Hiking

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Revision as of 11:08, April 21, 2009

Hiking Merit Badge requirement resources include the Merit Badge Worksheet ,
lesson video links, and cross-references to related Merit Badges and Boy Scout Awards.
Hiking is a popular Merit Badge and an option for Eagle Scout.   ◄ Prev  -  Next ► 

The Hiking requirements were revised effective January 1, 2008.

Hiking merit badge
	Status:	Eagle-required
	Created:	1921
	Discontinued:	no
	BSA Advancement ID:	061
	Requirements revision:	2008
	Latest pamphlet revision:	2001/2007

Hiking requirements

Do the following: a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while hiking, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards. b. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while hiking, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, sunburn, sprained ankle, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, hyperventilation, and altitude sickness. Explain and, where possible, show the points of good hiking practices including the principles of Leave No Trace, hiking safety in the daytime and at night, courtesy to others, choice of footwear, and proper care of feet and footwear. Explain how hiking is an aerobic activity. Develop a plan for conditioning yourself for 10-mile hikes, and describe how you will increase your fitness for longer hikes. Make a written plan for a 10-mile hike. Include map routes, a clothing and equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch. Take five hikes, each on a different day, and each of 10 continuous miles. You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, during each hike, but not for an extended period (example: overnight). Prepare a hike plan for each hike.* Take a hike of 20 continuous miles in one day following a hike plan you have prepared. You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, but not for an extended period (example: overnight).* After each of the hikes (or during each hike if on one continuous “trek”) in requirements 5 and 6, write a short report of your experience. Give dates and descriptions of routes covered, the weather, and interesting things you saw. Share this report with your merit badge counselor. The hikes in requirements 5 and 6 can be used in fulfilling Second Class (2a) and First Class (3) rank requirements, but only if Hiking merit badge requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been completed to the satisfaction of your counselor. The hikes of requirements 5 and 6 cannot be used to fulfill requirements of other merit badges. The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2012 Edition (BSA Supply No. 34765) The text of these requirements is locked and can only be edited by an administrator. Please note any errors found in the above requirements on this article's Talk Page.

Notes

A FREE workbook for Hiking is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Hiking requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

1. Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
2. "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.
3. Hiking merit badge is on the Eagle Scout required list (requirement 3.j.). It is one choice of a group of three merit badges on the list.
4. All Scouts should consider starting Hiking merit badge immediately upon joining a Boy Scout troop for the following reasons:

   • The first four requirements are relatively easy for most Scouts. Completing these allows you to work on requirements 5 and 6.
   • The following is a direct quote from the requirements:

   The hikes in requirements 5 and 6 can be used in fulfilling Second Class Rank (2a) and First Class Rank (3) rank requirements, but only if Hiking merit badge requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4 have been completed to the satisfaction of your counselor.

   In other words, if you go ahead and knock out the first four requirements early, you'll be able use later hikes to kill two birds with one stone.

5. This is an Eagle required merit badge. It generally takes a long time to earn so the faster you get started, the earlier you'll get done.

Requirement resources

1. First aid: Hypothermia - Heatstroke - Heat Exhaustion - Frostbite - Dehydration - Sunburn - Sprained Ankle - Insect Stings - Tick Bites - Snakebite - Blisters - Hyperventilation - Altitude Sickness

• Your handbook is your primary reference. See First Aid Skills for step-by-step instructions and lesson video links.
• See also: First Aid Merit Badge Pamphlet - First Aid Kit - Emergency Kit - Guide to Safe Scouting - Physcial

2-7.

• Hiking Lesson Videos: Planning - Footwear - Blisters - Gear - Cold Weather - Warm Weather

Layering - Clothing - Food - Hydration - Socks

• Hiking Links: Leave No Trace - Essentials - Amer. Hiking Soc.: Safety - Food - Cold - Myths - Footwear -

REI: Compass - Day Hike - Food - Hydration - Insects - Layering - Lightweight - Navigation - Rain - Socks - Sun - Hot/Cold

3. A blank conditioning plan is in the Hiking Worksheet.
4-5. Blank 10-mile Hike Plans are in the Hiking Worksheet.
6. A blank 20-mile Hike Plan is in the Hiking Worksheet.
7. A blank report is in the Hiking Worksheet.

Related awards

Outdoor Skills Awards

Outdoor-related awards

• Boy Scout ranks: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class
• Boy Scout awards: Firem'n Chit - Totin' Chip - Paul Bunyan Woodsman
• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Astronomy - Backpacking - Camping - Canoeing - Climbing - Cooking - Cycling - Fire Safety - Hiking - Orienteering - Pioneering - Rowing - Weather - Water Sports - Whitewater - Wilderness Survival
• Venturing: Outdoor Bronze Award; Ranger Award electives: Backpacking
• Webelos Activity Badges: Forester - Naturalist - Outdoorsman
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Astronomy - Map and Compass - Weather

See also

Boy Scout portal Varsity Scout portal Venturing portal

General Merit Badge information

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: Most Popular Merit Badges – Merit Badge Policies – Eagle-Required Merit Badges – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)

External links

• Backpacker Magazine
• Hiking First Aid Tips
• Rails to Trails Converted railroad routes throughout the country.

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