The Camping Merit Badge is one of the 14 Eagle-required merit badges and can take some time to complete. However, it’s also one of the most rewarding and enjoyable badges to earn, with Scouts often finding it to be one of their favorite achievements.
Embarking on camping trips with fellow Scouts and friends is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and memorable aspects of the Scouting experience. The sense of camaraderie, adventure, and connection with nature makes each trip unforgettable. That’s why earning the Eagle-required Camping merit badge is such an essential part of your journey—it not only teaches you the technical skills necessary for successful camping, but also prepares you to take on leadership roles within your patrol. By mastering the principles of planning, packing, and executing a safe, multi-day campout, you’ll gain the confidence to guide your fellow Scouts through a rewarding outdoor experience while ensuring everyone is well-prepared and enjoys the adventure to the fullest.
A solid understanding of the best camping practices not only ensures your safety but also leads to more enjoyable and rewarding campouts in the future. The skills you develop now will help you make the most of every adventure, whether you’re heading out with friends or leading your patrol. So, get ready to dive into each requirement and discover the knowledge and techniques you’ll need to successfully complete your merit badge worksheet! Throughout this process, you’ll learn essential skills like how to choose the best campsite, set up a secure and efficient camp, practice proper hygiene, and ensure safety for yourself and others. By the end, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a confident, capable, and skilled camper, ready to tackle any outdoor challenge that comes your way.
Note: I’m going to divide the Camping Merit Badge blog into three (3) parts since there’s a lot to cover. Keeping it all in one long post might not be the best approach. You can easily navigate between the sections by clicking on the corresponding links in the horizontal menu below.
What are the requirements for the Camping Merit Badge?
In this blog, we will cover the solutions to many of the requirements for the Camping
Merit Badge, as outlined in the official BSA guidebook.
Before we get into the specifics, let’s take a moment to go over what’s required to earn
the Camping Merit Badge. To complete this badge, you’ll need to explain, demonstrate,
and apply a range of essential camping skills, all of which will be covered in this guide.
The key to success is knowing exactly what’s required of you from the start. Planning is
essential! Be sure to take the time to read through and fully understand the Camping
Merit Badge requirements outlined below before you begin.
1. Do the following:
(a) Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while
participating in camping activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent,
mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
(b) Discuss with your counselor why it is important to be aware of weather conditions
before and during your camping activities. Tell how you can prepare should the
weather turn bad during your campouts.
(c) Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could
occur while camping, including hypothermia, frostbite, heat reactions, dehydration,
altitude sickness, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
2. Learn the Leave No Trace principles and the Outdoor Code and explain what they
mean. Write a personal and group plan for implementing these principles on your next
outing.
3. Make a written plan* for an overnight trek and show how to get to your camping
spot by using a topographical map and one of the following:
(a) A compass
(b) A GPS receiver**
(c) A smartphone with a GPS app**
4. Do the following:
(a) Make a duty roster showing how your patrol is organized for an actual overnight
campout. List assignments for each member.
(b) Help a Scout patrol or a Webelos Scout unit in your area prepare for an actual
campout, including creating the duty roster, menu planning, equipment needs,
general planning, and setting up camp.
5. Do the following:
(a) Prepare a list of clothing you would need for overnight campouts in both warm
and cold weather. Explain the term “layering.”
(b) Discuss footwear for different kinds of weather and how the right footwear is
important for protecting your feet.
(c) Explain the proper care and storage of camping equipment (clothing, footwear,
bedding).
(d) List the outdoor essentials necessary for any campout, and explain why each
item is needed.
(e) Present yourself to your Scoutmaster with your pack for inspection. Be correctly
clothed and equipped for an overnight campout.
6. Do the following:
(a) Describe the features of four types of tents, when and where they could be used,
and how to care for tents. Working with another Scout, pitch a tent.
(b) Discuss the importance of camp sanitation and tell why water treatment is
essential. Then demonstrate two ways to treat water.
(c) Describe the factors to be considered in deciding where to pitch your tent.
(d) Tell the difference between internal- and external-frame packs. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of each
(e) Discuss the types of sleeping bags and what kind would be suitable for different
conditions. Explain the proper care of your sleeping bag and how to keep it dry.
Make a comfortable ground bed.
7. Prepare for an overnight campout with your patrol by doing the following:
(a) Make a checklist of personal and patrol gear that will be needed.
(b) Pack your own gear and your share of the patrol equipment and food for proper
carrying. Show that your pack is right for quickly getting what is needed first, and
that it has been assembled properly for comfort, weight, balance, size, and
neatness.
8. Do the following:
(a) Explain the safety procedures for
(1) Using a propane or butane/propane stove
(2) Using a liquid fuel stove
(3) Proper storage of extra fuel
(b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of lightweight
cooking stoves.
(c) Prepare a camp menu. Explain how the menu would differ from a menu for a
backpacking or float trip. Give recipes and make a food list for your patrol. Plan two
breakfasts, three lunches, and two suppers. Discuss how to protect your food
against bad weather, animals, and contamination.
(d) While camping in the outdoors, cook at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one
dinner for your patrol from the meals you have planned for requirement 8c. At least
one of those meals must be a trail meal requiring the use of a lightweight stove.
9. Show experience in camping by doing the following:
(a) Camp a total of at least 20 nights at designated Scouting activities or events.
One long-term camping experience of up to six consecutive nights may be applied
toward this requirement. Sleep each night under the sky or in a tent you have
pitched. If the camp provides a tent that has already been pitched, you need not
pitch your own tent.
(b) On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only
with proper preparation and under qualified supervision.
(1) Hike up a mountain, gaining at least 1,000 vertical feet.
(2) Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles.
(3) Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.
(4) Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.
(5) Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience.
(6) Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more.
(c) On any of these camping experiences, perform a conservation project approved
by the landowner or land managing agency. This can be done alone or with others.
10. Discuss how the things you did to earn this badge have taught you about
personal health and safety, survival, public health, conservation, and good citizenship.
In your discussion, tell how Scout spirit and the Scout Oath and Scout Law apply to
camping and outdoor ethics.
To complete this requirement, you may use the Scout Planning Worksheet
at https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/boyscouts/pdf/512-505-2016-Scout-Planning-
Worksheet.pdf.
**If a GPS-equipped device is not available, explain how to use one to get to your
camping spot.In your discussion, tell how Scout spirit and the Scout Oath and Scout Law apply to
camping and outdoor ethics.
*To complete this requirement, you may use the Scout Planning Worksheet
at https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/boyscouts/pdf/512-505-2016-Scout-Planning-
Worksheet.pdf.
**If a GPS-equipped device is not available, explain how to use one to get to your
camping spot.
Requirement #1
Do the following:
1a) Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while
participating in camping activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent,
mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
Use your Scout Handbook to identify common Scouting hazards and their treatments.
Some of these hazards are outlined in requirement 1c below, while other types of
injuries could include broken bones, sprains, and burns. All first aid hazards are covered
in the advancement requirements from Tenderfoot through First Class with solutions
appearing in your Scouts BSA handbook.
- The most typical hazards you’ll encounter while camping are:
- Weather Conditions (cold/rain)
- Dehydration
- Insect Bites/Stings
- Dangerous Wild Animals
- Heat-Related Injuries
- Accidental Injury from Knives or Fire
Pick a few of these and make a plan for how you can anticipate, prevent mitigate and
respond to each hazard. For example, to plan for animals, first do some research and
find out what animals inhabit the area you will be camping. This will allow you to
anticipate potential hazards. To prevent animal hazards, travel diligently and keep open
food items in waterproof containers or hang them in bear bag. If you are camping in
bear country, you could mitigate and respond to a potential bear hazard by carrying
bear spray and knowing how to identify a bear quickly. I like the saying “Brown get
down, black attack.” Brown and Grizzly bears are generally more aggressive, and it is
best to attempt to ride an attack from them out. In contrary black bears are more timid
and yelling and making noise will often scare them away. Do similar depths of
research for a few other hazards and you’ll have 1a complete!
1b) Discuss with your counselor why it is important to be aware of weather conditions
before and during your camping activities. Tell how you can prepare should the weather
turn bad during your campouts.
Weather can make or break your camping trip. Nobody like a soggy sleep bag. That is
why it is important to be aware of the expected weather conditions before you start your
camping trip. If the weather calls for rain, make sure that you both have and bring
a functioning rain fly as well as waterproof tent and properly fitting rain gear (You should
still bring these things even if the forecast doesn’t call for rain. Meteorologists are wrong
more than they are right. After spending a few too many campouts thoroughly soggy, I
always carry my rain gear with my in my day pack and I would recommend you do that
same. While your camping be aware of any extreme weather warnings in your area.
Extreme storms can fall trees and create other hazards that are very dangerous to
campers. Make sure you have a safe place you can go or a way to quickly get to a safe
place in the event of a storm.
1c) Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could
occur while camping, including hypothermia, frostbite, heat reactions, dehydration,
altitude sickness, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
First Aid
Being able to administer first aid is also an important skill for campers. Someone will
almost certainly get injured on your camping trip, whether it be scraped knee or rolled
ankle, and it’s important to be able to cure these basic ailments so that your camping
trip doesn’t have to be cut short.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to cold conditions and lowering in body
temperature. If not properly treated, it can be fatal. A person might have hypothermia if
they have any of the following symptoms: uncontrolled shivering, slurred or slowed
speech, confusion or memory loss, or blued or pale skin. A person might not know they
are hypothermic as the symptoms set on slowing and confused thinking prevents self-
awareness. To treat, first take the victim to the warmest place available. If you are not
near any building or shelter, find a place that is out of any wind. If the victim has any wet
clothes on, remove them. Wrap the victim in as many layers as possible and give
them warm liquids if available. Don’t give a hypothermia victim steaming hot liquids as
heating up too quickly could cause them to enter thermal shock.
Frost bite
Frost bite is caused by the freezing of skin. It is most common on limbs such as fingers
or toes. Some symptoms of frostbite include cold skin with a prickling or tingling feeling,
numbness, hard or waxy skin, skin that looks red, white, bluish-white, grayish-yellow,
purplish, brown or ashen. It is most important to prevent frostbite as it can cause
permanent damage and even limb loss. If you or someone around, you begin to feel
symptoms of frostbite immediately get to a warmer place and slowly warm the affected
limb. If the affected area has already gone number or has hard or waxy skin get to a
doctor as quickly as possible.
Heat Reactions
There are 5 heat reactions varying in severity. This chart from the CDC gives a great
overview of each and what to do if you are experience them.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a result of lack of water in the body caused by sweating and exertion
without replenishing fluids. Some symptoms include: extreme thirst, dark colored urine,
dizziness, confusion or fatigue. To prevent dehydration, drink lots of fluids throughout
the day, especially if you are sweating. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking whenever
you feel thirsty as being a good starting point.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is caused by a sudden increase in altitude which leads to the brain
getting less oxygen due to the lower pressure at higher heights. Symptoms include
headache, fatigue, shortness of breath and in extreme cases difficulty walking. If you
plan on camping at a altitude significantly higher than your normal altitude try to give
yourself time to adjust to the new heights. Bring an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory
medicine to help with headaches. If you feel severe symptoms such as difficult
breathing at rest or cognitive loss, descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
Insect Stings
Insect stings can vary wildly in intensity and severeness. Be aware of what insects are
found in your area and what the effects of their stings are. There are 2 venomous
spiders found in the US to be aware of. These are the brown recluse and black widow.
Know what these spiders look like and what to do in the event of being bitten. Also be
sure that you know whether or not you are allergic to common bee stings as these are
the most common inset stings and if allergic could be fatal.
Tick Bites
Ticks are fact of life in the deep woods. They are small insects the jump from tall grass
or trees onto warm blooded mammals. They then bite into the skin and feed off of their
victim’s blood. Ticks can carry many dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever, and babesiosis. To avoid tick bites, wear long sleeves and
pants whenever possible. Also, do daily tick checks on your entire body before going to
sleep. Be sure to check thoroughly as ticks can often crawl into places you would never
expect.
Snake Bites
Snake bites be a huge hazard if bitten by a venomous snake. Be aware of the snakes
found in your area and be able to identify any venomous snakes you might encounter
on your camping trip. Try to stay away from tall grass or other thick wooded areas as
that is where snakes most commonly hunt. If you are bitten by a snake, clean the
wound thoroughly and if you are unable to 100% identify the snake as non-
venomous, contact emergency services.
Blisters
Blisters are caused by excessive pressure or rubbing on skin. They are most common
on hands or feet after working with them. A blister appears as a bubble of fluid on the
skin. Never pop a blister as this opens the wound and could introduce infection.
Instead, apply moleskin or wrap the blister to protect it. Try to avoid putting pressure on
it and let the blister go away naturally.
Hyperventilation
Hyperventilation is the name for rapid, uncontrolled breathing. It can be caused by a
variety of things such as: panic, physical exertion, severe pain, or lung disease.
Excessive hyperventilation can lead to loss of consciousness or even death. If afflicted,
attempt to calm yourself down and control breath. The 4-7-8 breathing
method discussed here can work great. If symptoms persist for over 20 minutes or
worsen even when attempting to slow breathing seek professional help.
Requirement #2
Learn the Leave No Trace principles and the Outdoor Code and explain what they
mean. Write a personal plan for implementing these principles on your next outing.
A core part of Scouting is learning about and developing a respect for the environment.
It’s important to maintain this respect while camping. Scouts do this through the
principles of Leave No Trace and the Outdoor Code.
The 7 principles of Leave No Trace are –
- Plan Ahead and Be Prepared
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Outdoor Code is as follows –“
As an American, I will do my best to –
- Be clean in my outdoor manners.
- Be careful with fire
- Be considerate in the outdoors
- Be conservation minded.”
Together, the Leave No Trace principles and Outdoor Code make up the rules that all Scouts should live by whenever out in nature. As a Scout, it’s your responsibility to leave the outdoors better than how you’ve found it. By following these guidelines, you can help to keep camping safe and enjoyable for all!
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