Year End Odds and Ends

 Hey everybody!  Here are a few things that should be done or almost done by now.  If you are off from school for a few days then now is a good time to take care of them.

• You have a 60 liter or more backpack
• You have hiking boots or will have a pair by March or April (depending on how fast your feet grow)
• You have your wool socks and sock liners
  
• You are starting to fill out your packing list in your 2020 Philmont guidebook and know what you still need.
•  You have at least two 1Q/1L water bottles, preferably Nalgene (they can handle hot and cold liquids)
• You have a pack cover
• You have a multi tool or mini multi tool
• You have your first aid kit 

IF YOU HAVE MOST OR ALL OF THE ABOVE DONE THEN YOU ARE DOING GREAT!  

If not then now is the time to get it done, the school year will be over sooner than you think.

Adult Leaders (and 18+ year old crew)

• You've taken online YPT (if not then see earlier post about this and get it done)

• You've taken online VIRTUS training (if not then see earlier post about this and get it done)

***IMPORTANT***

 I've looked at the new trek itineraries and they do not differ from the choices we made last year.  If you would like to suggest a change or look at the new book then let me know and I'll get that to you.  Otherwise I'll put in the choices we made last year.

 Finally:  Keep up your exercise program.  Our next crew practice hike is in the works.

 

B.S.A. KIT, FIRST AID

 Today's entry is about the first aid kit you'll have in your backpack on the trek.  There will be a crew first aid kit but you will also need one for yourself or, if an injury happens, you may be the closest to the action.  You have a couple of options here.

1. You can upgrade the one you made back in your run up to First Class rank.  (you know where that one is... right?)

2. You can buy a new one

3. You can start from scratch and build a new one.

Lets look at those options.  If you upgrade the one you made for your early ranks then you may realize that you had a good start but it's not quite up to snuff and will need some upgrading. If you buy a new one I would strongly suggest you buy specifically a version that is small, pack-able, and useful specifically for  backpacking.  Understand that it can be expensive and may not have everything we need. Or worse, it's expensive and is missing items we need and instead has some useless contents. If you start one from scratch, the first thing you'll need is a durable container that is small, pack-able, and useful.  I hope you're seeing a pattern. DON'T LET PRICE GET IN THE WAY OF SAFETY!  If you have trouble deciding then let a leader know and we can work with you.

The following video is your standard.  It's under 8 minutes and explains the parts of a quality backpacking first aid kit very well.

When we shakedown packs for weight and contents, you'll be expected to have your personal first aid kit included.  When in doubt, ASK.  Don't just expect someone else's kit to be good enough.  Add your thoughts and questions in the comments below.