National Outdoor Badges – Riding

The Outdoor awards recognize Scouts BSA, Venturers, and Sea Scouts who really get into outdoor activities. The five 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.

I wrote previous  posts about the camping award and the hiking award. Today I am promoting the riding award. When I first looked at this badge, I didn’t realize that riding covers horseback riding, bike riding, motor-boating, or skating,

I think 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.

Be Prepared for your outdoor adventure

You can learn more about this program at the BSA website.

National Outdoor Badges – Riding

1. Earn the First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
2. Complete at least one of the following:
   1. Cycling merit badge or Ranger Cycling/Mountain Biking elective and 100 miles of cycling
   2. Horsemanship merit badge or Ranger Equestrian elective and 20 miles of horseback riding
   3. Motorboating merit badge or Ranger Watercraft elective and 100 miles of motor boating
   4. Skating merit badge or Ranger Winter Sports elective and 20 miles of skating
3. Complete 200 miles of riding activities, including cycling, stock riding, skating, motor boating, mountain boarding, (including ATV or PWC riding at an approved council program), under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including the miles in requirement 2.

A gold device may be earned for each additional 100 miles of riding. A silver device is earned for each additional 400 miles of riding. The Scout may wear any combination of devices totaling his current number of miles of riding.

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. Riding can be cycling or horseback riding. To earn the award, members of your unit must plan and participate in a service project.

Equestrian Ranger Award Elective Helps and Documents

Venturers working on the Equestrian Ranger Award elective learn how to prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure on horseback. They learn how to control a horse while riding and care for equipment. They also teach others about horsemanship.

Cycling/Mountain Biking Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To complete the Cycling/Mountain Biking elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn about maintaining a bicycle, safe riding, and trip planning. They must take several bike rides and share their knowledge with others.

Horsemanship Merit Badge Helps and Documents

By doing the requirements for the Horsemanship merit badge, Scouts learn to safely enjoy riding a horse. They find out about the care and anatomy of horses. They show that they can groom a horse and care for the saddle and bridle. Scouts demonstrate their knowledge by riding a horse and using a variety of skills.

Motorboating Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts who are doing the requirements for the Motorboating merit badge learn to safely operate a motorized water craft. They learn about the different types of motors and how to maintain them. Then they demonstrate their skills by operating a motor boat.

Watercraft Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To earn the Watercraft elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn to safely operate a paddle craft, board sail, or sailboat.

Cycling Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn how to enjoy excursions on their bicycles while working on the Cycling merit badge. There is an emphasis on safety and planning in the requirements. There are options for completing the requirements by road biking or by mountain biking. The requirements can be completed by Scouts with any level of experience in cycling.

Winter Sports Ranger Elective Helps and Documents

To complete the Winter Sports elective for the Venturing Ranger award, Venturers must learn all about Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or ice skating.

Skating Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts working on the Skating merit badge learn to safely move on wheels or blades. The requirements for this merit badge can be completed by doing ice skating, roller skating, or in-line skating.