Camping Merit Badge

Introduction

The Camping Merit Badge is all about learning how to enjoy the great outdoors. You'll learn how to plan a camping trip, set up camp, and cook outdoors. You'll also learn about safety and how to be a responsible camper.

Merit Badge Requirements

1. Explain the most likely hazards you may encounter while camping and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
2. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses likely to occur while camping, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, altitude sickness, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
3. Discuss the importance of camp sanitation and tell why water treatment is essential in the outdoors. Then demonstrate two ways to treat water.
4. Do the following:
1. Explain the differences between internal-frame and external-frame packs. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
2. Using at least a five-mile hike that you have completed, prepare a written plan for a hiking trip including map and compass routes, a clothing and equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch.
3. Take a hike of at least five miles with your prepared plan. During the hike, demonstrate or discuss each of the following:
1. Campsite selection
2. Campfire preparation and building
3. Cooking techniques
4. Sanitation
5. Leave No Trace principles
6. Properly disposing of waste water
5. Do the following:
1. Discuss the principles of Leave No Trace and tell how you practiced them on a campout or outing. This outing must be different from the one used for Tenderfoot requirement 1c.
2. On one campout, plan and cook one hot breakfast or lunch, selecting foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutritional model. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Demonstrate how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.
3. Explain the importance of hydration before, during, and after a hike. Then, on a hike or backpacking trip, carry and drink the amount of water you need for that trip, considering such factors as distance traveled, weight of pack, and elevation change.
6. Do TWO of the following:
1. Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least four miles.
2. Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.
3. Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.
4. Take a day hike that includes at least five miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain, and another day hike that includes at least five miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain. You must do these hikes by yourself and with your counselor or an adult you authorized to approve your hikes. Before each hike, plan and prepare a list of what you will need for clothing, food, and gear.

Lesson

Hey there, scouts! Are you ready to learn all about camping? Great! Let's get started.

First things first, let's talk about safety. What are some hazards you might encounter while camping? How can you prevent or respond to these hazards?

Now, let's talk about first aid. What are some injuries or illnesses that might occur while camping? How can you treat them?

Next up, let's talk about camp sanitation. Why is it important? How can you ensure that you're practicing good sanitation while camping?

Now, let's talk about gear. What's the difference between internal-frame and external-frame packs? Which one do you prefer and why?

Planning a camping trip can be a lot of fun, but it's important to be prepared. What should you include in your plan? How can you ensure that you're ready for anything?

When you're out on a hike, it's important to know how to set up camp, build a fire, and cook outdoors. What are some techniques you can use? How can you ensure that you're practicing Leave No Trace principles?

Finally, let's talk about nutrition and hydration. What should you eat while camping? How much water should you drink?

Questions

• What are some hazards you might encounter while camping?
• What are some injuries or illnesses that might occur while camping?
• Why is camp sanitation important?
• What's the difference between internal-frame and external-frame packs?
• What should you include in your camping trip plan?
• How can you ensure that you're practicing Leave No Trace principles?
• What should you eat while camping?
• How much water should you drink?

Remember, if you have any questions or need help completing the Camping Merit Badge, don't hesitate to reach out to your merit badge counselor. Good luck!

Schedule

Week	Task
1	Read through the Camping Merit Badge requirements and start planning your camping trip.
2	Learn about camp sanitation and water treatment. Demonstrate two ways to treat water.
3	Learn about gear and prepare a written plan for your hiking trip.
4	Take a hike of at least five miles and demonstrate campsite selection, campfire preparation and building, cooking techniques, sanitation, Leave No Trace principles, and proper disposal of waste water.
5	Practice Leave No Trace principles on a campout and plan and cook one hot breakfast or lunch.
6	Learn about hydration and carry and drink the amount of water you need for your hike.
7-8	Choose two of the following: backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least four miles; take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours; take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles; take two day hikes that each include at least five miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain.