Climbing Scoutcraft Badge

Climbing is an exciting adventure that challenges both body and mind. Through the Climbing Scoutcraft Badge, Scouts will discover how to climb safely, use climbing equipment correctly, communicate effectively as part of a climbing team, and overcome challenges on the wall or rock face. Scouts will build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, learn the importance of teamwork, and gain respect for the climbing environment while experiencing the achievement and excitement of reaching new heights.

Badge Requirements

Climbing Safety and Equipment
1. Demonstrate an understanding of climbing safety by identifying and explaining the purpose of basic climbing equipment, and applying correct equipment use, safety checks, and climbing procedures, including:
  - Climbing helmet
  - Harness
  - Climbing rope
  - Belay device
  - Carabiners/connectors
  - Climbing shoes (where used)
2. Explain the purpose of each item and why safety equipment must be checked before climbing.
3. Demonstrate how to correctly fit and adjust a climbing harness and helmet.
4. Demonstrate how to complete basic equipment safety checks before starting a climb.
Climbing Communication and Supporting a Partner
Demonstrate effective teamwork between a climber and belayer by:
1. Using common climbing calls and clear communication during climbing activities.
2. Confirming the climbing plan, safety procedures, and responsibilities between the climber and belayer before starting a climb.
3. Supporting a climbing partner before, during, and after a climb by:
  - Checking equipment and confirming safety procedures.
  - Communicating clearly and actively listening.
  - Encouraging and supporting their confidence and progress.
4. Explaining why trust, teamwork, active listening, and responsibility between climbing partners are important for a safe and enjoyable climbing experience.
Understanding Climbing Routes
1. Use a climbing guidebook, route information board, or approved online climbing resource (e.g. recognised climbing guide websites) to identify suitable climbs.
  www.thecrag.com
2. Explain the information provided about a climb, including:
  - Location
  - Route name (where applicable)
  - Difficulty grade
  - Length or height
  - Equipment or safety considerations
3. Explain how climbers select a route that matches their experience and ability.
4. Describe the different types of climbing, including sport climbing, traditional (trad) climbing, bouldering, multi-pitch climbing, and alpine climbing, and explain the main differences between them.
Developing Climbing Skills
Complete a supervised climbing experience consisting of five suitable single-pitch climbs selected with the Examiner.
The climbs may be completed indoors on a climbing wall or outdoors at a recognised climbing area and must provide an appropriate challenge for the Scout’s experience and ability.
During the session(s), demonstrate safe climbing techniques, correct communication, responsible behaviour, and the ability to follow instructions from the climbing supervisor.
Indoor Option:
1. Complete five climbs on an indoor climbing wall.
2. Complete a variety of routes that provide an appropriate challenge for your ability.
3. Demonstrate safe movement, effective climbing technique, correct communication, and responsible climbing behaviour.
Outdoor Option:
1. Complete five recognised outdoor single-pitch climbs.
2. Complete climbs that provide an appropriate challenge and are suitable for your experience level.
3. Demonstrate safe climbing practices, correct communication, responsible behaviour, and respect for the natural climbing environment.
Responsible Climbing Practices
1. Explain and demonstrate responsible climbing behaviour at climbing areas, including:
  - Following access rules
  - Respecting other climbers
  - Avoiding damage to rocks, plants, and wildlife
  - Keeping climbing areas clean
  - Leaving the area as you found it
2. Explain why climbers have a responsibility to care for climbing areas and protect the environment for future climbers.
My Climbing Journey
Reflect on your climbing experience by:
1. Sharing what you enjoyed most about climbing and whether you would like to continue improving your climbing skills.
2. Describing one challenge you experienced while completing the badge and how you overcame it.
3. Explaining how climbing helped you become more confident, stay focused, work with others, or solve challenges.

Recommended Age Range: The Climbing Scoutcraft Badge is recommended for Scouts aged 11 to 14 years. This badge is suitable for Scouts beginning to explore adventure activities. Requirements should focus on safe participation, basic climbing techniques, teamwork, and confidence-building rather than advanced climbing ability. More technical climbing, route planning, leadership, and advanced systems would be better suited to a Climbing Scout Interest Badge for older Scouts.

Badge Examiner: Training and examination for this badge should be conducted by a suitably qualified individual who has relevant experience or formal training in the specific field of expertise being assessed.

The ideal examiner should be an experienced Scouter, outdoor instructor, bushcraft practitioner, wilderness guide, conservation staff, or other suitably skilled adult with practical survival experience. Examiners should be familiar with outdoor safety, environmental responsibility, and youth development, and should ensure that all activities are conducted in a safe and age-appropriate manner.

Note to the Examiner:

The examiner assesses the badge requirements. A climbing supervisor is a suitably experienced person responsible for supervising climbing activities.
Scouts should be introduced to climbing terminology through practical activity and experience rather than theoretical learning alone.
Climbs should provide a suitable challenge for the Scout's experience and ability.
Outdoor climbs should preferably use recognised climbing grades such as the Ewbank system. Indoor routes should be selected at an equivalent difficulty level.
Single-pitch climbs are climbs completed in one section without stopping at intermediate anchors.
Completion time will depend on access to climbing facilities and opportunities for supervised climbing activities. The badge may be completed over several climbing sessions to allow the Scout to develop skills progressively and complete the required climbs safely.
Safety must remain the priority throughout all climbing activities!
The Examiner should ensure that appropriate supervision, equipment checks, communication, and safe climbing practices are maintained at all times, and that Scouts are encouraged to make responsible decisions based on the conditions and their ability.

Safe From Harm: Whilst completing the requirements for this badge, Scouts must not be placed in hazardous or dangerous situations under any circumstances. All activities must comply with SCOUTS South Africa Safe from Harm framework and be supervised by responsible adults. Participation should offer meaningful learning or service experiences while ensuring the Scout's safety and well-being at all times.

Badge Requirements in printable PDF format

Climbing Scoutcraft Badge (PDF)

Next Steps - Where This Badge Leads

Completion of this badge is required for the following Scoutcraft and/or Interest Badges:

Rock Climbing Scout Interest Badge

Last Update

July 2026

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