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Stuff Every Wilderness Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Wilderness Survival 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 Wilderness Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Slope Safety

Why is the "Universal Edibility Test" risky?

Short answer: Even small amounts of some plants can cause illness or death

Even a small amount of some potential foods can cause discomfort, illness, or death, so the test is unsafe.

Groan of the day: Don't take a bite of bad advice.

Sources: Survival skills

The cheat sheet

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

  • STOP stands for stop, think, observe and plan. It helps you calm down and decide wisely before acting.
  • People who don't survive outdoors most often die from losing body heat, not starvation or dehydration.
  • A human can survive an average of three to five days without water, so finding water is a high priority.
  • Layers of synthetic material or wool plus a windproof, waterproof shell trap body heat and protect you.
  • Cold air settles at night in valley bottoms and ravines, so those spots get dangerously chilly.
  • Make your bed a little bigger than your body and at least eight inches thick to insulate you from the ground.
  • The bigger the space, the harder it is to trap and keep body heat, so keep it snug.
  • Lean branches against the windward side so wind blows into the wall rather than against you.
  • The bow spins a spindle against a fireboard, and friction creates a hot spark in the tinder.
  • Boiling water renders it safe to drink, which is one important survival use of fire.
  • Cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly make great inexpensive fire starters.
  • Dental floss is cheap and surprisingly strong, and it can even help build a shelter.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. In a survival situation, what does the STOP acronym tell you to do first?
    • Stop, think, observe, and plan
    • Start a fire and signal
    • Search for food and water
    Show the answer

    Stop, think, observe, and plan. STOP stands for stop, think, observe and plan. It helps you calm down and decide wisely before acting.

  2. What is a good cheap fire starter made from cotton balls?
    • Cotton balls wrapped in foil
    • Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly
    • Cotton balls soaked in water
    Show the answer

    Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly. Cotton balls coated with petroleum jelly make great inexpensive fire starters.

  3. Why does the Boy Scouts of America discourage foraging for wild foods?
    • Wild food always tastes bad
    • Foraging takes too much energy
    • Safe decisions need knowledge survivors likely lack
    Show the answer

    Safe decisions need knowledge survivors likely lack. The knowledge and skills needed to make a safe foraging decision are unlikely to be possessed in a survival situation.

  4. Why is positive thinking important in a survival situation?
    • It helps you keep trying different solutions
    • It makes food appear faster
    • It stops the weather from changing
    Show the answer

    It helps you keep trying different solutions. Being resourceful demands positivity; if one try fails, try again or think of another way.

  5. Why should you avoid unnecessary sweating in a survival situation?
    • It attracts too many animals
    • It wastes water your body needs
    • It makes your clothes too clean
    Show the answer

    It wastes water your body needs. The need for water means unnecessary water loss by perspiration should be avoided.

Now make it stick

Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.

This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 29 are in the game for members.

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