Backpacking Merit Badge and Worksheet (2024)

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Revised January, 2015

Requirements for the Backpacking merit badge:

1. 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. Do the following:
   1. List 10 items that are essential to be carried on any backpacking trek and explain why each item is necessary.
   2. Describe 10 ways you can limit the weight and bulk to be carried in your pack without jeopardizing your health or safety.
3. Do the following:
   1. Define limits on the number of backpackers appropriate for a trek crew.
   2. Describe how a trek crew should be organized.
   3. Tell how you would minimize risk on a backpacking trek.
   4. Explain the purpose of an emergency response plan.
4. Do the following:
   1. Describe the importance of using Leave No Trace principles while backpacking, and at least five ways you can lessen the crew's impact on the environment.
   2. 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. Tell what factors are important in choosing a campsite.
5. Do the following:
   1. Demonstrate two ways to treat water and tell why water treatment is essential.
   2. Explain to your counselor the importance of staying well hydrated during a trek.
6. Do the following:
   1. Demonstrate that you can read topographic maps.
   2. 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 unit to establish your position on a topographic map and on the ground at three different locations.
   3. Explain how to stay found, and what to do if you get lost.
7. Tell how to prepare properly for and deal with inclement weather.
8. Do the following:
   1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of backpacking stoves using at least three different types of fuel.
   2. Demonstrate that you know how to operate a backpacking stove safely and to handle liquid fuel safely.
   3. Prepare at least three meals using a stove and fuel you can carry in a backpack.
   4. 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. Do the following:
   1. Write a plan that includes a schedule for a patrol/crew backpacking hike of at least 2 miles.
   2. Conduct a prehike inspection of the patrol and its equipment.
   3. Show that you know how to properly pack your personal gear and your share of the crew's gear and food.
   4. Show you can properly shoulder your pack and adjust it for proper wear.
   5. While using the plan you developed for requirement 9a, carry your fully loaded pack to complete a hike of at least 2 miles.
10. Using Leave No Trace principles, 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. Do the following:
    1. 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. Using Leave No Trace principles, take the trek your have planned and, while on the trek, complete at least one service project approved by your merit badge counselor.
    3. 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.

Backpacking Worksheet
Backpacking Time Control Plan
Backpacking Injury Report

All Merit Badges

Does this trek have to be with the Scout leading or can the Scout do it with a family member.

@Eddie - Wording on new awards and recognition are pushing the "under the auspices of the BSA" which means the BSA would prefer the efforts to complete scouting requirements be done while scouting. ÂBut, that wording is not in the Backpacking badge yet.

The scout doing the Backpacking merit badge (or ANY merit badge) should be communicating his plans to his merit badge counselor BEFORE he undertakes any activities. ÂThis prevents any assumptions from causing misaligned expectations on both sides. Â
If the scout tells his counselor, "I just did my 4 treks for Backpacking with my mom and I'm done now", I expect the counselor would not accept that. ÂBut, if the scout asked the counselor if 4 backpacking trips with his mom over the summer would count, they could decide what is expected. ÂThen, before going on the treks, he could show his counselor his plans, maps, routes, campsites, conservation project plan, and find out if anything else is needed. ÂThen, upon returning, he could show his journal, discuss what LNT was done, and share pictures of the conservation project he did.

When a merit badge counselor signs off that as requirement is done, s/he is stating it has been verified. ÂIf I am not present to see it being done, it's a lot more difficult to verify. ÂIt's a lot better for all involved to have the counselor present when doing many merit badge requirements that don't have demonstrable items to present at the end.

Hi,

I work with a troop in Juneau Ak with a limited number of multi day trails that can be arrived at without flying. Â

Requirement 10 says 3 2-night trips each 15 miles. Â

Requirement 11 says 1 five-night trip Âof 30 miles.

We have a 30 miler 5-night trip being planned. Â Can that count as one of the three 2 nighters from requirement #10? ÂThanks Sean

@Sean - Requirement 10 says "at least" 3 days and 15 miles, so a trip that is 6 days and 30 miles meets that minimum. ÂYou could not count the one trip for both requirement 10 & 11.

Can a backpacking trek of 10 miles be used in conjunction with the hiking merit badge? ÂI have found that backpacking and camping work hand in hand. ÂI realize that the hiking mb is a stand alone and can only be used for that badge and rank requirements. ÂCan you help with this please???

@Lori - The Hiking merit badge specifically states that the hikes used for it can not be used for any other merit badges.

10 states
Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.
Surely that doesn't mean water. ÂWe would filter water during the trip.

@Michelle - Yes, filtering water is ok. ÂCarrying 3 days of water would weigh over 20 pounds. :-)
I would also say harvesting natural food, like berries and fish, would be ok - but I wouldn't rely on that as my main food source.

For #11, would you consider a Philmont Trek to complete that requirement even though Philmont itself seems to do most of the planning that is required?

@Scott - Many MB counselors accept requirements completed at Philmont. ÂThe scout would need to discuss with the MB counselor if #11 could be done, and how it would be completed. ÂSince, as you mentioned, Philmont already defines the routes, schedules, activities, and food, it doesn't seem that the scout could take credit for planning those things. Â

@Paul Thanks. ÂI am the MB counselor which is why I'm trying to determine how I should handle it. ÂIt doesn't seem like using Philmont for #11 fulfills the spirit of the requirement nor the letter as you note. ÂI think using Philmont is fine for one of the #10 treks so that's what I'll advise.

RE: #11 ÂI also have a crew going to Philmont. It's a substantial investment in time and money. I have decided to Split the #11 requirement into Planning and Action. ÂFor approval they have to Fulfill Section 1 and plan a 5 day hike. (A full plan with maps and schedules) Then They will exercise b. and c. from #11 and document the results of the Philmont Experience that far over-delivers on the requirements. If a scout fulfills all the Academic and Theoretical elements of the Badge Plus does a High Adventure Scout Backpacking trip of 10+ days. I just can't see denying the badge in that case. A scout having completed all elements and the Philmont 10+ Day, in my opinion has passed the bar as far as the Spirit of "Backpacking".

@Jeff - It sounds like you are making up your own requirement #11. ÂPlanning a hypothetical trip and then participating in a Philmont trek are substantial changes to what is required. ÂIf you are going to do that, you might as well just have each scout document their own plan for the Philmont trek, using the trek itineraries to map out the route, resupplies, daily schedules, and the rest.

I've found it's a better experience for scouts to plan and take shorter backpacking trips that they've actually planned themselves, like the requirements specify. ÂBy completing 3 weekend trips and one 3-night trip beforehand, Philmont is also more enjoyable.

What would happen in requirement #10 and #11 if you had multiple scouts in your troop that wanted to do the backpacking merit badge? Would that mean that you would be doing (# of scouts)times 3 day 15 mile or 30 mile 5 day hikes? If this needs to be done with your troop or with other scouts I don't know many that would be good with doing multiple 5 day trips. Example: If I had 5 scouts that were looking to get this badge and wanted to do the trip then they would have to each make 3, 15 mile itineraries which would be 15, 15 mile trips and 5, 30 mile trips? As usual BSA is clear as mud on the requirements.

@Donella - It would be nice if the requirement were a bit more detailed. Â#10 says to "participate", so all the scouts could count the same 3 15-mile treks for that one.For #11, a counselor could require each scout to plan and complete a separate trek, but I've not seen that in practice. ÂHaving the group decide on a trek route together with adult input, and then each scout creating their own plans, budgets, and schedules is common.

As a troop, pretty much all are campouts we use the patrol Âmethod for cooking. Our scouts are all wanting to do individual Âcooking while doing the treks for the Backpacking ÂMerit Badge. Is this allowed? I was also considering Âpairing if that's OK also?

@Alexis - I don't see any place that conflicts with the merit badge requirements.