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Hello, It's great that you're looking to get your son set up with some great gear.
I don't know anything about that pack but I'd like to give you some options that I am familiar with.

Budget options-
Teton Sports Explorer I have been out backpacking several times with a friend using this pack and it is an excellent value. It has enough room for a trip to Philmont and is comfortable to wear/ does a decent job placing the weight on the hips. This is what we really want out of a backpacking backpack is to use the frame to place the weight of the pack on the hips and not the shoulders.

The more expensive bags will be lighter and more comfortable. Osprey is probably the most recommended bag right now and for good reason. If you head over to r/appalachiantrail you'll see a ton of them. This Osprey Atmos would be excellent for a scout.

Other major brands that make good products are Kelty, REI Co-op, and Gregory all make good bags. You can also check out the bags sold at the official Boy Scout online store Scoutshop.org. I would recommend a bag in the size neighborhood of 65L for the kind of camping scouts usually do.

I hope he has a great experience.

These kinds of issues require a tremendous amount of patience. You have to keep in mind that often times, this behavior is not really intentional. Boys and girls with behavioral issues don't *WANT* to be difficult. It's just very difficult for them to regulate emotions. I myself was diagnosed with ADHD (ODD wasn't a diagnosis back then, but I'm sure it would have applied, too) as a youth, so I know firsthand. Emotional responses just override logical responses.

We have a scout in our troop who has been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and ADHD. He will often behave in a very similar manner to the scout you've described. I've learned through observation that it usually happens when he's had a lot of interpersonal contact. Dealing with people exhausts him, and when he gets exhausted, his ODD will come out and shine. We have learned that he does particularly well if we can earmark some of the solo tasks his way. He's particularly fastidious with washing dishes, for example, and that task doesn't require him to socialize very much.

When the outbursts happen, take a tack like saying "Hey man, why don't you take a break in your tent and gather yourself. We can get the cooking gear set up right now, and you can help with the dishes after dinner." Sometimes just a bit of self-time will allow them to reset enough to carry on, but you've also left the expectation that they will be doing some of the work.

Oh, another thing to do is go go over well ahead of time, what your expectations are for the campout. "Ok, we'll be arriving at the campsite at 6PM. Everybody will need to set their tents up. If you didn't bring a tent, you're still expected to help your tent mate set up their tent. Mark, Dave, Tom, does everyone understand? Great. Then we'll be setting up for dinner. We expect everyone to help set up, and break back down afterwards. Mark, Dave, Tom, do you understand? Great." Do the same each day, for those guys.

It can seem silly to do that, when you're thinking "Gee, everyone knows all that stuff...", but what you're really doing is providing advance notice of your expectations. And letting the boys know what the structure of the outing is. So there are no surprises. ADHD kids know things need to be done, but without structure they often flounder and then telling them what needs to be done Right Now(tm) makes them feel put upon. Giving them the plan in advance provides a structure they can work within. Lack of structure is a rarely verbalized, but often felt, challenge for the ADD/ADHD crowd.

All that said...

You need to talk to your scoutmaster, and your committee chair, and make sure the adults are aware of the issues. One issue is the boy's behavior itself. Another issue is the potential that these issues are real medical issues that need to be properly dealt with. Yet another issue is the impact to patrol and troop morale can happen when a kid won't help with the work that needs to be done.

Because of two-deep leadership needs, we have mandated that for activities like Summer Camp, the kids with these or similar issues are required to have a parent/guardian attend. We simply can't afford to leave two adults back in a campsite when it's time to head off to meals or activities, and we won't deny the other boys the opportunity to participate.Your troop committee may need to explore similar requirements.

In terms of resources:

• Talk to the Scout's parents. They will undoubtedly be familiar with this Scout's behavior, and they may be able to offer suggestions on what works and doesn't work for him. Stress that you want his scouting experience to be as successful and beneficial as possible, but it needs to work for the other boys, too.
  
• Check with your Council and/or District to see if they have a committee dedicated to working with Special Needs scouts - if they don't, suggest that they establish one.
  
• BSA's website has a section on working with scouts who have special needs: https://www.scouting.org/programs/boy-scouts/the-building-blocks-of-scouting/disabilities/
  
• You can email the BSA committee on special needs Scouting at disabilities.awareness@scouting.org
  
• https://scoutingmagazine.org/2017/02/tips-working-scouts-special-needs-disabilities/
  
• A lot of the tips on working with Scouts on the Autism Spectrum are also good tips for working with scouts on the ADHD/ODD spectrum: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2016/04/21/6-resources-working-scouts-autism/
  
• Book by Dr. Ross Green, for parents, but maybe could offer you additional strategies: https://www.amazon.com/Explosive-Child-Understanding-Frustrated-Chronically/dp/0062270451
  
• Online Training: Collaborative Problem Solving www.thinkkids.org/train/trainings/ (there is a price involved, but you could ask your troop to pay for it, or you could call and explain your circumstance (SPL wants to best help Scouts with special needs) and see if they can give you a discount)

> Teton Sports Explorer 4000

I have the same back pack, at first I filled it and now it is too big. It is heavy, but I like it because it is easy to get everything in there, even winter stuff.
I use the teton 1500 with a water bladder as a day pack. I've used it in mild weather for a weekend with a hammock and tarp. But listen. If you aren't going to occasionally use it like that for an overnighter, you don't need a 1500, get something like the 1100, I think that is what JohnShaft is pretty much describing -
I know you are in cub scouts but you asked about backpacking so I think you are looking ahead, but for now I'd probably go with that smaller day pack. You really don't need much. Instead of thinking about "what you can take" think about "what you don't need to take."

For first aid, don't take stuff like the ice packs. Just the stuff John Shaft says. Don't take something like a splint. Just keep the basics. One of those small, small size after bites helps with the kids sometimes. Mine has one or two bubble packs of things like tylonal and pepto.

I want to ditto the paracord below. Use it to hang tarps, flys etc.

I usually have a sawyer water filter even in daypack. I take two nalgene bottles and maybe an extra bottle depending on weather. There are always granola bars and stuff like that in a pocket. Honestly, your day pack shouldn't weigh hardly anything. There's small versions of everything in the ten essentials.

I have one of the little short mora eldris knives and I absolutely love that thing. Look, if I was dying to get one thing, that would be it.

You said camping or hiking, so for backpacking this is what I take, depending on weather.
Either-

• my hammock and straps, warm weather a "jungle blanket," cold weather I have an under quilt and I use a lightweight 20 degree mummy bag for overquilt and a tarp.
  -OR- a tent. But I usually don't take a tent, only if I know there is some reason I can't hang a hammock
  Some paracord.
  That mora knife.
  Two flashlights. Little cree flashlights are cheap enough that it isn't a big deal if you lose one. Refresh those batteries.
  A cheap little backpack stove and a small gas can.
  I take two titanium cups that nest together and a folding titanium spork. That's all the cookware I take. With that, I can cook a mountain house pack if I'm feeling rich, or grits and spam or tuna and noodles or chicken and tortillas if I'm not.
  some sort of gorp/trail mix/snack
  A sawyer filter.
  My first aid kit. I got a soft side kit that was a give away and I've just restocked it over time. Only take stuff you will really use.
  paracord
  extra socks, OK, I said the mora knife is the one thing I would buy first but actually it is good wool socks. Bring extra socks.
  If it is cold, I bring a warm long underwear sort of shirt I have
  my toothbrush and a little thing of toothpaste
  some tp wrapped around a pencil
  Food I'm eating and water, and maybe one of those little squirt things of water flavor or a couple of tea bags if I'm feeling luxurious.
  I have some of those soap flakes.
  I have a small bic lighter and a few storm proof matches live in the first aid kit.
  I have a little duct tape wrapped around my straps. I have a caribiner to hang my pack with the paracord, and two tent stakes for the tarp.
  MEDICAL FORMS in a gallon size zip lock with a map in there
  
  There's a couple other things that are nice to have, but not everybody needs to have their own, so if one person in the group brings a small hatchet, a folding saw, and a cat hole spade then everybody can share.
  
  Hiking I take my cell phone. I use an app called back country pro. I am not saying to rely on that instead of a map and compass, but I like to watch the little dot move and make a line. I don't take my cell phone back packing though. Just lock it in the car and you won't have to worry about battery life.
  
  Nothing has to be a big name or expensive.
  
  tl/dr look at this
  https://smile.amazon.com/Sports-Hydration-Backpack-Perfect-Climbing/dp/B00OXPC07E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511224665&sr=8-1&keywords=teton+sports+daypack
  

Been researching for a while, and if its a headlamp, this is the one I recommend.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KZI6EF6

Its a brand I use and like a lot, but whats really cool and unique is that the it has a lithium battery, but is also AA compatible.

Rechargeable is really really great to have for flashlights and headlamps because you can always make sure to have full charge at the start of a trip, lithium is great because its light weight. But being able to also use AA's means its very easy to accommodate situations where you can't recharge it.


Another suggestion in the realm of lighting. A Luminaid solar lantern.
These are great for a tent lantern, sometimes the only light I bring while backpacking. Also great as a flag for CTF games.

https://luminaid.com/collections/solar-lanterns

For what it's worth, I was an SPL twenty-one-ish years ago. But, I remember my experience (and my shortcomings) clearly.

1. Delegate some responsibilities to your ASPL: I had an awesome ASPL, and I didn't give him enough to do. I didn't realize that until four or five months into my stint as SPL, and I couldn't really fix it.
   
   
   
2. Don't plan in a vacuum: get your PLC together and plan themes for each upcoming month. Then find good Troop Meeting activities (discussions, demonstrations, etc.) that fit with the month's theme. There is a balance to be had here - also don't have PLC meetings drag on for too long - be efficient, and come prepared with ideas.
   
   
   
3. Focus on making scouting fun: Every BSA unit is different in it's character, and some units are just more fun to be a part of than others. Troops that have more fun (and are welcoming to new scouts) recruit more Webelos, and therefore have (eventually) a stronger Troop. Recruitment is very important for the long-term health of your unit - do not ignore your part in this. A good resource (or at least a set of ideas) for making scouting fun is the book I Thought Scout Uniforms Were Fireproof! by Shane Barker. Give it a read.
   
   
   Edit: added note about book
   
   
   

This is a real good start! I only have a few suggestions.

1. Add 2 or 3 more pairs of gloves. Your safety comes first and gloves break, or if left unused for extended periods they dry rot. Get vinyl, not latex as many people have allergies.
   
   1a. Hand Sanitizer, for you before you put on gloves and after you take them off. EVERY TIME!
   
   
2. Someone posted a picture of their kit with medic shears and a pen light. Those are vital in any kit! The shears help you expose a wound, and the pen light is a valuable diagnostic tool.
   
   
3. Ditch the betadine and alcohol pads, clean wounds with soap and water. So, add a small bit of scentless hand soap.
   
   
4. Ditch the burn cream, until a burn has cooled down for at least half an hour (more with bigger burns) all you are doing is basting the burn like a turkey. The cream will actually trap heat and continue to cause thermal damage. If it hurts to much to complete your "short hike" then it is not a minor burn, they need help.
   
   
5. More adhesive bandages, they are small and cuts are plentiful. (with a commensurate amount of antibiotic cream)
   
   
6. Add an OTC analgesic like Tylenol or Motrin
   
   
7. Remember that you have an endless supply of cravats in your scouts Neckerchiefs. These are invaluable for bandaging and splinting so if your troop does not hike in uniform, or you just don't wear neckerchiefs, add 1 or 2 more cravats.
   
   
8. Put the "blister kit" in the First aid kit, this way it never gets lost.
   
   
9. Tweezers, because splinters happen! I am extremely partial to these http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Sliver-Gripper-Keychain-Tweezers/dp/B004UBCKYY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374681258&sr=8-2&keywords=sliver+gripper
   
   
10. Segment everything into separate zip lock bags, keeps things dry, and if your patient is a mess keeps things uncontaminated.
    
    
11. Consider laminating a single sheet of your care report and a grease pencil, impervious to rain, you can wipe it off afterwards for reuse, and a grease pencil always works. Photocopy before you erase it if you need a permanent record.
    
    
12. You should always have your Part A&B (maybe even C) Med forms with you on a hike, we put all the scouts in a single zip file which we password protect (remember zip is encryption AND compression) and we put it on a thumb drive for all SM staff. This is: more tolerant of water than paper forms, takes less space, allows for multiple distribution, and the contents of the form are more secure.
    
    Because of First Aid Merit Badge I joined my local ambulance squad 27 years ago and then went to Paramedic school. Because of my professional certification I am obligated to use Oral Glucose instead of hard candy or Honey but those are well known working solutions. Just remember, they are only for conscious people who can ingest it themselves.
    
    That buckle whistle is pretty cool! I will be getting one today :)
    
    

My personal first-aid kit is a small heavy-duty zip-loc baggie, but for Cub Scouts, I like the idea of having an actual container of some kind - mostly because they'll be more likely to take care of it.

I like the clear zipper pouches - like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TSP7XT/ref=pd_luc_rh_sspa_dk_huc_pt_sub_2?th=1 (and as a bonus, they're 10 for $10)

Congratulations, and thank you for giving back to the BSA.
My recommendations:

• Show up as often as possible, in uniform
  
• Learn to "step back and let the scouts fail" so they can learn to succeed. (This is really a much harder lesson to learn than it seems)
  
• Get your BSA training. (It's honestly not all that great training, but it's a great opportunity to meet and talk with other leaders)
  
• Go to roundtables/district meetings (again, to talk to other leaders)
  
• Read "The Scoutmaster's Other Handbook."
  
• Listen to Clarke Green's podcast.
  
• Consider WoodBadge in about a year or so (after you've gotten used to the leadership position).

Ultimate Werewolf is a GREAT quite game. It does require a "moderator". Sometimes the talking gets loud, but that is when the moderator puts signs up and gets the group quite again. Its a fun game and the youth love it. (Just be sure to remove the 'Town Drunk' card. That would be a phone call from a parent that would be awkward)

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Werewolf-Deluxe-Board-Game/dp/B00MHWUJA0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458322196&sr=8-1&keywords=Werewolf

Fair enough. My previous comment was rather hastily written and I agree with a lot of what you said.

I do not blame the individual, I acknowledge that they feel love as subjectively strong and I do. It is real for them.

I am however upset at modernity as a whole. My concerns are best summed up in a passage by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would later became Pope Benedict XVI. In 1984 he gave an extended interview that was turned into a book called The Ratzinger Report. Which contains the following:

>In a world like the West, where money and wealth are the measure of all things, and where the model of the free market imposes its implacable laws on every aspect of life, authentic Catholic ethics now appears to many like an alien body from times long past,... Economic liberalism creates its exact counterpart, permissivism, on the moral plane....The issue is the rupture between sexuality and marriage. Separated from motherhood, sex has remained without a locus and has lost its point of reference: it is a kind of drifting mine, a problem and at the same time an omnipresent power.

Ratzinger then explained the chain of reasoning that proceeds from the false premises he identified as infecting society at the time of the interview:

>....It logically follows from this [today's false premises] that every form of sexuality is equivalent and therefore of equal worth. It is certainly not a matter of establishing or recommending a retrograde moralism, but of lucidly drawing the consequences from the premises: it is, in fact, logical that pleasure, the libido of the individual, become the only possible point of reference of sex. No longer having an objective reason to justify it, sex seeks the subjective reason in the gratification of the desire, in the most 'satisfying' answer for the individual, to the instincts no longer subject to rational restraints....Hence it naturally follows that all forms of sexual gratification are transformed into the 'rights' of the individual. Thus, to cite an especially current example, homosexuality becomes an inalienable right.

The harm from homosexuality, and other forms of degeneracy today, often doesn't come from the act itself but from external factors. Such as a sub-replacement fertility levels. Which is what all but a few Western nations are now facing. It's ironic really, the more liberal, the mor secular a nation, the lower the birth rate. Conversely, the most religious nations (Christian and Muslim nations in Africa) are seeing a population explosion with a fertility rate of 5+. Compare that with the West with a fertiliry rate of around 1.6 on average. To maintain a population at current levels requires a fertility rate of 2.1

I believe this is the price we are paying for turning away from traditional familial values and structures.

I must confess it is difficult for me to not hold individuals responsible in a way when the LGBT agenda is so celebrated and so prideful.

I honestly don't think the location where the uniforms are made is the problem. If you want high quality stitching and fabric, you can get it in Asia. Most of the companies that make comparable outdoor products, such as Columbia produce their clothing in Asia. However, if you want better quality, you have to pay for it. It's the same deal with items Made in the USA.

The real issue is probably in the margins BSA is trying to make off their clothes. BSA has a price point in mind about 35-50 dollars and isn't dealing with the same volume as a large clothing company. It also probably has larger margins in mind. Whether the justifications for those margins are good is a topic I'll leave for another discussion.

That being said, the BSA shirt is in the mid to high price range for a shirt of its quality. A comparable shirt would probably go for around 15-30 dollars in a place like Amazon. A higher quality shirt of similar use would probably go for around 30-50 On a place like Amazon.

For the bike pump I would recommend these conduit clamps and some ati-tamper screws . It will not fully prevent theft but it will act as a deterrent. You could also add some solar lights like these to help light up the area so a biker could fix there bike at night and help deter theft.

I have had good luck with an 80$ dollar down bag from Amazon. I took it to Philmont last June and it worked great. Do be careful with no-name brands as quality is not amazing and there is no warranty.

https://www.amazon.com/Anyoo-Sleeping-Ultralight-Portable-Backpacking/dp/B071WFY7VY/ref=sr_1_28?crid=2XRJVDFKDGI05&dchild=1&keywords=down%2Bsleeping%2Bbag&qid=1573066720&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=down%2Bsl%2Csporting%2C183&sr=1-28&th=1&psc=1

>Like take a picture of it and try to figure out what type of species it is?

Yes, this would meet the requirement.

Ideally (IMO) you'd do it the other way around - the goal is to be able to identify it when you see it, not see it then figure out what it is and probably forget it later. Get a National Audubon Society field guide (like this one https://www.amazon.com/National-Audubon-Society-Field-England/dp/0679446761) or something similar.

Some animals you can identify:

• Eastern gray squirrel
  
• Red squirrel
  
• White-tailed deer
  
• Worm Snake
  
• Five-lined Skink
  
• Copperhead
  
• Black Racer
  
• Snapping turtle
  
• Several kinds of birds (see link below)
  
• Raccoon
  
• Skunk
  
• Possum
  
• Cottontail rabbit
  
• Eastern chipmunk
  
• Red fox
  
  Take a look at
  
  
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammals_of_New_England
  
• https://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/tips-for-identifying-new-englands-winter-birds
  
• https://www.inaturalist.org/guides/1322
  
  It will be up to your SM what level of specificity he requires on any identification, e.g. can you just say "Salamander" or do you need to know what kind of salamander.
  
  (FWIW, your question has inspired me. I'll get a new batch of Scouts in April. I'm going to find - or make - a bunch of flashcards of common plants and animals, and distribute them to the new Scouts. Then we'll go on various outings and see if they can identify the things on the flashcards.)