Merit Badge Programs

Girl_RappelOct05Climbing Merit Badge

The Climbing Merit Badge program can take place in one or two days. If you have skilled “knotters,” one day may be enough time on the rope to practice the other required skills. Your younger scouts may need the extra time with their knots before they can advance to the climbing activities. Or your scouts may just enjoy their on-belay and not want to leave the cliff!
  • Present yourself properly for belaying, climbing and rappelling.
  • Discuss safety, types of climbing and route classifications.
  • Demonstrate your knowledge of proper verbal signals for climbing, rappelling and bouldering.
  • Discuss and demonstrate proper rope handling skills.
  • Demonstrate the ability to tie several different knots and explain their use.
  • Correctly put on a commercially made harness or a tied harness.
  • Explain the importance of belaying and demonstrate proper belay techniques on ascending and descending climbers.
  • Demonstrate set up and rappelling techniques.
Scouts must have First Aid Badge to complete the entire Climbing Merit Badge checklist.

Whitewater Merit Badge

Our Whitewater Merit Badge program can take place in one or two days. For the full-experience, try our Upper/Lower New River Two-day Package. Your scouts will see the river from duckies on day one, getting a close-up view of the river. On day two, your scouts will see more aggressive rapids and more distinct river features. If you don’t have the time, you can do the crash course Lower New River package that includes the more difficult river section in full size rafts.
  • Identify and explain the use of safety equipment on the river.
  • Explain the International Scale of Difficulty and apply the scale to the stretch of river where you are. Identify special characteristics of the river that are factors in your classification.
  • Explain how to scout and read the river both while afloat and from shore.
  • Identify paddles designed for white water rafting and explain their special characteristics.
  • Discuss inflatable boats on moving water.
  • Participate in a 1-day white water rafting trip.
Scouts must have First Aid and Canoe Merit Badge to complete the entire Whitewater Merit Badge checklist.