Hiking
Merit Badge Workbook
This Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook is based off the 2020 Scouts BSA Requirements.
Requirement 1: Do the following:
Requirement 1a: Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while hiking, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate and respond to these hazards.
Requirement 1b: Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while hiking, including hypothermia, frostbite, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, sunburn, hyperventilation, altitude sickness, sprained ankle, blisters, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite.
Requirement 2: Explain and, where possible, show the points of good hiking practices including proper outdoor ethics, hiking safety in the daytime and at night, courtesy to others, choice of footwear, and proper care of feet and footwear.
Requirement 3: Explain how hiking is an aerobic activity. Develop a plan for conditioning yourself for 10-mile hikes, and describe how you will increase your fitness for longer hikes.
Requirement 4: Take the five following hikes, each on a different day, and each of continuous miles. The hikes MUST be taken in the following order:
One (1) 5-mile hike
Three (3) 10-mile hikes
One (1) 15-mile hike
You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, during each hike, but not for an extended period (example: overnight). Prepare a written hike plan before each hike and share it with your Scoutmaster or their designee. Include map routes, a clothing and equipment list, and a list of items for a trail lunch.
The required hikes for this badge may be used in fulfilling hiking requirements for rank advancement. However, hikes cannot be used to fulfill requirements of other merit badges.
Requirement 5: Take a hike of 20 continuous miles in one day following a hike plan you have prepared. You may stop for as many short rest periods as needed, as well as one meal, but not for an extended period (example: overnight).
The required hikes for this badge may be used in fulfilling hiking requirements for rank advancement. However, hikes cannot be used to fulfill requirements of other merit badges.
Requirement 6: After each of the hikes (or during each hike if on one continuous "trek") in requirements 4 and 5, write a short reflection of your experience. Give dates and descriptions of routes covered, the weather, and interesting things you saw. It may include something you learned about yourself, about the outdoors, or about others you were hiking with. Share this report with your merit badge counselor.
