Shopping List
This page is under construction and is not finalized yet. Please wait for guidance from troop meetings before making any purchases based on this page.
Uniform
Handbook
Backpack
Sleeping bag
Pillow
Others
Sash pin https://www.scoutshop.org/merit-badge-sash-pin-14712.html
Handbook cover: https://www.scoutshop.org/nsearch/?q=handbook+cover or Amazon
The Ten Essentials
Drinking water (any will do, but if you are buying a new one the wide mouth Nalgenes are very popular among Scouts)
Extra clothing
Flashlight and batteries
Small first-aid kit
Pocket knife
Trail food
Rain gear (not ponchos)
Map and compass
Matches
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, lip balm)
Stores
McCaulou’s (589 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville)
Prices are higher than the official BSA stores, but it is very close/convenient.
Inventory has been really well in the recent years for scouts, less for adults leaders.
There is one lady who is really knowledgable about uniform and book, even with a cheatsheet. Others rely on her to answer questions.
Pleasant Hill Scout Shop (800 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill) – http://www.mdscbsa.org/about/council/scout-shop/
Since this is the official BSA shop for our council, they are most likely to have everything you need and they have staff that can answer your questions.
They also have a service (for a fee) that sews on the patches for you. See “Patch Placement” section below for a recommendation for a local place that sews on the patches.
East Bay Scout Shop (1001 Davis Street, San Leandro) – http://www.sfbac.org/about/ebscoutshop
Since this is an official BSA store, they should have everything you need except they likely do not have the Mt Diablo Silverado Council patch (since this store is associated with another council). The staff will be able to answer all of your questions.
Online – https://www.scoutshop.org/
You can shop online, but it is difficult to get everything you need online and you cannot see the shirt sizes.
It is a good place to go to see what the items you need to buy look like.