Ten Essentials

The Ten Essentials in your Scout Handbook are the basics. These you should have with you whenever you're out. Add an eleventh---toilet paper. Put a roll with about half an inch left on it in a zipper sandwich bag. The T.P. is also good as facial tissue for your runny nose, wiping sticky food out of your bowl before you wash it, and first aid cleanup. A light-weight or folding trowel will help with the relief-station process, and with wood and coals in the fire (if it's metal). The trowel is a must-have if you're using a fire permit when you back pack. A head lamp is much easier to hike and cook with. Consider one as your flashlight. No D-cell flashlights, AA batteries are fine, and smaller and lighter.