Complete Scouting America Backpacking merit badge requirements. Learn wilderness first aid, trip planning, gear selection, and navigation skills to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

1. Trail Health & Safety
Trail Health & First Aid
Discuss the prevention of and treatment for the health concerns that could occur while backpacking, including hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, and blisters.
2
2. Gear & Pack Weight
Do the following:
Do all
1. a.
  Essential Gear
  List the 10 Scout Basic Essentials to be carried on any backpacking trek and explain why each item is necessary.
2. b.
  Reducing Pack Weight
  Describe 10 ways you can limit the weight and bulk to be carried in your pack without jeopardizing your health or safety.
3
3. Crew Organization
Crew Organization & Safety
Do all
Do the following:
1. Define limits on the number of backpackers appropriate for a trek crew.
  a Define limits on the number of backpackers appropriate for a trek crew.
2. Describe how a trek crew should be organized.
  b Describe how a trek crew should be organized.
3. Tell how you would minimize risk on a backpacking trek.
  c Tell how you would minimize risk on a backpacking trek.
4. Explain the purpose of an emergency response plan.
  d Explain the purpose of an emergency response plan.
4
4. Leave No Trace & Camp Hygiene
Do the following:
Do all
1. a.
  Leave No Trace
  Describe the importance of following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code while backpacking, and at least five ways you can lessen the crew’s impact on the environment.
2. b.
  Waste & Hygiene
  Describe proper methods of handling human and other wastes while on a backpacking trek. Describe the importance of and means to assure personal cleanliness while on a backpacking trek.
3. c.
  Choosing a Campsite
  Tell what factors are important in choosing a campsite.
5
5. Water on the Trail
Water Treatment & Hydration
Do all
Do the following:
1. a.
  Demonstrate two ways to treat water and tell why water treatment is essential.
2. b.
  Explain to your counselor the importance of staying well-hydrated during a trek.
6
6. Navigation
Navigation
Do all
Do the following:
1. a.
  Demonstrate that you can read topographic maps.
2. b.
  While on a trek, use a map and compass to establish your position on the ground at three different locations, OR use a GPS receiver to establish your position on a topographic map and on the ground at three different locations.
3. c.
  Explain how to stay found, and what to do if you get lost.
7. Weather
Weather Preparedness
Tell how to properly prepare for and deal with inclement weather.
8
8. Backcountry Cooking
Stoves & Backcountry Cooking
Do all
Do the following:
1. a.
  Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of backpacking stoves using at least three different types of fuel.
2. b.
  Demonstrate that you know how to operate a backpacking stove safely and to handle liquid fuel safely.
3. c.
  Prepare three meals using a stove and fuel you can carry in a backpack.
4. d.
  Demonstrate that you know how to keep cooking and eating gear clean and sanitary, and that you practice proper methods for food storage while on a backpacking trek.
9
9. Your First Trek
Planning & Packing
Do all
Do the following:
1. a.
  Write a plan that includes a schedule for a patrol/crew backpacking hike of at least 2 miles.
2. b.
  Conduct a prehike inspection of the patrol and its equipment.
3. c.
  Show that you know how to properly pack your personal gear and your share of the crew’s gear and food.
4. d.
  Show you can properly shoulder your pack and adjust it for proper wear.
5. e.
  While using the plan you developed for requirement 9(a), carry your fully loaded pack to complete a hike of at least 2 miles.
10. Hit the Trail
Three-Day Treks
Following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code, participate in at least three backpacking treks of at least three days each and at least 15 miles each, and using at least two different campsites on each trek. Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.
11
11. The Big Trek
The Big Trek
Do all
Do the following:
1. a.
  Write a plan for a backpacking trek of at least five days using at least three…
  Write a plan for a backpacking trek of at least five days using at least three different campsites and covering at least 30 miles. Your plan must include a description of and route to the trek area, a schedule (including a daily schedule), a list of food and equipment needs, a safety and emergency plan, and a budget.
2. b.
  Following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code, take the as…
  Following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code, take the trek as planned in requirement 11(a) that is at least five full days, covering at least 30 miles and utilizing at least three different campsites. While on trek, complete at least one service project approved by your counselor.
3. c.
  Keep a daily journal during the trek that includes a day-by-day description of your activities, including notes about what worked well and thoughts about improvements that could be made for the next trek.

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Requirements

Trail Health & First Aid

Do the following:

Essential Gear

Reducing Pack Weight

Crew Organization & Safety

Define limits on the number of backpackers appropriate for a trek crew.

Describe how a trek crew should be organized.

Tell how you would minimize risk on a backpacking trek.

Explain the purpose of an emergency response plan.

Do the following:

Leave No Trace

Waste & Hygiene

Choosing a Campsite

Water Treatment & Hydration

Demonstrate two ways to treat water and tell why water treatment is essential.

Explain to your counselor the importance of staying well-hydrated during a trek.

Navigation

Demonstrate that you can read topographic maps.

While on a trek, use a map and compass to establish your position on the ground at three different locations, OR use a GPS receiver to establish your position on a topographic map and on the ground at three different locations.

Explain how to stay found, and what to do if you get lost.

Weather Preparedness

Stoves & Backcountry Cooking

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of backpacking stoves using at least three different types of fuel.

Demonstrate that you know how to operate a backpacking stove safely and to handle liquid fuel safely.

Prepare three meals using a stove and fuel you can carry in a backpack.

Demonstrate that you know how to keep cooking and eating gear clean and sanitary, and that you practice proper methods for food storage while on a backpacking trek.

Planning & Packing

Write a plan that includes a schedule for a patrol/crew backpacking hike of at least 2 miles.

Conduct a prehike inspection of the patrol and its equipment.

Show that you know how to properly pack your personal gear and your share of the crew’s gear and food.

Show you can properly shoulder your pack and adjust it for proper wear.

While using the plan you developed for requirement 9(a), carry your fully loaded pack to complete a hike of at least 2 miles.

Three-Day Treks

The Big Trek

Write a plan for a backpacking trek of at least five days using at least three…

Following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code, take the as…

Keep a daily journal during the trek that includes a day-by-day description of your activities, including notes about what worked well and thoughts about improvements that could be made for the next trek.