Ultimate Guide to Hammock Knots

hammock knots featimg hero

The Different Types of Knots for Hanging a Hammock While tree straps make it easy to hang a hammock, the more you hammock camp, the more often you’ll run into situations where you’ll need to make adjustments to your hammock’s setup. Knowing a range of knots can hanging a hammock in odd situations (like hanging … Read more

Tick Bite Danger

brown tick on leaf

One hot afternoon, a new Scout on his first outing ran through the campsite screaming loudly and holding his crotch. Despite the commotion, the other boys barely noticed because they were occupied trying to start a fire with a magnifying glass. After a few seconds, however, I realized what was wrong and said to the closest adult leader, “Better go and get the first aid kit, we need to remove a tick.” It took us more time to chase the boy down and get him to cooperate than it took to pull the tick out. (Please forward this email to your Scouting friends.)

Lightning Safety: Debunking The Myths

Lightning along trail

There are lots of myths and misconceptions about lightning strikes on outings. However, one thing to remember is that there is no safe place for Scouts during an electrical storm. Scouts and leaders have been hit by lightening (and killed) in shelters as well as open spaces. In fact, during one especially terrible storm at the Griswold Scout Reservation in New Hampshire, 23 Scouts who had taken shelter under a canopy were hospitalized from a lightning strike that hit close to them. The problem is serious enough that BSA has studied it ……….

Fear, Panic, and Paranoia on the Trail

backpacker looking over horizon

Fear can paralyze anyone and keep them from experiencing life-changing experiences. There is no way to eliminate fear from a backpacking trip and we shouldn’t try. However, success on a high adventure outing is all about facing fears and dealing with them successfully (and safely).

Wilderness First Aid

first aid kit

One of the unique characteristics of backpacking is that it puts you in control of your own destiny in a very real, but sometimes dangerous, manner. There are no hospitals, usually no access to roads or ambulances, and very few doctors in the backcountry. If, therefore, someone in your group gets sick or injured, then … Read more