Camping Merit Badge

[Fibonacci]

We have also had boys in our troop who want to count family camping as some of their camping nights. The problem I see is that on most family camp trips, the boy just goes along; he doesn't plan anything. (Parents choose destination, plan & cook meals, clean up, etc.)

I would like some feedback on a similar question, but I am purposely keeping it here in this Camping MB thread since it is related to the question of camping nights with the troop or separate from the troop.

My son is working on the Backpacking MB. His troop has one or two 50 mile hikes each summer, and some overnight or two night hikes.

Backpacking MB #10 Using Leave No Trace principles, participate in at least three backpacking treks of at least three days each and at least 15 miles each, and using at least two different campsites. Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.

Does he have to plan three 15 mile 2-night trips for his troop to take, or can he count trips he takes with us? This is, of course, a merit badge and not part of troop activities. He has chosen to work on this mb on his own. The troop weekend trips are generally to one camp site with a day hike & fishing on Saturday, staying in the same site on the second night.

[scoutaholic]

...My son is working on the Backpacking MB. His troop has one or two 50 mile hikes each summer, and some overnight or two night hikes.

Backpacking MB #10 Using Leave No Trace principles, participate in at least three backpacking treks of at least three days each and at least 15 miles each, and using at least two different campsites. Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.

Does he have to plan three 15 mile 2-night trips for his troop to take, or can he count trips he takes with us? This is, of course, a merit badge and not part of troop activities. He has chosen to work on this mb on his own. The troop weekend trips are generally to one camp site with a day hike & fishing on Saturday, staying in the same site on the second night.

The Backpacking MB does not have to be earned with the troop. Your boy can count backpacking he does with family or friends or troop or whoever. He just has to be able to show the MB counsilor that he has fulfilled the requirement.

HOWEVER, if the troop is already doing several treks, I would think it makes more sense to modify those plans to fill the requirements. Maybe some of the other boys would appreciate the chance to get that badge as long as they are ALMOST doing the requirements. It sounds like the troop treks fulfil all the requirements except staying the 2nd night in a different campsite. Would it be that hard to move your camp 50 feet further up the trail?

[Quailman]

As a backpacking MBC, I allow non-BSA treks. I ask for photographic evidence - who doesn't want to show off the pics they took on their hike? But there's no way to complete the Backpacking requirements without either a troop that's committed to earning it or allowing for treks with other groups.

And as molscouter pointed out, the phrase "The 20 days and 20 nights must be at a designated Scouting activity or event." was added effective 1/1/07. It was not there before. So boys who began the badge (have signed blue cards) prior to 1/1/07 can count nights other than with Scouting activities or events.

[scoutaholic]

If you are giving a boy credit for camping in the backyard you are doing that boy an injustice and watering down the scouting program and principles. Backyard camping is for Cub Scouts. We aren't in Kansas anymore and camping in the backyard is not part of Boy Scouts. Boys have to earn their badges, not have their parents whine them for them. Next they will want credit for the trip to the Grand Canyon because they were in an RV in a campground. Good Grief Charlie Brown!

I have seen camping MB watered down way too far. We have a past SM in our area whos sons earned it by setting up a tent inside their hotel room on a family vacation.

The requirements have excluded much of what some people call 'camping' by saying that you must sleep '...under the sky or in a tent...'. This excludes cars, trucks, RVs, boats, cabins, hotels, motels, etc, etc. I've had boys that wanted to count them all. (BTW, I've never understood why Council Jamboree Contingents spend 2 weeks in hotels and restaurants as part of the Jamboree trip. Western councils won't even let me join them if I won't commit to the 2 week hotel/touring/restaurants part.)

The new requirements now specify that it must be a scouting activity/event. Now the family camping is out no matter where they sleep. I guess the only way to make backyard 'camping' still count would be to have the whole troop over for the night. (In my 8 years of year-round-camping as SM, I will admit that I have done it twice. There are occasions and reasons where it makes sense, but not often.)