2. Cooking

Develop menu budget

2b.
Using the menu planned in First Class requirement 2a, make a list showing a budget and the food amounts needed to feed three or more youth. Secure the ingredients.

Turning a camp menu into a reality requires calculating exact ingredient quantities, establishing a patrol budget, checking what supplies are already on hand, and executing a grocery shopping trip. This requirement tests your practical budgeting, consumer shopping, and logistics skills.

Check Existing Patrol Inventory First

Before heading to the grocery store, check what supplies your troop or family already has on hand. Buying full new packages of every staple for every campout wastes patrol dues.

  • Pantry Staples: Salt, black pepper, cooking oil, non-stick spray, spices, hot sauce, sugar, and syrup.
  • Supplies: Aluminum foil, paper towels, zip-top plastic bags, and dish soap.

Calculating Quantities & Building the Budget

Scale your Requirement 2a menu for the exact number of people you are feeding (minimum 3 youth, typically a patrol of 4 to 8 Scouts).

Sample Patrol Budget (4 Scouts for 3 Meals)

IngredientRecipe Amount NeededStore Package SizeUnit CostTotal Cost
Large Eggs8 eggs (2/Scout)1 dozen (12 eggs)$3.50/doz$3.50
Whole Wheat English Muffins4 muffins1 pack (6 count)$2.79/pk$2.79
Cheddar Cheese (Block or Shredded)8 oz8 oz package$2.50/pk$2.50
Deli Turkey Slices12 oz (3 oz/Scout)16 oz package$5.99/lb$5.99
Pita Bread Pockets4 pitas1 pack (6 count)$3.29/pk$3.29
Fresh Apples4 medium apples4 loose apples$0.75 each$3.00
Lean Ground Beef1.25 lbs (5 oz/Scout)1.5 lb package$5.99/lb$8.98
Canned Kidney Beans1 can (15 oz)1 can$1.19/can$1.19
Canned Diced Tomatoes1 can (28 oz)1 can$1.89/can$1.89
Cornbread Mix1 box1 box (8.5 oz)$0.99/box$0.99
Fresh Oranges / Fruit4 oranges4 loose oranges$0.65 each$2.60
Total Estimated Budget$36.73
Cost Per Scout (4 Scouts)~$9.18 / Scout

  • Large Eggs

    Recipe Amount Needed
    8 eggs (2/Scout)
    Store Package Size
    1 dozen (12 eggs)
    Unit Cost
    $3.50/doz
    Total Cost
    $3.50

  • Whole Wheat English Muffins

    Recipe Amount Needed
    4 muffins
    Store Package Size
    1 pack (6 count)
    Unit Cost
    $2.79/pk
    Total Cost
    $2.79

  • Cheddar Cheese (Block or Shredded)

    Recipe Amount Needed
    8 oz
    Store Package Size
    8 oz package
    Unit Cost
    $2.50/pk
    Total Cost
    $2.50

  • Deli Turkey Slices

    Recipe Amount Needed
    12 oz (3 oz/Scout)
    Store Package Size
    16 oz package
    Unit Cost
    $5.99/lb
    Total Cost
    $5.99

  • Pita Bread Pockets

    Recipe Amount Needed
    4 pitas
    Store Package Size
    1 pack (6 count)
    Unit Cost
    $3.29/pk
    Total Cost
    $3.29

  • Fresh Apples

    Recipe Amount Needed
    4 medium apples
    Store Package Size
    4 loose apples
    Unit Cost
    $0.75 each
    Total Cost
    $3.00

  • Lean Ground Beef

    Recipe Amount Needed
    1.25 lbs (5 oz/Scout)
    Store Package Size
    1.5 lb package
    Unit Cost
    $5.99/lb
    Total Cost
    $8.98

  • Canned Kidney Beans

    Recipe Amount Needed
    1 can (15 oz)
    Store Package Size
    1 can
    Unit Cost
    $1.19/can
    Total Cost
    $1.19

  • Canned Diced Tomatoes

    Recipe Amount Needed
    1 can (28 oz)
    Store Package Size
    1 can
    Unit Cost
    $1.89/can
    Total Cost
    $1.89

  • Cornbread Mix

    Recipe Amount Needed
    1 box
    Store Package Size
    1 box (8.5 oz)
    Unit Cost
    $0.99/box
    Total Cost
    $0.99

  • Fresh Oranges / Fruit

    Recipe Amount Needed
    4 oranges
    Store Package Size
    4 loose oranges
    Unit Cost
    $0.65 each
    Total Cost
    $2.60

  • Total Estimated Budget

    Recipe Amount Needed
    Store Package Size
    Unit Cost
    Total Cost
    $36.73

  • Cost Per Scout (4 Scouts)

    Recipe Amount Needed
    Store Package Size
    Unit Cost
    Total Cost
    ~$9.18 / Scout

Smart Grocery Shopping Strategies

  • Compare Unit Prices: Look at the small shelf sticker that displays “Price per Ounce” or “Price per Pound” to identify whether a larger package or store brand is the better value.
  • Store Brands vs. Name Brands: Buying store-brand items (like flour, pasta, beans, sugar, and spices) often saves 20% to 40% with identical nutritional quality.
  • Check Expiration and Freshness Dates:
    • “Sell-By” Date: Tells the store how long to display the product.
    • “Use-By” / “Best-By” Date: The last date recommended for peak quality and freshness.
  • Inspect Packaging for Safety: Never purchase or use cans that are dented, swollen, rusted, or leaking (which can indicate lethal botulism contamination), or packages with broken seals.
  • Shop Cold Items Last: Pick up pantry goods and canned items first; grab refrigerated meats, eggs, and dairy at the very end of your store trip so they stay cold on the drive home.

Pre-Camp Repackaging at Home

Before packing your food into patrol chuck boxes and coolers:

  • Eliminate Bulky Cardboard: Remove inner plastic bags from outer cereal/cracker boxes to save space and reduce trash at camp.
  • Pre-Measure Ingredients: Measure out spices, sugar, or pancake mix into labeled small zip-top bags at home.
  • Double-Bag Perishables: Place raw meat inside two leak-proof zip-top bags before putting it into the cooler on ice.