All privately or publicly owned backcountry land and designated wildernesses are included in the term “wilderness areas” in this policy.

The Outdoor Code of the Boy Scouts of America and the principles of Leave No Trace apply to outdoor behavior generally, but for treks into wilderness areas, minimum-impact camping methods must be used. Within the outdoor program of the Boy Scouts of America, there are many different camping-skill levels. Camping practices that are appropriate for day outings, long-term Scout camp, or short-term unit camping might not apply to wilderness areas. Wherever they go, Scouts need to adopt attitudes and patterns of behavior that respect the rights of others, including future generations, to enjoy the outdoors.

In wilderness areas, it is crucial to minimize human impact, particularly on fragile ecosystems such as mountains, lakes and streams, deserts, and seashores. Because our impact varies from one season of the year to the next, it becomes important for us to adjust to these changing conditions to avoid damaging the environment.

The Boy Scouts of America emphasizes these practices for all troops, teams, and crews planning to use wilderness areas:

• Contact the landowner or land-managing agency (USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state and private agencies, etc.) well before an outing to learn the regulations for that area, including group size limits, to obtain required permits and current maps, and to discuss ways Scouts can fulfill the expectations of property owners or land managers.
• Review the appropriate BSA safety literature relating to planned activities. (See Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat, Climb On Safely, and Trek Safely.) Also see the Guide to Safe Scouting on the BSA Web site at http://www.scouting.org/pubs/gss/toc.html for more information on current BSA policies and procedures for ensuring safe activities.
• Match the ruggedness of high-adventure experiences to the skills, physical ability, and maturity of those taking part. Save rugged treks for older unit members who are more proficient and experienced in outdoor skills.
• Conduct pre trip training for your group that stresses proper wilderness behavior, rules, and skills for all of the conditions that may be encountered, including lightning, missing person, wildfire, high winds, flooding, and emergency medical situations.
• Participate in training in how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace, and be proficient and experienced in the leadership and skills required for treks into wilderness areas.
• Adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace.

​Download the Wilderness Use Policy Below.

​The Triple Crown of National High Adventure award was created in 1995 and later the Grand Slam of National High Adventure award was created in 2014 by the Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. to both promote the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure programs and help identify those Scouts with a thirst for high adventure who may be interested in serving on the staff of Northern Tier High Adventure Bases and other National High Adventure Bases. 

See the Award Requirements page for a list of qualified programs
Download the printable Fact Sheet and Worksheet (PDF)

The Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Bases are: Northern Tier High Adventure Bases (Northern Tier), Philmont Scout Ranch (Philmont), Florida National High Adventure Sea Base (Florida Sea Base), and Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at The Summit (Paul R. Christen). 

In April 1996, Sam Wampler, then the Director of the Florida Sea Base, awarded the first five Triple Crown of National High Adventure awards to members of Explorer Post 525, from Edgewood, Washington.  

The Triple Crown of National High Adventure has gained significant stature over the years, making it one of the most highly sought program awards. It gained additional notoriety when Joseph Csatari portrayed the Triple Crown of National High Adventure on the Eagle Scout’s uniform in his “100 Years of Eagle Scouts” painting released in 2012.

Recipients may only earn each award once and receive an award patch reflecting the National High Adventure Bases where they participated in a high adventure program. The symbols on the patch are a loon for Northern Tier, bull for Philmont, dolphin for Florida Sea Base, and black bear for Paul R. Christen.

Triple Crown of National High Adventure Award

​The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America have authorized the issuance of a special patch to honor those who have participated in at least one qualifying high adventure program at three of the BSA’s four National High Adventure Bases. 

Recipients of the award receive one Triple Crown (3-inch) award patch reflecting the three National High Adventure Bases where they participated in a high adventure program. An optional large (6-inch) Triple Crown of National High Adventure award patch is available for purchase. There is no limit on the variations and quantities that may be ordered of the large patch.

Grand Slam of National High Adventure Award The Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc.in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America have authorized the issuance of a special patch to honor those who have participated in at least one qualifying high adventure program at all four of the BSA’s National High Adventure Bases.

Recipients of the award receive one Grand Slam (3.5-inch) award patch. Both the Grand Slam of National High Adventure Award and Triple Crown of National High Adventure optional large (6-inch) patches are available for purchase. There is no limit on the variations and quantities that may be ordered of the large patch.

The Triple Crown of National High Adventure and Grand Slam of National High Adventure awards can be earned by youth and adults who have participated in qualified high adventure programs at the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Bases: Northern Tier High Adventure Bases (Northern Tier), Philmont Scout Ranch (Philmont), Florida National High Adventure Sea Base (Florida Sea Base), and Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base at The Summit (Paul R. Christen). 

View Qualified Programs List (PDF)A complete list of qualified high adventure programs at each of the National High Adventure Bases is available in the qualified programs list document. 

Each award can only be earned once in a lifetime. The recipient will receive an award patch reflecting the National High Adventure Bases they attended. While only one award patch can be earned with each award, applicants are allowed to order all variations and quantities of the optional large (6-inch) patch.

Triple Crown of National High Adventure AwardAward applicants must have participated in one qualifying high adventure program at three of the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Bases. 
​
Grand Slam of National High Adventure AwardAward applicants must participate in one qualifying high adventure program at all four of the Boy Scouts of America’s National High Adventure Bases.

National Outdoor Badges may be earned by a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer "demonstrates both knowledge and experience" in one (or more) of the following subject areas:

Camping, Hiking, Aquatics, Conservation, Riding, and Adventure. Youth earning the National Outdoor Awards badges have demonstrated that they are knowledgeable, safe, and comfortable in the outdoor activity covered by the badge.





​Each award requires the youth to:

• earn Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1–6.
• earn at least one (possibly, two or three) relevant merit badges or Venturing Ranger Award core requirements or electives and
• gain extensive experience in the subject area "under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America".

Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Camping upon successfully completing the following requirements:

1. Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1–6.
2. Complete the Camping merit badge requirements.
3. Complete the requirements for two of the following three: Cooking merit badge or Ranger Cooking core; First Aid merit badge or Ranger First Aid core; Pioneering merit badge.
4. Complete 25 days and nights of camping—including six consecutive days (five nights) of camping (Sea Scouts may be on a boat), approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America—including nights camped as part of requirements 1 through 3 above. Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts must complete six consecutive days (five nights) of the 25 nights at a BSA accredited resident camp.

Devices
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of nights camping.
 Gold – A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 nights of camping.
 Silver – A silver device is earned for each additional 100 nights of camping.

A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Hiking upon successfully completing the following requirements:

1. Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
2. Complete the requirements for one of the following: Hiking merit badge, Backpacking merit badge, or Venturing Ranger Backpacking elective.
3. Complete the requirements for one of the following: Orienteering merit badge, Geocaching merit badge, *Pathfinding merit badge, or Venturing Ranger Land Navigation core requirement.
4. Complete 100 miles of hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including miles hiked as part of requirements 2 and 3.

• *Only the Scouts who have already earned the Pathfinding merit badge during Scouting's centennial celebration in 2010 and first quarter of 2011 can receive credit for this requirement. This badge has been discontinued since then, and can no longer be earned.

​Devices
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of miles hiking.
 Gold – A gold device may be earned for each additional 50 miles hiked, backpacked, snowshoed, or skied as outlined in requirements 2 and 3.
 Silver – A silver device is earned for each additional 200 miles of hiking.

A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer, may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Aquatics upon successfully completing the following requirements:

1. Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
2. Complete the requirements for the Swimming merit badge and either Lifesaving merit badge or Venturing Ranger Lifesaver elective. (For Sea Scouts, swimming merit badge requirements are an Ordinary rank requirement, and lifesaving merit badge requirements are an Able rank requirement).
3. Complete the requirements for the Mile Swim BSA Award.
4. Complete the requirements for at least one of the following: Canoeing, Fishing, Fly-Fishing, Kayaking, Rowing, Scuba Diving, Small-Boat Sailing, Water Sports, or Whitewater merit badges or Ranger Award Fishing, Scuba or Watercraft electives. Complete at least 25 hours of on-the-water time, applying the skills that you learned in the merit badge or Ranger elective.
5. Complete at least 50 hours of any combination of swimming, canoeing, fishing, fly-fishing, kayaking, rowing, scuba, small-boat sailing, stand up paddleboarding, water sports, or whitewater activity under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including time spent in requirements 2 through 4.

​Devices
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of hours of aquatic activity.
 Gold – A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of aquatics activity listed in requirement 5.
 Silver – A silver device is earned for each additional 100 hours of aquatics activity

A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Conservation upon successfully completing the following requirements:

1. Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
2. Demonstrate the safe use of five of the following conservation tools: pick or pickax; shovel or spade; ax; bow saw; cross-cut saw; prybar; sledge hammer; loppers or shears; fire rake or McLeod; and/or Pulaski. Discuss the ethical use of the tools you chose.
3. Complete the requirements for the following:
   1. Environmental Science merit badge or Sustainability merit badge or both Venturing Ranger Conservation core and Ecology elective
   2. Soil and Water Conservation merit badge
   3. One of the following merit badges: Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, or Mammals
4. Complete 25 hours of conservation work under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America, including hours worked as part of requirements 1 through 3.

Devices
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of miles of riding.
 Gold – A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of conservation work.
 Silver – A silver device is earned for each additional 100 hours of conservation work (for example, the first silver device is earned at 125 total hours of conservation work).

A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Riding upon successfully completing the following requirements:

1. Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
2. Complete the requirements for at least one of the following:
   1. Cycling merit badge or Ranger Cycling/Mountain Biking elective and 100 miles of cycling
   2. Horsemanship merit badge or Ranger Equestrian elective and 20 miles of horseback riding
   3. Motorboating merit badge or Ranger Watercraft elective and 100 miles of motor boating
   4. Skating merit badge or Ranger Winter Sports elective and 20 miles of skating
3. Complete 200 miles of riding activities, including cycling, stock riding, skating, motor boating, mountain boarding, snowmobiling, (including ATV or PWC riding at an approved council program), under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America, including the miles in requirement 2.

​Devices
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of miles of riding.
 Gold – A gold device may be earned for each additional 100 miles of riding set forth in requirement 3.
 Silver – A silver device is earned for each additional 400 miles of riding.

A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure upon successfully completing the following requirements:

1. Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
2. Complete the requirements for one of the following: Wilderness Survival, Search and Rescue, or Emergency Preparedness merit badges or Ranger Wilderness Survival core, Ranger Emergency Preparedness core, or Ranger First Aid elective.
3. Complete 10 of any combination or repetition of the following adventure activities under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America:
   1. A backpacking trip lasting three or more days and covering more than 20 miles without food resupply
   2. A canoeing, rowing, or sailing trip lasting three or more days and covering more than 50 miles without food resupply
   3. A whitewater trip lasting two or more days and covering more than 20 miles without food resupply
   4. A climbing activity on open rock, following Climb On Safely principles, that includes camping overnight
   5. Earn the National Historic Trails Award.
   6. Earn the 50-Miler Award.
   7. Attend any national high-adventure base or any nationally recognized local high-adventure or specialty-adventure program.

Notes:

• Items 3a–g may be repeated as desired.
• A single activity that satisfies multiple items in 3a–g may be counted as separate activities, at the discretion of the unit leader.
• Similarly, a single activity that doubles an item in 3a–d may be counted as two activities, at the discretion of the unit leader.

Devices
The youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of activities.
 Gold – A gold device may be earned for each additional five activities.
 Silver – A silver device is earned for each additional 20 activities.

Download the National Outdoor Badge Application below.

The National Medal for Outdoor Achievement was introduced in 2010 as "the highest recognition that a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer can earn for exemplary achievement, experience, and skill in multiple areas of outdoor endeavor."

Requirements

In order for a youth to earn the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement, he or she must complete the following requirements:

1. Earn the Boy Scout First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6 and hold the Venturing Discovery Award.
2. Earn the National Outdoor Badge for Camping with a silver device.
3. Earn any two additional National Outdoor Badges, each with two gold devices.
4. Complete the requirements for all of the following: Backpacking merit badge or Ranger Backpacking elective; Emergency Preparedness merit badge or Ranger Emergency Preparedness core; Nature merit badge; and Wilderness Survival merit badge or Ranger Wilderness Survival core.
5. Complete a 16-hour course in Wilderness First Aid from the American Red Cross, Wilderness Medical Institute, or other recognized provider.
6. Become a Leave No Trace Trainer by completing the 16-hour training course from a recognized Leave No Trace Master Educator.
7. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an outing for your troop, team, ship, crew patrol, or squad in two of the following activity areas: hiking and backpacking, aquatics activities, or riding. Include in each outing a service element addressing recreational impacts resulting from that type of activity. With the approval of your unit leader, you may plan and lead the outings for another Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, Sea Scout ship, or Venturing crew.
8. Complete at least one of the following:
   1. Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an adventure activity identified in the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure for your troop, team, ship, crew, patrol, or squad.
   2. Successfully complete a season on a council summer camp staff in an outdoor area, such as aquatics, Scoutcraft, nature/environment, climbing, or COPE.