Camping Merit Badge

Camping Merit Badge has many requirements, as you can guess, related to camping.  The merit

badge cannot usually be earned in a Scout's first year because it requires 20 days and nights of camping in a tent or under the stars; however, many of the requirements can be completed during different campouts in the first year.  Also, some requirements about gear are good to learn as soon as possible.

I am a Camping Merit Badge counselor; many Scoutmasters are. You can start working anytime with me to earn requirements in Camping.  I have reviewed all of our Scouts in late August and issued "partial" merit badge completion for all of them who have achieved any of the requirements.

For instance, requirement 9b) provides 6 experiences on campouts of which 2 must be earned.  The 6 are listed below.

     (1) Hike up a mountain, gaining at least 1,000 vertical feet.
     (2) Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles.
     (3) Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.
     (4) Take a non-motorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.
     (5) Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience.
     (6) Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more.

Since the Fall of 2015, we have had campouts that gave experience in 3 of these options: (2), (4), and (5).  Option (2) has happened twice since last fall.