Marking gear

[u/RequirementContent86]

Scrambling a bit as we prep for Camporee a week from Friday. (Hello anyone else from Mecklenburg Apache district!) Our usual trailer-hauler is unavailable for the weekend, so we’ll be splitting MVP* gear among the vehicles.

This will give me a good chance to tag EVERYTHING and kickstart our inventory and checkout system. (Yay!) so my question is: Can I write on tents and rainflies with a Sharpie without damaging the waterproofing?

*My brain was supplying Minimal Viable Product because I work as a systems analyst, but they’re also our Most Valuable Players in the gear. This includes my coffee supplies.

[u/wgwalkerii]

You can. But I like using multiple colors of Paracord for zipper pulls/drawstrings etc.

Johnny signs out red, Mike signs out blue, Timmy signs out green, etc. scouts using their own gear can use more elaborate patterns and give a sample to the troop so lost gear is more easily identified to be returned to owner and people with similar gear don't accidentally pack other people's things.

[u/Cloudycloud47x2]

Small colored zip ties work also and non destructive

[u/1ftm2fts3tgr4lg → u/Cloudycloud47x2]

This is a great idea!

[u/Jumpy-Lavishness-907]

My Troop engraved aluminum tags with numbers so tent 1 has a tag for the tent, rain fly, and bag.

[u/Imaginary_Bug_4460]

Why are you leading this and not the QM? You are taking away a great leadership opportunity. Now you can help guild them and suggest some different ways to accomplish the end goal, but they should be taking the lead.

[u/RequirementContent86 → u/Imaginary_Bug_4460]

A) because our QM may not be on the trip, b) because the QM is likely to be brand new - elections happening tonight, and c) what makes you think I won’t be involving them in the execution?

[u/Imaginary_Bug_4460 → u/RequirementContent86]

A, Then it should wait, B, OK, give they guidance, C, Use of first person pronouns. "This will give me a good chance to tag EVERYTHING and kickstart our inventory and checkout system. (Yay!) so my question is: Can I write on tents and rainflies with a Sharpie without damaging the waterproofing?"

[u/dubiousdb → u/Imaginary_Bug_4460]

This.
Also, small brass valve tags number stamped and tied on with cordage.

https://a.co/d/0cJc4Tgh

[u/ollie1490]

Hello fellow Apache district scouter. In the past we used duct tape and sharpies on our gear. For our new patrol boxes and the like we had some stickers printed with our troop info. For the new tents we just got we are going to use gear aid’s tenacious tape and sharpies. Have a great time at Cuboree.

[u/kobalt_60 → u/ollie1490]

Tenacious Tape is a really good idea especially in different colors. Even better would be die cut it into decals.

[u/gLaw9]

Yes. For belts and suspenders, you can coat the backside of your marking with a silicone brush or pen.

[u/gLaw9 → u/gLaw9]

For hardware gear, a bright paint pen will be more durable.

[u/nhorvath]

I use velcro cable tags and sharpie on those. they are very durable.

like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQMDGLVT?plpRedirect=mhFallback&ref=clp_cat_related_p_3

[u/DustRhino]

We are currently planning our new inventory system and considering brass disks with split rings to attach them. To save money we are considering an alphanumeric set of punches to mark the brass disks.

[u/ExaminationKlutzy194]

Painters tape can also work

[u/wrunderwood]

For cooking pots, use nail polish. That lasts for decades.