Surveying

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Resources include the Surveying merit badge worksheet , links, and cross-references to related badges and awards.  ◀Prev  -  Next ▶ 

Surveying requires prior counselor approval for requirement(s) #2.

Surveying merit badge
	Status:	Elective
	Created:	1911
	Discontinued:	no
	BSA Advancement ID:	109
	Requirements revision:	2005
	Latest pamphlet revision:	2008

The Surveying merit badge was one of the original 57 merit badges issued by the Boy Scouts of America in 1911.

Surveying merit badge requirements

Show that you know first aid for the types of injuries that could occur while surveying, including cuts, scratches, snakebite, insect stings, tick bites, heat and cold reactions, and dehydration. Explain to your counselor why a surveyor should be able to identify the poisonous plants and poisonous animals that are found in your area. Find and mark the corners of a five-sided lot that has been laid out by your counselor to fit the land available. Set an instrument over each of the corners and record the angle turned between each line and the distance measured between each corner, as directed by your counselor. With the assistance of the counselor, compute the error of closure from the recorded notes. The error of closure must not be more than 5 feet. From the corners, take compass readings or turn angles to trees, shrubs, and rocks and measure to them. All measurements should be made using instruments, methods, and accuracies consistent with current technology. From the field notes gathered for requirement 2, draw to scale a map of your survey. Submit a neatly drawn copy. Write a metes and bounds description for the five-sided lot in requirement 2. Use one of the corner markers from requirement 2 as a benchmark with an assumed elevation of 100 feet. Using a level and rod, determine the elevation of the other four corner markers. Get a copy of the deed to your property, or a piece of property assigned by your counselor, from the local courthouse or title agency. Tell what GPS is; discuss with your counselor the importance of GPS and how it is changing the field of surveying. Discuss the importance of surveying with a licensed surveyor. Also discuss the various types of surveying and mapping, and applications of surveying technology to other fields. Discuss career opportunities in surveying and related fields. Discuss qualifications and preparation for such a career. 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 Surveying is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Surveying 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. Surveying is a rare merit badge!

Requirement resources

1. First aid: Cuts - Scratches - Snakebite - Insect Stings - Tick Bites - Heat Reactions - Cold Reactions - Dehydration - Poisonous Plants - Poisonous Animals

• 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

4. Writing a Metes & Bounds Description
7. What is GPS?
* GPS & Surveying The official government site for the Global Positioning System.
8. Career Opportunities in Surveying Includes educational and training requirements.

Related awards

Trade-related awards

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: American Labor - Automotive Maintenance - Drafting - Farm Mechanics - Graphic Arts - Home Repairs - Painting - Plumbing - Surveying - Truck Transportation - Woodwork
  
• Webelos Activity Badges: Craftsman - Handyman

See also

Boy Scout portal Varsity Scout portal Venturing portal

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.)

History

Original Surveying merit badge requirements from 1911

1. Map correctly from the country itself the main features of a half mile of road, with 440 yards each side to a scale of two feet to the mile, and afterwards draw same map from memory.
2. Be able to measure the height of a tree, telegraph pole, and church steeple, describing method adopted.
3. Measure width of a river.
4. Estimate distance apart of two objects a known distance away and unapproachable.
5. Be able to measure a gradient.

External links

• History Corner: Historical Look at the Surveying Merit Badge from Professional Surveyor Magazine