Orienteering

Orienteering merit badge requirements

1. Show that you know first aid for the types of injuries that could occur while orienteering, including cuts, scratches, blisters, snakebite, insect stings, tick bites, heat and cold reactions (sunburn, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, hypothermia), and dehydration. Explain to your counselor why you should be able to identify poisonous plants and poisonous animals that are found in your area.
2. Explain what orienteering is.
3. Do the following:

   a. Explain how a compass works. Describe the features of an orienteering compass.

   b. In the field, show how to take a compass bearing and follow it.

4. Do the following:

   a. Explain how a topographic map shows terrain features. Point out and name five terrain features on a map and in the field.

   b. Point out and name 10 symbols on a topographic map.

   c. Explain the meaning of declination. Tell why you must consider declination when using map and compass together.

   d. Show a topographic map with magnetic north-south lines.

   e. Show how to measure distances on a map using an orienteering compass.

   f. Show how to orient a map using a compass.

5. Set up a 100-meter pace course. Determine your walking and running pace for 100 meters. Tell why it is important to pace-count.
6. Do the following:

   a. Identify 20 international control description symbols. Tell the meaning of each symbol.

   b. Show a control description sheet and explain the information provided.

   c. Explain the following terms and tell when you would use them: attack point, collecting feature, catching feature, aiming off, contouring, reading ahead, handrail, relocation, rough versus fine orienteering.

7. Do the following:

   a. Take part in three orienteering events. One of these must be a cross-country course.*

   • Note to the Counselor: While orienteering is primarily an individual sport, BSA Youth Protection procedures call for using the buddy system. Requirement 7a can be completed by pairs or groups of Scouts.

   b. After each event, write a report with (1) a copy of the master map and control description sheet, (2) a copy of the route you took on the course, (3) a discussion of how you could improve your time between control points, and (4) a list of your major weaknesses on this course . Describe what you could do to improve.

8. Do ONE of the following:

   a. Set up a cross-country course that is at least 2,000 meters long with at least five control markers. Prepare the master map and control description sheet.

   b. Set up a score-orienteering course with at least 12 control points and a time limit of at least 60 minutes. Set point values for each control. Prepare the master map and control description sheet.

9. Act as an official during an orienteering event. This may be during the running of the course you set up for requirement 8.
10. Teach orienteering techniques to your patrol, troop, or crew.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2018 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #641568)

A FREE workbook for Orienteering is available here! (PDF or Word) with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Orienteering requirements.

usscouts.org has PDF and Word versions of workbooks for Scouts BSA ranks and merit badges, Cub Scouting ranks and adventures, and STEM Nova awards.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." The Orienteering merit badge pamphlet can purchased at ScoutSthop.org or at your local Scout Shop.
• "Get a signed Application for Merit Badge ... from your unit leader." An electronic, fillable, and printable PDF file version is available.

• Scouts BSA ranks: Scout - Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class
• Scouts BSA awards: Firem'n Chit - Totin' Chip - Paul Bunyan Woodsman - National Outdoor Badges - National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
• Scouts BSA Merit Badges: Archaeology - Archery - Astronomy - Athletics - Backpacking - Bird Study - Camping - Canoeing - Climbing - Cooking - Cycling - Environmental Science - Farm Mechanics - Fire Safety - Fish and Wildlife Management - Fishing - Fly-Fishing - Forestry - Gardening - Geocaching - Geology - Golf - Hiking - Horsemanship - Insect Study - Kayaking - Mammal Study - Motorboating - Nature - Oceanography - Orienteering - Personal Fitness - Pioneering - Reptile and Amphibian Study - Rifle Shooting - Rowing - Scuba Diving - Search and Rescue - Shotgun Shooting - Signs, Signals, and Codes - Skating - Small-Boat Sailing - Snow Sports - Soil and Water Conservation - Space Exploration - Sports - Surveying - Swimming - Traffic Safety - Weather - Water Sports - Whitewater - Wilderness Survival
• Venturing: Wilderness Survival Ranger Core - Backpacking Ranger Award elective - National Outdoor Badges - National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
• Sea Scouts: National Outdoor Badges - National Medal for Outdoor Achievement

• Scouts BSA merit badges: Archery  •  Athletics  •  Climbing  •  Cycling  •  Fishing  •  Fly-Fishing  •  Golf - Hiking  •  Horsemanship  •  Orienteering  •  Rifle Shooting  •  Shotgun Shooting  •  Skating  •  Small-Boat Sailing  •  Snow Sports  •  Sports  •  Swimming  •  Water Sports  •  Whitewater
• Venturing: Quest Award; Ranger Award electives: Cave Exploration  •  Cycling  •  Equestrian  •  Fishing  •  Hunting  •  Mountaineering  •  COPE  •  Shooting Sports  •  Winter Sports

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• 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: List of how many youths have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – 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.)
• See Submitting New Merit Badge Ideas for guidance on how to submit suggestions for new merit badges to BSA.