Excellent Info From Don on Pants For Your Scout

• Wool pants are always a possibility but they tend to be heavy and can be expensive.  Doug has a pair that we bought (surplus) at the "Army Barracks" store in Scarborough (near Joe Jones).  He only uses these for "around camp" as opposed to hiking although wool pants have certainly been used for hiking for many centuries.
• Nylon pants are probably the best alternative for most activities.  Cheapest solution would be a set of wind pants (unlined or mesh lined but not flannel lined) from Wal Mart or somewhere like that.  Best all around solution is probably a pair of (zip-off) cargo pants of nylon.  These are available from multiple sources on-line (see below).  The nylon pants can be used year around but require a lot more insulation underneath than wool pants would.  Long underwear of an appropriate material for moderate weather and fleece or micro-fleece for colder weather.  Having the pants large enough to fit micro-fleece underneath may be difficult.  Zip-offs are not required but do make the pants more functional.
• Fleece pants can also be used without the nylon pants over them.  Most fleece tends to be less durable than other materials but there are some pants that are made with nylon reinforcement in high wear areas to help with this.  This may work out better for adults as they may not be as rough on them as the boys would be.
• Fitness Clothing - There are various "soft shell" pants that are appropriate for camping and hiking.  Especially the hiking part.  I tend to go in this direction for myself but it's an expensive way to go.  Most of these options would be related to cross country ski clothing or other high exertion activities.  These pants would normally be tighter fitting and less bulky.  I'm a big fan of Sporthill brand clothing.  That's what I wore on the hike.  They have a 3SP fabric that blocks some but not all of the wind.  That's a big plus for me but I tend to be a little contrary to the majority opinion in the matter of wind layers.   But if some of the boys already owned some specialty ski clothes they would probably be appropriate for hiking as well.  Especially if they are of the "soft shell" type.
• Snow Pants: Of course a pair of regular snow pants can be used as a top layer in some conditions.  They may be too hot and bulky for hiking but perfectly suitable for ice fishing or other more sedentary activities. 
• Rain Pants: Non-insulated shells or rain pants should also be used over the other layers in wet conditions with suitable insulation underneath.