Scout Essentials
Lion – Webelos · grade 4 and below
The Six Essentials
Arrow of Light · grade 5, heading into Scouts BSA
The Ten Essentials
Source: Scouting America's Cub Scout Six Essentials and Scout Basic (Ten) Essentials, confirmed against scouting.org and scoutlife.org, 2026-07-28.
Where to get it
Scout essentials
The gear above, with links. Prices move around, so treat these as a starting point rather than a quote.
SURVIVE Permanent Match (5-Pack)
Reusable metal fire-starter keychain, unlimited waterproof strikes.
$19.99
Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Pocket Notebook, 3.5 x 5 inch
Rite in the Rain paper genuinely works wet. Pocket sized, for notes at camp that survive the weather.
$7.95
Waterproof Notebook and Pen Set, 5 Pack
Five waterproof notebooks with pens. Cheap enough to hand one to every scout in the den.
$13.59
Orienteering Baseplate Compass
A proper baseplate compass for map work, not a keyring toy. This is the one for the map and compass requirements.
$9.97
Outdoor Compass with Adjustable Declination
Adjustable declination, a magnifier and a ruler. The declination adjustment is what makes map bearings come out right.
$3.99
Insulated Water Bottle with Strap, 32 oz
Insulated 32 ounce bottle with a strap, cold for two days. The strap is why it comes home instead of staying at camp.
$18.49
Hooded Rain Poncho, Reusable
A reusable hooded poncho that packs down small. Wet and cold is where a good weekend goes wrong.
$9.99
Waterproof First Aid Kit, 152 Pieces
A 152 piece kit in a waterproof dry bag, sized for a patrol rather than a pocket.
$24.99
Bullfrog Mosquito Coast Bug Spray Insect Repellent + Sunscreen SPF 50
Repellent and SPF 50 in one can, so it is one thing to remember and one thing to apply.
$12.79
Bear Grylls Mosquito Repellent Bracelets, DEET Free (10 Pack)
DEET free repellent bracelets, ten of them. Worth having for scouts who react to spray.
$19.99
Ferro Rod Fire Starter, 4 inch
A four inch ferro rod. Fire starting without matches is a requirement, and this is the tool for practicing it.
$6.98
Survival Paracord Bracelet with Fire Starter and Compass (2 Pack)
Paracord bracelet with a flint striker, compass and whistle built in. Wearable, so it is actually with them.
$6.99
General Medi Mini First Aid Kit, 110 Pieces
A small kit for a day pack or a bike bag, where the point is that it actually comes with you.
$8.43
Energizer LED Headlamp PRO, 2-Pack
Two headlamps on AAA batteries. Hands free is the whole point.
$14.99
LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard
Loud safety whistle on a lanyard. Three blasts means help. Every scout wears one on the trail.
$7.99
Sun Bum Kids SPF 50 Face Stick
Sunscreen stick a scout can apply alone. Goes in the ten essentials bag.
$11.98
Sawyer Permethrin for Clothing and Gear
Treats clothes and tents so ticks let go. Spray at home the day before and let it dry.
$10.79
Buzz Patch Mosquito Stickers for Kids
Repellent stickers for the kid who hates spray. On the shirt, not the skin.
$14.90
GeoSafari Kidnoculars
Toy binoculars for Lions and Tigers, wide eyepieces and no focusing. The pair that survives being dropped.
$14.82
Sawyer Mini Water Filter
The Sawyer Mini screws onto a water bottle. Lighter than the LifeStraw and it refills a bottle.
$28.99
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
The straw filter. Drink from a creek in an emergency. Cheap enough for every pack.
$14.99
Ferro Rod Fire Starter and Striker
A ferro rod throws sparks in any weather. Practice at home before the campout.
$11.15
TickCheck Tick Remover, 3-Pack
Tick key plus an ID card. One in the first aid kit, one in the car.
$4.99
Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars
Small binoculars that fit a kid's hands. For the bird study and the star party.
$35.99
Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet, 2-Pack
Paracord bracelet with a whistle and fire starter. The one scouts actually wear.
$12.99
Paracord Crafting Kit, 24 Colors
Twenty-four colors of 550 cord. Bracelets, lanyards, and the woggle project.
$13.99
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets
Iodine tablets as the backup to the filter. Thirty minutes to safe water.
$8.97
65L Foldable Duffel Bag
Big duffel that folds into itself. The scout's whole campout in one bag.
$18.99
Nike Brasilia Training Duffel
The gym duffel that doubles as camp luggage. Sizes for every scout.
$35.25
MOICO Walkie Talkies, 2-Pack
Cheap FRS radios that reach across a campground. Leaders on one channel, scouts on another.
$16.98
HotHands Hand Warmers, 10 Pairs
Hand warmers for the winter campout. Put one in the sleeping bag too.
$7.48
Protect Life Travel First Aid Kit, 100 Pieces
Small kit for the daypack. The big kit stays at the campsite.
$9.99
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
Picaridin works like DEET and does not melt plastic. The lotion lasts all day.
$8.19
Iron Flask 32 oz Insulated Water Bottle
Insulated bottle with three lids. Cold all day on the trail.
$14.24
Fiskars X7 Small Hatchet
The 14 inch hatchet for the leader's kindling. Not a scout tool until they earn it.
$34.98
Gerber Dime Mini Multitool
Keychain multitool with pliers and scissors. Small blade, tiny package.
$24.49
TurnOnSport Orienteering Compass
Baseplate compass with a lanyard. The den set for the map and compass adventure.
$9.98