Cooking Merit Badge the Hiking/Backpacking requriment

[MDerby]

I am wondering why the Hike/Backpacking portion of this badge does not require the scout to cook for his fellow scouts.
The way that it is written, the scout can go on a hike with two buddies(not necessarily scouts). No adult is required to evaluate
or verify the the cooking was done. Yes, scouts are to be honest but the other problem is that the notes say 'proper supervision'
is recommended. What exactly does that mean? Does that mean an adult who may not have youth protection?
This part of the badge is very difficult to handle. Any advice?

[Quailman]

[quote"Cooking requirement 7"]Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, plan a menu for trail hiking or backpacking that includes one breakfast, one lunch, one dinner, and one snack. These meals must not require refrigeration and are to be consumed by three to five people (including you). [/quote]

Your concern is that he might cook for non-Scouts and without an adult. He needs to get feedback.

After each meal, have those you served evaluate the meal on presentation and taste, then evaluate your own meal. Discuss what you learned with your counselor, including any adjustments that could have improved or enhanced your meals.

The proper supervision relates comment to the use of a backpacking stove. Some units just don't do much backpacking. If a boy can get a couple of friends to go backpacking with his offer to cook for them, I see nothing wrong with that. Changing the requirement to state that he needed to go with Scouts and/or have a Scout leader present doesn't seem to have much benefit. I expect he'll get honest feedback from his friends.

FWIW, I'll bet the vast majority of boys complete this requirement with their patrol on a troop outing.