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Stuff Every Camping Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Camping merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Camping Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Slope Safety

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • Camping involves overnight stays, while day trips do not include sleeping away from home.
  • Knowing weather helps you pack correctly and get ready if conditions turn bad.
  • Lone trees, mountaintops, and ridges are likely lightning targets, so avoid them.
  • Layers can be added or removed to match changing temperatures and activity.
  • A pad cushions your body from stones and twigs and insulates you from cold ground.
  • Water from streams, rivers, or lakes should be properly treated before use for safety.
  • Established sites and durable surfaces reduce the environmental impact of camping.
  • Returning moved objects to their original spots helps leave the area as you found it.
  • Low areas like valleys and canyons can flood quickly during heavy rain.
  • Debris caught in underbrush or bent grass can show where water has flowed before.
  • Dead trees or limbs can fall during storms, so pitch your tent away from them.
  • Shade and breezes help cool your tent and chase away mosquitoes in summer.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What is the main difference between camping and a day trip?
    • You spend the night away from home
    • You hike a long trail
    • You cook outside
    Show the answer

    You spend the night away from home. Camping involves overnight stays, while day trips do not include sleeping away from home.

  2. Why should you keep your tent away from dead trees?
    • Dead trees are too pretty
    • Dead limbs might fall in a storm
    • Dead trees attract too much shade
    Show the answer

    Dead limbs might fall in a storm. Dead trees or limbs can fall during storms, so pitch your tent away from them.

  3. What should you do with trash and spilled food before leaving camp?
    • Bury it deep
    • Leave it for animals
    • Inspect and remove it, even if it is not yours
    Show the answer

    Inspect and remove it, even if it is not yours. Inspecting your campsite and removing trash, even others' trash, follows Leave No Trace.

  4. What two kinds of gear do campers usually take?
    • Personal gear and group gear
    • Wet gear and dry gear
    • Old gear and new gear
    Show the answer

    Personal gear and group gear. Campers take personal gear for themselves and group gear shared by the patrol.

  5. What is a compass needle pulled toward?
    • Your campsite
    • Magnetic north
    • The tallest tree
    Show the answer

    Magnetic north. A compass needle aligns with magnetic north, which helps you orient your map and route.

Now make it stick

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