To complete the requirements for the National Outdoor Award Hiking Segment, a Scout or Venturer must be a learn about hiking and backpacking. Then he or she must spend some time practicing those skills, logging 100 or more miles of hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing over time.
The Outdoor awards recognize Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts who really get into outdoor activities. The awards are for camping, hiking, aquatics, riding, adventure, and conservation. There is a center badge which is earned when the first badge is earned also. There are also gold and silver devices which can be attached to the badges for additional achievements.
This series of badges offers a challenge to older scouts who might be getting a little bored. Present the information to your youth leadership and let them think about if they want to incorporate it into their program.
National Outdoor Award Hiking Segment Requirements
A Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Hiking upon successfully completing the following requirements:
- Earn the First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
- Complete the requirements for one of the following: Hiking merit badge, Backpacking merit badge, or Venturing Ranger Backpacking elective.
- Complete the requirements for one of the following: Orienteering merit badge, Geocaching merit badge, or Venturing Ranger Land Navigation core requirement.
- Complete 100 miles of hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including miles hiked as part of requirements 2 and 3.
A gold device may be earned for each additional 50 miles hiked, backpacked, snowshoed, or skied as outlined in requirements 2 and 3. A silver device is earned for each additional 200 miles of hiking. The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of miles hiking.
Related Resources for National Outdoor Award Hiking Segment
Hiking Merit Badge Helps and Documents
While working on the requirements for the Hiking merit badge, Scouts learn how to plan for a safe hike, considering their route, hazards, equipment needed, the weather conditions, and more. Then they put their knowledge to work by going out…
Backpacking Merit Badge Helps and Documents
While doing the requirements for the Backpacking merit badge, Scouts learn to plan and execute a safe trek in the back-country. Treating water, Leave No Trace, map and compass skills, GPS, stoves, and sanitary concerns are all covered by this merit badge.
50 Miler Award
The 50 Miler award recognizes young men and women in Scouts BSA and Venturing who hike, paddle, or ride a total of 50 miles over at least 5 consecutive days. The trek must be completed without using motors. So you can to this in conjunction with the requirements for the National Outdoor Award Hiking Segment.
Orienteering Merit Badge Helps and Documents
Scouts learn to navigate with a map and compass while working on the Orienteering merit badge. They investigate what the various symbols and markings on a map represent. And they get to participate in orienteering events.
Geocaching Merit Badge Helps and Documents
While working on the Geocaching merit badge, Scouts learn to safely find and record geocaches. A geocache is a place you can find using a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit. Usually there is a place to log your find and…
Backpacking Ranger Elective Helps and Documents
To complete the Backpacking elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn the skills needed for backpacking and take part in several treks. Then they must share their knowledge with others.
Land Navigation Ranger Core Requirement
To earn the Land Navigation core requirement for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn and practice map and compass skills and then teach those skills to others.
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