Hike Leader Scout Interest Badge

Badge requirements

Hike Leader

Note: On completion of this badge a Scout should be able to plan, lead, log and report on overnight hikes on known and unknown routes. This badge is aimed at scouts who are undertaking their First Class and above.

1. Have passed the Hiking Scoutcraft Badge and be prepared to demonstrate any of those requirements. OR Complete all the requirements for the Hiking Scoutcraft Badge.
2. Discuss with the examiner:
   1. The different types and brands of footwear and how you might select the appropriate footwear for yourself.
   2. The different types and brands of clothing, including the characteristics of material used in clothing and the advantages and disadvantages of each and what clothing you would purchase for yourself.
   3. The use of protective clothing on hikes (i.e. rain jackets, waterproofed clothing, gators, warm clothing like gloves, beanies, scarf etc) to guard against extreme weather changes.
3. Draft a menu including quantity, weight, and cost for four scouts for an overnight hike. Discuss the menu with your examiner.
4. Explain to your examiner:
   1. The emergency procedures to be followed when a scout requires assistance, including the emergency numbers.
   2. The risk of fires, flooding, and weather changes while hiking and how to mitigate this risk.
5. Discuss or demonstrate:
   1. Demonstrate to your examiner that you understand how to use a compass and a map together, and how to read your coordinates off a map.
   2. Explain to your examiner the importance of land owner permissions.
   3. Discuss with your examiner the factors that affect a decision of when to abandon a hike, including escape routes.
   4. Discuss with your examiner the importance, reliability, and sources of weather forecasts.
   5. Discuss with your examiner the importance of obtaining consent from participants.
   6. Demonstrate to your examiner that you understand how to assess whether there is a fire risk on your hike route when planning a route
6. Discuss with your Troop Scouter how to log a hike by:
   1. Using a map, compass, and paper.
   2. Using photographs, specimens, and descriptive text; and
   3. Using an application on your cellphone or global positioning system (GPS) on your cellphone.
7. Put the above knowledge into action by completing four hikes of which at least:
   • Two overnight hikes of at least 25 kms each. The hikes must be planned and led by the scout but must be on routes previously hiked by the scout or recognised trails (a recognised trail is a trail marked out by a competent authority such as SANParks or a provincial equivalent).
   • Planning
     The scout must submit a plan for each hike to the examiner within the regulated time period required on a scout permit. This will cover:
     
   1. The route (including the map and an estimation of hiking times and location of stops).
   2. A menu for the scout only (including cost and weight).
   3. The equipment for the scout only.
   4. Emergency procedures in the case of injury or changes in weather.
   • Report Back
     One overnight hike must be logged using at least two different methods of logging a hike. The log must be presented in writing to the examiner after the hike.
     OR
     Present a visual presentation to your Troop about one the hikes. The examiner must be present for this presentation. Be prepared to answer question from the audience or examiner. This presentation should show the route, hiking party, points or features of interest, etc.

Requirements in PDF

• Hike Leader (PDF)

See also

• Scout Interest Badges
• Hiking Scoutcraft Badge
• Map Reading Scoutcraft Badge
• Hiking
• Hiking Safety