Outdoor Skills

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

Here are resources for Camping, Backpacking, Hiking,Cooking, and Wilderness Survival.
Troop Program Features let you make each a part of your troop program.
These are also the resources for Webelos Outdoorsman.
Other skills include: First Aid, Swimming, Cycling and Scout Skills.

Contents Basics  Sun Protection  Insect Protection  Hygiene  Safety Backpacking  Backpacks  Preparation  Packing  Reducing Weight  Stoves  Food  Shouldering a Pack   Backpacking Gear Camps Campfires  Knife Skills  Ax and Saw Skills  Building  Types  Starting  Safety Campsite Clothing  Footwear  Socks  Layering  Cold Weather  Warm Weather   Wet Weather  Cooking Skills  Meal Planning  Recipes  Food Handling  Outdoor Cooking  Cooking Gear  Dutch Oven Cooking  First Aid Gear  Lights  Checklists Hiking Skills Hydration Leave No Trace Navigation  Without a Compass  Map and Compass  GPS  Geocaching  Orienteering Skills Outdoor Code Sleeping Bags Sleeping Pads Tent Types Tent Setup Water Purification Weather Skills Wilderness Survival  Survival Kit  Survival Shelter  Survival Signaling

Outdoor Skills are important parts of the Cub Scout, Webelos, and Boy Scout programs:

• Cub Scouts can camp with their Pack or at Cub Scout Resident Camp.
• Webelos earn their Outdoorsman care for their bikes as a part of the Webelos Handyman Activity Badge.
• Boy Scouts earn their Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, and Wilderness Survival Merit Badges.

Resources

While your handbook is your primary resource, the links below can help you learn your first aid skills. See the Disclaimers.

• See: Camping, Backpacking, Hiking, Cooking, and Wilderness Survival Merit Badges. Make these a part of your Troop Program.

►  BSA Videos: The BSA Video: Skills Lessons are excellent but are large files that require Apple QuickTime.
►  This symbol notes many other lesson videos.

Outdoor Basics

Shortcut: Outdoor Basics

►  BSA Video: Overnight camping gear (See notes.)
►  Video: Camping Lesson Videos

• REI: Health Topics - REI: Before You Leave Home -

Sun Protection

Shortcut: Sun Protection

►  Video: Sunscreen

• REI: Sun - REI: Sunglasses - REI: Sun-Protection Clothing - REI: Sun, Bugs, Plants -

Insect Protection

Shortcut: Insect Protection

►  Video: Insect Repellent

• REI: Insect Repellent -

Hygiene

Shortcut: Hygiene

• REI: Hygiene and Sanitation -

Outdoor Safety

Shortcut: Outdoor Safety

►  BSA Video: Safe Hiking (See notes.)
►  Video: Buddy System - Video: Hiking Regulations & Permits -

• Buddy System - Amer. Hiking Soc: Hiking Safety - Hiking Dangers - REI: Security

Backpacking Skills

Shortcut: Backpacking Skills

See: Backpacking Merit Badge and Philmont Scout Ranch. Make Backpacking A Part of Your Troop Program.

Backpacks

Shortcut: Backpacks

►  Video: Internal vs. External Frame - Video: Buying a Backpack - Long Trip Backpacks - Video: Selecting a Backpack - Video: Selecting a Pack Cover -

• Internal Frame vs External Frame - Internal vs.External Frames - REI: Backpacks

Backpacking Preparation

Shortcut: Backpacking Preparation

►  Video: Backpacking - Video: Planning - REI: Kitchen Checklist - REI: Backpacking for Beginners - How to Condition for a Backpacking Trip

• REI: Repair Kit -

Packing a Backpack

Shortcut: Packing a Backpack

►  Video: How to Pack for One Night - Video: Packing

• REI: Backpacks: How to Pack -

Reducing Weight

Shortcut: Reducing Weight

• See Backpacking Stoves, Backpacking Food, and Backpacking Gear for details about reducing weightin each of those areas.
• REI: Ultralight Checklist - REI: Lightweight Hiking

Backpacking Stoves

Shortcut: Backpacking Stoves

►  Video: Backpacking Stove Options - Video: Cooking Gear - REI: Stoves

Backpacking Food

Shortcut: Backpacking Food

►  Video: Backpacking Food

Shouldering a Pack

Shortcut: Shouldering a Pack

►  How to Wear a Backpack - Video: Wearing a Backpack

• REI Video: Backpacks: Adjust the Fit - REI Video: Backpacking: Find Torso/Hip Size - REI Video: Backpacks: How to Hoist -

Backpacking Gear

Shortcut: Backpacking Gear

►  Video: Backpackign Gear - Video: Clothing - Video: Food - REI: Tents - Video: Camp Shoes - Video: Boots - Video: Jackets - Video: Pants - Video: Shirts - Video: Sleepwear - Video: Synthetics - Video: Underwear - Buying Hiking Boots - Video: Breaking in Hiking Boots

Campfires

Shortcut: Campfires

• See: Fire Safety merit badge and Firem'n Chit.

►  BSA Video: Second Class Light a Fire and Stove (See notes.)
►  BSA Video: Second Class Fires and Stoves

Knife Skills

Shortcut: Knife Skills

►  BSA Video: Second Class Knife, Saw, and Ax (See notes.)
►  Video: Cleaning a Knife - Video: Sharpening a Knife - Video: Pocket Knife Care - Video: Knife Sharpening Devices - Video: Knife Sharpening Safety - Video: Knife Sharpening Mistakes - Video: Knife Sharpening: Edges & Goals

• wikiHow Video: How to Sharpen a Knife - Knife Sharpening Tricks - How to Sharpen a Knife

Ax and Saw Skills

Shortcut: Ax and Saw Skills

►  Video: Knife and Ax Safety - Knives, axes, and saws to take to the wilds

Campfire Building

Shortcut: Campfire Building

• BSA Video: Second Class Prepare a fire (See notes.)
• REI: Campfire Basics - Campfire building

►  Video: Fire Site - Video: Where to Build a Campfire - Video: Types of Fires - Video: Fire Pits - Build a Fire - Video: Kindling -Video: Picking Kindling - Video: Wood - Video: Arranging The FIre - Video: Keep a Fire Going - Video: Sparking a Campfire Flame - Video: What Not to Burn in a Campfire - Video: Put Out a Campfire

Campfire Types

Shortcut: Campfire Types

►  Video: Log Cabin - Video: Tee Pee - Video: Building a Speed Fire

Campfire Starting

Shortcut: Campfire Starting

►  BSA Video: Second Class Light a Fire and Stove (See notes.)
►  Video: Video: Fire Starting - Video: Flint & Steel - Video: BlastMatch - Video: Steel Wool - Video: Fire Piston - Video: Magnifying Glass

Campfire Safety

Shortcut: Campfire Safety

►  Video: Safety - Video: Dangers

Campsite

Shortcut: Campsite

►  Video: Campsites - Video: Finding Practical Campsites - Video: How to Choose a Campsite - Video: How to Choose a Location - Video: Campsite Hazards

• REI: Campsite Selection - REI: Setting up Camp

Camps

Shortcut: Camps

• USSCouts.Org Boy Scout Camps database with reviews
• Find BSA Council Camps: BSA: Find Councils -
• BSA: Council websites - Unofficial list of Council websites -
• Scout Camps USA Printed Book Online

• Camps Database

Clothing

Shortcut: Clothing

►  Video: How to Choose Clothing - Video: Learn What Clothes to Pack for a Camping Trip

Footwear

Shortcut: Footwear

►  Video: Breaking In Hiking Boots - Video: Buying Hiking Boots - Video: Choosing Hiking Boots & Hiking Shoes

• REI: Breaking in New Hiking Boots - REI: Hiking Boots Care & Repair - REI: Hiking Boots - Amer. Hiking Soc: Footwear

Socks

Shortcut: Socks

►  Video: How to Select Socks - Video: Packing Socks - Video: Backpacking Socks - Camping Socks

• REI: Socks

Layering

Shortcut: Layering

►  Video: Camping Layering - Video: Hiking Layering

• REI: Layering - REI: Temperature Extremes

Cold Weather

Shortcut: Cold Weather

►  Video: How to Dress for Cool-Weather Hiking - Video: Cold Weather

• Amer. Hiking Soc: Cold - REI: Wool Clothing

Warm Weather

Shortcut: Warm Weather

►  Video: How to Dress for Warm-Weather Hiking- Video: Warm Weather -

Wet Weather

Shortcut: Wet Weather

►  Video: Dealing with Rain - Video: Wet Weather - Video: Rain Gear to Stay Dry When Hiking - Video: Testing Rain Gear

• REI: Rainwear - REI: Water Repellency Care & Repair

Cooking Skills

Shortcut: Cooking Skills

See: Cooking Merit badge. Make Cooking A Part of Your Troop Program. ►  BSA Video: Second Class Fires and Stoves - BSA Video: Second Class Light a Fire and Stove - [http://old.scouting.org/boyscouts/rankvideo/firstclass/FC4e.m4v BSA Video: First Class Patrol Cooking (See notes.)

Meal Planning

Shortcut: Meal Planning

►  BSA Video: First Class Patrol Menu Planning - BSA Video: First Class Obtaining Ingredients

• USScouts.Org - MacScouter - Scoutorama - Food Pyramid - USDA Nutrition - REI: Planning a Menu - REI: Energy Foods - AAFCS

Recipes

Shortcut: Recipes

• RecipeSource.com - CampRecipes.com - Scouter.net - Foil-Cooking - Cub Scout Cookbook - NetWoods.com - Scout Cooking - The Trailside Cookbook - Buckskinner Cookbook - Ol' Buffalo Outdoor Cooking Page - Food Network - Meals.com - The Recipe Link - Exploratorium - The Cook's Thesaurus - The Recipes Folder - MyRecipe.com

Food Handling

Shortcut: Food Handling

►  BSA Video: First Class Food Handling and Disposal (See notes.)

• USDA Camping Food Safety - Fight Bacteria - REI: Food Handling/Storage - REI: Food Organizing Tips - REI: Bear Canisters

►  Video: How to Prevent Bears from Getting into Your Food Supply While Camping - Video: How to Keep Food Safe from Animals When Camping & Hiking - Video: How to Pack Food for a Camping Trip

Outdoor Cooking

Shortcut: Outdoor Cooking

►  BSA Video: Second Class Cook a Meal - BSA Video: Tenderfoot Help Cook a Meal (See notes.)
►  Outdoor Cooking Videos: Food Selection - Food Quality - Stoves - Utensils - Water Purification - Leave No Trace

Cooking Gear

Shortcut: Cooking Gear

►  BSA Video: First Class Cooking Gear (See notes.)

• Backpacking Stoves - REI: Cookware - BSA Cooking Gear - Stove Safety

►  Video: Picking a Stove

Dutch Oven Cooking

Shortcut: Dutch Oven Cooking

• Make Durtch Oven Cooking A Part of Your Troop Program.
• International Dutch Oven Society - USScouts.Org - MacScouter - dutchovencookware.com

First Aid

Shortcut: Outdoor First Aid

• See First Aid Skills, First Aid Kit, and First Aid Merit Badge.

Gear

Shortcut: Outdoor Gear

►  Video: Packing

• REI: Trekking Poles and Hiking Staffs - REI: Binoculars - REI: Two-Way Radios

►  Video: Gear

Lights

Shortcut: Lights

►  Video: Lighting Needs

• REI: Flashlights - REI: Headlamps - REI: Lanterns -

Checklists

Shortcut: Outdoor Checklists

• Camping Checklists - More Checklists - REI: Adventure Travel Checklist - REI: Backpacking Checklist - REI: Snow Camping Checklist - REI: The Ten Essentials

Hiking Skills

Shortcut: Hiking Skills

See Hiking Merit Badge. Make Hiking A Part of Your Troop Program. ►  BSA Video: Second Class Five-Mile Hike (See notes.)
►  Hiking Videos - Videos: Planning - Videos: Footwear - Packing for Day Hikes - How to Choose & Use a Backpack for a Day Hike - Video: Keeping a Hiking Pace - Video: How to Keep Your Feet Dry - Video: Hike Planning - Video: Hiking for Beginners - Video: Advanced Hike Plans

• Amer. Hiking Soc: Food - Myths - REI: Day Hike Checklist - REI: Daypacks

Hydration

Shortcut: Hydration

►  REI: Hydration - Video: Hydration - Video: Hiking Water Gear
*REI: Hydration System - REI: Water Bottles - REI: Cleaning Water Bottles - REI: Water - REI: Water Treatment: Backcountry - REI: Water Risks

Leave No Trace

Shortcut: Outdoor_Skills#Leave No Trace

• Leave No Trace - Leave No Trace LNT Site - BSA Leave No Trace - BSA's Teaching Leave No Trace - Video: Leave No Trace - REI: Minimum-Impact Travel
• Leave No Trace Awards: Cub Scouts - Boy Scouts and Venturers

Navigation

Shortcut: Navigation -or- Map and Compass

Navigation Without a Compass

Shortcut: Navigation Without a Compass

►  BSA Video: First Class Find Directions (See notes.)
►  Video: Find the North Star - Video: Find North Without a Compass - Video: How to Use Growing Moss - Video: How to Use Moving Water - Video: How to Use the Sun

Maps

Shortcut: Maps -or- Topographic Maps

►  Video: How to Read a Topographical Map - Video: Map Features - Video: Map & Compass - Video: Maps & Guidebooks

• REI: Maps - REI Video: Map Basics - Free US Geological Survey Topographic Maps - Topozone.com - Google Satellite, Street, and Terrain Maps

Compass

Shortcut: Compass

►  Video: Second Class Compass Skills (See notes.)
►  Video: How to Use a Compass - Video: Compass & GPS When Hiking - REI Video: Navigation Basics - Map & Compass - REI Video: Parts of a Compass

• REI: Compasses - How a Compass Works - REI: Declination - REI: Staying on Course - REI: If You Become Lost - REI Video: Map to Compass - REI Video: Compass to Map - REI Video: Triangulation

GPS

Shortcut: GPS

►  REI: GPS Glossary - REI: GPS Initialization Process - REI: GPS Receivers - REI Video: GPS - How to Use

Geocaching

Shortcut: Geocaching

• to promote scouting.aspx BSA: Geocaching to Promote Scouting - REI: Geocaching - REI: Geocaching: Expert Q&A►  Video: What is Geocaching?
  

Orienteering Skills

Shortcut: Orienteering Skills

See: Orienteering Merit badge. Make Orienteering A Part of Your Troop Program. ►  BSA Video: First Class Orienteering Course (See notes.)

Outdoor Code

Shortcut: Outdoor_Skills#Outdoor Code

• Outdoor Code

Sleeping Bags

Shortcut: Sleeping Bags

►  Video: Sleeping Bags - Video: Choosing a Sleeping Bag - Video: Buying Sleeping Bags - Staying Warm in a Sleeping Bag - Video: Selecting a Sleeping Bag -

• Wikipedia: Types of Sleeping Bags - REI: Sleeping Bags for Camping - REI Video: Sleeping Bags for Backpacking - REI: Sleeping Bags Care & Repair
• REI: Bivy Sacks - Video: Bivi Bags

Sleeping Pads

Shortcut: Sleeping Pads

►  Video: How to Choose a Sleeping Pad - Video: Sleeping Pads - Video: Selecting a Ground Mat

• REI: Sleeping Pads -

Tent Types

Shortcut: Tent Types

►  Video: Tents - Video: How to Choose a Tent - Video: How to Pitch a Tent - Video: How to Set Up a Tent

• Tents: Types of Tents - REI: Tents: Family/Base Camp - REI: Tents: Backpacking - REI: Tent Care Care & Repair

Tent Setup

Shortcut: Tent Setup

►  BSA Video: Tenderfoot Help Pitch a Tent - BSA Video: Second Class Pitch a Tent (See notes.)

• Campsite Selection

►  Video: Where to Set Up a Tent - Video: Clearing an Area for a Tent - Video: How to Stake Down a Tent - Video: Laying Out Ground Tarp for Tents - Video: Laying Out a Tent - Video: Putting Tent Poles Together - Video: Raising a Tent

Water Purification

Shortcut: Water Purification

►  Video: Importance of Water Purification - Video: Safe Drinking Water - Water Video: Purification Process - Video: Finding Fresh Water - Video: Water Purification

• Methods:Water Treatment

►  Video: Purifying Water - Video: Methods of Water Purification - Video: How to Select a Water Purification System Videos: Water Treatment Options: Filters - Chemicals - UV - Bottle Filters - Boiling Water - Cleanable Filters - Water Tablets

Weather Skills

Shortcut: Weather Skills

• REI: Weather Basics

►  Video: Adapting to Weather - Video: How to Gauge the Weather - Video: How to Check the Weather

Wilderness Survival Skills

Shortcut: Wilderness Survival Skills

See: Wilderness Survival Merit badge. Make Wilderness Survival A Part of Your Troop Program.
►  Survival Lesson Videos: Video: Wilderness Survival Tips - Video: Assessing the Surroundings - Video: Identifying Plants & Food - Video: Patience & Making Decisions - Video: Using Personal Possessions - Video: Desert - Video: Using Pinecones

Survival Kit

Shortcut: Survival Kit

►  Video: Survival Kit - Video: Survival Kit -

Survival Shelter

Shortcut: Survival Shelter

►  Video: Build a Shelter - Video: Using Straw Grass - Video: Finding Shelter - Video: Lean-To Shelters

Survival Signaling

Shortcut: Survival Signaling

►  Video: Signaling

Related awards

Outdoor Skills Awards

Outdoor-related awards

• Boy Scout ranks: Tenderfoot - Second Class - First Class
• Boy Scout awards: Firem'n Chit - Totin' Chip - Paul Bunyan Woodsman
• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Astronomy - Backpacking - Camping - Canoeing - Climbing - Cooking - Cycling - Fire Safety - Hiking - Orienteering - Pioneering - Rowing - Weather - Water Sports - Whitewater - Wilderness Survival
• Venturing: Outdoor Bronze Award; Ranger Award electives: Backpacking
• Webelos Activity Badges: Forester - Naturalist - Outdoorsman
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Astronomy - Map and Compass - Weather

Disclaimers

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, or formal training. Please note that the only materials recommended by the Boy Scouts of America are those found or listed in official BSA materials such as the current Boy Scout Handbook. Outdoor Skills are constantly being revised. Neither MeritBadge.Org, nor its contributors make any recommendations. See the Guide to Safe Scouting.

• MeritBadge.Org Disclaimer