Is a patrol menu nutritionally
well-balanced?
The menu should consist of meat, bread/grains/pasta, vegetable/fruits,
and dairy products.
How much food should be prepared
for each scout?
A general rule is 1/4 pound of meat, the equivalent of one whole
vegetable (i.e. one whole potato or one whole carrot), at least one slice bread,
and a dairy product
Is the meal suitable for the
weather?
Cold weather camp-outs are suitable for thick stews, which “stick
to your ribs”. Patrols should bring enough instant hot cocoa, soup, and oatmeal
to supplement each meal. Meals which require preparation such as cutting and
pealing veggies are not friendly to very cold hands and fingers. Spaghetti and
other pastas often cool off too fast in very cold weather and are more suitable
for warmer weather.
Which fuel source will be used?
Patrols cook on either open fires, propane stoves, or charcoal.
Baking can be done in Dutch ovens, while boiling, frying, and simmering can
be accomplished on propane or an open fire.
How many utensils/pots/pans does
the meal require?
Long distance backpacking trips require light weight gear. Therefore,
the best meals to prepare for backpacking trips are one-pot meals. When weight
is not as critical, meals can use several pots or pans.
Can the ingredients be easily
carried in a backpack?
Soft loaves of bread will undoubtedly crush. Eggs and glass
container will break. Plastic zip lock bags are a scout’s ally. Most items in
glass can be repackaged in old margarine containers and zip lock bags.
Weight is reduced if canned items are placed
in plastic. If bread is on the menu, a good choice is a less crushable Italian
loaf.
Does any food pose health problems
through spoilage or contamination?
In warm weather, milk and egg products can spoil. A cooler is
necessary during warmer weather. Most meats can cause bacterial poisoning if
not handled or cooked properly. All meat must be cooked thoroughly, so that
nothing is pink/red in color. Any utensils used in preparation of raw meat must
not be used for other aspects of meal preparation (i.e. making salad, dessert,
cutting of veggies)
Does the entire patrol have to
agree on the menu?
Every patrol member must approve of the menu.
How much money does each patrol
member contribute to meal costs?
Everyone contributes equally. The patrol should charge slightly
more than is expected to cover costs at the grocery store. The patrol member
who shops must submit his receipts to the patrol along with any refunds.
Can the meal be prepared in the
given amount of time?
Every camp-out has a schedule to follow. Know how long it takes
to prepare, enjoy, and clean-up each meal.
What else can be done in advance
of the camp-out for better cooking results?
If no one in the patrol has prepared a particular recipe before,
it is a good idea to make the meal at home first. Give your parents a night
off from cooking while you prepare the family’s meal. You may recognize short-cuts
not mentioned in the recipe. Other tips include, pre-measuring quantities at
home, slicing veggies ahead of time, and eliminating unnecessary food packaging.