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Requirements September 1995 until January 2003

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illness that could occur while backpacking, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation

2. DO the following:

1. List 10 items which are essential to be carried on any overnight backpacking trek and explain why each item is necessary.
2. Describe 10 ways you can limit the weight and bulk to be carried in your pack without jeopardizing your health or safety.

3. Do the following:

1. Define the limits on the number of backpackers who should be in a backpacking crew.
2. Explain the reason for the upper limit and the lower limit in a backpacking crew.

4. 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.

5. Demonstrate two ways to purify water and tell why water purification is essential.

6. 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.

7. Tell how to prepare properly for and deal with inclement weather while on a backpacking trek.

8. Do the following:

1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of backpacking stoves using at least three different types of fuel.
2. Demonstrate that you know how to operate a backpacking stove safely and to handle liquid fuel safely.
3. Prepare at least three meals using a stove and fuel you can carry in a backpack.

9. Do the following:

1. Plan a patrol backpacking hike.
2. 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.
3. Conduct a prehike inspection of the patrol and its equipment.
4. Carrying your pack, complete a hike of at least 2 miles.

10. Take three backpacking treks. Each must be of at least 3 day’s duration with two different overnight campsites, and each must cover at least 15 miles. Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.

11. Do the following:

1. In addition, assist in planning and take a backpacking trek of at least 5 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.
2. On returning, tell what you did to get in shape for this trek and how you might do it differently again.

Requirements January 2003 until January 2008

1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while backpacking, including hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, and blisters.

2. Do the following:

(A) List 10 items that are essential to be carried on any backpacking trek and explain why each item is necessary.
(B) Describe 10 ways you can limit the weight and bulk to be carried in your pack without jeopardizing your health or safety.

3. Do the following:

(A) Defined limits on the number of backpackers appropriate for a trek crew.
(B) Describe how a trek crew should be organized.

4. Do the following:

(A) Describe the importance of using Leave NoTrace principles while backpacking, and at least five ways you can lessen the crew’s impact on the environment.
(B) Describe proper methods of handling human and other waste while on a backpacking trek. Describe the importance of and means to assure personal cleanliness while on a backpacking trek.

5. Do the following:

(A) Demonstrate two ways to treat water and tell why water treatment is essential.
(B) Explain to your counselor the importance of staying well hydrated during a trek.

6. Do the following:

(A) Demonstrate that you can read topographic maps.
(B) While on a track, use a map and compass to establish your position on the ground at least three times at three different places, or use a GPS receiver unit to establish your position on a topographic map at least three times at three different places.

7. Do the following:

(A) Tell how to prepare properly for and deal with inclement weather while on a backpacking trek.
(B) Tell how to properly prepare for and deal with the human and environmental hazards you may encounter on a backpacking trek.

8. Do the following:

(A) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of backpacking stoves using at least three different types of fuel.
(B) Demonstrate that you know how to operate a backpacking stove safely and to handle liquid fuel safely.
(c) Demonstrate that you know how to keep cooking and eating gear clean and sanitary while on a backpacking trek.

9. Do the following:

(A) Write a plan for a patrol backpacking hike includes a time control plan.
(B) Show that you know how to properly pack your personal gear and your share of the crew’s gear and food.
(c) Show you can properly shoulder your pack and adjusted for proper wear.
(d) Conduct a pre-inspection of the patrol and its equipment.
(e) While carrying your pack a complete a hike of at least 2 miles.

10. Using Leave No Trace principles, participate in at least three backpacking treks of at least three days each and at least 15-miles each, and using at least two different campsites. Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.

11. Do the following:

(A) Write a plan for a backpacking trek of at least five days using at least three different campsites and covering at least 30 miles. Your plan must include a description of an route to the track area, schedule (including a daily time control plan), list of food and equipment needs, safety and emergency plan, and budget.
(B) Using Leave No Trace principles, take the trek planned and, while on the track, complete at least one service project approved by your merit badge counselor.
(C) Upon your return, write a report about the track that includes a day–by–day description of what you did or what happened, and what you might do the same and what you might do differently for your next track.

Requirements January 2008 until January 2015

1. Discuss the prevention and treatment for the health concerns that could occur while backpacking, including hypothermia, heat reactions, frostbite, dehydration, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, and blisters.

2. Do the following:

(a) List 10 items that are essential to be carried on any backpacking trek and explain why each item is necessary.
(b) Describe 10 ways you can limit the weight and bulk to be carried in your pack without jeopardizing your health or safety.

3. Do the following:

(a) Defined limits on the number of backpackers appropriate for a trek crew.
(b) Describe how a trek crew should be organized.
(c) Tell how you would minimize risk on a backpacking trek.

4. Do the following:

(a) Describe the importance of using Leave NoTrace principles while backpacking, and at least five ways you can lessen the crew’s impact on the environment.
(b) Describe proper methods of handling human and other waste while on a backpacking trek. Describe the importance of and means to assure personal cleanliness while on a backpacking trek.
(c) Tell what factors are important in choosing a campsite.

5. Do the following:

(a) Demonstrate two ways to treat water and tell why water treatment is essential.
(b) Explain to your counselor the importance of staying well hydrated during a trek.

6. Do the following:

(a) Demonstrate that you can read topographic maps.
(b) While on a track, use a map and compass to establish your position on the ground at least three times at three different places, OR use a GPS receiver unit to establish your position on a topographic map and on the ground at least three times at three different places.
(c) Explain how to stay found, and what to do if you get lost.

7. Tell how to prepare properly for and deal with inclement weather.

8. Do the following:

(a) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of three different types of backpacking stoves using at least three different types of fuel.
(b) Demonstrate that you know how to operate a backpacking stove safely and to handle liquid fuel safely.
(c) Demonstrate that you know how to keep cooking and eating gear clean and sanitary while on a backpacking trek.
(d) Demonstrate that you know how to keep cooking and eating gear clean and sanitary, and that you practice proper methods for food storage while on a backpacking trek.

9. Do the following:

(a) Write a plan for a patrol backpacking hike includes a time control plan.
(b) Show that you know how to properly pack your personal gear and your share of the crew’s gear and food.
(c) Show you can properly shoulder your pack and adjusted for proper wear.
(d) Conduct a pre-inspection of the patrol and its equipment.
(e) While carrying your pack a complete a hike of at least 2 miles.

10. Using Leave No Trace principles, participate in at least three backpacking treks of at least three days each and at least 15-miles each, and using at least two different campsites on each trek. Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.

11. Do the following:

(a) Write a plan for a backpacking trek of at least five days using at least three different campsites and covering at least 30 miles. Your plan must include a description of and route to the track area, a schedule (including a daily schedule), list of food and equipment needs, safety and emergency plan, and budget.
(b) Using Leave No Trace principles, take the trek you have planned and, while on the track, complete at least one service project approved by your merit badge counselor.
(c) Keep a daily journal during the trek that includes a day-to-day description of your activities, including notes about what worked well and thoughts about improvements that could be made for the next trek.