Hiking Merit Badge Activity Planner

'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the Hiking Merit Badge

*** Activities for the Youth Lead Patrol ***

Exploring Hiking can be a fascinating youth adventure when done right. Here are a few tips to help the patrol leader get started.

• Scouts may never add or subtract from the actual merit badge requirements
• This Planner is only a suggestion of different ideas to make working this Merit Badge both fun and easy.
• While doing the Worksheet is not a requirement for earning this badge, in many cases it can help you learn key concepts and track your progress.

A. Make Your Plan

1. Merit Badge Activity Planning Tips - 14 tips for a successful patrol activity. Read carefully before you start your plan!
2. Share Your Plan - Meet ahead of time with your patrol, scout leaders, parents and especially with the Merit Badge Counselor. Make changes to the plan as needed.
3. Prepare Activity Flyer - Keep your fellow scouts informed - events, activities, pre-requisites and more.

Patrol Activity	GREAT	Awesome MB to work as a patrol / Max Size 12 scouts
Virtual Field Trip	POOR	Requires physical presence in forests
Family Activity	GREAT	Great Family Vacation
Service Activity	GREAT	Forest Conservation Project
S.T.E.M. Activity	GREAT	Outdoor STEM Activity
Field Trip	GREAT	Four cool field trip activities
Duty-to-God	POOR	N/A
MB Day	POOR	Four outdoor field trips req'd
Overnighter	GREAT	Outdoor STEM Activity
Summer Camp	GREAT	Four cool outdoor activities

Online Resources

• Hiking Merit Badge Requirements: BoyScoutTrial.com lists all requirements, additional resources, activity worksheet, etc.
• Hiking Merit Badge File Store: Online resources
• Hiking Merit Badge Worksheets: Worksheets are optional - but highly preferred by many MBC. When you find that many requirements say "discuss" - the worksheet can help you gather your thoughts beforehand.
• Hiking Merit Badge Booklet: Everything thing you need to know about Hiking is right here. Get this study guide from either Amazon or your Troop Library, Merit Badge Counselor or Scoutmaster to Learn More About this Subject.
• Hiking @ Simple-Wikipedia: Get the basics quickly.

B. Introduction Meeting

Most merit badge activities do best to have a "introduction" meeting where the patrol can discuss how to get started and to plan out their field trips. Send out the activity flyer in advance to use as an meeting agenda. Your scouts will then know what to expect.

Hiking merit badge is a great merit badge to work as a patrol in the outdoors. It includes several major outdoor activities that be done as part of summer camp, hi-adventure, or a major weekend expeditions.

To Earn Eagle Scout Rank, a scout must earn either the Hiking, Swimming or Cycling merit badges.

C. Homework / Prerequisites

Assign one or more requirements that the scout can do at home, perhaps as a family activity.

Req #1: Prepare a field notebook...

D. Study Hall Patrol Night

While some scouts may be adept at self-study, others may do better in a small group setting and taking notes on worksheets. Make an agenda. You can facilitate discussion by asking them why each of the principles introduced here would be relevant. Schedule one or more patrol meetings to work this merit badge.

Pre-Open Gathering Activity

A gathering activity before the official meeting start is a great way to set a fun theme for the meeting.

• Hiking Done Right - ScoutSmarts.com - "The Hiking merit badge is not for the faint of heart, but if you commit to earning hiking, you’ll show that you truly have the determination it takes to become an Eagle Scout. "

MBC Discussion Group

Discussion Resources:

E. Field Trip

A related field trip with the MBC will be a great time to do the second half of this merit badge activity:

15 Tree Forestry Collection

Req #1: Prepare a field notebook, make a collection, and identify 15 species of trees, wild shrubs, or vines in a local forested area. Write a description in which you identify and discuss the following:

• The characteristics of leaf, twig, cone, or fruiting bodies.
• The habitat in which these trees, shrubs, or vines are found
• The important ways each tree, shrub, or vine is used by humans or wildlife and whether the species is native or was introduced to the area. If it is not native, explain whether it is considered invasive or potentially invasive.

Secondary Collection

Req #2: Do ONE of the Following (Collections):
a. Collect Wood Samples from 10 different species of trees
b. Collect 3 Stump/Log Samples
c. Collect 2 samples of animal/insect/other damage to trees

Forester Field Trip

Req #5: Do ONE of the Following (Field Trips):
a. Visit with a Forester and his Forest (See also Req #8)
b. Visit a logging/timber operation
c. Participate in a forest-fire prevention program

Req #8: Visit one or more local foresters and write a brief report about the person (or persons). Or, write about a forester's occupation including the education, qualifications, career opportunities, and duties related to forestry.

Forest Hazards Inventory

Req #6: In your camp, local recreation area (park or equivalent), or neighborhood, inventory the trees that may be a hazard to structures or people. Make a list by area (campsite, road, trail, street, etc.). Note the species and hazardous condition, and suggest a remedy (removal or trimming). Make your list available to the proper authority or agency.

F. Extra Credit

While none of these are actual requirements for this merit badge - they are terrific opportunities to show Scout Spirit, Do a Good Turn Daily and to have FUN!

1. Activity Reflection: Use this meeting for scouts to ask questions and to reflect on what they gained personally from this adventure. You can also have a discussion on what future opportunities are here.
2. Court of Honor Exhibit: Pictures, handiwork and other memorabilia from this adventure will make for a great presentation at the next Scout Troop Court of Honor.

Special Forestry Field Trips

Watch for any of the following in your region:

• Pasto Agricultural Museum - Hosts Forestry Merit Badge
• World Forestry Museum - Portland Oregon
• Texas Forestry Museum - Lufkin Texas.
• Giant Forest Museum - Sequoia National Park
• Calaveras Big Trees State Park - Arnold California

Related Merit Badges

Sometimes it is easier by doing two or more merit badges together as a joint activity:

• Nature
• Forestry