Camping 9b ?

[TxScout]

In the requirements for Camping 9b states: On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision. One of the choices is Backpack at least 4 miles.

My question is what has to be in the backpack? If you are only hiking four miles do you need to take bedroll and things like that? Is it sufficient to have a backpack with first aid kit, snacks, compass etc..?

Thanks for your help.

[vpalango]

One of the choices is Backpack at least 4 miles.

My question is what has to be in the backpack? If you are only hiking four miles do you need to take bedroll and things like that? Is it sufficient to have a backpack with first aid kit, snacks, compass etc..?

Thanks for your help.

My interpretation has always been that this requirement means backpack, as in full-pack, carrying all your camping gear on your back. I may however be wrong on this one, and am interested in the comments.

[FrankJ]

Good question. Ultimately it would be the merit badge counsilors interpretation that would matter. I would say whatever the scout needed for an overnight camp is implied. Maybe he could talk his patrol buddies into carry his gear as patrol equipment so his pack would be nearly empty.

Requirements 5e & 7e requires a properly packed pack.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Every other year our troop does a 5 mile campout and this would cover this requirement. Friday night is spent at the start of the trip, sleeping in tents. The next morning camp is broken and boys are paired together. One boy carries the tent, the other carries the poles and fly. Each scout carries their own water (2 qts or more), and all own bedding, personal items, clothes, pack etc.
One adult carries any food items needing to be kept in a cooler type pack, such as a couple lbs of boneless chicken. The rest of the meals are broken into individual servings for each person and each person carries their own food. Foil dinners with chicken, spuds and vegys go a long way but can be carried easily.
This trip is 5 miles and on Saturday night the boys set up tents again for the night. This trip has been a favorite with the troop and this year the trip is being done twice because so many boys want to do it again.

This isn't really hard to fit into a weekend camping trip.

[summertop]

My interpretation is:

Backpack...carried for an overnighter
Daypack...carried for a day hike

So too me, going backpacking for 5 miles, means you stuf you backpack with what you will need for an overnight trip.

But, there is some "interpretation" there. So, talk to your MBC to find out exactly what he/she will require.

[CapXK]

It's up to the MBC. I counsel this MB and require a full backpack set-up for an overnight stay. A 5-mile hike with a daypack is a 2nd-class requirement and does little to increase the camping skills of a Scout.

[wagionvigil]

On some tyrails 4 miles is a days hike!

[CapXK]

True enough. After my wife and I hiked down and back from an intermediate plateau at the Grand Canyon (6 - 8 miles I believe) I just wanted someone to shoot me and put me out of my misery. You guys in WV certainly have prettier (and steeper) scenery than we do in North TX - but you don't get to experience the delights of camping when it's 102 in the shade. As a side note, in steep terrain I'd go with the "take a hike gaining 2000' in elevation" rather than the backpacking option.

[summertop]

Do the float trip...float down a river for four hours. When you are done, you want more. I just got back from the Snake river by Jackson, Wyoming. What a ride...