Backpacking Merit Badge
Moving on from day hikes, scouts carry everything they need for longer, overnight adventures away from established camping areas. This merit badge introduces the complexities of planning a trek, the essential skills to stay safe, manage clean water, eat well, and minimize impact while camping.
The most fun, and most challenging, part of this badge is participating in three treks and then planning and taking one extended adventure. All the skills covered here are useful for everyone venturing into wild areas.
Completion of this merit badge takes at least 14 days of backpacking covering at least 75 miles, spread over 4 treks. It isn’t easy and typically takes over a year to finish. That may be why it’s only #107 in popularity and only about 3,100 scouts earn it each year. It is not a fast and easy badge, but it is one of the most adventurous.
Revised January, 2024
Requirements for the Backpacking merit badge:
- List 10 items that are essential to be carried on any 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.
- Define limits on the number of backpackers appropriate for a trek crew.
- Describe how a trek crew should be organized.
- Tell how you would minimize risk on a backpacking trek.
- Explain the purpose of an emergency response plan.
- Describe the importance of using Leave No Trace principles while backpacking, and at least five ways you can lessen the crew’s impact on the environment.
- Describe proper methods of handling human and other wastes while on a backpacking trek. Describe the importance of and means to assure personal cleanliness while on a backpacking trek.
- Tell what factors are important in choosing a campsite.
- Demonstrate two ways to treat water and tell why water treatment is essential.
- Explain to your counselor the importance of staying well hydrated during a trek.
- Demonstrate that you can read topographic maps.
- While on a trek, use a map and compass to establish your position on the ground at three different locations, OR use a GPS receiver unit to establish your position on a topographic map and on the ground at three different locations.
- Explain how to stay found, and what to do if you get lost.
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the 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.
- 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.
- Write a plan that includes a schedule for a patrol/crew backpacking hike of at least 2 miles.
- Conduct a prehike inspection of the patrol and its equipment.
- Show that you know how to properly pack your personal gear and your share of the crew’s gear and food.
- Show you can properly shoulder your pack and adjust it for proper wear.
- While using the plan you developed for requirement 9a, carry your fully loaded pack to complete a hike of at least 2 miles.
- 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 trek area, a schedule (including a daily schedule), a list of food and equipment needs, a safety and emergency plan, and a budget.
- Using Leave No Trace principles, take the trek as planned in requirement 11a that is at least five full days, covering at least 30 miles and utilizing at least three different campsites. While on the trek, complete at least one service project approved by your merit badge counselor.
- Keep a daily journal during the trek that includes a day-by-day description of your activities, including notes about what worked well and thoughts about improvements that could be made for the next trek.
(Optional worksheets are maintained by usscouts.org and they have sole control over their updates.)
Hints for Backpacking Merit Badge
- Many of the requirement tasks duplicate skills hopefully learned during rank advancement. Reading maps, using raingear, 10 essentials, Leave No Trace, and the like should be easy to complete.
- The merit badge pamphlet thoroughly covers the safety and gear for backpacking, like half the book! So, use the pamphlet for most of the “Explain” tasks.
- Scouts can not double-count the hiking for this merit badge towards the Hiking merit badge.
- Does a Philmont trek count? Read more
- Water can be treated by filtering, chemicals, boiling, or UV light devices – filter and chemical are the simplest to demonstrate.
- The “Demonstrate” tasks of requirements 5, 6, and 8 can be done on campouts or meetings. It’s actually better to demonstrate the skill before going on the backpacking trips.
Terminology for the Backpacking Merit Badge
- 10 Essentials – pocketknife, firstaid kit, extra clothing, raingear, water bottle, flashlight, trail food, matches and fire starter, sun protection, map and compass
Resources for Backpacking Merit Badge
See my general First Aid Skills page for requirement #1.
Read the Philmont Shakedown Guidethat covers lots of requirements.
Use this Trip Plan for requirement #9.
Use this Emergency Response Plan for requirement #11.
Read about Group Size impacts.
Learn all about Leave No Trace and follow the principles on all outings.
Consider these Factors in Choosing a Campsite.
Explore Map & Compass skills.
Check out Trail Safety, including signaling for help and getting found.
Philmont and Backpacking
Many scout leaders hope to use a Philmont trek to complete most of the requirements for this badge. In actuality, stepping out into the wilderness for a 10-day trek is not the time to be demonstrating skills for the first time. Philmont should be more of a final exam or celebration after completing all the Backpacking requirements. Learning and demonstrating the skills on shorter, safer, more local, weekend backpacking trips in preparation for going to Philmont makes a lot more sense.
Even Philmont highly recommends that all trek participants complete the Backpacking merit badge requirements before participating in a Philmont trek. This is what they say –
Backpacking is the best way to prepare for a Philmont trek. It is highly recommended that everyone in a Philmont crew fulfill the requirements for the Backpacking Merit Badge. These include three 15-mile treks with two overnights each and one 5-day backpacking trek covering at least 30 miles. Fulfilling these requirements will enable you to enjoy a Philmont trek.
Some other merit badges in the Camping Skills theme include: Camping, Cooking, Hiking, Pioneering, and Wilderness Survival. You might check them out if you found the Backpacking merit badge interesting.
Mar 05, 2016 – Eddie Paniccia
Does this trek have to be with the Scout leading or can the Scout do it with a family member.
Mar 05, 2016 – Scouter Paul
@Eddie – Wording on new awards and recognition are pushing the “under the auspices of the BSA” which means the BSA would prefer the efforts to complete scouting requirements be done while scouting. But, that wording is not in the Backpacking badge yet.
The scout doing the Backpacking merit badge (or ANY merit badge) should be communicating his plans to his merit badge counselor BEFORE he undertakes any activities. This prevents any assumptions from causing misaligned expectations on both sides.
If the scout tells his counselor, “I just did my 4 treks for Backpacking with my mom and I’m done now”, I expect the counselor would not accept that. But, if the scout asked the counselor if 4 backpacking trips with his mom over the summer would count, they could decide what is expected. Then, before going on the treks, he could show his counselor his plans, maps, routes, campsites, conservation project plan, and find out if anything else is needed. Then, upon returning, he could show his journal, discuss what LNT was done, and share pictures of the conservation project he did.
When a merit badge counselor signs off that as requirement is done, s/he is stating it has been verified. If I am not present to see it being done, it’s a lot more difficult to verify. It’s a lot better for all involved to have the counselor present when doing many merit badge requirements that don’t have demonstrable items to present at the end.
Apr 04, 2016 – Sean Eagan
I work with a troop in Juneau Ak with a limited number of multi day trails that can be arrived at without flying.
Requirement 10 says 3 2-night trips each 15 miles.
Requirement 11 says 1 five-night trip of 30 miles.
We have a 30 miler 5-night trip being planned. Can that count as one of the three 2 nighters from requirement #10? Thanks Sean
Apr 04, 2016 – Scouter Paul
@Sean – Requirement 10 says “at least” 3 days and 15 miles, so a trip that is 6 days and 30 miles meets that minimum. You could not count the one trip for both requirement 10 & 11.
Jun 26, 2016 – Lori
Can a backpacking trek of 10 miles be used in conjunction with the hiking merit badge? I have found that backpacking and camping work hand in hand. I realize that the hiking mb is a stand alone and can only be used for that badge and rank requirements. Can you help with this please.
Jun 26, 2016 – Scouter Paul
@Lori – The Hiking merit badge specifically states that the hikes used for it can not be used for any other merit badges.
Jun 28, 2020 – Michelle
10 states
Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.
Surely that doesn’t mean water. We would filter water during the trip.
Jun 29, 2020 – Scouter Paul
@Michelle – Yes, filtering water is ok. Carrying 3 days of water would weigh over 20 pounds. 🙂
I would also say harvesting natural food, like berries and fish, would be ok – but I wouldn’t rely on that as my main food source.
Jan 20, 2021 – Scott
For #11, would you consider a Philmont Trek to complete that requirement even though Philmont itself seems to do most of the planning that is required?
Jan 20, 2021 – Scouter Paul
@Scott – Many MB counselors accept requirements completed at Philmont. The scout would need to discuss with the MB counselor if #11 could be done, and how it would be completed. Since, as you mentioned, Philmont already defines the routes, schedules, activities, and food, it doesn’t seem that the scout could take credit for planning those things.
Jan 20, 2021 – Scott
@Paul Thanks. I am the MB counselor which is why I’m trying to determine how I should handle it. It doesn’t seem like using Philmont for #11 fulfills the spirit of the requirement nor the letter as you note. I think using Philmont is fine for one of the #10 treks so that’s what I’ll advise.
Apr 12, 2021 – Jeff Wyborny
RE: #11 I also have a crew going to Philmont. It’s a substantial investment in time and money. I have decided to Split the #11 requirement into Planning and Action. For approval they have to Fulfill Section 1 and plan a 5 day hike. (A full plan with maps and schedules) Then They will exercise b. and c. from #11 and document the results of the Philmont Experience that far over-delivers on the requirements. If a scout fulfills all the Academic and Theoretical elements of the Badge Plus does a High Adventure Scout Backpacking trip of 10+ days. I just can’t see denying the badge in that case. A scout having completed all elements and the Philmont 10+ Day, in my opinion has passed the bar as far as the Spirit of “Backpacking”.
Apr 12, 2021 – Scouter Paul
@Jeff – It sounds like you are making up your own requirement #11. Planning a hypothetical trip and then participating in a Philmont trek are substantial changes to what is required. If you are going to do that, you might as well just have each scout document their own plan for the Philmont trek, using the trek itineraries to map out the route, resupplies, daily schedules, and the rest.
I’ve found it’s a better experience for scouts to plan and take shorter backpacking trips that they’ve actually planned themselves, like the requirements specify. By completing 3 weekend trips and one 3-night trip beforehand, Philmont is also more enjoyable.
Dec 19, 2021 – Donella K Rideout-Martini
What would happen in requirement #10 and #11 if you had multiple scouts in your troop that wanted to do the backpacking merit badge? Would that mean that you would be doing (# of scouts)times 3 day 15 mile or 30 mile 5 day hikes? If this needs to be done with your troop or with other scouts I don’t know many that would be good with doing multiple 5 day trips. Example: If I had 5 scouts that were looking to get this badge and wanted to do the trip then they would have to each make 3, 15 mile itineraries which would be 15, 15 mile trips and 5, 30 mile trips? As usual BSA is clear as mud on the requirements.
Dec 29, 2021 – Scouter Paul
@Donella – It would be nice if the requirement were a bit more detailed. #10 says to “participate”, so all the scouts could count the same 3 15- mile treks for that one. For #11, a counselor could require each scout to plan and complete a separate trek, but I’ve not seen that in practice. Having the group decide on a trek route together with adult input, and then each scout creating their own plans, budgets, and schedules is common.
Feb 02, 2022 – Alexis D.
As a troop, pretty much all are campouts we use the patrol method for cooking. Our scouts are all wanting to do individual cooking while doing the treks for the Backpacking Merit Badge. Is this allowed? I was also considering pairing if that’s OK also?
Feb 02, 2022 – Scouter Paul
Camping
A Boy Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Camping upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1–6.
- Complete the Camping merit badge requirements.
- Complete the requirements for two of the following three:
- Cooking merit badge or Ranger Cooking core;
- First Aid merit badge or Ranger First Aid core;
- Pioneering merit badge.
- Complete 25 days and nights of camping—including six consecutive days (five nights) of camping (Sea Scouts may be on a boat), approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America—including nights camped as part of requirements 1 through 3 above. Boy Scouts must complete six consecutive days (five nights) of the 25 nights at a BSA accredited resident camp.
A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 nights of camping.
A silver device is earned for each additional 100 nights of camping.
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of nights camping.
Hiking
A Boy Scout,Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Hiking upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
- Complete the requirements for one of the following:
- Hiking merit badge,
- Backpacking merit badge, or
- Venturing Ranger Backpacking elective.
- Complete the requirements for one of the following:
- Orienteering merit badge,
- Geocaching merit badge,
- *Pathfinding merit badge, or
- Venturing Ranger Land Navigation core requirement.
- Complete 100 miles of hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including miles hiked as part of requirements 2 and 3.
*Only the Scouts who have already earned the Pathfinding merit badge during Scouting’s centennial celebration in 2010 and first quarter of 2011 can receive credit for this requirement. This badge has been discontinued since then, and can no longer be earned.
A gold device may be earned for each additional 50 miles hiked, backpacked, snowshoed, or skied as outlined in requirements 2 and 3.
A silver device is earned for each additional 200 miles of hiking.
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of miles hiking.
Aquatics
A Boy Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer, may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Aquatics upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
- Complete the requirements for the Swimming merit badge and either Lifesaving merit badge or Venturing Ranger Lifesaving elective. (For Sea Scouts, swimming merit badge requirements are an Ordinary rank requirement, and lifesaving merit badge requirements are an Able rank requirement).
- Complete the requirements for the Mile Swim BSA Award.
- Complete the requirements for at least one of the following: Canoeing, Fishing, Fly-Fishing, Kayaking, Rowing, Scuba Diving, Small Boat Sailing, Water Sports, or Whitewater merit badges or Ranger Award Fishing, Scuba or Watercraft electives. Complete at least 25 hours of on-the-water time, applying the skills that you learned in the merit badge or Ranger elective.
- Complete at least 50 hours of any combination of swimming, canoeing, fishing, fly-fishing, kayaking, rowing, scuba, small-boat sailing, stand up paddleboarding, water sports, or whitewater activity under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including time spent in requirements 2 through 4.
A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of aquatics activity listed in requirement 5.
A silver device is earned for each additional 100 hours of aquatics activity.
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of hours of aquatics activity.
Conservation
A Boy Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Conservation upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
- Demonstrate the safe use of five of the following conservation tools: pick or pickax; shovel or spade; ax; bow saw; cross-cut saw; prybar; sledge hammer; loppers or shears; fire rake or McLeod; and/or Pulaski. Discuss the ethical use of the tools you chose.
- Complete the requirements for the following:
- Environmental Science merit badge or Sustainability merit badge or both Venturing Ranger Conservation core and Ecology elective
- Soil and Water Conservation merit badge
- One of the following merit badges: Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, or Mammal Study
A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of conservation work.
A silver device is earned for each additional 100 hours of conservation work (for example, the first silver device is earned at 125 total hours of conservation work).
Youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of hours of conservation work./p>
Riding
A Boy Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Riding upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
- Complete the requirements for at least one of the following:
- Cycling merit badge or Ranger Cycling/Mountain Biking elective and 100 miles of cycling
- Horsemanship merit badge or Ranger Equestrian elective and 20 miles of horseback riding
- Motorboating merit badge or Ranger Watercraft elective and 100 miles of motor boating
- Skating merit badge or Ranger Winter Sports elective and 20 miles of skating
A gold device may be earned for each additional 100 miles of riding set forth in requirement 3.
A silver device is earned for each additional 400 miles of riding.
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of miles of riding.
Adventure
A Boy Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
- Complete the requirements for one of the following: Wilderness Survival, Search and Rescue, or Emergency Preparedness merit badges or Ranger Wilderness Survival core, Ranger Emergency Preparedness core, or Ranger First Aid elective.
- Complete 10 of any combination or repetition of the following adventure activities under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America:
- A backpacking trip lasting three or more days and covering more than 20 miles without food resupply
- A canoeing, rowing, or sailing trip lasting three or more days and covering more than 50 miles without food resupply
- A whitewater trip lasting two or more days and covering more than 20 miles without food resupply
- A climbing activity on open rock, following Climb On Safely principles, that includes camping overnight
- Earn the National Historic Trails Award
- Earn the 50-Miler Award
- Attend any national high-adventure base or any nationally recognized local high-adventure or specialty-adventure program.
Items 3a–g may be repeated as desired. A single activity that satisfies multiple items in 3a–g may be counted as separate activities at the discretion of the unit leader. Similarly, a single activity that doubles an item in 3a–d may be counted as two activities at the discretion of the unit leader.
A gold device may be earned for each additional five activities.
A silver device is earned for each additional 20 activities.
The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of activities.Click here for the application form used for these badges and devices
(and for the National Outdoor Achievement Medal).Page updated on: February 23, 2019
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