I'd like to second the encouragement. Like many here, I was initiated into backpacking via scouts (former Eagle scout) and remember all too vividly that to "Be Prepared" meant to be heavy, to crush under your load, to accept sore shoulders/legs/feet as part of backpacking life. One of my fondest scouting memories is of doing my "wilderness survival" merit badge, where we had to make a shelter using only raw materials (OK, so cutting down branches off trees isn't exactly LNT or politically correct anymore, but this was some years ago but more akin to going UL)-- despite this, my "heavy" mentality lasted for me for many years, where I wanted to most bomber (read: heavy) equipment 'just in case'. After a hiatus from backpacking (school, marriage, etc) when I re-started, I was fortunate to get a copy of "Beyond Backpacking" and that was like a huge weight(pun intended) being taken off my shoulders-- there was a better way, and the rest is history. Anyway, the reason I am stating all this is to show how habits taught to impressionable young scouts could easily last a lifetime, and that teaching them better the first time around will make them more likely to stick with it, and be good stewards of the wilds for their kids, etc... keep up the good work!

PS-- Sgt Rock has a $300 UL challenge on his blog/site. You might want to check it out. Also, have you thought about having them make gear as projects before outings? Could do double duty maybe for other merit badges, etc.

Edited by dfliedner on 03/20/2006 17:21:22 MST.