Scouts working on the Wilderness Survival merit badge learn to anticipate and avoid the hazards involved in backcountry adventures. They put together a first aid kit and build a natural shelter. They also learn how to treat water, be aware of weather conditions, and light a fire without matches.
Get the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge pamphlet
Printable helps for requirements:
Printable requirements for Wilderness Survival Merit Badge
Printable checkoff sheet for Wilderness Survival Merit Badge
Printable note sheet for Wilderness Survival Merit Badge
Printable checkoff sheet for all Scouts BSA merit badges
Be prepared for your wilderness adventure with these related ideas and achivements:
Emergency Preparedness Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA
The Emergency Preparedness feature teaches Scouts how to develop the first aid and leadership skills needed to deal with an emergency. Scouts learn to be prepared for accidents and natural disasters and to make informed decisions.
Backpacking Troop Program Feature
This backpacking program feature offers the opportunity to learn more about hiking and low impact camping. A Scouts BSA Troop PLC can plan a whole month of activities incorporating a backpacking theme.
Avoiding Hypothermia During Cold Weather Activities
Avoiding hypothermia is key to a successful outdoor activity in cold weather, be it camping, hiking, skiing, ice skating, or snowman building.
National Outdoor Awards – Adventure Segment Requirements
To complete the requirements for the National Outdoor Award Adventure Segment, a Scout or Venturer must learn to be prepared during outdoor adventures. He or she must also complete a challenging backpacking, paddling, sailing, climbing, or other high-adventure activity. See the specifics , along with some related helps and awards.
Wilderness Survival Ranger Core Requirement Helps and Documents
To complete the Wilderness Survival core requirement for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn and practice outdoor skills.
Winter Camping Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA
The Winter Camping feature teaches Scouts to prepare for a fun and safe campout in cold weather. With the right skills, Scouts can be comfortable.
Cooking Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA
The Cooking feature teaches Scouts how to make their favorite food and discover new recipes for use at home and at camp. Scouts learn the satisfaction of preparing their own meals.
Wilderness Survival Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA
The Wilderness Survival program feature helps Scouts learn how to stay safe, warm, and dry when the unexpected happens during an outdoor adventure.
Spending a Night in the Woods Alone
A reader asks about a Scout spending the night in the woods alone. He was wondering if this was done as part of the Wilderness Survival merit badge.
The Outdoor Knots Book (Mountaineers Outdoor Basics)
Many outdoor activities require extensive knowledge of knots: camping, climbing, rappelling, spelunking, and more.
Just yesterday on national news, 14-year-old Amanda Bales was featured as the first girl to attain Eagle Scout status. Among other things, she mentioned that she “spent a night in the woods alone.” Would this have been achieved under the Wilderness Survival merit badge requirement or something else? How much latitude or discretion does a merit badge counselor have to custom tailor an activity to fit a requirement? Wondering. Thank you.