The Youth Adventure Kit (YAK)
In the Spring of 2014 - My wife and I had a brand new scout, headed to scout camp in a few short weeks, and a lengthy packing list. What do we do? Where do we go to get everything? Which sleeping bag is the right one, cotton, down or synthetic? Which compass do we get, mirror or no mirror? Which mess kit, plastic or aluminum? Bulky towels from home or microfiber? Do we go with plastic ziploc bags or dry bags? What should be in his first aid kit? Waterproof matches or a firestarter? What, what, what ..... you get my point, because you or the parents for your program feel the same frustration we felt. This frustration lead to our creating the Youth Adventure Kit to specifically ease the frustration parents fell when preparing their youth, not just for scout camp but for any outdoor education or travel need.
The Youth Adventure Kit is great for:
You get my point, if your student is traveling the YAK gets them packed faster. ADVENTURE IS Coming!!!!
Once your student is dropped off with the YAK you and their leaders will be confident they have what they need to be prepared, and it’ll last.
Because your student is prepared with the proper gear (first aid, warm sleeping bag, comfortable pack), the only thing for you to worry about is if they will remember to write. You’ll rest easy while they are away, secure in the knowledge they have what they need, and can handle what comes their way. This ease comes because you know they are prepared. But if they’re NOT prepared, you’ll receive a call that their cotton sleeping bag, the one that was a really good deal is wet, and they need you to bring a replacement. (Not with the YAK you don't)
The Youth Adventure Kit (YAK): Is The Ultimate and ONLY Travel Kit for Students and Youth, The YAK is your student’s basic equipment for adventure. “The YAK” is an easy-to-carry kit that includes all the essential gear your student needs to be prepared for school trips, scout camp, backpacking, summer camp, or student travel. Specifically the YAK includes:
The York 70
The YAK starts with our YORK 70L, a multifunction long haul multi-day carrier that will be with student from middle school through High School. The adjustable suspension will grow with your student, ensuring years of use and, adjusting across a wide range of small to large framed hikers. Designed for ages 11 and up, with an adjustable torso between 14" and 21". Our pack can accommodate a middle school student through their first year Scout/backpacker all the way to college, support a scout backpacking trip or a middle school Costa Rican Adventure. The YORK 70 by HMWOutdoors is a comfortable, durable, lightweight (4.4 lbs) long hauler made for summer camp, student travel, camporees, and extended stays in the backcountry.
The York will motivate you, as it does us, to Keep Moving Forward.
The HMWOutdoors York 70 is designed to be the only pack your student will ever need from middle school through college.
The Essentials
A key component of the YAK includes our Essentials kit. The Ten Essentials are critical whenever you start an outdoor adventure, backpacking, camping or a “simple” day hike. You might not need each of them on every trip, but in a bind having them may make all the difference. To complete your essentials just add food, a jacket, and water.
The first Essentials list was created back in the 30s by The Mountaineers, a Seattle-based group for outdoor adventurers and have been adopted by BSA, GSA and other outdoor oriented groups. The goal was to help people be prepared in different situations, emergencies or otherwise in the outdoors.
In 2003, the list was updated from items to “systems” instead of listing a knife now we think of having tools or instead of a map and compass, think navigation).
The updated "systems" approach made its debut in The Mountaineers’ seminal text on climbing and outdoor exploration, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills (The Mountaineers Books).
The YAK Sleep System
The Celeste 1000 Sleep System combines the Celeste 1000 25° sleeping bag, our heat reflecting foam closed cell sleeping pad and camp pillow.
Celeste 1000 25° F Sleeping Bag
With a relaxed mummy fit, this 3-season synthetic sleeping bag offers excellent compressibility, warmth and value.
Weight: 2 lbs 7oz
Celeste 1000 Sleeping Pad
A compact, accordion-style closed-cell-foam pad designed for backpacking and backcountry trips. Our sleeping pad features an aluminized surface to reflect body heat for a boost in warmth and comfort.
The YAK Camper
The Camper includes those extra items that really aren't extra. More importantly it's all included.
As you can see, the YAK gear list addresses a significant number items found on any student travel packing list. With the YAK a student would add clothing, snacks, a camera and water and they are ready to go.
Will students need everything found in the YAK? We get this question a lot. The YAK is a toolbox for your student. To reiterate, it just depends on the scenario, they will need different items for different trips. For example:
The point is, the Youth Adventure Kit is your student's outdoor gear toolbox, ensuring they are prepared. By bundling everything in one kit, we save you time and money. Our kit takes the guesswork out of student adventure packing. When they open their YAK, and explore it they will love it and you will love that they are prepared. When they get back from their trip, and had everything they needed (except that one piece of flare they left under the bed), you will love that you invested in their YAK. 5 years from now, when you are dropping them off at the airport for a high school trip to Costa Rica and you know they are capable of carrying everything they need in their YAK, you will love the investment you made to ensure they were prepared. You and they will love your new YAK.
The night before the big trip, time is a luxury most of us won’t have. We have said it before but, that’s why the YAK includes everything your student needs to always be ready for their next adventure, just add clothes, water and snacks..
And just imagine how much better you’d feel knowing that their gear packing is DONE, if they could grab the YAK out of their closet, add clothing, and head out the door.
An Investment Every “Parent” with a Traveling Student Should Make
Fortunately, the YAK is quite affordable, especially when you consider that it includes all the core gear and essentials needed for any manner of adventure, will carry your student from middle school through college and frankly doesn't exist anywhere else.
It would take days (or even weeks!) to assemble all of the materials in this kit. That's if you had the time to do all the research. But the fact is, most of us simply don't have the time. So we've done all the legwork for you. All the running around. All the testing. And, if you did put together your own kit, you would spend upward of $800.00 to assemble your own kit. (One person told us it could take over $1000.00)
The best value is the YORK 70L pack designed for ages 11 through college with an adjustable torso between 14" and 21"(4' 6" - 6'). And the backpack is still an excellent value at is only $129 for a pack your student won't outgrow.
And as you know, all of us here at HMWOutdoors take great pride in the products we offer. We want to make sure you are totally satisfied with your purchase, which is why we are offering a full Guarantee on the YAK, you tell us what's wrong and we fix it.
Remember: Your student has many years of adventure in front of them. Make sure they have the gear they need for whatever adventure comes their way. Don't get caught running from store to store. I sincerely hope you will make a lasting investment and get prepared today.
First, select a version of the YAK you would like (and how many). Then go ahead and complete the ordering process. We use totally secure SSL servers and your privacy is 100% guaranteed. Please click on the link below to order now.
P.S. “Mommy, my sleeping bag got wet and stayed that way all week.” These are words you probably never want to hear... but it’s not hard to imagine it you picked a heavy weight cotton sleeping bag. We have done the heavy lifting to select the right gear, for your students next and future adventures. Make sure they are prepared for their next adventure -- get your YAK today.