A merit badge for Boy scouts. This is not a required badge for Eagle. Taken from meritbadge.com:
- Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while
backpacking, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration,
sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
- Do the following:
- List 10 items which are essential to be carried on any overnight backpacking trek and
explain why each item is necessary.
- Describe 10 ways you can limit the weight and bulk to be carried in your pack without
jeopardizing your health or safety.
- Do the following:
- Define limits on the number of backpackers who should be in a backpacking crew.
- Explain the reason for the upper limit and the lower limit in a backpacking crew.
- Tell environmental considerations that are important for backpackers and describe five
ways to lessen their impact on the environment. Describe proper methods for disposing of
solid and liquid wastes.
- Demonstrate two ways to purify water and tell why water purification is essential.
- Demonstrate that you can read topographic maps. While on a hike, use a map and compass
to establish your position on the terrain at random times and places.
- Tell how to prepare properly for and deal with inclement weather while on a backpacking
trek.
- Do the following:
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of backpacking stoves
using at least three different types of fuel.
- Demonstrate that you know how to operate a backpacking stove safely and to handle liquid
fuel safely.
- Prepare at least three meals using a stove and fuel you can carry in a backpack.
- Do the following:
- Plan a patrol backpacking hike.
- Properly pack your own gear and your share of the crew equipment and food. Protect it
against inclement weather. Show that your pack allows you to get quickly to items you may
need on the trail and provides for comfort, balance, and neatness. Show how to use
effectively a pack frame and hip strap to distribute the weight on your body.
- Conduct a prehike inspection of the patrol and its equipment.
- Carrying your pack, complete a hike of at least two miles.
- Take three backpacking treks. Each must consist of at least three days duration with two
different overnight campsites, and each must cover at least 15 miles. Carry everything you
will need throughout the trek.
- Do the following:
- In addition, assist in planning and take a backpacking trek of at least
five days with at
least three different campsites, and covering at least 30 miles. Your written plan
submitted to your counselor must include route, food and menus, equipment, and emergency
notification. Prepare lightweight, reasonably priced trail menus. Carry everything you
need throughout the entire trek.
- On returning, tell what you did to get in shape for this trek and how you might do it
differently again.