Camping Merit Badge Answers: A ScoutSmarts Guide

If you’re wanting to earn the Eagle-required Camping merit badge, you’re in the right place! In this guide, I’ll be providing you with all of the answers that you’ll need to complete your merit badge worksheet. In the process, you’ll also build a lifelong understanding of outdoor techniques to prepare you for any backpacking trek or campout!

You’ve reached part 2 of my ultimate guide to the Camping merit badge! If you’re new to ScoutSmarts, you should first check out part 1 for the answers to requirements 1-4 of the Camping merit badge.

If you’ve just come over from part one, congratulations! You’re halfway done. Once you finish this badge, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge needed to safely and comfortably camp in almost any situation. Give yourself a big pat on the back. 🙂

It’s time to get back into it! Take a minute to closely review and think through requirements 5-10 of the Camping merit badge:

What Are The Camping Merit Badge Answers?

5. Do the following:
   a. Prepare a list of clothing you would need for overnight campouts in both warm and cold weather. Explain the term “layering.”
   b. Discuss footwear for different kinds of weather and how the right footwear is important for protecting your feet.
   c. Explain the proper care and storage of camping equipment (clothing, footwear, bedding).
   d. List the outdoor essentials necessary for any campout, and explain why each item is needed.
   e. Present yourself to your Scoutmaster with your pack for inspection. Be correctly clothed and equipped for an overnight campout.
6. Do the following:
   a. Describe the features of four types of tents, when and where they could be used, and how to care for tents. Working with another Scout, pitch a tent.
   b. Discuss the importance of camp sanitation and tell why water treatment is essential. Then demonstrate two ways to treat water.
   c. Describe the factors to be considered in deciding where to pitch your tent.
   d. Tell the difference between internal- and external-frame packs. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
   e. Discuss the types of sleeping bags and what kind would be suitable for different conditions. Explain the proper care of your sleeping bag and how to keep it dry. Make a comfortable ground bed.
7. Prepare for an overnight campout with your patrol by doing the following:
   a. Make a checklist of personal and patrol gear that will be needed.
   b. Pack your own gear and your share of the patrol equipment and food for proper carrying. Show that your pack is right for quickly getting what is needed first, and that it has been assembled properly for comfort, weight, balance, size, and neatness.
8. Do the following:
   a. Explain the safety procedures for:
   —I) Using a propane or butane/propane stove
   —II)Using a liquid fuel stove
   —III) Proper storage of extra fuel
   b. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of lightweight cooking stoves.
   c. Prepare a camp menu. Explain how the menu would differ from a menu for a backpacking or float trip. Give recipes and make a food list for your patrol. Plan two breakfasts, three lunches, and two suppers. Discuss how to protect your food against bad weather, animals, and contamination.
   d. While camping in the outdoors, cook at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner for your patrol from the meals you have planned for requirement 8c. At least one of those meals must be a trail meal requiring the use of a lightweight stove.
9. Show experience in camping by doing the following:
   a. Camp a total of at least 20 nights at designated Scouting activities or events.* One long-term camping experience of up to six consecutive nights may be applied toward this requirement. Sleep each night under the sky or in a tent you have pitched. If the camp provides a tent that has already been pitched, you need not pitch your own tent.
   b. On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision:
   —I) Hike up a mountain where, at some point, you are at least 1,000 feet higher in elevation from where you started.
   —II) Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles.
   —III) Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.
   —IV) Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.
   —V) Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience.
   —VI) Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more.
   c) Perform a conservation project approved by the landowner or land managing agency. This can be done alone or with others.
10. Discuss how the things you did to earn this badge have taught you about personal health and safety, survival, public health, conservation, and good citizenship. In your discussion, tell how Scout spirit and the Scout Oath and Scout Law apply to camping and outdoor ethics.

Camping Merit Badge Requirement 5:

5a) Prepare a list of clothing you would need for overnight campouts in both warm and cold weather. Explain the term “layering.”

An important part of being prepared is making sure to pack the right amount of clothing to remain comfortable in any environment. Being too cold on a campout is the worst! On the other hand, you don’t want to overpack and need to carry all that heavy gear around. In this section, I’ll be teaching you the best items to pack for both cold and warm campouts!

Packing for Warm Campouts

In warm, sunny environments, I’d recommend packing the following articles of clothing:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• A light rain jacket or poncho (You never know when the weather could change)

• Suitable footwear
• Extra socks and underwear
• An extra towel (For sun protection or swimming)
• Light, breathable shirts (like a tank top or dry-fit shirt)

Personally, whenever I go camping, I always bring a wide-brimmed hat, a light jacket, a rain jacket, and a pair of extra warm socks. These are items that I find myself using practically every time — regardless of whether the campout is in warm or cold weather! Speaking of cold weather…

Packing for Cold Campouts

In cold, windy environments, I’d recommend packing the following articles of clothing:

• A warm beanie or cap
• A puffy coat or jacket that can protect you from the windchill
• A rain jacket or poncho
• Extra-warm socks (in a pinch, just wear 2-3 pairs at once!)

• Warm long-sleeved shirts
• Gloves or mittens
• Long underwear or thermals
• Clothing that you can easily add or remove for layering

During cold campouts, you’ll obviously need more than just a t-shirt to stay warm. This is why the beanie, socks, and gloves are so useful! In most cases, your body’s warmth will escape from your head, hands, and feet. So, having these articles of clothing will help you to trap in heat. Another way to trap heat close to your body is called layering.

What Is Layering?

Layering means wearing multiple articles of clothing over each other so that you can achieve the right level of warmth. For example, wearing a t-shirt, light jacket, hoodie, and then a waterproof snow jacket over all of that would be considered layering!

Layering can help you to keep warm because your body will heat the inner layers, and you’ll be insulated from the cold by the outside layers. You can even remove or add clothing if you begin to overheat or get too cold. Basically, layering is a great way to easily and precisely control your body’s temperature! 🙂

5b) Discuss footwear for different kinds of weather and how the right footwear is important for protecting your feet.

When determining the right footwear to take on a camp, the main thing you should consider is the environment you’ll be heading into. Does the weather report predict rain? How cold will it get at night? Will it be sunny so that my shoes can dry if they get wet? These are all very important questions to ask yourself when choosing the right camping footwear!

When deciding on what footwear you’ll pack for camp, I’d highly suggest speaking to your Patrol Leader, SPL, or Scoutmaster and asking them their opinion. It’s likely they’ve been on the camp before, and can give you some great pointers! To serve as a general guideline though, below are the best types of footwear for different weather conditions:

• In wet, humid environments: You’ll need to pack light shoes that can be dried quickly and are resistant to moisture damage.
  • Slow-drying shoes can mean an increased chance of blisters and foot infections.
  • I’d suggest packing a few pairs of extra socks as well.
• In icy environments with snow: you’ll need warm, water-resistant boots with strong traction.
  • Slipping and cold feet will probably be your biggest concerns.
  • If you’ll be hiking in the snow, I’d suggest using crampons (Amazon link to show you what crampons look like).
• In cold, damp environments: You’ll want to pack insulated, warm, waterproof shoes that will stand up to the outdoor conditions.
  • Sturdy waterproof boots are ideal for these kinds of conditions, as they’ll keep your feet dry and warm.
• In warm, mild environments: A light, breathable pair of canvas or hiking shoes will be fine.
  • If your troop allows it, you may also want to bring a pair of slippers or sandals to use around camp so that you’ll have a change of footwear if your feet start to get too hot.

Another thing to consider when choosing the right footwear is the type of physical activity your troop will be doing. Will you be running, playing sports, or hiking? If so, you’ll need supportive shoes that can stand up to these tasks. I don’t know what your troop will be doing, so seriously, talk to your Scoutmaster to hear what they recommend. 😉

Failing to choose the right footwear is one of the biggest mistakes that inexperienced campers make. If you’re looking to buy a new pair of footwear for Scouting, there are some key things you must know! To learn more, check out my Complete Guide To Choosing Scouting Footwear.

5c) Explain the proper care and storage of camping equipment (clothing, footwear, bedding).

Keeping your equipment properly cared for will prolong its usability and save you a lot of money in the long run! Proper care means emptying, cleaning, washing, and drying your gear following each campout. After your gear has been cleaned, it should be stored dry and out of direct sunlight, in an area free of pests.

Quick tips when caring for camping gear:

• Funky odors are caused by bacteria. You can reduce the smell and kill the bacteria by washing your equipment and then leaving it in direct sunlight to dry (not for thin/sensitive gear)!
• Always shake out bedding and sleeping mats to remove any twigs, bugs, or debris. These could damage your equipment and cause punctures while in storage.
• If your clothes really smell, you can place them in a bucket filled with a 1/2 cup of baking soda and water overnight. This will eliminate smells like smoke or sweat!
• After washing my shoes with a hose, I always removed the insoles and left them out in the sun to dry. Doing this airs your shoes out and the sunlight kills the bacteria, which beats tossing your dirty shoes into the washing machine.

5d) List the outdoor essentials necessary for any campout, and explain why each item is needed.

Outdoor essentials can vary based on the nature of your camping environment. Once you’ve been camping for some time, you’ll have a better sense of what equipment you commonly use and what to bring. However, the BSA says that 10 essentials should always be on your packing list. These items are known as the 10 Outdoor essentials. Here they are:

The BSA’s 10 Outdoor Essentials

1. A Map and Compass (Or some other navigation method)
2. A Headlamp
3. Sun protection
4. A First aid kit
5. A Pocket Knife or Multitool
6. Firestarter
7. A Tent, Tarp, or Other Form of Shelter
8. Extra Food
9. Extra Water or a Water Purifier
10. Extra Clothes and Raingear

I don’t want this article to be too long, as you probably already have a pretty good idea of what gear you take along to campouts. However, for a complete checklist of my favorite 21 essentials to bring camping (and some additional items to impress your friends), check out my Essential Scout Camp Packing List!

5e) Present yourself to your Scoutmaster with your pack for inspection. Be correctly clothed and equipped for an overnight campout.

If you’ve read the previous sections along with part 1 of my guide to the Camping merit badge, by now you should be prepared for an overnight campout. Pack your bag according to the above checklist, look sharp wearing your class-A uniform, and get ready for an amazing camping trip! You’re ready. 🙂

Camping Merit Badge Requirement 6:

6a) Describe the features of four types of tents, when and where they could be used, and how to care for tents. Working with another Scout, pitch a tent.

In this day and age, there are thousands of brands and varieties of tents out there. However, almost all tents can be grouped into 1 of 4 categories based on their shape. Here are the 4 different types of tents: A-Frame tents, Pyramid tents, Hoop tents, and Dome tents. In this section, I’ll be explaining each of the 4 tent types in a bit more detail!

A-Frame Tent

• A-Frame tents: A-Frame tents take on a triangular, “Letter-A” shape and are often supported by a pole on each end. These tents tend to have ample floor area, but not a lot of air space, as the sides slope inward in a triangle shape. These are the tents my troop used, and are generally a popular, inexpensive option for camping!

Dome Tents

• Dome tents: Another very popular type of tent, dome tents are usually made with poles that criss-cross over their middle in a “dome” shape. These types of tents are strong and spacious, so they’re a great option for most conditions. In fact, my current tent is a dome tent!

Hoop Tents

• Hoop tents: Hoop tents create their frame by bending poles in a half-circle and connecting their sidewalls to those poles (the image is a very large hoop tent; most look like that but are smaller). Therefore, most hoop tents only consist of 2 or 3 long poles.

Pyramid Tents

• Pyramid tents: Pyramid tents are supported in their middle by a single pole, with the tent’s fabric being pulled out and pegged on each of its sides. From what I’ve seen, pyramid tents aren’t too popular as a smaller tent type, since the central pole can get in the way. However, I’ve made this structure with a tarp and a hiking pole while backpacking, and it works pretty well in a pinch!

Tents should be pitched away from places where water may pool, in areas clear of roots and sharp sticks. Make sure to never pitch your tent under dead or dry trees, as in heavy winds branches could fall and injure you. After a camp, tents should be cleaned, fully dried, and stored in a cool environment until their next use.

How To Care For Your Tent

An important part of camping is properly caring for your tent after you’re all finished. Remember, you’ll need to sleep in your tent again on the next campout, so you want to make sure it’s kept in great condition!

To keep your tent in great condition, here are a few keys to keep in mind:

• Always make sure your tent is completely dry before storing it. A wet tent will grow mildew, stink, and fall apart much sooner. This is my most important tip, BY FAR.
• When using your tent, always use 2 hands when operating your zippers. Tents are designed to be taut and can tear if you carelessly pull on the zippers without bringing the fabric together.
• Never throw your tent into a washer or clean it with strong soaps. This can ruin the waterproofing. Instead, use water or mild dish soap.
• Never pitch a tent on sticks, sharp rocks, or jagged surfaces. Punctures are more likely than you’d expect.
• Shake your tent out before putting it away. Rolling it up with loose items can also lead to punctures.

After a while, your tent may become so dirty with sap, mud, and gunk that it may require a more complete clean. No worries! I’d recommend watching the quick video (1:52) below to learn how to conduct a thorough cleaning of any tent:

Being able to properly care for your tools isn’t just an important skill for camping — It’ll help you throughout the rest of your life as well! Proper tent maintenance will save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run, so make sure you do this step right. 🙂

6b) Discuss the importance of camp sanitation and tell why water treatment is essential. Then demonstrate two ways to treat water.

What does the Scout Law teach us? A Scout is clean! Camp sanitation is important in preventing foodborne illnesses and insect infestations. Unsanitary camp conditions can lead to consuming spoiled food, which may result in indigestion, food poisoning, or diarrhea.

Since drinking untreated water can cause illness, it’s important to purify it so that it’s suitable for human consumption. When camping, three methods of water purification are typically used:

• Boiling
• Iodine droplets
• Filtration

Demonstrating two of these purification methods should be fairly straightforward. Simply find some clear fresh water and boil it. Then, depending on your equipment, you can either drop an iodine tablet into your remaining water or run it through a pump filter.

When finding water to purify, it’s important to choose the cleanest source of water, possible. You should avoid trying to purify murky water unless it’s a last resort, and instead try to purify water from moving streams or large lakes. Also, keep in mind that boiling and iodine tablets won’t remove heavy sediment in your water, so always use a water filter, when possible.

6c) Describe the factors to be considered in deciding where to pitch your tent.

Tents should be pitched over debris-free areas on a slight incline. By doing this, in the event of heavy rains, the water will flow away from your tent rather than pooling where you sleep. Also, avoid pitching your tent in a sensitive meadow area and instead, place it on short grass or insensitive ground. Move any branches too, as these could puncture the floor of your tent.

For your own safety, always pitch your tent with a side wall facing into the wind. Never face your tent opening into the wind. Otherwise, your tent might be blown away! Especially in heavy winds, be careful of camping under trees, as their falling branches could be dangerous and unpredictable.

6d) Tell the difference between internal- and external-frame packs. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Both internal and external frame backpacks come with a metal frame to support your back while hiking. However, an internal frame pack has the frame built into the backpack and is more form-fitting. On the other hand, an external frame pack has a metal frame on the outside of the bag which can be used for attaching gear or distributing weight.

External-Frame Backpacks

External-frame packs tend to leave a space between the bag and your body which provides a cooling airflow. These bags pull your center of gravity backward and are good for hiking groomed trails where you often need to redistribute weight among different parts of your back. However, external-frame packs are bulky and can snag easily. Therefore, these bags may not be ideal for difficult trails.

Internal-Frame Backpacks

Internal-frame packs have recently become more popular, as they sit closer to your back and have less risk of snagging. These bags push your center of gravity forward, which helps with your stability but may feel uncomfortable during flat, easy hikes. Internal-frame packs are also typically more expensive than external-frame but are well-suited for maneuvering challenging trails.

6e) Discuss the types of sleeping bags and what kind would be suitable for different conditions. Explain the proper care of your sleeping bag and how to keep it dry. Make a comfortable ground bed.

There are many different types of sleeping bag styles such as the rectangular sleeping bag, barrel-shaped sleeping bag, and mummy sleeping bag. However, these bag-type differences are usually not too important. Since sleeping bags can differ by brand, the main things to look out for are the bag material, temperature rating, and care instructions.

However, if you’d like to see the different styles of sleeping bags to better fulfill the requirement, check out the informative video (2:31) below. At the 50-second mark, you’ll get a great walkthrough of the sleeping bag styles I mentioned earlier:

The most important thing to consider when purchasing a sleeping bag is the temperature that you’ll be using it in. Each sleeping bag comes with a temperature rating at which it will be most effectively used. Assess the conditions that you’ll be camping in, and pick a lightweight bag most suitable to your needs.

To keep your sleeping bag in good condition, you should avoid using it on rough, uncovered ground. Sleeping bags should be cleaned often, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and be stored dry. A good sleeping bag can easily last you your entire Scouting career!

Camping Merit Badge Requirement 7:

Prepare for an overnight campout with your patrol by doing the following:
7a) Make a checklist of personal and patrol gear that will be needed.
7b) Pack your own gear and your share of the patrol equipment and food for proper carrying. Show that your pack is right for quickly getting what is needed first, and that it has been assembled properly for comfort, weight, balance, size, and neatness. 

Here’s a great example checklist for camping gear, but I’d encourage you to create your own based on your past experience.

When packing your gear for a campout, you should always place the items you’ll need sooner, closer to the top of your bag. This way, you won’t waste time looking through your pack when you’re retrieving something you know you’ll need! Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to do this, I’ll teach you a great trick that I use. 😉

Here’s the trick: Before packing, take the time to think through exactly what you’ll be doing as you arrive at your campsite. Close your eyes if it helps, and just walk yourself through the day of the camp. Often, this is how it’ll go:

1. First, you’ll hike in
2. You’ll pitch your tent
3. Then, you’ll make dinner
4. After that, you’ll get changed
5. Finally, you might have some free time

Therefore, you should pack your bag in the following order, from top to bottom:

• You should have water and snacks near the top of your bag (for the hike)
• Below that, pack your tent supplies (for camp setup)
• Then, pack your cooking supplies (for dinner)
• Under that, pack your change of clothes
• Finally, pack whatever you’ll need during your free time at the bottom of your pack (like your Scout handbook to work on requirements).

While packing things in the order that you’ll need them is a good rule of thumb for most items, there’s one exception to keep in mind. Items that are used in emergencies should always be easily accessible from your pack, even if you don’t think you’ll need them. Here are some items that should always be kept within reach:

• A First-Aid Kit
• Water
• A Backpack Rain Cover and Rain Jacket
• Your Pocket Knife

Camping Merit Badge Requirement 8:

8a) Explain the safety procedures for:
—I) Using a propane or butane/propane stove
—II) Using a liquid fuel stove
—III) Proper storage of extra fuel

Fuel-powered stoves are one of the most important tools your troop will be bringing along to campouts. That’s why, it’s important to learn how camping stoves work, as well as how to be safe while using one!

Before we dive into how to properly use different types of camping stoves, I’d highly recommend watching the informative video (5:12) below. In it, you’ll learn about the types of fuel available, as well as how to choose the best-suited stove for your campout. 🙂

Hopefully, you now have a good idea of the types of stoves that are out there! What kind of stove does your troop use? Mine used a 2-burner propane stove. In the next section, I’ll be giving you a few tips so that you can safely use any type of camp stove!

8a-I) Using a Propane or Butane/Propane Stove

There are always risks involved when working with an open flame, so be sure to set up your stove away from anything that may catch fire. When working with propane, it’s easy to have your flame set too high, which will waste fuel. The ideal setting is for the flame to burn blue and hug the bottom of your pan, not for it to go up the sides.

Here are a few more tips to keep in mind when using a propane or butane stove:

• Make sure to set your stove up on a level surface that’s clear of debris.
• Don’t run your stove on plastic surfaces. In my troop, our patrol accidentally melted the top of a plastic table after cooking for about 30 minutes. 🙁
• Avoid running your propane stove if it’s exposed to strong winds. Often, stoves have side barriers that can block strong breezes.
• Roll up any loose or flowy clothing while cooking, as that could be a fire hazard.
• Propane stoves should always be used in open-air, with lots of exposure to fresh oxygen.
• Never leave your stove unattended while on.
• After you’re done cooking, be sure to fully switch off the gas before disconnecting it from the stove.

Also, these stoves need to be connected to a propane canister, so always check if the connections are fully tightened. This can be done by applying soapy water to the areas where the canister is fastened. Small bubbles should form if the canister is not securely sealed. If the seals are not fully connected, you should also smell the propane (a rotten egg-like scent).

8a-II) Using a liquid fuel stove

Liquid fuel stoves are pretty similar to propane stoves so you should follow the same safety procedures. However, these stoves are often smaller and can be a little bit harder to use, as they need to be primed before lighting. Here’s how to prime a liquid fuel stove:

1. Connect the liquid fuel canister to your stove.
2. Open the canister to release a little bit of fuel into the burner.
3. Then, close the canister and light the burner.
4. Once lit for a few minutes and warmed up, slowly reopen the fuel canister.

On second thought, if you’ve never used a liquid fuel stove before, these instructions might not make too much sense… Not to worry, though! Here’s a quick and helpful video (2:48) that will visually guide you through the entire process of priming and lighting a liquid fuel stove:

Liquid fuel stoves may be more difficult to use, but perform better than propane stoves in cold weather, and can also be refilled. This makes these types of stoves great for long backpacking trips where you’re trying to be more fuel-efficient to keep your pack weight low. As with all stoves, keep the fuel bottle is kept as far away from the flames as possible.

8a-III) Proper storage of extra fuel

I shouldn’t need to say this, but fuel is extremely flammable! Do not leave your fuel anywhere near a campfire. Make sure to regularly check for leaks, and monitor the level of your remaining fuel. Store your fuel at room temperature and refill the tanks, when necessary. Doing so will ensure that you have ample fuel for your next campout!

8b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of lightweight cooking stoves.

A few different types of cooking stoves are white gas stoves, kerosene stoves, cartridge stoves, and propane tank stoves:

• White gas stoves: Strong but volatile. These will give you a lot of fuel without taking up too much pack space. Most white gas stoves are prohibited on airplanes and ferries.
• Kerosene stoves: A type of liquid fuel stove. Hot burning but must be preheated before use.
• Cartridge stoves: Very portable and easy to use. Simply attach your canister, turn the knob and light your burner. Less fuel capacity than other types of stoves but great for quick, solo backpacking trips.
• Propane tank stoves: Typically has more burners, but the propane fuel can be quite bulky. These stoves work well for long, single-location camps where there’s a vehicle nearby.

8c) Prepare a camp menu. Explain how the menu would differ from a menu for a backpacking or float trip. Give recipes and make a food list for your patrol. Plan two breakfasts, three lunches, and two suppers. Discuss how to protect your food against bad weather, animals, and contamination.

If you want some help with this, I’d recommend checking out my guide to the Cooking merit badge. In it, you’ll learn useful cooking techniques and discover a few example dishes that you can consider making yourself. Otherwise, you could also use your troop’s prior camp menus for inspiration!

I’d suggest asking your patrol what they want to eat so that everyone’s happy with your meal choices. My troop always cooked hamburgers or hot dogs after setting up on the first night, as those are some of the easiest, most inexpensive outdoor meals. If you’d like some more ideas, here is a great website of simple camping recipes.

Camp Food Safety

Food should always be stored in some sort of container so that it does not become contaminated or attract animals. Practice general food safety rules like not leaving meat out and keeping perishables on ice. Avoiding cross-contaminating meat and vegetables by cleaning knives between uses. When disposing of food, either place it in a tied-off trash bag or far away from camp so as not to attract wildlife.

8d) While camping in the outdoors, cook at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner for your patrol from the meals you have planned for requirement 8c. At least one of those meals must be a trail meal requiring the use of a lightweight stove.

After preparing your camp menu, it’s time to start cooking! Work with your fellow patrol members to prepare a meal using a lightweight stove. I’d recommend checking out this Nonstick Pan + Mess Kit combo on Amazon. Being able to cook in your mess kit is a game-changer (and makes for fewer dishes to wash later on)!

Remember, you can check out the website I listed in requirement 8c for step-by-step recipes that could be completed on any campout. For more info on cooking, I’d also highly suggest checking out my complete guide to the Cooking merit badge. Good luck, I hope your dish tastes great! 🙂

Camping Merit Badge Requirement 9:

Show experience in camping by doing the following:
9a) Camp a total of at least 20 nights at designated Scouting activities or events. One long-term camping experience of up to six consecutive nights may be applied toward this requirement. Sleep each night under the sky or in a tent you have pitched. If the camp provides a tent that has already been pitched, you need not pitch your own tent.

There’s no quick way to complete this requirement. However, Scouts who attend most of their troop’s activities should be able to pretty easily camp for a total of 20 days within their first year and a half of Scouting. Remember, this is the fun part. Just stick with it, and you’ll get there in no time!

9b) On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision:
I) Hike up a mountain, gaining at least 1,000 vertical feet.
II) Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles.
III) Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.
IV) Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.
V) Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience.
VI) Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more.

I chose to do requirements I) and VI), but your troop may give you the opportunity to do any one of these activities! You probably won’t need to go out of your way to finish this one either, as most troops try to schedule activities so that their Scouts are able to earn their Eagle-required badges. Any one of these will be a tiring but unforgettable adventure! 🙂

9c) Perform a conservation project approved by the landowner or land managing agency. This can be done alone or with others.

This will most likely be completed as a troop community service project. If you’re not rushing to complete this badge, finishing up requirement 9 will seem more like a waiting game. Eventually, your troop will take you out to do these activities, or you’ll complete them during a longer seasonal camp. With that, you’ll be set to earn your camping merit badge!

Camping Merit Badge Requirement 10:

10) Discuss how the things you did to earn this badge have taught you about personal health and safety, survival, public health, conservation, and good citizenship. In your discussion, tell how Scout spirit and the Scout Oath and Law apply to camping and outdoor ethics.

This one is on you! Testing your limits and improvising while camping is a great way to build character and develop your skills. What did you learn? Take a second to ask yourself the following questions and think through your answers.

• What were some of the things you did in earning this badge?
• What were some of your favorite moments while camping?
• How did you show Scout spirit in overcoming the outdoor challenges you encountered?
• What are some responsibilities that Scouts have to the outdoors while camping?
• Do you like camping any more now than when you started?

Once you’ve finished the other requirements, be sure to thoughtfully discuss each of these points with your counselor. A lot of learning comes from self-reflection, so by looking back on your camping experiences and recognizing everything you’ve accomplished, I’m sure you’ll gain a new appreciation for all the campouts you’ve been on. Great work! 🙂

Conclusion

Using the skills we’ve learned together in this guide, you’re now prepared to start camping like a true pro! Don’t be afraid to ask older Scouts or adult leaders for advice, as there’s always more to be learned when camping. Get out there, stay safe, but also remember to have fun!

If you found this post helpful, I’ve also written guides to many of the other Eagle-required merit badges. I’d definitely recommend checking out my comprehensive difficulty rankings for every Eagle-required merit badge if you haven’t seen it already. 

I hope this guide has helped you to answer every requirement of your merit badge worksheet in your own words! I’m looking forward to having you back at ScoutSmarts soon because I’m constantly uploading new articles to support Scouts like yourself. Until next time, best of luck on your Scouting journey!

(Click here to return to part 1 of my guide to the Camping merit badge!)

If you’re new to camping, or even just looking to upgrade your existing tent, it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out which of the many different types of tents will be suitable for your needs.

Gone are the days of the standard A-frame canvas tents and their heavy wooden poles. No longer do you need a whole team of helpers and a 50 page instruction manual to set up your tent. The tent industry has moved on leaps and bounds since then. And with all the convenience and technological advances offered by modern tents comes a whole world of decisions. Decisions that, quite frankly, can become a little off-putting, forcing would-be campers to opt for unsuitable tents, or worse still, throw in the towel and forget about camping altogether.

Hang on in there. Yes, there are loads of types of tents to choose from. But many of them can be immediately discounted, depending on your needs and wants.

Types of tents

Use the guide below to click straight through to the tent category that aligns with what type of camper you are. But before you delve straight into that, it’s useful to know what the most common shapes of tents are on offer, with the pros and cons of each shape. This will also help you figure out what sort of camping you are most likely to be doing if you’re not sure.

Common tent shapes

Before you get into the specific types of tents out there, take a look at the different tent shapes available. Many of the shapes cross over into multiple tent types.

Ask a kid to draw a tent and they’ll more often than not draw you a ridge tent – which is interesting as there aren’t many of them kicking around these days! Traditionally they comprised thick canvas stretched over a horizontal pole supported by a vertical pole at each end. Their stability largely relied upon the guylines and tie-outs, and how well they were placed.

These days, ridge tents have moved with the times and use lightweight aluminum poles and outer fly sheets made from waterproof polyester or nylon. Modern ridge tents are usually best suited to two people. So if you are looking for something bigger, bell tents are probably the nearest you will get to a large traditional ridge tent.

Pros

• Good at dealing with rain – no pooling on top
• Sturdy in bad weather (when put up well)
• Simple to set up

Cons

• Not very liveable due to lack of head room
• Usually heavy
• Not that easy to put up well

Together with tunnel tents, dome tents are one of the most common types of tents around. They are made up of two flexible poles that cross at the top of the dome and bend to be anchored to the floor on each of the four dome corners. Sometimes the poles are on the outside of the rainfly, but usually the rainfly sits over the top of the poles with an inner tent clipped to the underside of the poles.

Many dome tents will have a small porch area, and some designs have an extra pole to make the porch space bigger. Although available in many different sizes, dome tents are best suited to up to four people, as the bigger they are the more unstable they become.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Easy to put up and take down
• Lightweight
• Reasonably small pack down size
• Good headroom

Cons

• Not very stable in the wind or bad weather
• Very unstable in larger sizes
• Small porch/vestibule

These are great for larger groups and families as they provide lots of headroom and plenty of liveable space. They are made up of a series of flexible poles that loop from one side of the tent to the other to form a tunnel shape for the rainfly to attach to. They rely on guy lines to provide stability, and when put up well they can withstand bad weather reasonably well, especially the bigger models compared with dome tents.

Pros

• Easy to put up and take down
• Lots of liveable space
• Good headroom
• Great for larger groups
• Fairly stable in the wind – especially when pitched smartly depending on the wind direction

Cons

• Heavy – only for car camping
• Don’t deal well with heavy rain – water can pool on top of the rainfly between the poles

Since the dawn of the dome tent, designers have been constantly improving upon its basic structure to make it stronger and more able to stand up to the elements. The result is a geodesic tent, which is essentially a dome tent but with more poles. Generally speaking, the more poles that cross each other, the greater the stability of the tent. So as you can imagine, geodesic tents are better suited to camping out in the wilderness and for winter camping, than casual car camping. Because of this, they are generally higher quality (and higher priced) in every aspect.

Due to their focus on strength and stability, you don’t get many large geodesic tents, although they do exist. They are best suited to up to 4 people.

Pros

• Very stable in bad weather and high winds
• Durable and well made
• Good headroom
• Usually lightweight

Cons

• Pricey
• Can be slightly tricky to put up
• Not good for large groups

Cabin tents are usually made up of aluminum poles that fit together to create the frame of what looks like a cabin! A waterproof polyester, nylon or sometimes canvas rainfly encases the frame to form the walls and roof of your cabin which provides loads of liveable space that you can usually stand up in. Cabin tents are often divided into rooms with internal dividers, making them the perfect choice for family camping.

They tend to be fairly cheap, in both price and quality, and aren’t renowned for their ability to withstand bad weather. Ideal for fair weather camping.

Pros

• Spacious
• Inexpensive
• Great for families and large groups
• You can stand up in them!

Cons

• Heavy
• Complicated to set up
• Cheaply made

These are the most simple tent shape that usually comprise of a single central pole with a rainfly draped over the top and staked down at the corners/edges of the fly. Guylines and stakes play a very important part in providing stability to pyramid tents, and as with ridge tents, the bigger they are the less stable they become.

There are lots of lightweight models popping up these days that are bordering on tarp-like setups, but traditionally they were made of thick canvas or hide supported by heavy wooden poles (think tipi and bell tents).

Pros

• Very simple to set up
• Modern versions can be very lightweight
• Very stable in bad weather (If pitched well)

Cons

• The lack of vertical walls means that headspace and storage space is limited
• They don’t usually have a built-in groundsheet

3 types of tents for families, festival and car camping

If the relative comfort of car camping is your thing, and you find yourself spending lots of weekends through the summer settling into camp life, then get yourself a decent family tent with multiple rooms.

But if you’re a festival frequenter, you may be better off going for something smaller and less expensive like a pop-up tent.

Multi room tents

These are perfect for family camping or when camping with a large group. If you are car camping for more than a couple of days, then a multi-room tent is a good idea, even if you only have a small family. Many families of 4 will opt for a tent that can accommodate 8 or 10 people to enjoy the extra space and privacy.

Read about the Ozark Trail Base Camp in our:
Guide to Multi-room Tents

Tent capacity: 4 – 10

Most common shape: Cabin or tunnel

Desirable features:

• Big enough to stand up in
• Multiple entrances
• Large porch/vestibule
• Lots of storage space and pockets
• Internal room dividers

Inflatable tent

A relative newcomer to the tent scene is the inflatable tent. Although not suited to all camping scenarios, inflatable tents are ideal for family camping and festivals when minimum pitch time is key.

Read about the Heimplanet Cave in our:
Guide to Inflatable Tents

Tent capacity: 1 – 10

Most common shape: Cabin, tunnel or geodesic

Desirable features:

• Easy to put up and take down
• Very packable
• Lots of inflatable beams (instead of poles)
• Comes with a pump and a repair kit!

Pop up/instant tent

The ultimate festival tent is the pop up tent which, yes you guessed it, can be set up instantly! They are usually cheaply made, not renowned for standing up to bad weather and the larger they are the more unstable they become. But for those camping infrequently in summer conditions, the simple, inexpensive setup of the pop up tent is ideal.

Find more options in our
Guide to pop up tents

Tent capacity: 1 -6

Most common shape: Dome or tunnel

Desirable features:

• Inexpensive
• Lightweight
• Mega easy and quick to put up and take down
• A porch
• Good ventilation

3 types of tents for wild camping and hiking

Are the mountains calling? If so then you’ll need to take your accommodation with you. And it needs to be bombproof in bad weather.

Backpacking tent

These are designed to be carried and lived in for multiple days in the middle of nowhere. So they need to lightweight, strong, able to withstand the elements and also spacious and comfortable to live in. Not much to ask!

Read about the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 in our:
Guide to Lightweight Backpacking Tents

Tent capacity: 1 – 3

Most common shape: Geodesic or tunnel

Desirable features:

• Lightweight
• Small when packed down
• Able to withstand bad weather
• A small vestibule/porch
• Two entrances
• Easy to put up and take down
• Good ventilation

Bivy tent

For solo wild campers and hikers who want to carry as little weight as possible, bivvy tents are ideal. They provide just enough protection from the elements to stay dry and are very low profile – great for stealth camping.

Read more about this type of tent in our
Guide to bivying

Tent capacity: 1

Most common shape: Tunnel, or ridge

Desirable features:

• Lightweight
• Easy to put up and take down
• Small when packed down
• Built-in bug net
• Good ventilation

Hammock tent

This is essentially a bivy tent suspended off the ground! It is ideal for those camping in forested areas where sleeping on the ground is not possible due to wet ground or swamps, rocky or uneven ground, or dense undergrowth. It is also good for people who seek a little more comfort sleeping when roughing it in the wild.

Read about the Kammok Sunda in our:
Guide to Hammock Camping

Tent capacity: 1

Most common shape: Tunnel or ridge

Desirable features:

• Lightweight
• Very easy to put up and take down
• Small when packed down
• Built-in bug net
• Comes with suspension straps

2 types of tents for luxury camping and glamping

If you want to take car camping to the next level for a lifetime of camping comfort and luxury then you’ll need to upgrade your tent too. Something solid, durable and spacious is needed. And if it looks fabulous then that’s great too!

Bell tents

These are the perfect glamping tent. They ooze class, offer warmth and comfort and bags of liveable space inside them. They are made of thick canvas and usually have a central pole with other supporting poles and plenty of guylines to make them super strong in bad weather.

Read more about the joys of glamping in our
Guide to canvas tents

Tent capacity: 2- 10

Most common shape: Pyramid

Desirable features:

• Excellent quality
• Durable
• One or two central poles
• Port for wood stove flue pipe
• Strong and plentiful guylines and stakes
• Large zippered door (ideally with bug net)

Tipi

The traditional tipi tent is heavy and not very transportable – more like a semi-permanent cabin. However, in recent years more portable models have been popping up all over the place. From ultralight winter shelters to large 10 person glamping tipis.

Read more about the joys of glamping in our
Guide to luxury tents

Tent capacity: 2 – 10

Most common shape: Pyramid

Desirable features:

• Ventilation at the top
• Port for wood stove flue pipe
• Good guylines and stakes
• Single central pole

4 types of specialist tents

There are times when one of the above tents just won’t cut it. Maybe you need some shade at the beach, or some sheltered communal space at the campground? Or perhaps you want to take your camping escapades to higher places? Thankfully, there’s a tent for almost all occasions it seems! Here are your options.

Canopy

Whether it’s shelter from the rain or sun, having a canopy when camping in group makes outdoor living much more comfortable, and sociable.

Read about the Big Agnes Three Forks Shelter in our:
Guide to Beach Tents

Tent capacity: However many you can cram underneath it!

Most common shape: Cabin or dome

Desirable features:

• Easy to put up and take down
• Waterproof
• Good guylines and stakes for windy conditions
• Take off side panels

Beach tent

Days at the beach are so much more pleasant when you’ve got yourself a sheltered base to come back to. Get settled into the shelter of a beach tent and there’ll be no more gritty sandwiches from sand blowing in them, and less sunscreen reapplication.

Read about the Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent Sun Shelter in our:
Guide to Beach Tents

Tent capacity: 1 – 6

Most common shape: Dome or geodesic

Desirable features:

• UV protection
• Sand pockets for staking it out
• Mesh windows
• Built-in floor

Suspended tents

Having a tented home up in the skies may be something of a niche way to camp, but the fun factor sure goes up a notch! These tents are not light to transport and good trees are required for anchor points. Otherwise, suspended tents offers regular campers the chance to camp in places that would otherwise be impossible to camp in.

Read about the Tensile Stingray in our:
Guide to Hammock Camping

Tent capacity: 1 – 4

Most common shape: Geodesic

Desirable features:

• Storage space
• Rainfly
• Suspension straps
• Able to hold loads of up to 400lbs
• Mesh doors

Roof top tents

If you’re more of a road-tripping kind of camper then having your tent on the roof of your car is most certainly a sensible and exciting way to camp. And although you only tend to see roof top tents atop of burly 4×4’s, most cars with roof bars can handle having a tent full of campers on top of them.

Read more about this type of tent in our
Guide to car top tents

Tent capacity: 1 – 4

Most common shape: Cabin

Desirable features:

• Easily pops up and folds down
• Access ladder
• Mesh windows and doors
• Rainfly

So there you have it. There really is a different type of tent for every camping occasion. And there are still a few very niche types of tents that we didn’t include in this guide, like beach tents for dogs, shower tents and tent cots! Whatever tent you choose, may it last you many happy years of camping out under the stars and enjoying our wonderful world outdoors.

Happy camping!

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