The Boy Scouts of America 574 Yucca Pack

In this one, we take a look at my #574 BSA Yucca Pack and share what I have learned about the changes the Boy Scout emblem has had over the years.

[@haukepowers8491]

this Yucca Pack was my very FIRST pack as Tenderfoot back in 1967 !!! Used it until I "graduated to the "Explorer "model with the aluminum frame...Had that for over 30 years..Used it on the AT twice !!

[@theprophetez1357]

I got one in the early 60s and used it a lot for many years. One thing I did, that my scoutmaster taught me, was to put a family size box of tide (empty of course) inside. This just helped keep everything together and was more comfy on your back. This video really brought back some good memories.

[@HootOwl513]

Hi John, Nice video. I still have my Official BSA Yucca Pack. I don't use it anymore, too small, too old. Got mine in '62 when I joined Wolf Patrol, BSA Troop 160, Chicago Ill. [Incidently Willmette is a suburb of Chicago.]. You got most of the SOP of the Yucca Pack right. Top grommets were to cinch the load in. D-rings on the side could be used to lash on extra blanket with ground cloth outside horseshoe-style like we saw the Marines do it. You could also lash your Axe on by the D-rings. If you were packing a rolled up Sleeping Bag, the outer flap's lash cords went thru the middle grommet. There was also a packing illustration in the Scout Manual: Outside pocket held First Aid Kit, that angled Flashlight and Poncho. [Also Compass, Matches and Snacks -- if not in your pockets.] One blanket was always folded square and kept at the rear of the pack, to cushion the back. Two blankets was normal in Illinois, especially in winter. Spare shoes, clean uniform, sox, housewife, mess kit and other stuff a 12-y-o boy might think necessary filled the interior. The Official Scout Stores also sold foam padded sheepskin shoulder strap pads. The bare straps were considered "Character Building" in those days. Official Canteen was hung on a shoulder strap, but I preferred the USGI stainless steel canteen. I would've killed for a matching canteen cup, but they were somehow hard to find then. At Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron NM, in July '64, we were taught to hang the Yucca by the top rear D-rings on a WWII Army surplus bent plywood packframe, then lash the whole business down with white parachute cord, using the muleskinner's Diamond Hitch. A plus was you could fit the 2 ears on the canteen cover in the top angles of the diamond lines, and have your canteen handy. Your Buddy had to unhook it for you, and you'd help him likewise. Then you got extra Patrol Gear to lug -- 8 x 14 x 14 dehydrated food boxes, or Tarp ,or 8-Man Cookset, or my [least] favorite, the 12'' aluminum Dutch Oven. This was considered "Lightweight Gear" then. Be Prepared.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

HootOwl513 wow! Thank you very much for taking the time to comment! I enjoyed reading of your experience. I especially liked your “character building” comment. Made me smile as I heard that from my dad when I was young. I also found your info about lashing your pack to a surplus pack frame interesting. My dad who was in the Scouts in the late 50s to 60s told me something about this but I think his was a homemade frame. I really enjoy using this older equipment when I can and it’s made pretty well. Thanks for watching my videos!

[@emersonwarner1672]

Love it when people can give history on things such as when the logos changed. Great research!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Emerson Warner Thanks! It was a lot of fun researching. One thing I have found Is there isn’t much info on this old Boy Scout field equipment. Hopefully people will find my videos useful. I will have another video one day on a steel BSA canteen made between 1942 and 1945 that I just bought on eBay,. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@charlesmurphy7712]

Great video 👍. I had one back in 65 troup 513 NE Georgia council. We were very active in camping and mountaineering. Went camping twice a month at least and when school allowed we were at camp rainymountain. Terrific Memories from back then . Really enjoy watching the BSA reviews 😀 👌 👍. Quit apologizing, we know your out in the woods trying your best to make a video without help and its ok to bounce the camera once in a while 😉👍

[@jamesleary1405]

I was thinking the samething he has no need for apologies.

[@timmatherly5080]

I still have mine. Got it about 1967.

[@mozobrain]

Oh man the memories! I loved my yucca pack. 1967 Mt.Katahdin !! Thanks

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

mozobrain thanks for watching! I’m glad it brought back memories!

[@2xrpm]

Thanks for posting...brings back a memory or two.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

With the Yucca pack there is a way to utilize the USGI M1945 suspenders with this pack along with any web belt to get this pack to fit better along with getting it to be load bearing by taking the weight off your shoulders and distributing it along the belt.

[@joekurtz8303]

Dads hand me down from his scouting days back in late 40's early 50's. Played with it till it finally got lost in our toy pile. Large pack w/D rings on sides for lashing gear.

[@kirkmillerBO84]

Been awhile since I seen one of them very old great share.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@justga1]

I really enjoy the information you give, Great info and videos, Thank You.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks you for watching and for the feedback!

[@randylarosa7381]

I have two Yucca packs one is still brand new the other has some ware on it. I have had one since 1957 and the new one from 1990s

[@bigbob1699]

Had one in the 60s , moved on to a army surpluse ski pack . Still have that .

[@thomasfustus]

I had that pack. I remember it having sleeves or frame pockets at the top of the back.

[@clippertalk]

Very cool stuff John thank you

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thank you for watching and for commenting!

[@jwgbmp40]

Nice! I found an old 1960's (I reckon) model, at a local antique store for $24 ! Near perfect condition.

[@randolphciurlino7255]

John: Nice repair fits the character of the pack well. Had one in the 60's used it for years after scouts till the canvas gave out and she split down the front. Got one off eBay. Straps are too short for me now. Going to fashion a rustic frame. My old Yucca had an aluminum frame. Better shoulder straps, wider apart. Best of luck with yours!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Randolph Ciurlino My dad was in the Scouts sometime around when you were in. He told me he had the same pack but with a frame he made. Worked well for him. I decided to extend my straps with some cordage at the bottom because both have clips on them and not sewn on. I still use it sometimes. It’s a nice pack for a day trip

[@tomritter493]

They were great packs for the time they didn't ride right for me but they held up string we were told goes side to side through the middle and tie. Great canteen .

[@shixson957]

Just bought one..Thanks Man.

[@martinadejaquiz2482]

that's a nice neat vintage pack, john. thx - liked!

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thank you for watching another one and for the like!

[@MTwoodsrunner]

i was born in 54 and these were still in use when i was in scouting...ive got one laying around somewhere...yeah the shoulder straps were torture on tender shoulders...cool thanks John!...woods

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Thanks Woods for watching!

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

Thats where you usually went to the local Army Navy store and picked up some surplus shoulder pads for the USGI suspenders and put them on the pack straps.

[@MTwoodsrunner]

@@michaelbenjmitchell1 Thanks Mike, Not a bad idea if you live in a big town...Our towns General store had no mil surplus. However, I did cut some leather from an old pair of chaps hanging in the barn. My mom hand stitched them to the packs canvas straps for me...made a huge difference!...atb...woods

[@michaelbenjmitchell1]

@@MTwoodsrunner if you look at this video the M1944 suspenders along with a web belt can be attached to the Yucca pack via the buckles located on top of the suspenders that would make it even more comfortable. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJjLfXqnh5igoMk

[@MTwoodsrunner]

@@michaelbenjmitchell1 Thanks for the video link!...most interesting, gave the guy a sub...atb...woods

[@gwpattrick]

Coalcracker bushcraft is making this pack now. For about 150 to 200$. I'd make one before I buy one. Oops I just looked there going for 210. Seems like a nice pack though a little more updated too.

[@brianprendota6283]

You had to make them comfortable. The way I did it was to strap my wooden camp stool to the side O rings to make a pack frame. Also I tied heavy string to the bottom O ring to get the weight on my hips. With that pack I got the hiking merit badge at 11. I was about 5' and maybe weighed 100lbs. First requirement was to take 2 - 20 mile hikes with a 40 lb back pack. I shed tears for the ultralight back pack adults who cry their 25 to 30 lb pack is too heavy and they might not be able to handle it.

[@theprophetez1357]

I got the 5 mile hike badge with mine.

[@theprophetez1357]

I went through Cub Scouts, Weblos, Boy Scouts, and years later a Scoutmaster of troop 744 outside Washington DC. It WAS a great organization and taught me many things that have been helpful throughout my life and to this day. That is why I later became a Scoutmaster so that I could help share the fun, knowledge, and experience. I have several survival type videos on my channel including ones dealing with my packs. My latest is a 75 liter INCH bag which can be seen on my channel.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

the prophet ez1 sounds like you had a great time in scouts and it’s always good to pass it on to the next generation. I was only a Cub Scout for a while but then got into Royal Rangers at around 11. I’m still in as a leader with a total of about 26 years in Rangers. It’s been lots of fun and life changing over the years for the boys and me. Thanks for watching and for your comment!

[@theprophetez1357]

@@John-Sherwood-W4JFS It was very life changing for me too. At one point they were to have a Scoutmasters conference. I was the only one who showed up. They canceled the conference but gave me the literature. What it helped me with was delegation of authority. I used this in the troop and finally incorporated it into my business which really helped turn things around. It was somewhat of a chore being a Scoutmaster but it was very fun and rewarding. Hope you continue to enjoy your service.👍

[@cassandralesh8536]

I have one just like it. In good condition. I use just for car camping. But I made a replica from 500 denier cordura for backpacking. I also added a waist belt and sternum strap. It weighs 19oz.

[@dillonfahey1990]

great video thanks

[@bob2sticks]

.........I have the same one , bought in 1964 when I started Scouting.....

[@charlesmurphy7712]

I bought mine in 1965, was a great bag , in 1968 I got the external frame large backpack. We were starting to go on extended stay camps and I needed more room. Plus the frame was great to tie tent and bag to. Wish I had my Cook kit ,I miss that .

[@theprophetez1357]

@@charlesmurphy7712 Wow ditto all that. I had the same things around the same time and I also switched to a frame pack.

[@MrJeep75]

That's a cool bag

[@justga1]

It's so hard to find information on this gear. You'd think it'd be every where but it sure isn't. So I certainly appreciate your videos and information. I've got a 573 of the same era, (National Council) but what I can't figure out is..are the 573 and the 574 the same size, or is the 574 a hair bigger? I did get a 574 found today, but it won't be here until next week. Just thought maybe you'd know. Thank You John, This is great stuff.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

The 573 is made as a haversack and the 574 is a larger backpack. To see a color advertisement of the packs, go to: boyslife.org/wayback/ Choose 1960 and the September 1968 issue. Then see pages 44 and 45. Look at the item numbers at the bottom of the descriptions. The 574 Yucca pack is labeled #2 and the 573 haversack is #4Have fun! Thanks for watching and for your question!

[@justga1]

Yessssssssss....That's exactly what I was looking for and I must admit I'm happily surprised that it is a bit bigger. Now if only we could get them for that price. LOL. Thank You soooooo much. It took me so long to reply because I got stuck reading, and looking at ads, and reading...Again. Thank You.

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

Gary Letcher No problem. I enjoy those ads too. I especially like the ww2 era time and reading about rationing, scrap metal drives and the stuff scouts did to help the war effort. I hope you like your new to you Scout backpack!

[@lewissparinlitz4192]

I just picked up a boy scout backpack with aluminum frame and the patch on it also says national council & be prepared.

[@bartwalker474]

Nice Pack. How did you attach the repair piece of leather on the strap? I have a basic, just slightly larger, version of the same pack with 2 broken straps. If I send you a couple of pics of it could you give ideas on how to resurrect it? It's such a cool pack I want to use it. Please let me know John. I would also need your email address please. Thanks Man! Bart

[@bartwalker474]

I got your reply. Thanks John. I'll take some pics and email them to you, OK? Thanks for your help Sir! How's things over in the SE side of the country?

[@brianmccormack8969]

anyone know when they remade these last? i purchased one on marketplace from a guy in colorado that buys storage lockers. it says be prepared on the logo not national council. it has never been used looks like it was made yesterday. picked it up for $20.

[@lewissparinlitz4192]

Looks like you're in Florida

[@lewissparinlitz4192]

Careful for the Gators

[@averyrivera1534]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mojMmn-Ijt10aLs This one is still in use.

[@lewissparinlitz4192]

Damn diamond Brand! I have a US military tent made diamond Brand. Mmm

[@tomanthony3943]

Diamond is still going strong, they are in Fletcher, NC and still miking canvas tents, bags, etc. Diamond also made most of the Boy Scout tents

[@cenaculum1]

these packs are designed for children, will not work for an adult

[@John-Sherwood-W4JFS]

It will work. It's not as nice and comfortable as the modern packs but it will work if you lengthen the shoulder straps a bit like I did. If you want to sport a vintage old school pack for a quick daytrip on the trail, this one is functional. But, using it as a weekend pack is pushing it.