Every year we’re asked for stocking fillers or meaningful Scouting gifts for all sections for Christmas and birthdays. Here are some ideas and recommendations for you to consider.
Note that some gear comes highly recommended and is what the Scout leaders tend to use but that there are always other options – shop around to your own budget. Also remember that you are entitled to discounts (typically 10%) from most outdoor stores including Trespass (our local in Saffron Walden), Go Outdoors, Cotswold, Mountain Warehouse (all in Cambridge) and more (it’s always worth an ask – just take your scarf along).
Finally, please sign up to Easyfundraising before you buy. For every sign up, the Group gets £5 and each time you use Easyfundraising, the Group gets a donation from the store you buy from. With c.170 young people in the Group, Christmas shopping donations soon add up and help us bring more fun and adventure to the young people.
Essentials
| Item | Options* | Cost (approx.) | Where | Section | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day sack | Trespass Alder 20L Scout Store 15L | £22 £18 | Trespass Scout Store | Cubs/Scouts/Explorers Squirrels/Beavers/Cubs | Think school rucksack – no need for anything fancy. Just enough to hold water, lunch and maybe a spare top. |
| Good walking boots shoes | Trespass Merrell Meindl | £60 – 150 £100+ £200+ | Trespass Mens Trespass Womens Cotswold Outdoor | Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | Always try these on – most shops will give good advice on fit and suitability |
| Good walking socks | Trespass Bridgedale | £14 (2 pairs) £23 (1 pair) | Trespass Cotswold Mens Cotswold Womens | Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | Boots & socks are useful for Squirrels & Beavers but the rate of foot growth vs hike distance makes this uneconomical |
| Head torch | Trespass Black Diamond | £10.99 £39.99 | Trespass Ultralight Outdoor | All | Headtorches are easier than hand held. If possible go for lightweight with red & white lights. |
| Insulated mug | Trespass Nooper Thermocafe Camelback | £14.99 £7.29 £30 | Trespass Amazon Mountain Warehouse | All | Great for campfire hot chocolate. Try to get one with a lid! |
| Water bottle | 1L metal with karabiner 2L bladder 2.5L bladder (Osprey) | £5.99 £12.99 £36 | Mountain Warehouse Trespass Amazon | All | Metal is best but plastic is ok. 500ml minimum – 1000ml is best – or a bladder for older sections/Jailbreak. |
| Mess kit | Lifeventure Ellipse Reanea Aluminium Mess Tin Lock & Clip Cutlery | £13 £11.99 £10.99 £3.99 | Cotswold Outdoor Amazon Trespass Trespass | All | Plate, bowl, cutlery as a minimum – and remember to name everything! Buy well once and it will see you through your whole scouting journey. |
| Rucksack (33L) | Trespass 33L Trek Trespass 32L Oltava Osprey Talon (33L) | £50 £55 £165 (shop around, there are offers) | Trespass Go Outdoors, Cotswold, Ultimate Outdoors, Alpinetrek… | Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | Get this fitted to you if you can. Make sure it has hip straps. Other c.30 – 35L bags are available. Osprey is the leaders’ go-to bag. |
| Sleeping bag | Trespass Kids Trespass 4 season OEX Leviathan | £35 £40 £170 | Trespass Trespass Go Outdoors | Squirrels/Beavers Cubs/Scouts/Explorers Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | Younger sections should get a junior bag. Cubs onwards should go full sized. Aim for a 3/4 season minimum. Scouts should ensure their bag goes down to 0C. Down bags are much warmer for the same weight as synthetic. |
| Waterproof jacket | Berghaus, North Face, Trespass and more. | Hi Gear c.£25 Berghaus c.£55 | Cotswold, Go Outdoors, Trespass… | All | A good waterproof will last a good while and makes hikes much more comfortable |
| Waterproof trousers | Berghaus, North Face, Trespass and more. | £15 £19 £50 | Decathlon Mountain Warehouse Berghaus | Essential for a wet Jailbreak! | |
| Water shoes | Mountain Warehouse Jr Subea (adults) | £5 £10.99 | Mountain Warehouse Decathlon | All | Essential for watersports |
| Mighty 5ths T-shirt! | There’s only one official! | £10 child / £12 adult | Saffron Apparel | All | Feel part of the Group with a t-shirt for use in Scouting and out! |
Stocking Fillers
| Item | Options* | Cost (approx.) | Where | Section | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spork | Plastic Titanium | £2.99 £7 | Mountain Warehouse Amazon | All | Useful when you’re on the run or lightweight camping / hiking. |
| Compass | Vastra Silva Expedition 4 (DofE recommended) | £7 £25 | Trespass OutdoorGB | Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | Fun for Cubs, only really needed for Scouts onwards. |
| Gloves | Thermal or waterproof | £10 | All Outdoor shops | All | Gloves are needed – no particular brand, just something to keep them warm! |
| Woolly hat / sun cap | Scout Store | £10 | Scout Store | All | Any sun hat or woolly hat is ok but why not go for a Scout specific one for a bit of fun? |
| Bivy bag | Alpkit Hunka | £55 | Alpkit (quintessential Jailbreak bag) | Scouts/Explorers | Bivy bags are a must for Jailbreak. Cheaper ones are available but don’t get the orange emergency bags – you’ll sweat and be soaked and cold by morning. |
| Penknife | Victorinox Huntsman | £37 | Amazon | Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | Also consider the Victorinox Camper for c.£20. Note Cubs may not bring penknives to Cubs without permission. |
| Emergency whistle | Trespass | £1.99 | Trespass | All | Emergency whistles don’t have a pea. |
| Fire steel | Fire Stryker Light My Fire Swedish | £6 £14 | Trespass Amazon | Cubs/Scouts/Explorers | Don’t use this indoors without adult supervision! |
| Gaiters | Knoydart Highland | £17 £25 | Trespass Mountain Warehouse | Scouts/Explorers | Not essential but nice to have for wet hikes |
| Games | Scouts Dobble Scouts Cluedo Scouts Top Trumps | £14 £10 £7 | Scout Store – Dobble Scout Store – Cluedo Scout Store – Top Trumps | All | Games are useful to have on camps & trips to pass the time. |
