Just realized, copy of their ID and a family photo of all of us, just in case to prove parentage in case of accidental separation

If they have a copy of their ID... blank out the address etc... that way if they are lost you minimize current risk.

TGrl,

I had a set of "dog tags" made for my son. There was a bit of bs getting his blood type for his tags. It was typed when he was born but somehow our family record misplaced it. If you ever have to get blood work in an emergency it is good to know the kids blood type.

As for a BOB, I keep all of my son's Scout gear in a big red duffle bag. Including: a backpack, one person tent, multiple canteens, survival kit, first aid kit, a Mora Knife, sleeping pad, ponch liner/ranger blanket and ziploc bags labelled for his clothes - since he is still growing we do not have have a complete extra set of clothes that stays only in the bag. In the event I am not home and he is and has to pack - he knows he just has to fill the bags with the labelled contents. By the time I get home from work he should be packed. His sleeping bag is in his bedroom closet. I know there are few other items in there but I can't recall the items at the moment.

Good idea about including a family group photo.

Cheers,

Mountainman.

Awesome post, thanks Mountainman

Just realized, copy of their ID and a family photo of all of us, just in case to prove parentage in case of accidental separation

What a great idea. I never thought of that....

Hey torontogrl my kids are 3 4 5 and I was told to not put any thing on there backs by a guy at mec did you hear anything like that cause it would be nice to put some stuff on them so they don't feel left out

Duffman,

I can only agree with that statement from MEC if and only if the pack is not sized for the child. If you put a teenager's backpack on a 5 year old of course it will do muscle or skeletal damage, it is too big. On the other hand if you have access to packs that are the correct size to your child's back and you do not put more than 10% of their body weight in that pack for those under 6 years of age, it will help strengthen their bodies. If your children are very active, in sports like gymnastics, judo, ballet, rock climbing - in the wild or a gym setting, or any other non-contact sport that develops strength, flexibility, endurance/stamina and coordination there should be no reason not to start small and work up a little backpacking in your kids lives. I made my son his first backpack when he was 2 1/2 years old, but it was sized for his back. He carried whatever he could jam in that pack and he carried it everywhere. How big was that pack?? 6" wide x 8" tall x 3" deep. But that was where we started. Now he is a bit bigger and we can buy packs off the rack, I don't have to build them.

Now, if your children are not active and are not developing their core, you should wait until they have begun an exercise regime before adding a pack. If ever in doubt, ask you doctor or your children's pediatrician. Both should have good answers, because they (the doctor) should know you and your family, as well as, what is safe for kids.

Just my two cents,

Mountainman.

Thanks yoda lol
Will try that the kids are in soccer and starting gymnastics when the girls can but will try that stuff

map
whistle
hats
flashlights that go on hats, kids love them

Martial Arts for Girls!!!!

Just realized, copy of their ID and a family photo of all of us, just in case to prove parentage in case of accidental separation

Not just to prove parentage (that would be the second stage), but first and foremost to be used if you're separated with your kids, and a missing persons database is built up.
Actually, not just for kids: we have a full set of family photos in everyone's BOB, both adults' and kids'.

Family (and family friends') contact data sheets should also be in everyone's kit.
Many reasons for that... As emergency rally points, for one. Or if your cell phone is dead, and you don't remember any phone numbers by heart...

If you drive, it may also be a good idea to have the car makes, models and license plates in that list.
This way, if you go missing, your kids may describe to the police what kind of vehicle you were driving.

Just realized, copy of their ID and a family photo of all of us, just in case to prove parentage in case of accidental separation

Not just to prove parentage (that would be the second stage), but first and foremost to be used if you're separated with your kids, and a missing persons database is built up.
Actually, not just for kids: we have a full set of family photos in everyone's BOB, both adults' and kids'.

Family (and family friends') contact data sheets should also be in everyone's kit.
Many reasons for that... As emergency rally points, for one. Or if your cell phone is dead, and you don't remember any phone numbers by heart...

If you drive, it may also be a good idea to have the car makes, models and license plates in that list.
This way, if you go missing, your kids may describe to the police what kind of vehicle you were driving.

wow.. I have never seen this info anywhere else, there was a download sheet from the American Preppers Network I think, that was for writing out info, but nobody said to include photos and some of your other info here! Excellent points!!!

might want to add in glasses/combat glasses/safety glasses/sunglasses/reading glasses for kids and adults as well. not all of them, just the ones you want though a good low light yellow lens combat glasses or googles, would be a great addition. Shooting glasses found at ranges or gun shops are not that expensive so I would look there, or Princess Auto or Sears I buy them from those two sources.

Lab protection glasses may be cheaper - simply because they don't carry the big brand name, and because their "official" purpose is more mundane.
They still would be manufactured to quite strict standards.

And yeah, vision glasses are important for every person that uses them daily. Contact lenses may be not such a good idea, because of exposure to dust, and eventually running out of those. Have your vision glasses in a hard case.

My son is 9 (but on smaller side, though strong as an ox), he has played ice hockey since 4, as well as ball hockey since 5. He is also just finishing first year of judo, and weighs about 60lbs.

His bug out bag is a tad heavy, but I will list his contents in case you see some items you may think useful. I will also let you know he has been an avid camper since born, and has been swinging an axe to help split wood since 7. I would not allow him some of these pursuits unless I believed he was (a) responsible enough and (b) coordinated enough which he is...he has also been riding atv's since 4 and new to dirt biking since 8. Knock on wood, no accidents or slip ups to date...he is quite respectful of his gear...

His bag contain, power and chocolate bars, as well as some hard candy.
Toothbrush, paste and mouthwash...and a couple small bottles hand sanitizes.
Small first aid kit, emgency scissors, disinfectant wipes, etc.
A good quality reflective emergency blanket, and small wool blanket.
A small tarp, and two runs of 100' of para chord.
Fixed blade knife, pocket knife, and multi purpose tool
Flashlight x 2, mirror and a screamer whistle as well as 3, 12 hour glow sticks
Magnesium rod, water proof matches, and a lighter with fire starter, and about 5 packs of hand warmers
A small am/fm radio with handcrank, and 1 of three Walkie talkie's (1 in my bag, 1 in moms bag)
Note pad that can be written on when wet along with pen with same capabilities and a couple sharpie's, plus all his pertinent info written on first two pages (but I like the dog tag idea, and blood type)
A liter of water, an empty water bottle and filter straw as well as flavored crystals (electrolyte kind)
Poncho, pair of winter and work gloves, wool socks, warm shirt, pants, wool hat and a belt. The thought is a flashlight, knife, Walkie talkie and other items would come out of bag immediately, so as to lighten the bag itself
A couple large garbage bags, and small roll of duct tape
$50 + a couple loonies and 8 quarters
Outside of bag, a good quality carabiner, small keychain flashlight, another whistle (as well as the water)

Think that about sums it up...it weighs about 13 lbs and is a good quality one from MEC, but he is pretty comfortable with it and has hiked around the neighborhood a few times as well as one good hike wearing it. Everything in his pack, like fire starter etc, has been in his hand and has used successfully. We also made a shelter at our cabin last month and slept out in -8 weather very comfortably...though we snuck a few extra blankets out from the beds, and had a nice fresh bail of hay to spread for our mattress.

Cheers,
Chevy55

Excellent list, Chevy, this really helps! Thanks to everyone for ideas 😀