Download Camping Merit Badge Booklet

Eeware of lightning. During liShtningstorms,avoid the summits of mountains,crestsof ridges,slopesabovetimberline,
and largemeadows.If you seea storm approaching,quickly
descendto a lower elevation,away from the directionof the
approachingstorm. InstructScoutsto squat down and keep
their headslow Avoid isolatedtreesand treesmuch taller thaD
adiacenttrees;and water,metal obiects,and other substances
that will conductelectricityover long distances.
If the threat of lightning
strikesis great,group members
should spreadout at least t00
feet apart and squat with feet
closetogether Removeback1OOFEE|
packswith either extemalor
internal metal frames.In teDts,
stay away from metal poles.
t
t
I
1,
Treat all ddnking water, Seriousillnesscan result from d nkin8 or cooking with untreatedwater.Tfeatall water obtained
along the trail, or carry water from home.
BSA property smart. Rememberthe three C's: care,courtesy,
Followtheseguidelines:
and cleanliness.
]. In advance,obtain permissionfrom landowners.
2. when visiting public lands,obtain a permit in advancefrom
the land manaSementagency.
3. Park only in designatedareas.
4. If you must mark a trail, bring small signsthat can be
placedas the group entersand removedupon leaving.
5. Obtain permissionto crossp vate property,and always
leavegatesexactlyas you found them.
6. Treatthe landowner'slivestockand other animals
with respect.
7. Keepnoiseto a minimum (especiallyat night), and follow
the rules on building fires in camp.
8. PracticeLeaveNo Tface.
9. Thank the owner as you leave,or send a thank-younoie.
CAMPING
10.When obtainingpermissionto enter a property,never
underestimateyour departuretime, and if you specifyan
exit time, leaveat that time,
11.Do not repeatedlyfrequentthe samesites;limit campingin
the backcountryat one locationto no more than three days.
12.Cleanup and removetrash,and wheneverpossible,repair
damageleft by inconsideratevisitors.
Hantavirus. This deadlyairbornevirus is spreadthrough contact with the urine and fecesof infectedrodents.Symptoms
include fevet chills, muscleaches,nausea,vomiting, diarrhea,
abdominalpain, and a dry, nonproductivecough.If you suspect
someonehas beeninfected,seekmedicaltreatmentimmediately.
Rabies prevention. RelnindScoutsto steerclearof wild animals
and of domesticanimalsthat they do not know. If someoneis
scratchedor bitten by a potentiallyrabid animal, wash the
wound thoroughlywith soapand water.Immediatelyseekmedical attention.Get a descriptionof the animal, and notify local
animal control officials,police,or board of health.
The guidelinesnrentionedhere are discussedin greater
detail in the Guideto Safekouting, with which all unit
leadersshould be familiar.Unit leadersmay want to use the
following BSApublicationsto help makecampoutssaferand
more enjoyable.
. Boy ScoutHandboo&,llth edition-chapter 4, "Second
ClassScout" (map and compass,orienteeringJ;chapter8,
"Hiking" (clothingand layering,cold-weatherclothing,
outdoor essentials)jchapter10, "Cooking" (watertreatment,
menus,camp cooking,camp kitchen cleanup);chapter11,
"First Aid" [first-aidpreparedness)
. Fiedbook,4th edition-sections or Leadershipand Trek
Preparation,LeavingNo Trace,Tlek Adventures,and
Appreciatin8Our Environment
. LeaveNo Tfcce-conservation,environmentalethics
. Passportto High Adventurc-local council high-adventure
opportunities
. ToppingOut aj]d CLimbOn Safely-climbing and rappelling
CAMPING
l
\i
il
c. Explainthe propercareand storageof campingequipment
(clothing,footwear,bedding).
'l
I
t
t
I
d. List the outdoor essentialsnecessaryfor any campout,
and explainwhy eachitem is needed.
Requirements
e. Presentyourselfto your Scoutmasterwith your pack
for inspection.Be correctlyclothedand equippedfor an
^r?arnidht.imn^'1t
1 , Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent
injuries or illnessesthat could occur while camping,
including hypothermia,frostbite,heat reactions,
dehydration,altitude sickness,insectstings,tick bites,
snakebite,bljsters,and hyperventilation.
2 . Learn the LeaveNo Tfacep nciplesand the OutdoorCode
and explain what they mean. Write a personaland group
plan for implementingtheseprincipleson your next outing.
3 . Make a written plan for an overnighttrek and show how
to 8et to your campingspot using a topographicalrnap and
compassOR a topographicalmap and a GPSreceiver.If no
GPSreceiverunit is available,explainhow to use one to get
to your campingspot.
Do the following:
Make a duty rostershowinghow your patrol is organized
for an actualovemightcampout.List assignmentsfor
each member.
Help a Scoutpatrol or a WebelosScoutunit i[ your area
preparefor an actualcampout,including creatingthe
duty rcster,menu planning,equipmentneeds,general
plaming, and settingup camp.
5. Do the following:
a. Preparea list of clothing you would needfor overnight
campoutsin both warm and cold weather Explainthe
term "layering."
b. Discussfootwearfor differentkinds of weatherand how
the right footwearis important for protectingyour feet.
a. Describethe featuresof four typesof tents,when and
wherc they could be used, and how to carefor tents.
Working with anotherScout,pitch a tent.
b. Discussthe importanceof camp sanitationand tell why
water treatmentis essential.Then demonstratetwo ways
to treat water.
c. Desc be the facto$ to be consideredin decidingwhere
to pitch your tent.
d. Tell the differencebetweenintemal- and external-ftame
packs.Discussthe advantagesand disadvantages
of each.
e. Discussthe tl,pesof sleepingbagsaIId what kind would
be suitablefor differentconditions.Explainthe proper
careof your sleepingbag and how to keep it dry Make a
comfo able ground bed.
7- Preparelor an overniglttcampoutwith your patrolby doing
the following:
a. Make a checldistof personaland patrol gear that will
be needed.
b. Packyour own gearand youl-sltateof the patrol equip
ment and food for propercarrying.Show that your pack
is ri8ht for quicldy gettingwhat is teeded first, and that
it hasbeenassembled
properlyfor comfort,weight,baiance,slze,and neatness.
B. Do tbe iollowirg:
a. Explainthe safetyproceduresfor
(1) Usinga propaDeor butane/propane
stove
12)Usinga liquid fuelstove
(3) Prope.storageof extra fuel
b. Discussthe advaDtages
and disadvantages
of different
types of lightweightcookingstoves.
b. On alry of thesecanping experiences,
you must do
TWO of the following,only with properpreparatioo
and underqualifiedsupeNision.
[l) Hike up a mountain,gainirgat ]east
1,000verticalfeet.
(2) Backpack,
snowshoe,
or crosscountryski ior
at least4 miles.
[3J ]'ake a bike trip of at ]east 15 miies or al
leastfour houls.
trip on the waterof at
[4) lhke a nonmotorized
leastfour hoursor 5 miles.
(5) Planand carryout an overnightsnow
camprngexpenence.
[6) Rappeldown a rappelrouteof J0 ieetor more.
c. Perlonn a conservationprojectapprovedby the
landowDer
or land managingagency.
c. Preparea caDp menu.Explainhow the rnenuwould
differ from a menu for a backpackingor float trip. cive
recipesand make a food lisl for your patrol. plan two
breakfasts,threelunches,and two srrppers.Discusshow
to protectyoul food againstbad weather,animals,and
contamlllatlon.
d. Cookat leastonebreakfast,
one lunch,and ooe dinDer
for your patrol ftonl the mealsyou have plannedfor
requirement
8c. At leastoneof thosemealsmust be a
trail meal requiringthe use of a lightweightstove.
9. Show experiencein campingby doing the following.
a. Campa total of at least20 daysand 20 nights.The 20
days and 20 rights must be at a designatedScouting
activityot event.Sleepeachnight underthe sky or in a
tent you have pitched.Youmay use a week of iong term
camp toward this requirement.If the camp providesa
tent that has alreadybeen pitched,you need not pitch
your own tent.
10.Discusshow the thingsyou did to ealll this badgehave
taughtyou aboutpersonaihealthand safety,survival,
publichealth,coDservation,
anclgoodcitizenship.
In your
discussion,
tell how Scoutspiritand tbe ScoutOathand
Law applyto calnpingand outdoorethlcs.
Contents
Introduction
.........12
Preparation.
.........15
G e a r i nUgp
M a k i n gc a m p ,B r e a k i nCga m p .
c i v i n gF u l lM e a n i ntgo C a m p i n g .
C:mnino RFcn'rrrFs
..........30
..........
.. . 47
...........61
......,,,62
I N T R O D U C ]I o N
IN I ROI)I]CI ION
Introduction
CamplnglFor nearly a hundredyears,Scoutshave been camping in open country.They have felt the sun on their backsand
the wind in their faces.When stormsbroke overhead.thev
have used their skills to stay dry and warm. When a morning
dawnedbrisk and cleat they were sure there was no better
way to uve.
RobertBaden-Powell
knew that, as well. When he
foundedthe Scoutingmovement in the early 1900s,he
eDcouraged
everyScoutto
learn the afi of living out of
dooF. He believeda young
personableto takecareof
himselfwhile campingwould
havethe confidenceto meet
life's other challenges,
too.
Times are differentnow.
The wondersof moderntechnologyhave shapedfor us a
way of life that Baden-Powell
would barely rccognize.But
somethingthat has not
changedis the joy of goinS
camping.Boy Scoutseverywhere are still eagerto head
out for a night under the
stars.They look forward to campingas pa of longeradventures-journeys by watercraft,on foot, or saddledup to ride.
When you go campingwith your fellow Scouts,you have the
time of your life working, playing,learningtogether,and enjoying one of the greatestScoutingtraditions.
12
What ls Camping?
When the naturalistJohn Muir beganhiking into the high
mountainsof the SieffaNevadain the 1870s,he car ed little
more than breador crackers,somegrain meal, and a bit of
sugarand tea. He had severalcanshe could use as pots. At
night he rolled up in a coupleof blanketsand built a fire to
keep warm. with his light load, Muir rangedfar and wide
amongthe ruggedCalifomiapeaks.
Today,membersof a Scouttroop in a small Midwestern
town hike through farm fields and along dusty roadsto a patch
of woods where they settleiD for the night. Scoutsfrom a com
munity in the mountainsclimb a steeptrail to an alpine lake,
their backpacksfilled with just the right gearfor a wildemess
trek. A Scoutpatrol makesitself comfortablefor an exciting
week of long-termcampingat a favoritecouncil camp. On foot,
in canoes,rafts,and sailboats,or with stringsof pack animals,
expeditionsof older Scoutsset off on challengingitineraies at
BSAhigh-adventurebasesacrossthe country And every four or
five years,Boy Scoutsby the thousandsgatherfor the national
Scoutjamboree.They pitch their tents in circlesor rows, cook
their own meals,and spendtheir daysbuilding friendshipsand
samplinga wide rangeof Scoutingskills and events.
John Muir u'ds camping.So are all of theseScouts.
Campingis such a wide-openactivity that it has room for
everyone,from 10 backpackersmoving lightly through a
wildemessareato 10,000Scoutspitching their tents in
campsitesreachableby a road.
Scoutssettingoff on campingt ps sharean eagerness
to live simply and well, and to put the valuesof Scouting
in motion by doing all they can to protectthe
environmentrheyareprivileSed
ro enjoy.
J: : : I ] R t : P A I i A I I O N
i
Preparation
i
i
I
Of all that you cantakewith you on a campingtrip, the most
important thing is knowledge.Plan aheadalld you can be fairly
surethat you will haveeverythingyou need-both in your pack
and in your head-to make a campingtrip a success.Startby
thinkingabouthow you will rndragelisk.
Risk Management
Riskmanagement
is so nrucl]a part of caDpillgthat we ofien
don't Doticewe aredoingit. Whenwe fill bottleswith water
from streamsand lakes,we deal with the potentialrisk of
parasites
by treatingthe wate[with a filter,boilingit, or
using chemicaltreatment.when we sharethe backcountry with bears,we protectthem and ourselvesby hangirlg our food out of their reach,e]iminatingodors
fron oul sleepingareas,and keepiDgcarnpsites
spotless.
when foul weatherblowsin,
routesbecomeuncomfortablyexposed,
streamsswell, or snow loads make avalanchesa possibility,we rnakedecisions
that keep risks at acceptablelevels.
Perhapsthe gfeatestrisk to be managed
in the backcountryis also one of its real
attractions-the simple nratteIof distance.
The farther you travel from clinics, physicians,and rescuesquads,the nlore you
must rely upon yourselfand your companions to maintainyour safety.Of couFe, the
best resporseto risk is to avoid it. That requires
goodplanning,leadership,
and an awareness
oi
your surroundingsso that you can make wise
decisionsevery stepof the way.
PR Ef A R A T I O N
I'ITII'AIIATION
The more responsibilityevery Scouttakesfor pe$onal
health and safety,the more eachof you can contdbuteto a
successfulcampingtrip. You also will be in a strongerposition
to provide assistalceif an emergencydoes arise.Here are some
ways you can increaseyour role in risk management:
. Stay in good physicalshapeso you are ready for the
demandsof carnping.
. Know where you are going and what to expect.
!
. Adiust clothinSlayersto match changingconditions.
. Dink plenty of water
. Protectyourselffrom exposureto the sun, to biting insects,
and to poisonousplants.
I
t
. T:rkecareof your gear.
Lastly, let othe6 know when you are having difficulties or
are aware of a concem that mi8ht affect you or the group.
Stoppin8 for a few moments to deal with a hot spot on a heel can
help avoid bringing the group to a long halt later in the day when
blisteNbreakout. Speakingup aboutchangesyou noticein the
weatheror askingquestionsyou haveaboutwhethera campsite
is appropiate can help everyonemakethe best decisions.
First-AidPreparedness
Managing sk includesbeing preparedto handle emergencies
that might occur Campingcan take you far from urban areas
where emergencymedicalcareis closeby. In the field, your
group might needto carefor an injured or ill personfor a few
hourc or even a day or more until help affives. That requires
thinking about first aid in differentways than you would when
you are in a city.
Completingthe first-aid requirementsfor the Tenderfoot,
SecondClass,and First ClassScoutmnks can help you prepare
to deal with illnessesand injuriesthat could aise while you are
camping. So can earning the Fint Aid merit badge.The curent
editions of the Boy ScoutHqndbook andFieldbookinclude
descriptionsof the s}.rnptomsand treatment of hypothennia,
heatstoke, heat exhaustion,ftostbite, dehydration,sunburn,
insect stings, tick bites, snakebite,and blisters. In addition, familiaize yourself with the symptoms,prevention, and treatment of
asthma,and food allergies.
altitudesickness,hJ,?erventilation,
CAMPING
Altitude Sickness
Campingmay take you to high placeswhere altitudesickness
falso known as AMs, or acute mountain sickness)can be a
concern.Fortunately,altitude sicknessis seldoma problemfor
peopleat elevationsof lessthan 8,000feet abovesealevel.
Going to a placethat is higher than you are accustomed
may leaveyou short of breathbecausethe atmospherearound
you becomesthinner and containslessoxygen.within a few
daysyour body will acclimateto higher altitudesby producin6
extrared blood cells to carry more oxy8ento your tissuesand
organs,and you should feel fine.
Takingstepsto help preventaltitudesicknessis far better
than suffe ng from it during a campingtrip. The following suggestionscar make your alpine adventuresmore comfortable
and more fun, too.
. Drink plenty of fluids. As a rule, take in enoughwater so
that youl urine remainsclear ratherthan dark yellow.
cive your body time to acclimategraduallyas you go higher.
Spenda few daysat 5,000to 7,000feet and then a few more
at 8.000to 10.000feet.
"Climb high, sleeplow" Usethis mountaineer'stdck for
acclimatingby hiking upward during the day and then
descending
to d lowercdmp ior a goodnights rest.
Altitude Sickness
Symptomsand
Tleatment
Watch for any or all of these symptoms
of altitude sickness:headache,nausea,
unusual tiredness,loss of
motivation. Going down a
few thousand feet in elevation
will almost always relieve
these symptoms. Rest,fluids,
and food may also help. lf
symptoms persrstor worsen,
seek medical assistance,
l'i'i
Hypothermia
The synptons of altitude sicknessaLsocan be waming signs of
hypothermia. BegiDtreatment lor hypothermia by making sure
that the persoDis warD, is wearilg dry c]othing, is sheltcred
from the wiDd and chilly or wet weather,nnd has had eDough
to eat and clriDk. If the person does not rapidly inprove and the
elevationis above 8,000 feet, treat for altitude sick[ess as wel].
Hyperventilation
Stress
andanxiety
aboutoutdoor
aciventures
cansometimes
causea peFon to suffer fr-oDrhyperventilation quick, shallow
breathingth.rtcan upsetthe balanceof oxyger]and cartron
dioxidein the body.Solneolle
experiencing
hypeNeDti]ation
iaint,and sometidres
teeltinglingor
c,ln becomelight-headed,
numbnessin the fingersard toes.
I
TreatingHyperventilation.The symptomsof hyperventilatiorl
usually will go away if the persol r'elaxesand slowshis breatll
ing. RemoviDg
the causesol his anxietyis important,too, either
by movingto a differentlocationor by tall<ingthroughthe situalion.Extensive
o[ repeated
episodes
might
of hyperventilalioD
be signsof othermcdicalconcernsanclshouldbe checkedout
by a physician.
Managing Asthma and
Allergic Reactions
Asthma and allergiesare seldom barriersfor Scoutsto
participatefully in troop campouts.For example,if a
Scout is severelyallergicto peanuts,his troop can operate
as a peanut-freezone during meetingsand camping
trips.Thatwill createa safe environmentfor everyone
and will show the valuesof Scoutingin action by making
opportunitiesfor adventuresavailableto everyone.
Scoutswho have asthma or allergiesto certain
foods, bee stings, or other agents must let group leaders know ahead of time the exact nature of their situation and how they should be treatedfor an asthma
attackor an allergic reaction.Theyalso should consult
with their physiciansto preparethemselvesfor outdoor
activitieswith strategiesand treatment kits,and should
share that informationwith their group leaders.
18
.,i\
tl,\
Leave NoTraceand the Outdoor Code
From the Appaiachiansto the Cascades,and ftoln the Culf
Coast to the Gfeat Lakes,Anerica is biessedwith rnagnificent
opeD country. As a canper, you will have lnary ch.inces to
enjoy Anrericas expanses,tnt with that privilegecomes a gr-eat
respoDsibilityto cause no haLn to the cDVironnent.
'l
'liace
he BSA has adopted the principlesof LeaveNo
to
help Scorltsenjoy thcir expcrienccto tlre lullest, but ilr ways
'l
thal protect the arenswhere they travel. he rewardsof leaving
'1he
future of
lro lrace are well worth leaflring new skills.
urrspoiledterlito|y and the coDtiDuingoppoltnnity to visit
it depends in large part on how responsiblyScoutstoday
conduct themselves.
In order to write a personalaDd Broup lrlan for implement
ing these priircipl.,son a camping tdp, Lrecomefamiliar with
the seven llrinciplesoi l,enve No llace.
The Principles of Leave NoTrace
1. Plauaheadand prepare.
. In adval)ce,
geography
obtaininfonnationconceroing
and
weather,and plan accordiDgly.
. Ift1owthe regulations
and specialconcemsoi tl'reareayou'll
visit, and keepyour group'ssizewithiDallowedlinits.
. Allow eDoughtime to reachyour destinatioD.
. Co to areasappropriatefor your activitiesand sldll level.
2. Tiaveland campon durablesurfaces.
. Durablesurfacesinclude establishedtrails and campsites,
rock, Bravel,dry grasses,and s[ow.
. Protectareasnear water by campingat least200 feet from
Iakesand streams.
. Good campsitesare found, not made.Altering a site is
DOtnecessary
. In popular areas,use existingtrails and campsites.Walk
silgle file in the niddle of the trail, even when it is wet
or nuddy. Keepcampsitessmall. Focusactivity in areas
where vegetationis absent.lD pristiDeareas,spreadout to
preventthe creationof campsitesand traiis.Avoid places
where impactsarc just beginning.
19
3. Disposeof wasteproperly(packit in, packit out).
. Packit in, packit out. Inspectyour campsiteard restareas
for trashor spilledfoods.Packout.tll trash,leftoverfood,
and litter
. Depositsolidhumanwastein catholesdug 6 to I inches
deepat least200 feetfrom water,cautp,and trails.cover
and disguisethe catholewheDfinislted.
. Wherenecessary,
packout toilet paperand hygieneproducts.
. To wasl] yourselfor your dishes,carrywater200feetaway
from streamsor lakesand use small amountsof biodegrad
able soap.Scatterstraineddishwater.
4. Leavewhat you find.
. Preservethe past;examine,but do not touch,culturalor
histolicstructuresand artifacts.
. Do not pick plantsor disturbDaturalsettings,animals,and
archaeolo8ical
a(ifacts.Enjoytltem wherethey are. flt may
be illegalto removeor disturbwildlife and artifacts.)
. Leaverccks,plants,atd other naturalobjectsasyou
find them.
. Do not dig trenchesor build lean-tos,tables,or chairs.
t'i
t'
5. Minimizecampfireimpacts.
. Canpfirescan causelastingimpactsto the backcountry
Usea lightweightstovefor cooking.ll]d eDjoya candlelantem
for light.
. Wherefiresarepermitted,useestablished
fire rings.
. Keepfiressmall.Only usesticksfrom the groundthat canbe
brokenby hand.
. Burn all wood and coalsto ash,put out campfirescompletely,
then scattercool ashes.
6. Respectwildlife.
. Observewildlife from a distance.Do Dot approachthem.
. Neverfeedanimals.Feedingthem damagestheir health,alters
naturalbehaviors,and exposesthem to predatorsald
otherdangers.
20
CAMPING
. Protectwildlifeand your food by storingratioDsand
trashsecurely.
. Avoidwildlifeduringsensitive
times:matirg,nesting,
raisingyoung, and enduringwinter.
7. Be coDsiderate
of otlrervisitors.
. Respect
othervisitors'p vacyand property.
. Be courteous.
Yieldto otheruserson the trail.
. Campawayfrom irailsand othefvisitors.
. Let nature'ssoundsprevail.Keepthe noisedowlr.
The Outdoor Code
The Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America
reminds Scoutsof the importanceof caring for the
environment.Thecode'sideals have specialmeaning
whenever you are camping, hiking, or taking part in
other outdoor events.
Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best toBe clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation-minded.
L1
I'ITEIAIIAIION
\]l\tLoN
Where to Camp
with LeaveNo Traceprinciplesard the OutdoorCodein mind,
considerwhereyou want to camp.Yourchoiceof a campsite
dependsupon what you want to do and see,how much time
you have, and the kind of campingthat appealsto you.
Frontcountry Camping
Frontcountrysitesare those that can easilybe reachedby auto
mobile, public transit, or bicycle.Frontcountrycampinglocations include campgroundsin Dational,state,and local parks
and iorests;propertyowned by the BSA;and, with permission,
narry private lands.Developedcampgroundsmay have desig
natedtent sitesand fireplaces,public rest rooms,aDdsources
of cleandrinking water
Becausethesesitesare usuallynear roads,Scoutstaking
part in frontcouDtrycampingoften can can-ynore geat and
provisionsthan they miSht on trips that requirebackpacking.
Meals can include freshingredientsand involve more elaborate
preparation,such as baking iD Dutch ovens.
Frontcountrycampingis ideal for Scoutsiearningthe basics
of living out-of-doors.With severalfroltcountry canpouts under
their belts,they will have a much better idea o[ what to carry
wheD they travel fartherfronr the road, and how to manage
campsat more remotedestinatio[s.
Concentrate camp activity in high_useareas such as this
frontcountry campsite.
22
BSASummerCamp
A highlight of the year for many Scouttroops is a week
at a BSA summer camo. lt is rare for a Scout to come
home without having gained more knowledgeabout
living in the out-of-doorsand great enthusiasmfor
doing more of it as soon as possible,
Backcountry Camping
The natureof a campingtrip changesdramaticallywhen
you leavethe road behind and ventureinto the backcountry.
Everythingyou needfol a night or Dore must be carriedin a
pack on your back, stowedin duffelstied into a canoe,or
loadedonto a horse,burro, or mule. As Vouleavecivilization
behind, a greatworld of possibilitiesand responsibilitiesopens
beforeyou.
Backcountrycampingcan take you to placesthat few people ever reach.Youcan spendtime near remotelakes,in deep
forests,and in desertterrain. Bestof all, you can rely ol your
own skill and determilation to make the most of living for a
while beyondthe usual boundsof civilization.
BSA High-Adventure Bases
BSAhigh-adventurebasesfeaturebackcountrycampingadven
tures.Designedfor older Boy Scouts,VarsityScouts,and
Venturers,eachhigh-adventurebaseof the BSAsNational
Counciloffersthe training, equipnent, and supportyou needto
set out on wildernesstreks that will challengeyour skills,
strength,and willpower
Scoutsat Philmont ScoutRanchcan embarkon backpacking treks into the high country of northern New Mexico.
Expeditionsfrom the basesof the NorthernTier NationalHigh
AdventureProgrampaddlecanoesalong the lakesand rivers of
the BoundaryWatersof northern Minnesotaand southern
Ontario and Manitobain Canada.Headquartered
in the Flo da
l(eys,the FloridaNationalHigh AdventureSeaBaseis the startiDgpoint for oceangoingexpeditionsthat includecampingon
llre islandsand distantcoastlines
of the Kevsand the Bahamas.
BSAlocal
l\ilany
have
councils
metrown
high-adventure
Amongthe
bases.
activities
theymay
offerolderScouts
arebackpacking,
rock
camprnq,
canoeing,
climbing,
andriverrafting.
Visita directory
of
thehigh-adventure
baseslocated
across
the natr0n
al http://vvtww
sc0uung.org/
boyscouts/dircctory
PRETARATIoN
PRETARATlON
Tlip Plan
I
oars and rimo or depadu,e
i
I
Trip Plan
Menus
Whereveryou decideto camp,
you will needto preparea w tten
trip plan. Well beforeyour departure, sharethe plan with your
Scoutleadersand parentsor
guardian.They may have
suggestionsthat will make your
time in the outdoorsevenbetter.
A t p plan also will let the leaders
know where you will be and will
enablethem to provide support
if it is needed.
Campingbuilds big appetites.with planningand practice,you
can match that hunSerwith mouth-wateringmealssureto keep
you and your crew going strongall day.
When the key activitiesof an adventuretake placeaway
from your campsite-rappelling,for example,or conservation
projects,float trips, canoeinS,or wildlife photography-make
meal preparationquick and easyso that you can get back to
the action as soon as possible.on more leisurelycampouts,
cooking can take centerstage.In stormy weather,there is no
better way to passthe time than firing up the camp stoveand
fixing somethinggood to eat.
Includethe following information
in your trip plan:
. Whereyou arc goillg
. Frcm where and when you
will depa
L i s r t h 6 p n c p l € s o t L 6 6 v € N o i a c d r h a r r e L s t e t o v o u r t D . F o fe s c n
one wrho r s.nr.nce 6rpldi^ins whar the paiol wi I do ro follow
How you will reachthe camp
What you will be doing
t,
. Who is going along
. When you will retum
. When and how you will obtain pemits or permission
requiredby land managementagenciesor landownen of
the placesyou wish to travel and camp
. A brief emergencyresponseplan that includesthe location
and telephonenumber of the clinic or hospitalclosestto
your camp and route of travel,the phone number of the
local emergencyresponseauthority (in most areas,911),
and the name of the personin your group who will take
chargein an emergency.
Scouttroopsand patrolssometimesattachgearlists, menus,
and duty roste$ to their trip plans.With all the paperwork
together,patrol leaderscan more easilyassignto variousScouts
the tasksof gatheringequipment,shoppingfor food, and taking
careof the other detailsof preparingfor a campingtrip.
24
CAMPING
Dried/DehydratedFoods
Much of the weight of many foods is water. Remove it,
and the result is a selectlonof lightweightingredients
just right for campers. Most grocery stores carry powdered milk, instant cocoa, dehydrated potatoes and
other vegetables,soup mixes, and many other dri€d
foods. Some camping stores sell ehtire camp mo8lr
that require only the addition of boiling water.
t'lltt,\tiAl|()N
Keepthesesuggestions
in mind as you plan neals for a
campln8ti ip:
Selectfoodsthat will not spoil.In the frontcountry,
you may
be able to bring frcsh fruits aDdvegetables,and l<eepmeat
and dairy productssafein a coolerwith ice. For backcountry
treks, dependmore upon graiDs,pastas,and dehydratedor
dried ingredients.
When you camp ilr the frontcountryor travel by watercraft
or with packaDirnals,
the weightof youl foodmay not be a
critical factor.Besidestaidng iteDs that are freshor caDned,
you mightbe ableto irclude additionalcookinggear,tooa Dutch oven for stewsand baking desserts,for exarnple,or
d Sriddle
f o r a b i gb r e a k f a >
o fr f l d p i a c l (bsa. c o nr,r r c e g g s .
Trim the weightof your backpackby eliminatjngwaterfron
your provisions.Grails, pastas,cereals,and dried or dehydratedfruits, vegetables,soup mixes,and sarrcesprovide
plerty of punchper pound.
Repackagefood in resealableplasticbagsto redrLceciutter
and weight.On a pieceof tapeattaclledto eachbag,
write the contentsof the bag and the meal for wltich it
will be used.
Cook Safely!
The first item involved in safe cooking is. of course,the food. Meats and
dairy foods must be kept cold during storage,and once meat is removed
from its protectivewrapper,the cook must take care to keep it separate
from other food ilems. Becausebacteriacan grow in meat, the meat must
be cookedthoroughly as soon
as it is no longer kept cold.
Likewise,any uneaten,cooked
meat must be properly stored
a n d k e p tc o l d t o e l i m i n a t et h e
risk of growing bacteria.(For
more information on protecting
food from contamination,
see the Cookmgmerit
b a d g ep a m p h l e t . )
Menu and Recipeldeas
Once you know how many meals you need,write down
what you want to prepareand eat for each of those
m e a l s , T h em e n u sa n d r e c i p e sh e r ew i l l g i v e y o u s o m e
ideas.Other ideas might come from your parents,other
Scouts in your patrol,the Boy Scout Handbook,
Fieldbook, or the Cooking metit badge pamphlet.
SAMPLEMENUS
TrailbreaKast: instant hot cereal,mixed dried
fruits, cocoa
Camp breakfast:pancakes,apple. milk or orange juice
RECIPEFOR INSTANT PANCAKES
. Pancakemix {"complete" variety that needs
only water)
. Large resealablebag
Before leavingfor camp, measurethe necessary
amount of pancakemix in a plastic bag. On the bag,
write how much water to add. At camp. add water,
s e a lt h e b a g ,k n e a dt o m i x . a n d p o u r i n s m a l ld o l l o p s
from the bag onto the hot griddle.Watchthe pancakes
closely.When the small bubbles at the edges of the
pancakebegin to burst, turn the pancakes.Continue
until you have as many pancakesas needed.Save
leftoverpancakebatter by carefully resealingthe bag
for later use (and placing it in a cooler).
Traillunch: peanut butter and jelly sandwich,carrot
sticks,chocolatepudding,juice {cannedor boxed)
Camp lunch: hot dogs with condiments(pickle,relish,
m u s t a r d ,k e t c h u p p) o r k ' n ' b e a n s ,s l i c e dp e a r s ,c h o c o l a t em i l k
Camp lunch:tomato soup, grilled ham and cheese
sandwichwith pickleson the side, corn chips,
a p p l ej u i c e
)l
l ' t { , t ' At L Ar ( ) N
:
I R L t ' AR A f t ( ) N
Traildinner: instantchickenand rice soup, heatedsliced
beef on wheat rolls, carrot sticks,milk
Camp dinner: blackbean soup,Texashash, lettuceand
tomato salad,fried bananas,milk
RECIPEFORTEXAS HASH
1 tablespooncooking oil
1 pound ground meat
I
1 Iarge onion, chopped
1 medium bell peppet chopped
Garlic powdet to taste
1 8-ouncecan stewed tomatoes
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup cooked rice
Salt, pepper to taste
Grated Monterey Jack or cheddarcheese,optional
In a Dutch oven, heat oil over the campfire or stove and
brown the meat, stirring to break up chunks.Set meat
aside on a plate.Add onion, bell pepper.and garlic
powder to pan. Cookjust until tender.Add tomatoes,
tomato sauce,meat, and chili powder; mix well. Add
rice, seasonto taste. Bake until hot,20 to 25 minutes.
Sprinklegrated cheeseon top during the last five
minutes of baking.
Duty Roster
Cooperationkeepsa camp running smoothly.So does having
one or two peoplein chargeof each essentialactivity.A duty
rosterlists the work that needsto be do[e and assignstasksto
each memberof a group. During long-termcamping,Scouts
can switch choreseachday after lunch. OD overnightoutirlgs,
each Scoutcan perform one duty, then take oD a differcnt
responsibilityfor the next campout.
28
CAMPING
A typical duty rostermight break camp tasksiDto thesetasks:
. Water and stoves. Maintain the water supply for cookin8
and cleanup.Establisha safeplacefor stovesto be fueled
and used, and havethem ready to light beforethe cooks
needthem.
. Cooking. Assembleingredientsand follow recipesto prepare and seNe meals.Havewash water heatingon the stove
beforeservingDeals.
. Cleanup. set out wash and nse water,overseethe washing
of group cookinggear,stow pots and utensils,and disposeof
garbage.[For more on washingdishesin camp, seethe Boy
ScoutHatdbo)k ar'd Fieldbook.)
. Food storage. Maintain a llear line or other food storage
systemto protectprovisionsfrcm animalsand weather.
Secureall food items at night and whenevercamp will be
left unattended.
to be completed
Many groupsalso developa list of assiSnments
beforea campingtrip begins.Duties may include:
. Assemblingcrew equipment
. Developingmenus,shoppingfor food, and repacl€8ing
ptovislons
. Gettingmaps and planningroutes
. Securingpermitsor other forms of permission
C T r \R I N C I ] I '
Outdoor Essentials
CearingUp
Eachoutdoor adventureis different,and the equipmentyou
take may changefroln one campingtrip to the next. For times
when you want to travel light aDdmove quickly througlt the
backcountry,pack exactlywhat is requiredfor safetyand
comfort,but not an ouncemore.On othercanpouts,especially
those requiringlittle or Do foot travel to reachthe site,you may
want to add extrasto enhancethe pleasureof your time i[ the
out-of-doors.
Pocketknite.Cut a cord, trim a bandage,slice
some cheese,tighten a screw on a camp stove-a
pocketknifeis the all-purposetool for the out-of-doors.
First-aidkit. Carryinga few first-aiditems in a selfsealing plasticbag will allow you to treat scratches,
blisters,and other minor injuries,and to provide initial
care if more seriousemerqenciesarise.
Extra clothing and rain gear.Weatherconditionsin the
outdoors can changequickly,Havethe clothing you
need to deal with extremes of weather-heat, cold,
and storm.
Water bottle.The amount of water vou need to carrv
depends on the activitiesof the day and the sourcesof
water you will encounter.While heat and humidity can
make you more thirsty, it is very important to drink
plenty of fluids in cold weather,too.
Flashlight.A flashlightwill help you set up camp in
the dark or find your way home after the sun has
gone down. Carry spare batteriesand an extra bulb.
Trailfood.You'll burn a lot of energy in the outdoors.
A stash of nuts, raisins,and dried fruits will help keep
you going, especiallyif a trip lastslongerthan expected.
Matches and fire starters.Camp without relying on
an open fire, but be preparedto build one in an
emergencyby carryingseveralfire startersthat are
reliable.durable.and protectedfrom the elements.
PersonalGear
Usethe followingchecklistsas rcmindersof the gearaDdclothil18you and your group n]ay want to pack for a campingtrip.
Beyondthe outdooressentials,
you might not needeveryiten
everytime. By consideringeverytl.ingon eachlist, though,you
can decidewhethersomethingwill be useful,and you will be
lesslikely to forgetwhat could turn out to be an importantpiece
of clothingor equipmeDtfor the t p you are about to begin.
Sun protection.Sunburn is a common iniury in the
outdoors. Repeatedburns can cause long-termdamage and skin cancer.Wear sunscreenwilh an SPFof
at least 15.
Map and compass.Use them to find your way through
unfamiliarterrain,when visibility is poor, and where
expectedtrail signs are missing.
6-,
w
r,t\r\(,Ut)
(lIARINc
Carry your outdoor essentialson every Scout outing.
When you want to camp out under the stars,add
personaland group overnight gear.
Personal Overnight Camping Gear
Clothing for the season(see box for warmand cold-weathercamping)
Clothing Checklist
ForWarm-Weather Camping:
T-shirtor short-sleevedshirt
(lightweight)
Hiking shorts
Backpack
Underwear
Rain cover for backpack
Socks
Sleeping bag, or two or three blankels
Long-sleevedshirt
{lightweight)
Ground cloth and pad
Eating kit: spoon, plate, bowl, cup
Cleanup kit: soap. toothbrush,toothpaste,dental
floss. comb, washcloth, towel
Personalextras (optional):watch, cameraand film,
notebook,pencil or pen, sunglasses.small musical
instrument,swimsuit, gloves
Long pants (lightweight)
Sweateror warm jacket
For Cold-Weather Camping:
Long-sleevedshirt
Long pants {fleeceor wool)
Sweater{fleeceor wool)
LOngunoerwear
(polypropylene)
Socks(wool or synthetic blend)
Warm hooded parka or jacket
Stockinghat {fleeceor wool)
Brimmed hat
Mittens or gloves (fleeceor
wool) with water-resistantshells
Bandannas
Wool scarf
R a i ng e a r
Raingear
Group OvernightCamping Gear
Tentswith poles,stakes,ground cloths.and lines
D i n i n gf l y
Nylon cord,50 feet
Backpackingstoves and fuel
Cook kit: pots and pans, spatula,large spoon and/or
ladle, plasticsheets(two 4-by-4-foot),matchesand/or
butane lighlers in waterproof containers
Cleanupkit: sponge or dishcloth,biodegradablesoap,
sanitizingrinse agent {bleach),scouringpads (no-soap
type), plastictrash bags.toilet paper in plasticbag
Repairkit: thread, needles,safety pins
Group extras (optional):hot-pot tongs. camp shovel,
plasticwater container,washbasin.grill, pot rods,
patrol flag, small U.S.flag, ax, camp saw
2'
Layering
li)f the mostcomfofiin the outdoorswith the leastweightin
\ L)uf pack, use the layeringsystem.Chooselayersof clothing
lr,rl,when combined,will meet the most extremeweatheryou
\l){.ct to encounter On a chilly autumn day,for example,you
frllll setout from the trailheadwearinglongpants,a wool
l|rl, il fleecesweater,
mittens,aDda stockinghat. As you hike,
, ffiort will causeyour body to generateheat. peeloff the
,(,,rtr'fand stuffit in your pack.Stilltoo warm?Loosena few
r(r)rs on your shirtor slip off your mittensand hat.
\'ou ,rlsocan use layeringto keep cool in hot climatesby
r it)ingdown to hildngshorts,a Tshirt,and a brimmedhal.
trl\veightlongpantsand a longsleevedshirtwill shieldyou
ir insocts,
brusit,and the sun.
(JI
l,t,\lt!(
Lll'
Footwear for Camping
Almost any durableshoeswill do for a
ftontcountrycampingtrip. When your
plans include walking to a backcountry
campsitewilh all your foodand gearin
your p.rck.htkingbootscan giveyout
feet and anklesprotectionand support.
In addition to boots for hiking, you
might want to carry a pair of running
shoesor other comfortable,lightweiSht
shoesto wear around camp.Any shoes
or boots you use for campingmust iit
well. Yourheelsshould rot slip muclr
when you walk, and your toes should
have a little wiggle room.
Cleanyour bootsor shoesalter
evely outing.Usea stiff brush to remove
mud, or wash them off with water and mild soap,then allow
footwearto dry at room temperature.lPlacingshoestoo closeto
a campfirecan dry out leatberand damagenylon.) The manufacturersof leatherboots miShtrecommendtreatmentwith a boot
drcssingor waterproofingagent;follow their instructions.
Be sure to break in new boots before using them in the
field.Wear them severaltimes, graduallyextendingthe
length of time you wear them, until they feel like a natural part of your feet.
Sleeping Bag
on clear summernights,a ground bed made up with a blanket
or two may provide all the warmtlt you need.For most camping, though, a sleepingbag is the way to go. The outer fab c of
a sleepingbag is calledthe shell. Usuallymadeof nylon, it can
shieldyou from Eustsof wind and may be treatedby the manu
facturerto repeldew ard liSht mist.
Containedwithin the shell is an insulatingfill materialthat
traps your body warmth and holds it closeto you. Thin fabric
walls calledbafflesare sewn into the shell to keep the fill mate
al spacedevenlythroughoutthe bag.
34
CAMPING
The warmestfill materialper ounceis goosedown-the
ilLrffyunderfeathersof waterfowl.Explorers,mountaineers,and
.iDrpers throuShthe decadeshave relied ol1down when they
fxpectedto sleepout in the cold. Down bagsare expensive,
crnnot keep you warm wheu they are wet, and ale difficult to
(lry in campunlessthe sun comesout. With all of that in mind,
jl's still a fact that down bagsare good when camperswaDt to
lravcl as lightly as possibleand have the experienceto keep
lheir bagsdry.
Syntheticfill can be almostas light as goosedown, but it
seldomis as costly.Its Sreatestadvantageis that it can keepyou
rvarmevenwhen your sleepingbag getswet. Youwill, of course,
Lre'
much morecomfortable
in a dry syntheticfill
l)agthan in a wet
one,so don't be
c.rreless
with it in
stol-lnyweatltet
The useful
life 0f any sleeping
bag can be extendedif
you reDove it fronr its stuff
sackbetweentrips. Storeit by
harging it in a closetor by placing it
looselyin a largecotton laundry bag. That will
preveDtthe fill materialfrom being overlycompressed,
Ird circuJating
air will helpkeepthe baglresh.
Sleeping Pad. lncreaseyour comfort at night with a sleeping
Dad.Made of foam, a pad will give you a soft surfaceon which
to lie and will preventthe cold earth beneathyou from drawing
,rwayyour body heat. Foampads are often lighter and more
durablethan air mattresses.
and thev insulatebetter
Ground Cloth. Keepmoistureaway from your beddingwith
.1Sroundcioth-a plasticsheetcut to the size of your sleeping
l)ngor tent floor. Tuck the edgesof the groundcloth beneath
lhe floor of your tentso that rainwaterwill not collecton the
.loth and run under the tent.
(] Ut
C [AIr.rN
G E A R I N cU t ,
No Fires in Tents
Keepall flames away from tents. Never use candles,
matches, stoves, heaters, or lanterns in or near tents. No
tent is fireprooi All of them can burn or melt when
exposedto heat. Use flashlightsonly!
Whenshopping
Tents
Moderntentsare
for a newback-
llle developmentof sylthetic fabricshas openeda new era of
t)ossibilitiesfor tent designers.Nylon and breathablefab cs
lcnd themselvesto roomy sheltersthat pack small and weigh
liltle. Flexiblepolesmade of aluminum or fiberglassmake
l)ossiblegeomet c tent shapesthat standup to tremendous
.rnounts of wind, rain, and snow A ground cloth underneath
Ihe tent floor protectsit from abrasiol and providesan added
t).rrrierto moisture.
Most tents used by Scoutstoday have a tent body madeof
breathableflylon. The tent body is shieldedfrom rain, snow,
ind wind by a waterproofrain fly. Moisturecreatedby people
breathinginsidethe tent passesthroughthe tent body, keeping
lhe interior dry and comfortable.
oftenratedas
pack,askthe
storeclerkto load
it with20to 30
pounds
oI weight.
Swingit ontoYour
Intemal-frame Pack
Ertemal-frame Pack
Pack
people
adjust Packscan be either externalor internal ftamed.Many
shoulders,
Streamlined,
feel that packswith internal ftamesfit better.
it for a comfortcompactshapesmake thesepacksSoodfor use while skiing,
ablefit,thencarry climbing, and travelingcrosscountry They fit more easily
inlo cdnoesthan do pdckswilll exlerndllrames lxternal-lrdme
it aroundthe store
packsare popular amongScoutswho preferthem for backpack
for a whileto get
ing along open trails or for carryingheavy loads.
a feelfor it.That
willhelpyouknow
whenyouhave
foundtheright
packtorYou.
Becauseof the great variety of tents on the market
today, be sure you follow the manufacturer'sinstructions on how to pitch your tent. Practicepitchingyour
tent before you go camping. Here are a few tips for
pitching a tent:
. At the campsite.choosea level site that drains well.
Remove stones and large sticks, but try not to disturb
the natural ground cover.
Spread out a ground cloth to protectthe tent floor
from dirt, sharp objects,and moisture.
Unfold the tent on top of the ground cloth. Pull out
the cornersof the floor and stakethem to the ground,
then assemblethe poles and put them in place.
Use tautiine hitchesto tie the free ends of guylines
around stakesyou have pushed into the ground, and
pull the lines tight.
Put a rain fly over the tent and stake it down.
three-season
(goodfor sprinq,
summetand
autumnuse)
or lour-season
(reliable
in any
conditions,
including
winter
campinq).
Fourseason
Ienrsmay
haveadditional
p0tesan0more
durable
fabric,
thusmaking
themstu.diol
butheavior.
r,:r(ll,\ltlN(,
CommonTent ShaPes
Tarps,The simplestof all tents,a tarp can be pitchedin many
ways-as a leanto, for instance'or a pyramid'or a pup tent'
The advantagesof a tarp are its light weight and versatility'
However,it has lo floor, oifers little protectionag'lillst insects'
dnd musl be pitchedwell in orderto proteclcamperslrom raitl'
Tdrpsoftenare usedds dilringfliesto sheltergroupcooksiles
A-Frames. Seenfrom the front, this tent is shapedlike the letter A, tllus its name.MostA-frametentsareequippedwith
mosquito DettinS,a rain fly, and a waterprooffloor
t'
-'ei.
--
with lots
Domes.'l'entswith a domeshapecanbe spaciotls
over
the tent
poles
bending
of
of headroom.The arrangement
winds'
in
strong
even
plenty
stability'
of
gives
a
dome
body
Domei are often freestanding-requirin8Do tent stakes Since
done tents are usually largerthan A-frames'they also can
welSh nlore.
38
CAMPING
Hybrids. Mix geometry,modernmaterials,and the imaginalions of tent makers,and you get an astoundingvariety of
shapes.Among the most interestingare hybrid tents that
combinefeaturesof A-Iramesand domes.Somelook like
roundedA-frames,
tuDrels,or domescut in half.Doorsmay
be at the ends,or sewninto one or both sides.Ma[y include
.r vestibule-aporchlikeextension
of the rain ily that provides
shelteroutsidethe tent body for storingpacks,crew gear,and
nruddyboots.
BreathableTents
Lots of rain gear today is madeof fabric that protectsyou ftom
precipitatiolrand, at the sametime, allows nroisturegiven off
by your body to escape.The sdlnematerialis sometimesused
lo make tents.Becausethey do not needa rain fly, thesesinglewall breathabletents are lightweightyet strongenougll to stand
harshconditions.
On the otherhand,theyare usuallysmall,
can be claDmy in walm weathet and may be very expensive.
WallTents
lrorlong-ternl,frontcountry
outingssuchas a weekat a BSA
rluncil canrp,your groupmay usewall tents.Largeenough
l(rr sevelalScoutsto uDroll their sleepingbagson the floor or
()ncots,modemwall tentsare constructed
of canvas,a polyesr''f-cottonblend,or nylon.A fidgepolerunningbetweentwo
r t)fightpolesholdsthe tent erect.Windowsor the sidewallsoi
f.rny largetentscan be openedin hot weatherto allow intcfir)f
. ('ntilrtion.Most wall tentsare too heavyand cunrbelsonrL'
lor
'r. olr backcountrycampouts.
I I'
Neverdiqditches
aroundyourtenl;
theyleavescars
onthe ground
that
cantakea long
timeto heal.
G FARING UI
CIAlIlNC UI
Stoves
Tent Care
. Takeoff your boots beforecrawlingirtto a tent. Stockingfeet
are kinder to tent floors, and you won't track i[ mud Store
your boots by the tent door,under the shelterof the rain fly.
. The stitchedseamsin the rain flies of new tents may need
to be sealedto preventmoisturefrom leakingthrough.New
tents usually include seamsealerand the manufacturer's
instructionsfor applyingit.
. Tent fabric can be harmedby too much exposureto sunliSht.
Of course,your tent may be set up in a sunny placefor a day
or two during a campout,but try to avoid leavingit pitched
in the open when it is not in use or when you can put it in a
shadedcampsiteinstead.
. Cleanout your tent by sweepingit or, if it is small,by tipping
iLup and shdkin8out lillerand debris.
. To stow a tent in a storagesack,first placethe bundle of
collapsedpolesin tlte tent's stuff sack Next, push a comer
of the tent all the way to the bottom of the sack.Continue
stuffing the fab c alongsidethe poles.
. A tent that seemsdry in camp may have absorbeddew or
ground moisture.For that reason,it is important that yotl
alwaysunpackyour te[t when you get home and set it up'
hang it over a clothesline,or suspendit from nails in the
raftersof a shed or basement.Allow it to dry completely
beforestoring it.
For much of Scouting'shistory,no campoutwas complete
without a wood fire. Scoutsp ded themselveson their abiiity
to kindle a blaze in any conditions,evenin a rainstorm.They
used fires to cook their mealsand, in the evenings,as the
centerof a camp'sactivities.
Thereare times when a campfireis still appropriate,and
thereare campsiteswhere open fires will do little or no harm.
Ilowever,Scoutstoday are wiser in knowing when not to build
r fire. Through LeaveNo Trace,they understandthat fires can
leavescarson the land, blackeningstonesand ste lizing soil.
Lightingcampfiresin heavily used campsitescan mar surrounding forestsas peoplegatherup everystick of deadwood and
breakoff tree branchesfor fuel.
Instead,most Scoutcampersnow use stovesfor cooking,
ind that meansthey can prcparemealswhere there is little
iirewood or none at all. with camp stoves,they can make
thenselvescomfortablein nearly every sort of weatherand
on almost any terrain.
Selecting a Stove
lhe stoveyou choosedependsupon the kind of cookingyou
will do, the type of fuel you wish to use,and the amount of
weight you are willing to carry.Of the many stoveson the
Ililrket, thosebuming the following fuels are most useful in
r'.rmp.Always read and follow the manufacturer'sinstructions
,'r carrying.fueling,using.and slorinBcdmpsloves.
caretully follow stove
rnanufacturers' instructions
when selecting fuel. Some stoves
(Derate only with white gas,
while othels also bum unleaded
rtasoline,kerosene,
(,r even jet fuel.
(,t r\ltlN(i UI,
C ;E A I T I N ( J[ J I
White Gas. white gasis a highly distilledfuel usedin many
North Americanbackpackingstoves.Somewhite gasstoves
must be preheated,often by squeezinga dab of flammablepaste
ilrto a depressionat the baseof the burner stem.Prcheating
increasesthe pressureinsidethe fuel tank, forcingvaporized fuel up a stem and into a bumer where it can be
ignitedwith a match.Oncethe burler is roa ng, it wi]l
keepthe iuel rdnkhot enoughlo mainraina sready
supply of vapo zed fuel.
More advancedwhite gasstovesare equippedwith
pumps to pressurizetheir fuel tanks.That can be a real
advantagein cold weather.
Cartridge Stoves. Simplicity,safety,and convenience
are
featuresof butaneand propanecartridgestoves.Cartridge
stovesneedno pumpingor preheatinS;simply attacha
fuel canister,turn the contrcl knob, and light the burner
Cartridgestoveswork well in warm weatherand at high
altitudes,but they loseefficiencyas the temperaturedrops.
Cartridge stove
PropaneTank Stoves. Two-burnerpropanestoves
are too hea!ryfor backpackingbut carlbe just right for larger
groupson river raftingexpeditionsand for Scout
groupscampingcloseto a road.
Using StovesSafely
Stoves of different designs operate in different ways,
Beforelighting any stove, read and understand
the manufacturer'sinstructions.Then follow
the inslructionsexactly.ln addition,a/waysheed
these stove safetv rules:
'1.
Never use a stove inside or near a tent,
2. Don't overloada stove with a heavy pot. Instead.set up a grill over the
stove to bear the weight of the pot.
3. Never leave a burning stove unattended.
4. Let a stove cool complelely beforeyou put it away. (ln preparationfor
long-1ermstorage-a month or more-empty the fuel tank.)
5. Do not open the fuel cap of a hot stove or attempt to refuel a hot stove.
6. Store liquid fuel only in well-markedmetal fuel bottlesdesigned
soecificallvfor that use,
7 Even if they are empty, keep fuel bottlesand canistersaway from
sourcesof heat.
8. Reducefire danger at home by storing all fuel containersin a shed,
garage,or other uninhabitedstructure,not inside your house.
Kerosene. Keroseneis a hot burning, nonexplosivefuel
availablealmostanywherein the world. While kerosene
campingstovesare unusualin North Amedca,they are a
familiar sight on internationalexpeditioDs.A kerosenestove
must be preheatedbeforeit can be lit.
CAMPING
( , l / \R t N ( i U t )
C ; t A I r . t N ( t; j l ,
Cook Kits and Utensils
PackYour Pack
As you plan mealsfor a campout,list the pots and pans you
will need for preparingeach dish. Yourlist might include a
frying pan and pots of varioussizes,each with a lid lo hold
in heat and keepout insectsand dust. Yourtroop may have its
own Boy Scoutcook kits. If not, check secondhandstoresand
garagesalesfor good buys on usedpots and pans. Complete
the kit with a pair of hot-pot tongs for safelylifting pots ard
Dansfrom the stove.
To carry cookinggear,divide the
t\
items amongthe membersof your
group. Savespaceby stuffingthe
pots with spareclothing or food
I packetsbeforeyou put theminlo
your packs.Carry largepots by
slippingthem over the ends of
sleepingbagsstrappedto externaf
framepacks.
\i[r have planneda campoutand gatheredyour
t,h\l and gear After loadingeverythintinto
lour pack, there shouldbe little left to do
{'\cept head out the door and let the
.rdventure
begin.
Besidesyour own gear,you probably
\\,ill carry someSroupequipment.Your
sh.rremight include severalpots, part of a
tcnt, a camp stove,and some food. Arrange
sofl items in your pack so they will cushion
lour back. Keepyour rain gear,flashlight,first-aidkit,
\\,:rterbottle, and hike food near the top of your pack or
jr its outsidepocketswhere you can reachthem easily.
If there is room, stow your sleepingbag insideyour
t).rck.Otherwise,cover it with a ground cloth or a plastic
rrilsh-canliner to protectit from the elements.'lltck it under the
|,rck's top flap, or strapit to the externalframe.(SomeScouts
lltll a trash-canliner inside a stufl sackfirst, then stuff the
sl(.epingbag into it. The resultingbundle is neat, waterproof,
.urd easyto pack.)
With ever''lhingin place,try on your pack. Is it comfort.rl)le?Doesit feel balanced?Are the strapsand hip belt properly
,(ijusted?Are the items on the outsideof the pack securedso
lhat they won't swing around or fall off as you hikei Make any
( hangesnow so that you can hit the trail with a pack that is
lr.rlanced,neat, and easyto carry.
/ Ai,
Cook kits may vary depending on the type ol
camping your troop or pat]ol has planned.
A few utensilswill
helpyouturnout
Plastic Sheets, A coupleof plasticsheetsabout 4 feet
squarecan serveas clean surfacesfor food preparation
and equipmentstorage.
Water Containers. Besidesindividual water bottles,you may
find it convenientto have a few collapsibleplasticwater containe$ for use in camp. Commoncontainersizesare I gallon
ease.Depending
and 2% gallons.
onyourmenus,
Cleanup Matedals. Dishwashingis easierif you have the right
consider
taking
supplies.Severalsoaplessscouringpads,a rinse agent,and a
a spatula,ladle, little biodegradablesoapwill take careof most of your needs.
A convenientway to stow pots, pans,and personaleatinggear
stirringspoon,
is by placinSitems,as soon as they arc washed,in a small
peeler, fishnet hammockstrungbetweentwo trees,or in a mesh bag
vegetable
tied to a branch.
anocanopenet
Trash Bags. Largeplastictrash-canliners come in handy as
storagesacks,as emergencyponchosand pack covers,and for
suspendingfood on bear lines.They can also be used for carryin8 trash home at the end of a trip.
tastymealswith
CAMPING
MAKINC (IAMI'.llRtAKtNt, ( \\tl
MakingCamp,
BreakingCamp
Getting There
llrcre are many waysyou can travel to camp. Often you will
l|l(e ifl-perhaps a short distance,perhapsmany miles. Your
ilroLlpmay joumey to a frontcountrycamp by automobile,van,
li s, or bicycle.Where lakesand streamsabound,you may go
r r c.rnoesor a raft guidedwith oars.
Many campsitescan be reachedwith the help of a
topographicalmap and a compass.TheBoy Scout
Handbook can provide you with guidelines for using
a compass and a map to find your way.The Fieldbook
itnd the Orienteering merit badge pamphlet contain
Inore detailedinformation on route-findingin all kinds
of terrain.
CA M
M A K I N C C A M I ' . B I T E A K T NC
Global Positioning System
The global positioningsystem,or GPS,gives travelersa
powerful electronicmeans of navigation'A GPS receiver
small enough to fit in your pocketaccuratelycalculates
the longitude and latitude of any spot on the globe by
taking bearingson satellitesorbiting 12,000miles above
Earth.With it, you can identify where you are, plot a
course to a camositeor other destination,and keep
track of vour elevation above sea level. As you move,
you can program a GPS receiver to plot the record of
vour route, then use it later to retrace your steps.
MAKING CAMI'. I]REAKINC CAM P
Selecting a Campsite
Much of the successof a campoutdependsupon the campsite
you choose.A good placeto camp offersplenty to seeand do.
Also, by following the principlesof LeaveNo Tface,you can be
sure your camp will be easyon the land.
Safety
l)oD't pitch a tent under dead treesor limbs that might fall in
n storm. Stayout of gulliesthat could fi1lwirh flash floods.
l:ind a site away from lone trees,mountaintops,high ridges,
.rnclother likely targetsof lightning, Campsome distancefrom
lt.rmetrails, especiallyin bear country.
Refer to the user's manual that comes with a GPS
receiverto explore its many capabilities.Be aware,
though, that iust as having a calculatordoes not
eliminatethe need to know how to add and subtract,
a GPS receiver (especially one with dead batteries) is
no substitute for being able to navigate the backcountry
with traditionaltools. Developconfidencein your
ability to use maps and compassesand then, if you
wish. use them with a GPS receiver.
4A
Size
i\ site must be largeenoughfor membersof your camping
t,,rftyto pitch their tents and cook their meals.When hanging
trx)(lto keepit away from animals,find the treesyou need at
It ,rst200 feet from where you will be sleeping.
Terrain
lr()('sthe site you have chosenfor camp slopegently for good
,lr,rirl.]ge?
Leaves,pine needles,and other naturalcover can
(,t)lhe ground from becomingmuddy.An areaopen to the
, ,.r rr)d southwill catchsunlightearlyin the day and perhaps
, tlricr thanslopesfacingnorth.
4T
MAKI NC CAMP, BREAKINC CAMP
A \ A | \ r N ( (, A r l r ' .t J l ( t A K l N uC A M I '
Privacy
Respectthe privacy of others.Tfees,bushes,and the shapeof
the teffain can scrcenyour camp from trails and neiShboring
campsites.Keepthe noise down when other campersare staying nearby.
Permission
Checkwell aheadof time with land managersof public parks,
forests,and reseNes.They can issueany permitsyou will
need and may suggesthow you can make the most of your
campouts.Get permissionfrom ownersbeforecampingon
pnvate property.
Open Water. Watertaken ftom streams,lakes,and springsmay
containbacteriaand parasitestoo small for you to see.Treat
any water that doesnot come ftom a testedsource,using oneof the followins methods.
. Boiling. BringinBwdlerto a roilingboil for a iulJ
minuteor morewill kjll mostor8anisms.
Treatmenttablets can quickly lose their strength
after a bottle has been oDened-Find the date on
the label and use only fresh tablets.
. TreatmentTablets. Watertreatmenttabletsare sold in
small bottlesjust right for hikers and campers.The label
usually instructsyou to drop one or two tabletsinto a
quart of water and then wait 30 minutesbeforedrinking.
Tabletsmay leavea chemicaltastein the water.After the
tabletshave had a full 30 minutes to do their work. vou
can improve the flavor by adding somedrink mix.
. Filters. Campingstoresand catalogsoffer water
treatmentfi[ers that dre effectivednd edsy
**ii****qii':*",*+ff
A
come with the filter you plan to use.
_.t tt
t.
ManagingYour Campsite
Water
Youwill needwater for drinking, cooking,and cleanupseveralgallonsa day for eachScout.Public water supplies
(faucetsand drinking fountains)are safestand can often be
found in ftontcountrycampsites.Watertaken from streams,
rivers,or lakesmust be properlytreatedbeforeuse.Campingin
dry regionscan be very rewarding,though you must carefully
plan how you will transportthe water you needto your camp.
50
i)nce you ar ve at a site,the first orderof
Lrlisiness
is to figureout the bestway to setlle in while causinglittle impact on the land.
. Setup a dining fly first. That will provide
shelterfor food and you in caseof rain and
will give a senseof where you will centermost
of your camp activities.
Pitchyour tents.Useestablishedtent siteswhenever
possible.In bear country,tents shouldbe 200 feet or
rnorefrom the cookingareaand ftom areaswhere food
will be stored.
I.,stablish
a plan for persona]sanitationand be sureeveryone
Inderstalds what he is to do.
cl
M A K t N c C A N 4 Pl l r r r A r r N ( ,( . \ \ 1 | '
MAKINC CAMT. BRIAKING CAMI
Sanitation
Gettingrid of human wasteoutdoorsrequiresspecial
care.In campgroundsthat have rest roomsor
outhouses,be sureto use them. Wherc those
don't exist,dig a catholeor use a latrine.
Washyour hands with soap and water or use
a waterlesshand cleanserwhen you are done.
Cathole. Find a private spot at least200 feet
(75 steps)from water,campsites,and trails.
Dig a hole 5 to I inchesdeepwith your heel,
a stick, or a shovel.Organismsin the top
layersof eafth will break down human waste.
Fill the catholewith soil when you are done,
and replaceany ground cover Push a stick
into the earth to warn othersagainstdigging
in the samespot.
Latrine. A patrol, troop, or other largecampinggroup
lnay be able to lessenits impact on the land by digginga
singlelat ne rather than making nany catholes.Checkwith a
rangeror other local expertfor guidance.
To nake a latrine, use a shovelto dig a shallowtrench a
foot wide and 3 to 4 feet long. Removeand saveany ground
cover.As with a cathole,go no deeperthan the topsoil so that
wastewill be buried in organicearth where it will turn into soil
nutrients.Sp nkle a layer of soil into the trench after eachuse
to keep away flies and hold down odors.Returnall the soil to
the latrine when you breakcamp, and restorethe ground cover
\
,}
I
Cleaning Up After Meals
Whetheryou cook with a stoveor over an open fire, put on a
pot of water beforeyou servea meal. That way you will have
hot dishwatefby the time you finish eating.
Eachpersoncan wash his own eatinggear.If everyone
also does one pot, pan, or cookingutensil,the work will be
finishedin no time. Usehot-pot tongsto dip platesand spoons
in the hot-rinsewater Lay clean utensilson a plasticground
sheetand let them air dry.
Begin cleanup by setting out three pots:
. Hot-water wash pot-hot
biodegradablesoap
water with a few drops of
. Hot-water rinse pot-clear, hot rinse water
. Cold-water rinse pot-cold water with a sanitizing
tablet or a few droDs of bleachto kill bacteria
.ffi
Dealing With Leftovers. Carry food scrapshome in a tf.]sh
bag. Don't bury leftoverfood or scatterit in the woods.
Animalswill almostalwaysfind it, and it is not healthy iol
lhem to eat.Foodscrapscan draw animalscloseto cnntl)sitcs
wheretheymay losetheir fearof humans.That can bo rl.rrr11,r
ous for them and for you.
MA KINC (JAMP, L}RE KIN.i CAMI
M A r ( 1 N cC AN . 1 rl l' R r A K r N ( ;( , \ A 1 r '
Dishwater Disposal. For campouts
lastingno more than a coupleof
days,use a small kitchen strainerto
removefood bits from your wash
water and put them in your trash.
Carry the wash and rinse water away
from camp and at least75 stepsftom
any streamsor lakes.Give it a Sood
fling, spreadingit over a wide area.
ForlonSerstaysdLone sile.di8 "
sump hole at the edgeof camp and at
least200 feet from streams,lakes,or
other open watel. Make the hole
about a foot acrossand 2 feet deep.
Pour dishwaterthrough the kitchen
stlainerinto the hole, or placea piece
of window screenactossthe hole and
poul the water into the sump through
-fhe
s l r d i n eor r s c r e e w
tt illcalcL
that.
particles
food
so that you can shake
them into a trash ba8. Fill the sump
hole when you break camp, alrd
replacealry 8rounQcovet
Washoutjars
a n 0c a n sa, n q
carrythemhome
for recycling.
Savespaceby
outthe
cuttrnq
e n d sa n dt h e n
flattening
cans.
Food Storage
Storeyour food where it will be safefrom animals,insects,
dust, debris,and bad weather Frontcountrycamperscan use
vehicles,coolers,or plasticbucketswith tightly fitted lids as
storageunits. In the backcountryand anywhere that bearsmay be present,a bear
b a gi s o f t e nr h ea n s w e rN o t o n l v w i l .
your food be secured,hanginganything with an aromawill give bears
no reasonto linger in your camp.
Land managersof camping
areastequented by bearscan give
you further informationabouttlle
bestways to storeyour food.
may include
Their suggestions
usingmetal bear boxesor other
storagecanistersthat cannotbe
opened by wjldlife.
54
Here are three wavs to suspendfood and other "smellables."
1. Find a tree with a slurdy horizontalbranchabout 20 feet above the
ground. Put a coupleof handfulsof soil in a bandannaor plasticbag and
secure it to the end of a so-foot length of nylon parachutecord.Tossthe
weight over the branch.Stash your provisionsin a slurdy plaslictrash
bag or waterproof stuff sack.Twistit closedand secureit to one end of
the cord with a clove hitch, Pull the other end of the cord to raise the
bottom of the bag at least 12 feet off the ground and 8 feet away from
tree trunks-well beyond the reachof any bears.Securethe free end of
the cord to a tree.
2. lf there is not a good branch nearby,find two trees about 20 to 30 feet
apart.Tossa line over a branchcloseto the trunk of one tree, then toss
the other end ofthe line over a branchofthe secondtree.Tieyour bear
bag to the center of the line, and hoist it high betweenthe two trees.
3. Bearsaccustomedto raiding campsitesmay be smart enough to claw
loose the tied end of a cord.To preventthat, divide your provisions
equally betweentwo bear bags, Raiseone up to a high branch,as yotr
would in the first bag-hangingmethod.Tiethe free end of the cor(l to
the second bag and lift it overhead.Use a stick or hiking staff to slrovo
it out of reachof animals.Thebags will counlerbalanceone anothr'r,
and your food will be safe.Toretrievethe bags, use a stickto l)ulrlrr,nn
bag even higher,causing the other to come down within yorrr {In||ll
M^IINC
MAKINC CAMP. I]REAKIN(; CAMI
CAM P,BREAKING CAMP
Fun in Camp
Settingup and managinga camp takestime, but there is morc
to campingin the outdoorsthan that. A campoutcan get you
close to an area where you can enjoy an exciting activityswimming, for example, or kayaking, photo$aphy, or envircnmental studies. As you plan a trip, think about the opportunities for adventure within easy reach of your campsite. Other
possibilitiesinclude:
. Takea day hike to a lake,the top of a mountain, a scenic
vista, or anotherpoint of interest.
. On winter trips, try cross-countryskiing or snowshoeinS.
Build an igloo or a snow cave. took in the snow for the
footprints of wildlife, and follow them to discover the habits
of differentanimals.
. Bike along trails open to pedaling.
. Co canoeing,rafting, or fishing.
. With proper supervision,take part with your group in organized climbing and rappellingactivities.Learn the co[ect
skills and safety proceduresfrom qualified instructors.
0ontforgetthat
requirement
9c
callsfor youto
performa conservationproject
approvedbythe
landowner
or
landmana0ement
agency.Yourmerit
Stomy WeatherCamping
When the weathertums bad, your campingskills can be put
to a real test. Draw on prcviousoutdoor experiences
and stay
focusedon the task at hand, and you shouldbe able to make
the most of a campoutno matter what the cloudsthrow at you.
Hereis one way to go about it.
. First, look after your personal safety alld that of your
troup.
llrke steps to stay warm and dry and be on the lookout for
signsof hypothermia.
. Secureyour camp. If you have just afiived at a campsite,
set up a dining fly and use it to shelteryour gearwhile you
pitch the tents.
. Fire up a camp stove, heat a pot of water, and soon you can
lift everyone'sspidts with hot drinks, bowls of soup, and
other kitchen delights.
. Enjoy the outdoorswhile the weatherrages.Stormsbring
with them a magicthat you can't expe encewhen the
sufl is shining,
. Be patient. Youwon't be able to changethe weather,so
there'sno needto becomeupset evenjf the rain has cut
short other outdoor activities.
badgecounselor
willbea good
sourceof
inlormation
as
youplanand
carryouty0ur
proiect.Seethe
Environmental
Scienceand
Soiland WaEr
Conservation
meritbadqe
pamphlets
for
ideas,too.
Now and then there is nothing betterthan tent time in a storm.
With a dry tent, a warm sleepingbag, and a good book, you
,,rr settlein for a few relaxedhours.Add good friendsto share
.lofiesand games,and you will find that being weather-bound
,.rrrbe one of camping'sgreatpleasures.
CAMPI|l(i
61
\I \I IN(, ( AM I' BRTAKINC
M A K I N G C A M P . B R T AK I N C C A M P
Back Home
Goingto just leavethat pack on the floor when you get home?
Takingcareof your gearlengthensthe life of your gear,too.
. Cleanand air out all of your gear,includingsleepingbags.
Then hang up the sleepingbagsor storethem looselyin
large cotton sacks.
Setup tents or hang them from a clotheslineor indoors.
Washyour dirty clothes.
Scruball pots and pans clean.
Brush any dirt or mud from your boots and trcat them
with boot dressingto keep the leatherflexibleand
water-repellent.
Lastly,stan planning anotheradventurc.The next time you
want to go camping*and it won't be long-you will aheady
be well on your way to the greatout-of-doo$.
Breaking Camp
All good things must come to an end, and that includescamping tips. As you breakcamp, keepin mind thesesuggestions;
. Leavethe dining fly in placeuntil you are almostrcady to
go. lt can seryeas a last-minuteshelterfor peopleand gear
. With the doors open,shakeout the tents beforestuffing
them in their storagesacks.
Checkthe locationsof catholesand latrinesto be surc they
havebeenburieddnd groundcoverhasbeenrestored.
lf you used an establishedfire lay, dig through the cold
ashes.Removeand pack out any bits of food, metal, and
other litter and trash.
Inspectthe areasused for cooking,food storage,and tents,
and be sureyou have pickedup everythingyou brought to
camp. Leavethe campsitelooking better than you found it.
CAMPING
CAMPING
59
CIVIN(; IIIIL MI ]\NINC To cA,uIIN(;
Civing Full Meaning
to Camping
lvhether you pilch your tent in the sameplacemany times or
\1)u enjoy a campsiteand then move on, everywherethat you
5lcepin the openbecomespan of your personaloutdoorltistory.
\|u will be surprisedover the yearshow often theseadventures
r rrrneto mind, and witlt what pleasureyou rememberthe
l)l.rcesthat, at leastfor one night, you calledhome.
Campingis a ceDtralactivity of the Boy Scoutexpe eDce,
|l]clfor good reason.It can bring out the bestin everyoneas
1i|oupsof friendsput their energiesinto practicingoutdoor
.,liills,solving problems,and having greattimes together.you
,,l|l incrcase
your understanding
of personalhealthand safety,
Lt)Dseryation,
and the citizenship
responsibilities
of caringfor
rlrf land.Most of all, campingallowsyour Scoutspiritand the
rrrf.lningof the ScoutOathand Law to shinethroughin all that
\ tltl do.
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
And to obey the Scout Law;
Ib help other people at all times;
Io keep myself physically strong,
Mentally awake,and morally straight.
Scout Law
n Scout is trustworthy,loyal, helpful,friendly,
, r)rrrteous,kind, obedient,cheerful,thrifty. brave,
, rIan, and reverent.
CAMPING
( . , ^ MPt N ( ; l l l S ( ) U r { r( \
c A N r n N ( i l l l ' s ( ) uR C t s
Pearson,Claudia,editor NOLS
(Nattonal OutdoorLeqdershtp
School)Cookery,4thed. Stackpole
Books,1997.
CampingResources
Scouting Literature
Boy ScoutHandbook: BasicIllustrated
Camping; Okptk: CoA-weather
Camping: Don't Get Stck;Leave No
'Ilace; Passportto Htgh Advent&re;
Fiedbook;ConseruationHandbook;
TbppingOut; Backpackiw,Bird Stud,,
C,anoeing,CookinS,CycIinS, Ftrst Aid,
Fishing, Fly-Fishin8, Hiking, Mommol
Study, Nature, Ortenteering, RowinS,
Sm&Il-BoatSqtling, Snou Spont
whitewater, and Wtldemess Su.vivat
merit badgepamphlets
Visit the Boy Scouts of America's
official retail web site at
llttp://atwt .scautshtff.orgtot a
comptete listing of all merit badge
pamphlets and other helptul scouting
materials and supplies.
Books
Adare,Sierra.Bot:kcoufttryCooktns:
Feastsfor Hikers, Hoofers,arud
Floaters.TamarackBooks,1996.
Birkby, Robert. Lightly on the knd:
The SCAManual of Be.ckcoufttry
Work SkiIIs.Mountaineeru
Books,1996.
Forgey,william. BaslcEssenli4ls:
wtldemess Ftrst Atd, 2r'd' ed'.
GlobePequotPress,1999.
CAMPING
Corman,Stephen.AMC Guldeto
Wttter CampinS.GlobePequot
Press,I999.
craham, John. OutdoorLeadersllip:
&
Techftique,
CommonSeruse
Mountaineers
Self-Conftdence.
Books,1997.
Hampton,Bruce,and David Cole.
Soft Paths:HorL,to Eftjoy the
WtldemessWithout Harmiw It.
StackpoleBooks,1995Harmon, will. LeqveNo Tfoce:
Mtntmum lmpact Outdffir
Falcon,1997.
Recreatton.
Hart, John. walktng Softlyift the
The SterraCLubGuideto
Wild.emess:
Backpackin&,3rd ed. SierraClub
Books,1998.
Harvey,Mark. The NattonojOutdoor
Leadership School'swtldemess
Gutde: The ClassicHqndbook1999.
Fireside,
Jacobson,Cliff. Map qnd Composs,
2nd ed., BasicEssentialsSeries.
GlobePequotPress,1999.
Mccivney, Annette.Leate No Tfcce:
A Cuide to the New Widemess
Etiquette,2nd ed. Mountaineers
Books,2003.
Randall,Glenn. The Outwad Bound
BackpackingHandbook.Lyons
Press,2000.
Viehman,John, editor ?cilstde s Hints
and Tips for Outdoor Adventure.
RodalePress,1993.
Organizations and Web Sites
Yourlocal library, stateparks, and
stateconseryationlands may also
serveas good resourcesfor camping
ln your area.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Officeof Public Affairs
1849C St.,Room406-LS
Washington,DC 20240
'lblephone:
202 452-51
25
Web srtet http :/ / waw. bIm.gov
Philmont Scout Ranch
17 Deer Run Road
Cimarron,NM 87714
Telephone:505-37
6-2281
Web site:
http:/ / www.scouting.org philmont
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849C St. NW
Washington,DC 20240
Toll free telephone:800-344-9453
gov
Web sitet lTttp://rDuw.f:Lvs.
USDA Forest Service
1400IndependenceAve. SW
Washington,DC 20250-0003
Telephone:202-205-8333
web srle: httpf /v.)ww.fs.fed.us
Florida National High Adventure
Sea Base
I'j.O.Box 1906
Islamorada,FL 33036
'lelephone:
305-664-4173
Web srlet ltttp://wuw.bsaseabase.org
National Park Service
Web siteI http:/ /wtnw. tp s.gov
NorthemTier NationalHigh
Adventurc Base
l'O. Box 509
l:ly,MN 55731
i'lephone:218365-4811
\\tab stte:http:/ / uww ntter.or+
CAMPING
63
',-
( A N r ) r N ( il ( l s ( ) t J l l c t s
MERITBADGELIBRARY
Acknowledgments
Photo and lllustration Credits
'l'he
bag)
OmegaStudios-cover (sleepirug
and page35
oPhotos.comcoverfknile)i pagesIl,
14, 18, 21,31 (top), 50, 59,
and 60
Boy Scoutsof Americathanks
RobertBirkbt author of the loth and
llth editionsol t|LeBoy ScoutHandbook
and the fourth edition of the Fieldbook,
for his assistancein revisingthe
Campingmerit badgerequirements
and his work in revisingthe CarupinS
marit
hi.lop
nrmnhlei
Thanksalsoto membersof the BSA
CampingTaskForcefor their practical
and technicalexpertise:JamesBean;
JamesBlair;Jim Erwinj MarshallHollis;
W i l l i d mK , i n eC
; . M o r LM
t d l r o l e yE; d w i n
Morrison,M.D.j GeneSchnell;David
Shows,Ph.D.;and DarrellWinn.
The BSAis grdlelulto the Quick
list ConsultingCommitteeof the
Associationfor Library Seryiceto
Children,a division of the Amedcan
LibraryAssociation,for its assistance
with updatingthe resourcessectiol
of this me t badgepamphlet.
All other photos are the propertyof
or are protectedby the Boy Scouts
of America.
Dan Bryant-pages 32 (top), 34, 36
(bottom), 51 (top left), afi 52 (top)
John Fulton-cover (pack) and page
45 (top)
DanielGiles-cover (GPSreceiver)
and page56
RoyJansen-cover (conpass)
John McDearmon-page 4 (botll)
ChristianMichaels-page 7
Blian Payne-pdges22. 25. 29, 30,45
(bottom), a\d, 55
RandyPiland-pa8es2b. 4b, 54 (top).
and 57
Though inlendedas an aid to 8oy Scouts,VarsityScouis, and qualiliedVenturersin
meetingmeritbadgerequirements,
thesepamphletsare of generalinterestand are made
availableby manyschoolsand publiclibraries.The latestrevisiondate of each pamphlet
mrghtnol correspondwith lhe copyrightdate shown below,becausethis list is corrected
only once a year, in January.Any numberof merit badge pamphletsmay be revised
lhroughoutthe year;othersare simplyreprioteduntila revisionbecomesnecessary.
lf a Scouthas alreadystartedworkingon a merit badgewhen a new edilionfor that
pamphlelis introduced,
he shouldcontinue1o use the same meritbadgepamphletto
earnthe badge.He shouldtullillthe requirements
listedin the pamphlethe was using
when he began. In other words, the Scout need not start all over again with the new
pamphletand possiblyrevisedrequirements.
lveril Badge Pamphlel
ArnericanBusiness
AmericanCullures
ArneicanHeritage
ArnericanLabor
A nm a l S c i e n c e
Archaeology
Archery
Architeclure
An
Askonomy
Alhlelics
AuloMechanics
Aviation
Backpacking
Baskelry
BtrdStudy
Sugling(see[4usic)
Camping
Canoeng
Year Merit BadgePamphlet
2AO2 E n g i n e e i n g
2005 Enlrcpreneurship
2005 EnvironmenralScience
2006 FamilyLife
2006
2006 Fingeerinling
2OA4
2OO4
2006
2oQ4
2006 Fishinq
2000 Fly-Fishing
2006
2OO7 Gardenng
2003 GeneaLogy
2005 Geology
Goli
2005
2004 H i k n g
2004
2001
2000
2006
2006
2005
1997
2003
2AO4
2047
llleril BadgePamphlet
Pholography
Poneeinq
Plumbng
Poflery
Plblic Heallh
PublicSpeaking
Pulpand Paper
Radio
2004 Bailroading
2002 Beading
2002
2005
2002 RifleShooting
2005
2005 Safely
2042
2 0 0 6 Schola€hip
2007
2042 ShotgunShooling
2044 Skatinq
2003 SmalfBoaiSaiing
2005 Ins€ctStudy
Cornmunity
2002 SnowSporls
C lizenshipin the Nalion 2005
2006
C lizenshipin theWorld
2002
2005 Landscape
Archlecl!re
C mbing
2006
2003 SpaceExploralion
(rornCollecting
2002
2002 Sporls
2003 Lilesavlng
2001 SlampCollecting
2003 MammalStudy
2003 Surveying
2002 Swimming
2006
2007 Textile
2005
2007 l,lodelOesignandBu iding 2003
2005
1 9 9 2 TraflicSalety
(iycling
2003 [-4usic
2003 TruckTransportallon
and Bugling
2006
2003
L)rsabil es Awareness
zQQ4
2005
)og Carc
2003
2003 Oceanography
)rattng
2003
1 9 9 3 Orenleerng
2004 Painting
2002
2044
2006
I mergencyPreparodness
2003 Personallvlanagement 2003
2005
2005
Year
2005
?ggg
2OO4
2OO2
2005
2gAz
2006
2001
2003
2003
2005
2001
2006
2006
2003
20Q4
20Q7
2005
2005
2004
2007
2004
2004
2006
2007
2004
2002
2003
2005
2006
2005
2005
2QQ7
2006
2005
2AO7
2006
2003
BOY SCOUTSOF AMERICA . SUPPLYDIVISION
NATIONALDISTRIBUTION
CENTER
2109 WestinghouseBoulevard
PO. Box 7143
Charlotte,
NC 28241-7'143
64
CAMPING
www.scoutstuff.org
DIRECT
MAILCENTER
PO.Box909
Pineville,
NC28134-0909
ForfaslcreditcardordersVISA,Mastercard,
AmericanExpress
callBSAoperators
tollfree
1-800-323-0732