Choose Your Big Build
9.
Working in a group, (or individually with the help of your counselor) build a full size pioneering structure, using one of the following designs in the Pioneering merit badge pamphlet:Carefully plan the project, assembling and organizing all the materials, referring to the points under Safe Pioneering, and complying with the height restrictions in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
You must choose exactly one option for this final requirement. This is the capstone build of the badge, so your job is not just to pick the most impressive-looking structure. Pick the one your team can plan, anchor, and build safely with the time, space, materials, and skill level you actually have.
Your Options
- Req 9 — Double A-Frame Monkey Bridge: Build a bridge with elevated supports and a walkable crossing. You will gain experience with trestles, anchoring, and how user weight changes the load on a structure.
- Req 9 — Single A-Frame Bridge: Build a simpler bridge design that still teaches support geometry and careful load management. You will gain bridge-building experience with less complexity than the monkey bridge.
- Req 9 — Single Trestle Bridge: Focus on a strong support frame and a practical crossing. You will gain a clear understanding of how trestles, braces, and decking work together.
- Req 9 — Single Lock Bridge: Build a bridge that depends on secure joins and controlled alignment. You will gain practice in precision and in keeping a narrow design stable.
- Req 9 — 4x4 Square Climbing Tower: Build vertically and think hard about bracing, anchoring, and height limits. You will gain the strongest lessons in tower stability and inspection discipline.
- Req 9 — Four Flag Gateway Tower: Build a camp entrance structure that combines height, appearance, and teamwork. You will gain experience creating a useful landmark while keeping the frame square and safe.
- Req 9 — Double Tripod Chippewa Kitchen: Build a service structure that improves camp cooking and organization. You will gain practical experience with a project people will actually use during camp.
- Req 9 — Counselor-Approved Custom Structure: Design or select another structure with your counselor’s approval. You will gain the most freedom, but also the most responsibility for planning, materials, and safety review.
How to Choose
Choosing the right project
Match the build to your team and site
- Time available: A service gadget or simpler bridge may fit a short camp window better than a more ambitious tower.
- Materials on hand: Count the number and length of usable spars before choosing a design.
- Ground conditions: Soft, rocky, or uneven ground can change which anchors and structures are realistic.
- Skill level of your crew: If your team is still learning clean lashings, pick a design you can build well instead of one you can barely finish.
- What you want to learn: Bridges teach load paths, towers teach bracing and height discipline, and kitchens teach useful camp design.
| Option | Best For | What You Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Double A-Frame Monkey Bridge | Teams with room, strong anchors, and good bridge supervision | Bridge design, moving loads, and crossing safety |
| Single A-Frame Bridge | Scouts who want a simpler bridge geometry | A-frame support layout and controlled bracing |
| Single Trestle Bridge | Scouts who want to apply Req 8 directly | Trestle strength, decking, and practical support design |
| Single Lock Bridge | Teams that enjoy detail and careful alignment | Precision building and stability in a narrow span |
| 4x4 Square Climbing Tower | Advanced teams with close adult oversight | Vertical load control, bracing, and inspection discipline |
| Four Flag Gateway Tower | Campsites that need a visible entrance feature | Height management, symmetry, and site presentation |
| Double Tripod Chippewa Kitchen | Patrols that want a useful service project | Function-first design and camp utility |
| Custom Structure | Teams with a strong idea and counselor support | Planning, adaptation, and design ownership |
Double A-Frame Monkey Bridge
- Best For
- Teams with room, strong anchors, and good bridge supervision
- What You Gain
- Bridge design, moving loads, and crossing safety
Single A-Frame Bridge
- Best For
- Scouts who want a simpler bridge geometry
- What You Gain
- A-frame support layout and controlled bracing
Single Trestle Bridge
- Best For
- Scouts who want to apply Req 8 directly
- What You Gain
- Trestle strength, decking, and practical support design
Single Lock Bridge
- Best For
- Teams that enjoy detail and careful alignment
- What You Gain
- Precision building and stability in a narrow span
4x4 Square Climbing Tower
- Best For
- Advanced teams with close adult oversight
- What You Gain
- Vertical load control, bracing, and inspection discipline
Four Flag Gateway Tower
- Best For
- Campsites that need a visible entrance feature
- What You Gain
- Height management, symmetry, and site presentation
Double Tripod Chippewa Kitchen
- Best For
- Patrols that want a useful service project
- What You Gain
- Function-first design and camp utility
Custom Structure
- Best For
- Teams with a strong idea and counselor support
- What You Gain
- Planning, adaptation, and design ownership
These official videos give you a useful preview of the major project styles in this requirement.
🎬 Video: Making a Trestle (video) — https://youtu.be/YATmim1eIrQ?si=XFpV4wfQRaEE5l_6
🎬 Video: Building Pioneering Projects (video) — https://youtu.be/DxuDrvGpoHA?si=4qRcFFdEflt6bqeG
🎬 Video: Double A-Frame Monkey Bridge (video) — https://youtu.be/qlafze5YVXI?si=P1CTghvisAMAU1bA
🎬 Video: Single Trestle Bridge (video) — https://youtu.be/YrmG69HSDyA?si=_fOp1Ejio8I1qAWD
🎬 Video: Double Tripod Chippewa Kitchen (video) — https://youtu.be/ttOG0msK4EQ?si=o3gujOvObReMDEfL
Pick a project, talk it through with your counselor, and start with the first option page to see how one full-size build should be planned from the ground up.