CAMPING MERIT BADGE WORKSHEET

Name: ______Date: ______To complete this worksheet put your answers on separate paper, linking your responses to the questions, and turn this worksheet and your answers in to your counselor. In addition to the information from the merit badge session(s) you may use the merit badge pamphlet for your answers. 1) When going camping/hiking why tell someone where you are going and when you will be back? 2) Camp set-up: a) Diagram a proper campsite showing how you would position the cooking, sleeping, food storage and bathroom areas in relation to the water source (stream or creek). b) How would you safeguard the food overnight? c) What is meant by the term “widow-maker” d) What are important terrain features to consider when picking a campsite? 3) First aid: List 10 items that should be included in a first aid kit for the group and 5 items each person should carry in their individual kit. 4) Equipment: a) Clothing: (1) What is meant by the term “cotton kills”? (2) What is “layering” (3) What are the advantages/disadvantages of a rain-suit vs. a poncho? (4) Why should you wear a full brim hat instead of a “baseball cap” (5) Why should you not wear “flip-flops” on a scout outing? What should you bring instead? b) Tents: (1) Explain the term “vestibule” as it relates to tents & rainflys (2) Why is it important to have a rainfly that covers the entire tent and can be staked close to the ground? (3) Why is it important to have a ground cloth under your tent? What happens if the ground cloth extends out past the tent and it rains? c) Sleeping bags: (1) List the advantages and disadvantages of bags with synthetic, down, and cotton fill. (2) Explain what is meant when a bag is labeled “20 degree bag”. What degree bag is best for general hiking/camping, and why? (3) Why should you have a “mummy” bag instead of a rectangular bag? d) Stoves: (1) What are the two main types of lightweight white gas single burner stoves? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? (2) When would you use a propane stove? (3) What safety issues have to be considered when using a stove? e) What are the differences between internal frame and external frame packs, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? 5) List six misc. items each person should have with them on every trip in addition to clothing, tent, backpack, sleeping bag, stove, food, and first aid kit.