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Troop 308 · 60 min meeting plan
Water Treatment Bench
Three stations: filter, chemical, boil. Each Scout treats a cup of 'creek water' (use food coloring + leaves) and explains contamination types. Builds the muscle memory that makes hike-day water decisions automatic.
Why this format
Most Scouts know 'filter' is a thing but cannot describe the difference between filtering for protozoa and treating for viruses. This 60-minute bench makes them touch all three methods and pick the right one for a stated trip.
Make a 5-gallon bucket of 'creek water' before the meeting: tap water + a few drops of food coloring + a handful of grass clippings + crushed leaves. Looks gross. Is safe.
60-minute meeting plan
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0–10 min | Brief: 4 contaminant types (debris, protozoa, bacteria, viruses); what each method handles |
| 10–45 min | Three 10-minute station rotations + 5-min reset |
| 45–55 min | Trip-card drill: Scouts read 4 trip scenarios and pick a method for each |
| 55–60 min | Debrief, signoff, store gear |
The three stations
| Station | Method | Handles | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Filter | Sawyer Squeeze, Katadyn BeFree, MSR pump | Debris, protozoa, bacteria | Does NOT remove viruses (rare in U.S. backcountry, common abroad). Backflush after every trip. |
| 2. Chemical | Aquatabs (chlorine dioxide), iodine drops | Bacteria, viruses, most protozoa (with longer wait) | 30-min wait minimum, 4 hr for Crypto. Doesn't help with debris — pre-filter through a bandana. |
| 3. Boil | Rolling boil 1 minute (3 min above 6,500 ft) | Everything biological | Doesn't fix chemical contamination (mining runoff). Uses fuel; not great for hiking. |
Trip-card drill
Scouts pick the best method for each scenario.
| Scenario | Best method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Day hike in Big Sur, refilling from a clear-running creek | Filter | Fast, no wait, handles the realistic threats (Giardia, Crypto) |
| Backpacking trip, 4 days, weight-conscious | Chemical (primary) + filter as backup | Chlorine dioxide is grams; filter is backup if you find a dirtier source |
| Snow camping, water from melted snow | Boil | You're already running a stove; chemical works slowly in cold |
| International high-adventure (Philmont-style abroad) | Filter + chemical (or boil) | Need virus-level kill that filters alone don't give |
Supplies
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 5-gallon bucket of 'creek water' | 1 |
| Sawyer Squeeze or BeFree | 1 |
| Pump filter | 1 |
| Aquatabs / chlorine-dioxide tabs | 1 sheet |
| Iodine drops | 1 bottle |
| Stove + pot for boil station | 1 |
| Bandanas (pre-filter) | 4 |
| Cups for treated samples | 1 per Scout |
| Trip-card scenarios (printed) | 1 per Scout |
Sources
- Scouting America — Second Class & First Class Rank Requirements (2025)
- CDC — Drinking Water Treatment Methods for Backcountry and Travel Use
- Hiking & Public Health merit badge pamphlets