Wilderness Survival Merit Badge

Wilderness Survival and the Trail to Eagle

Wilderness Survival is an elective merit badge. It is not required for any rank, but it can count as one of the 8 elective badges a scout needs for Eagle, alongside the 13 Eagle-required badges. Elective badges are also where most scouts discover hobbies and careers, so choose ones you are genuinely curious about. Browse the complete merit badge list to compare options.

Wilderness Survival Merit Badge Requirements

Summary of the 12 main requirements for Wilderness Survival. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.

1
Do the following:
1. a.Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while participating in wilderness survival activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, or lessen these hazards.
2. b.Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could occur in backcountry settings.
2
From memory, list the seven priorities for survival in a backcountry or wilderness location. Explain the importance of each one with your counselor.
3
Discuss ways to avoid panic and maintain a high level of morale when lost, and explain why this is important.
4
Describe the steps you would take to survive in the following exposure conditions: cold and snowy, wet, hot and dry, windy, at or on the water.
5
Put together a personal survival kit and explain how each item in it could be useful.
6
Using three different methods (other than matches), build and light three fires.
7
Do the following:
1. a.Show five different ways to attract attention when lost.
2. b.Demonstrate how to use a signal mirror.
3. c.Describe from memory five ground-to-air signals and tell what they mean.
8
Improvise a natural shelter. For the purpose of this demonstration, use techniques that have little negative impact on the environment. Spend a night in your shelter.
9
Explain how to protect yourself from insects, reptiles, bears, and other animals of the local region.
10
Demonstrate three ways to treat water found in the outdoors to prepare it for drinking.
11
Show that you know the proper clothing to wear while in the outdoors during extremely hot and cold weather and during wet conditions.
12
Explain why it usually is not wise to eat edible wild plants or wildlife in a wilderness survival situation.

Merit badge names and emblems are trademarks of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America). Eagle Compass is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scouting America. Requirements are summarized for planning purposes; the official requirements are authoritative.

How to Earn the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge

1. Get a blue card and a counselor

Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Wilderness Survival, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.

2. Plan around the setting

Wilderness Survival is usually earned summer camp or outdoor event. Summer camp and merit badge weekends are the most common places to finish it.

3. Budget the time

Expect about 2 weeks for a challenging badge like this one. Working with a partner or at a merit badge clinic can shorten it.

4. Track every requirement

Keep notes as you complete each item so your counselor can sign off without re-doing work. Eagle Compass tracks all 17 Wilderness Survival requirements for you.

Wilderness Survival Merit Badge FAQ

Is the Wilderness Survival merit badge required for Eagle Scout?

No. Wilderness Survival is an elective merit badge. It can count as one of the 8 elective badges needed for Eagle Scout, alongside the 13 Eagle-required badges.

How long does the Wilderness Survival merit badge take?

Most scouts finish Wilderness Survival in about 2 weeks, depending on counselor availability and how the requirements are scheduled.

Where do scouts usually earn the Wilderness Survival merit badge?

Wilderness Survival is most often earned summer camp or outdoor event. Any registered merit badge counselor for Wilderness Survival can sign off requirements.