Anybody into hiking and camping?

[Don]

I have a situation. My sons’ Boy Scout troop is looking for help. The current leadership is on the way out as their boys are working on their Eagle Scout rank and will be done soon. The troop has a new scoutmaster that has stepped up. There is a position open for assistant scout master. I may take it. I have two boys. One is in boy scouts (first year) and the other is in cub scouts. The cub will be in Boy Scouts the following year. My Cub Scout has special needs and I like to be with him in his scouting adventures. Being assistant scoutmaster will let me do this. I’m already active in the troop. I’ve been trained, back ground checked, etc. I’ve helped teach a couple classes. I go to all the Cub Scout campouts. It’s generally car camping. I keep a duffle bag of diapers in my car. I carry a day pack with other supplies with me at all times in case I have to “get away”. Being incontinent is difficult in the woods but I make it work. With Boy Scouts, it’s more primitive. The sites are more remote. I may not have access to my car. Anyone got experience with this? I have a 50L pack that holds quite a bit. Plus my 29L daypack. I can stuff 7 Abena M-4’s in my day pack with wipes. That lasts me a day or more. Modern facilities are close by. I went with my oldest scout to one Boy Scout camp out and there were no bathrooms. That was difficult. Diapers in the woods are a hard gig. Diaper disposal in a discreet way can be hard. For the real primitive stuff, I had to change in my tent and bag my used diapers up in grocery sacks for later disposal. I just threw them in the trunk of my car (gross, I know) until I could dispose of them. No, I didn’t accumulate more than a few. I quickly adapted to my situation and am flexible. Anybody done this before? The new scoutmaster is more adventurous. We may go hiking. I’ve done several hikes that lasted a few hours. If we do things like this then I’m prepared. But if it lasts longer than a few hours...it may mean staying in a wet (or heaven forbid soiled) diaper for a while until I can find modern conveniences. Thoughts? Advice? I’m looking for ideas on how others with similar hobbies such as hiking have been successful despite their continence issues. If my car and supplies are not close, then I’ll have to figure out something more creative. My 50L pack has to have room for my other gear, not just diapers.

[Porkchop]

This concern has held me back from my love of camping etc too, so I look forward to seeing the replies.

[Don]

Car camping with restrooms nearby is easy. I’ve also completed day hikes of a few hours. But anything longer without accessible facilities becomes difficult.

[cycling_guy]

Been a while since i posted but i feel like i can contribute..

I have just returned from being away “camping”. It was a bit better than staying in a tent but it certainly had its own challenges. I was staying in the same room as a friend who dosent know of my problems so trying to keep that under wraps is challenging... i do also have mild bowel incotience to deal with too so definetly not as easy too hide!

Anyway so in regards to hiking which i often do as well i find carrying spare diapers to not be that hard and i usually go for maximum absorbency (tena ultima pe backed) i find these last about 5-6 hours for me before they get uncomfortable and/or leak. The biggest challenge is to find somewhere secluded to change if no toilets avalible or disposing of used diapers is a challenge as carrying them around is extra weight/extra room/smell. So never pass up a rubbish bin!

Also i would use a fair chunk of raah cream on your thighs, thank me later for that!

[Padded53]

In situations similar to yours I'm a big fan of wearing a premium diaper and adding a male guard pad to it. When the pad is soaked it's a very quick and easy task to just pull the used pad out and replace it with another pad. You'll still need a bag to put the used pad in but even soaked they are much smaller and lighter than a wet diaper. Extra pads are likewise very compact and allow you to carry quite a few in the space a single diaper would take up. I've made a pad change like I'm describing in as little a 10-15 seconds after having ducked around a corner or behind a large tree. One tip though, do not remove the paper strip to expose the adhesive strip. Sticking the pad to the diaper will make it almost impossible to remove quickly and will likely damage your main diaper if you do remove it. I've never had a problem with the pad moving around so not sticking it to your diaper hasn't been a problem for me. Hope this helps and if you use my idea let us all know if it worked well for you.

[Noe]

Would it be possible for you to bring a portable incinerator? I'm not into camping; however, I have stayed in cabin-like environments in remote locations. Diapers will burn in a wood stove. You might be able to get the same level of heat in an incinerator.

[Don]

It will not be possible to burn my diapers over a fire. When backpacking, you only take what you can carry on your back. It would be minimalist camping. Hike it in...hike it out. Burning diapers over a fire releases all kinds of noxious chemicals.

[johnstone]

Don,

I would recommend you do what you've done in the past when you've gone camping with your boys. As an Asst. Scoutmaster, you can pick and choose your level of participation,...(campouts etc.) I recommend you tell the Scoutmaster and any other adult members of the troop adult leadership (those with a need to know) that you have "disabilities" that will prevent you from participating in certain types of outdoor activities. There is no need to expand on what type of disabilities you have, and I'm certain you will not be asked. Letting it be known to the adult leadership of the troop is something I recommend just so adult participation can be coordinated in advance with other adult volunteers of the troop for ANY activities you prefer not to participate. Other than that,.....do what you've done in the past when you've gone camping with your boys and enjoy.

Off subject,...... I recently saw a news segment about the Boy Scouts that mentioned girls ages 11 - 18, will soon be allowed, or perhaps already are allowed to join the ranks of boys and earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouting has changed a LOT since my time in the program and I'm not so happy with all the changes. During my active time in scouting, women could not participate as adult leaders in the Boy Scout troop level program. Additionally, atheists could not earn the rank of Eagle Scout, and gay adult leaders were not allowed in the program. Times have changed I guess, but some of those changes don't sit easily with me. I still have a very high regard for scouting, but I liked it better the old way without "some" of the current changes. I guess it's only a matter of time before the Boy Scouts start selling "Boy" Scout cookies.

Good luck, and have fun.

[Rope_Wrench]

Hi Don,

I'm in the exact same boat. My son just crossed over to Boy Scouts too and I moved from AoL den leader with him. I'm already signed up for summer camp with him on just found out I'll be the ONLY leader going with them for the week. I'm not stressing the camp because I work part time there at the health lodge so I can use there for storage and disposal of supplies. The troop is very active as is yours but I have already decided I will need to bow out of the extended hikes. Way I see it, I will try to help out by transportation or things like that. Day camp out and car camping with the Cubs was awkward enough. Carrying in and out diapers along with all the other gear will be too much. There was onetime I had to sneak away from a nature hike and change behind a tree. Not the most ideal situation.
If you want, you can send me a PM and we can talk more. I'll try to keep an eye on this tread for anymore updates.

Good luck

Rope