Related Advancement and Awards

• Tenderfoot requirements 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3b, 3c
• Second Class requirements 1a, 1c, 2a, 2d
• First Class requirements 1a, 3d
• Firem’n Chit
• Camping Merit Badge

Outdoor Ethics

You should always leave your campsite looking the same—if not better—as it did when you arrived. Outdoor ethics means that we follow the principles of both Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly.

Leave No Trace principles apply to most backcountry activities:

• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize campfire impacts.
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors.

Three-Bin Dishwashing

The best way to wash dishes while camping is by following the same method restaurants use. But, rather than using three sinks, camper use three wash bins. The first bin contains hot, soapy water, the second is filled with clean, hot rinse water, and the third bin contains cold water with a sanitizer such as bleach to kill bacteria.

The Trucker’s Hitch

The trucker’s hitch (rope tackle) is a particularly valuable knot configuration for securing load-bearing lines. This knot provides a mechanical advantage and works like a pulley system—but without the pulleys. This knot is very useful in securing loads on a rack or for tightening a ridge line. Additionally, it has numerous uses in Scout pioneering.

The Kodiak Challenge

The advanced main event this month can be the Kodiak Challenge. This is a special opportunity for adults and older Scouts (those who are 14 or older and have met other requirements) to reinforce their leadership skills during a three to six-day trek of their own choosing.