Troop 139’s Resources

We have some outdoor gear for troop use (mainly heavy car camping gear), a set of flags, equipment for practicing Tenderfoot through First Class skills, all merit badge pamphlets for required merit badges and an assortment of other merit badge pamphlets that Scouts can check out, and a very limited number of used uniforms available to boys who need a uniform (parents, another source of used uniforms is Deseret Industries, but note that some stores keep most of their uniforms on a rack in a back room and you have to ask to see them; you also need to avoid any ancient style uniforms). If you have used uniforms in good repair that you no longer need, or up-to-date but unneeded merit badge pamphlets, or any other resources you would like to give to the troop, Troop 139 would be happy to accept your generosity. We very much thank those who have donated items or services. The city library also has some merit badge pamphlets, the BSA’s council service center Scout Shop in Provo has all merit badge pamphlets for sale, and Copies Plus in Springville sells merit badge workbooks that can supplement merit badge pamphlets. If the Scouts aren’t using the troop equipment, other ward groups are welcome to borrow it responsibly for official activities. Ask the Scoutmaster first, and return it clean. Most of this gear is stored in the meetinghouse Scout closet; planning materials and a few other things are at the Scoutmaster’s house, and all gases are stored in the Scoutmaster’s shed, as are the flag holiday flags and the Klondike sled. The list below only includes resources maintained by the Deacons quorum-age Scouts, not the 11 year old Scouts or the Varsity and Venture groups.

Parents: These resources do not include things your son needs to own personally. First among these things is a Boy Scout Handbook, and a Scout uniform. You can get these at the Scout Shop (250 West 500 North in Provo), or look at www.scoutstuff.org for a list of local stores that also sell some Scout supplies (this Web site also has a downloadable uniform inspection sheet). The troop can probably help with these expenses if necessary. We have a limited number of troop activity t-shirts we can sell to Scouts who did not earn them by selling Scout Expo tickets; they can also be special ordered from The Ink Spot in Provo. Consider getting your boy as much camping equipment as you can afford. Boys belong outdoors. The Boy Scout Handbook lists clothing suggestions in checklists on pages 203 and 204 (pay particular attention to the cold weather gear suggestions, and don’t forget extra socks), and provides a list of “Essentials” on pages 207-210. To that “Essentials” list I would add a whistle, insect repellent, facial tissue, and a bag for personal trash and trash found on the trail. Sunglasses are a necessity for trips over snow or while in open desert, and lip balm should have sunscreen. Note what is not on the “Essentials” list: a Game Boy, Walkman, or other similar device. Those things do not belong on wilderness trips. Pages 224 and 225 of the Boy Scout Handbook list some useful camping supplies, such as eating kits, sleeping bags, pads, and backpacks. There is some cheap camping gear available at places like Wal-Mart. However, places like Out-N-Back and Sportsman’s Warehouse in Provo, and Recreation Outlet in American Fork, sometimes have good sales on somewhat better gear, allowing you to get your son decent equipment for a relatively low price. For high end gear you could go to REI or Kirkhams in Salt Lake, but that would probably be a waste of money given that these boys will grow out of clothes and backpacks, and will likely thrash what they have anyway. You might also consider a subscription to Boy’s Life, the magazine the BSA publishes for Scouts.

Scouts: Troop 139 practices responsible outdoor ethics (see pages 218-219 and 244-245 of the Boy Scout Handbook). Whether you call it “Leave No Trace,” “low impact hiking and camping,” “pack it in, pack it out,” “take only photographs, leave only footprints,” “leave it better than you found it,” or something else, whenever you go outdoors make sure you respect the environment. From our troop rule discouraging wanton destruction (“If you kill it, you eat it”) to our commitment to the Outdoor Code, being a member of Troop 139 means being conservation minded. Use your gear accordingly.

Return to Troop 139’s home page.

Created by Paul Wake.
Last updated August 10, 2003.