Hiking Merit Badge Activity Planner

Not for the weak, but the Hiking Merit Badge is rewarding and fun if you committed to hard work and success. Show us that you truly have what it takes to be an Eagle Scout.

'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
Virtual Field Trip	POOR	Requires physical presence in outdoors
Family Activity	FAIR
Service Activity	FAIR	Forest Conservation Project
S.T.E.M. Activity	POOR
Field Trip	GREAT	Six major outdoor hikes
Duty-to-God	POOR	N/A
MB Day	POOR	Six major outdoor hikes
Overnighter	GREAT	Six major outdoor hikes
Summer Camp	POOR	Takes too much away from other camp 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.

• Many Scout Patrols plan this merit badge around a week-long hi-adventure trek.

C. Homework / Prerequisites

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

Personal Conditioning Plan

This merit badge requires 5 hikes of 10 miles ore more. You will want to get in shape.

• Test your Footware, socks and Blister cream.

Req #3: Develop a plan for conditioning yourself for 10-mile hikes, and describe how you will increase your fitness for longer hikes.

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 - "This guide will help you to master wilderness treks, answer the merit badge worksheet, and earn your Hiking merit badge!" "
• Hiking Merit Badge - Merit Badge Powerpoint Presentation

MBC Discussion Group

• Req #1: Discussion - Hiking Safety and First Aid.
• Req #2: Discussion - Hiking Ethics
• Req #3: Preparation -Create a conditioning plan to get ready

Discussion Resources:

E. Six Hikes

1. 5-Mile (Req #4)
2. 10-Mile
3. 10-Mile
4. 10-Mile
5. 15-Mile
6. 20-Mile (Req #5)

Req #6: After each of the hikes (or during each hike if on one continuous "trek") in requirements 4 and 5, write a short reflection of your experience. Give dates and descriptions of routes covered, the weather, and any interesting things you saw. It may include something you learned about yourself, about the outdoors, or about others you were hiking with. Share this with your merit badge counselor.

• Hiking Trip Plan - (BoyScoutTrail.com)

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.

Historic Trails of America

The Historic Trails of America Award brings appreciation to the ideals, principles, and traditions that have made our country strong. Requirements emphasize cooperation between historic societies and Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scout units, which should establish a close relationship with a local society as soon as possible when planning a historic activity—most communities have such societies. Their are many options to earning this Award.

BSA Hiking Guide

• The Scouting Guide to Basic Hiking (2020-Paperback): An Officially-Licensed Book of the Boy Scouts of America: 200 Essential Skills for the Great Outdoors. Current Scouts, Scout alumni, and readers interested in the outdoors are provided with time-tested advice on hiking and backpacking in the wilderness.

Related Merit Badges

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

• National Outdoor Awards Program
• 50 Miler Award
• Nature
• Forestry
• Backpacking
• Camping