Merit Badge Sash and Merit Badges	Troop provides one as earned
	Ranks, Mother's Pins, Rank Certificates	Troop provides one as earned
	Position of Responsibility Emblem	Troop provides one as elected
	Year Service Stars	Troop provides one as earned
	Venture Strip, Letter, Pins	Troop provides one as earned
	Event Patches	Troop pays for half
	Event Patch Holder	Troop provides one
	Boy Scout Book Cover	optional BSA Catalog (Y34002A) $8.95
	Uniform Name Plate	optional BSA Catalog (Y20102) $4.45
	Order of the Arrow Sash	family pays for with O.A. registration
	(2) Troop 563 green t-shirts	family pays $8 each and the Troop pays any additional cost

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**Outdoor Essentials:** Don't leave home without them!!!
	Item	good example:
	extra clothing	warm shirt, underwear, warm hat, change of socks
	rain gear	wind/water proof jacket with hood wind/water proof pants
	sturdy footwear
	first aid kit
	pocketknife [3 inch blade maximum]	Swiss army, Leatherman, Gerber
	water bottle	Nalgene 32 oz. widemouth $4.99
	flashlight with extra batteries and bulb	Petzl Zoom $33.99
	trail food
	matches	strike anywhere in waterproof container
	fire starter	dryer lint in film case
	sunglasses and sunscreen
	map and compass	Silva Polaris Type 7 or Suunto M-2D

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**Overnight Required Items:** Must have for any campout.
	Item	good example:
	change of clothes
	sleeping bag
	sleeping pad	Ridge Rest 72" $14.95
	insulated plastic mug
	sturdy plastic (lexan) spoon
	toothbrush and toothpaste
	backpack or duffel bag

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**Overnight Patrol Items:** This list will depend on where you are staying overnight.
	Item	note:
	tent
	Patrol flag
	duty roster
	menu
	food
	Patrol box
	frying pan
	big pot with lid
	small pot with lid
	spatula
	serving spoon
	Dutch oven
	kettle
	aluminum foil
	spices
	juice pitcher
	can opener
	pliers
	potato peeler
	colander
	cheese grater
	paper towels
	toilet paper
	Ziploc bags
	garbage bags
	wash basin
	dish soap
	cleaning sponge
	folding shovel
	folding table
	table cloth
	propane tank
	propane hoses and tank connection
	two burner stove
	lantern with extra mantles

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**Overnight Troop Items:** This list will depend on where you are staying overnight.
	Item	note:
	American flag
	Troop flag
	flag stands
	medical information forms
	tour permit
	Troop Advancement Record
	Troop first aid kit
	axe yard rope
	axe
	axe file
	saw
	fire barrel
	charcoal
	grill
	water buckets
	dining fly with poles and stakes
	lashing cord
	repair kit
	food cooler
	five gallon water jugs

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**Overnight Optional Items:** Most of these depend on how long you will be out, how you are getting there and what you will be doing.
	Item	note:
	bowl or plate
	soap and washcloth
	large towel
	swimsuit
	comb or brush
	watch
	camera and film
	notebook and pencil or pen
	Merit Badge Pamphlets [The Troop library and Public Library have many available.]	BSA Catalog $2.90 each
	money for optional fees
	work gloves
	second water bottle
	chapstick with SPF15
	lash straps
	50' cord
	cards or dice
	Cyalume light stick
	folding chair
	hammock
	backpackers trowel
	sharpening stone
	sewing kit
	fishing gear
	insect repellent
	pillow
	Firem'n Chit Card
	Totin' Chip Card
	tarp or ground cloth

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**Hiking and Backpacking Trips:** These items are necessary when you leave all of the heavy Patrol and Troop gear behind.
	Item	good example:
	backpack cover (optional)
	hiking boots [well broken in]
	polypropylene liner socks (optional)
	water filter (Patrol can share)	PUR Hiker $59.95
	backpacking stove (Patrol can share)	MSR Whisperlite Shaker Jet $59.95
	fuel bottle (Patrol can share)	MSR 22 oz. $9.95
	lightweight cook kit (Patrol can share)
	snake bite kit (Troop can share)	The Extractor $11.99
	dog

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**Late Fall, Winter and Early Spring Trips:** During the colder months, it is not a good idea to wear cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture, keeps it next to the skin and can induce hypothermia quickly. Wear synthetic or natural materials that wick moisture.
	Item	good example:
	wool sweater or pile jacket
	polypropylene long sleeve shirt
	polypropylene long underwear
	heavy coat
	wool or pile pants
	second sleeping bag
	winter boots
	snowshoes or skies w/ ski poles and boots
	fleece blanket
	overmitts
	glove liners
	gaiters	Outdoor Research Crocodiles $45.99
	balaclava
	down booties
	goggles
	sled
	water bottle insulators
	instant hand / feet warmers

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**Caving Trips:**
	Item	good example:
	helmet (climbing, biking, etc.)
	three sources of light	headlamp, flashlight, candle, light stick
	warm and protective clothes	wool hat, work gloves, wool socks, polypropylene long underwear, old jeans, sweatshirt, old lug sole boots
	knee pads (optional but comfortable)
	two 13 gallon plastic bags
	small water bottle	Nalgene 16 oz. widemouth $2.50
	snack food
	map and compass
	change of clothes for the drive home
	first aid kit (one for group)
	SAM Splint (one for group)
	reflective markers (one for group)
	space blanket (one for group)

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**Climbing Trips:** This list is in the order in which you should think about buying rock climbing equipment if you decide to get into rock climbing. For your first season or two you should go with people that are very experienced and have gear to lend you. Then start working your way down the list below.
	Item	good example:
	helmet
	rock climbing shoes
	chalk bag
	seat harness
	locking carabiners
	one inch tubular nylon webbing
	descending device
	belay device
	dynamic climbing rope
	non-locking carabiners
	quickdraws
	rack of protection anchors
	chest harness
	static rappelling rope
	ascending system

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