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Original poster

D of E tomorrow... best way to pack the rucksack?

102 replies

2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:10

Help!!!!

Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh expedition tomorrow, and we have been given an excessive for 1 night list of what's required.

Is there a strategic way to pack? I'm already flummoxed by 'lining the rucksack with a bin liner' when the ruck sack is lined....

I was thinking, sleeping bag at bottom, clothes on top, then food, waterproofs and lunchbox, with first aid kit in the from pocket (for my son to get to when he hurts himself 5 minutes in)

Any hints/tips/prayers greatly appreciated

OP posts:
Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:35

00100001 · 16/07/2023 17:33

Jesus fucking Christ woman. Make him do it, stop pandering to him.

If he packs it wrong or doesn't pack it, then you drop him off anyway. And bell either have a crappy packed bag or have to pack it in the carpark at school.

Cheers, very helpful

OP posts:
Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:36

Hbh17 · 16/07/2023 17:35

If he goes without stuff, or messes it up, that's how he will learn to do it properly. What is the point of the parent helping? It defeats the whole purpose of DofE? FFS, just keep out and leave it to him.

Again, helpful, thanks so much

OP posts:
willow7612 · 16/07/2023 17:36

I think there is a guide on the DoE website he could use but definitely best if he does it himself. No need for a lunchbox, easier to take food that survives squashing. My DD does a lot of these sort of things and always keeps snacks, water, waterproofs and first aid easiest to access.

Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:37

willow7612 · 16/07/2023 17:36

I think there is a guide on the DoE website he could use but definitely best if he does it himself. No need for a lunchbox, easier to take food that survives squashing. My DD does a lot of these sort of things and always keeps snacks, water, waterproofs and first aid easiest to access.

The first aid kit definitely needs to be accessible... he is one of those accident prone types!

OP posts:
drawingmaps · 16/07/2023 17:37

If you pack it for him he won't be able to pack it up in the morning. Tell him to come home and do it if you want to be helpful (/not be up at midnight when he does it later)

00100001 · 16/07/2023 17:38

2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:36

Again, helpful, thanks so much

Show quote history

It is helpful.hell learn a hell of a lot more if his mum stops doing everything for him. He's not 4.

VanCleefArpels · 16/07/2023 17:38

Packing cubes so that he doesn’t need to ruffle through eg underwear to get to a jumper. Items of same category in each packing cube and label them with a sharpie

toomuchlaundry · 16/07/2023 17:38

I assume they have a camping mat. DS never used his blow up pillow, just used a jumper.

Has he practised putting the sleeping bag back in the stuff sack?

Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:38

drawingmaps · 16/07/2023 17:37

If you pack it for him he won't be able to pack it up in the morning. Tell him to come home and do it if you want to be helpful (/not be up at midnight when he does it later)

He's 14, so he'll be home well before midnight :)

I just wanted to do it or I'll stress about it all evening. Have just rung him and he wants to do it with me when he gets in

OP posts:
PutinSmellsPassItOn · 16/07/2023 17:38

Make sure he has a go at putting his sleeping bag back into his liner if he doesn't already know.......don't roll it. Stuff it !!!

Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:39

@00100001

No, he's not 4, but I can also support him as much as possible, that's what parents do

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 16/07/2023 17:39

@PutinSmellsPassItOn assume that is why it is called a stuff sack!

drawingmaps · 16/07/2023 17:40

2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:38

He's 14, so he'll be home well before midnight :)

I just wanted to do it or I'll stress about it all evening. Have just rung him and he wants to do it with me when he gets in

Show quote history

Good.
(I didn't mean he'd be home at midnight, that's just what my mum would tell me on these things - "do it now I'm not staying up till midnight helping you!")

toomuchlaundry · 16/07/2023 17:40

Has he ever done a similar thing eg with scouts?

pimplebum · 16/07/2023 17:40

Echo what everyone else says
He reads the instructions and has been to the sessions

He is yet 9 ffs unless SEN what are you thinking !

Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:41

PutinSmellsPassItOn · 16/07/2023 17:38

Make sure he has a go at putting his sleeping bag back into his liner if he doesn't already know.......don't roll it. Stuff it !!!

He can leave the sleeping bag behind for all I care lol

OP posts:
Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:41

toomuchlaundry · 16/07/2023 17:40

Has he ever done a similar thing eg with scouts?

Never

OP posts:
FloNightingale · 16/07/2023 17:41

If you keep babying him like this, your future DiL is going to hate you.

Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:41

pimplebum · 16/07/2023 17:40

Echo what everyone else says
He reads the instructions and has been to the sessions

He is yet 9 ffs unless SEN what are you thinking !

There haven't been any sessions? The school Facebook page is literally full of questions today

OP posts:
toomuchlaundry · 16/07/2023 17:42

His team mates won't be impressed if he can't pack his bag. Can he read a map?

Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:42

FloNightingale · 16/07/2023 17:41

If you keep babying him like this, your future DiL is going to hate you.

I don't baby him... and it's a bit presumptuous to assume I'll get a DIL!!

OP posts:
Original poster
2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:43

toomuchlaundry · 16/07/2023 17:42

His team mates won't be impressed if he can't pack his bag. Can he read a map?

I don't think any of them can. I can't either

OP posts:
Simonjt · 16/07/2023 17:43

2boysandagirltoo · 16/07/2023 17:41

He can leave the sleeping bag behind for all I care lol

Show quote history

So you want to waste money and you want him to fail DofE, this would also likely lead to his walking group failing, rather than just your son.

toomuchlaundry · 16/07/2023 17:43

Haven't they had any training sessions?

pimplebum · 16/07/2023 17:44

Make everything as light as poss fur example no toothpaste tube unless v small tube squeeze the amount needed into clung film

No heavy food lots of light to carry carbs

Only exactly what you need no extra decant everything where piss