Throughout your time as a Boy Scout, you're going to learn a lot of different things about a lot of different things. To test your skills, see how you do on our online quiz based on information in the Boy Scout Handbook.
Trekking through snow is loads of fun, until you get stuck in knee-deep drifts. Sturdy snowshoes will keep you near the top of the snow’s surface.
Do you know a walleye from a bluegill? Test yourself by taking our match-the-catch fish quiz.
Scouts in Minot, N.D. know plenty about winter camping. They experience it for much of the year.
Once you know the stars, they can be familiar friends even in far off destinations away from home.
Here's an easy way to trace your way from one winter constellation to another.
I think ultralight backpacking is the best kind, my pack weight is only 13 lbs without food
i got a pack that weights 3.5 0z a aleeping bag that is 12 0z and a tent that is 1 lb 3 0z from terra nova.
I noticed that food, patrol gear and water weren’t factored in…..
i added it up and got about 9.89 pounds- thats pretty light for a camping trip!
I like this list because my troop is leaving for Philmont this fall and gave me good ideas to use!
When practicing the art of ultralight backpacking, every ounce counts. Here is a sample packing list from a backpacker who participated in an ultralight trek last summer based out of the Montana Council’s Montana High Adventure Base.
i havn’t done any tricks yet but i’m not bad. And unlike the video i have no pads.mayby i’ll get some for my birthday!
iam advaced i do nollies kick flips and even a frontside noseblint revert
Awesome once I get my mom to give me a skate bord I will be soo ready
It took me like 20 times to do an ollie.But i kept trying and i finally did it.remeber,hard work always pays off
I Learned how to oliie well thanks to the video. Thanks video
i can do a small ollie but keep trying and if it helps try 2 find a book thats what i did and finaly got it!!!! yay
skateboarding is one of the best sports in the world love it!!!i learned the ollie
Guys, you may not acomplish your goals fast, but you will get it soon, because I could’nt get to 360 flip for a while, but I did not give up.-DONT GIVE UP!
I love skating and this is so cool. but I can’t do an olly yet.
I have lots of skating friends.
i learned how to ollie,360 kickflip,and360 grind so kool thanks keith
I ride a birdhouse and 2 world indistries. I can do an ollie,nollie,kickflip,heelflip,shovit,360shovit,180,and frontside 180 shovit,tell me sum tips to go pro please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have a birdhouse sb. its built for speed, not tricks
i learnded how to do that when i was 7 i am serious
nice i starded skating last year and can do an olli and no how to do a kickflip but cant stick the landing and i also no how to drop in
I have been skating for a while and I can now Ollie, 50-50, and Ollie off a curb. If u need a deck, just ask around for a local skate shop. Once you get there, find a board u like. BUT I warn u- decks are NOT going to cost you at least under a hundred dollars. If you have a board from Target that was $30, u aren’t skating.
Actually you are you just arn’t using the best equipment
true. I have a skateboard thats $36. I cannot turn at ALL.
it isnt. it also helps with shoes on. they forgot to mention that.
Skateboarding is the best sport in the universe!!!!!!
thats cool yeah can you give me some tips to get a board in houston
Could ya give me some tips on where to get a board
Love it!!! Could you do a video on a cupl of others?
i think i might make a vid about ow hard it is and to never give up
guys, when u start dont count on doing an ollie that high because you wont be able to do that for a long while
just got back from a 2 and a half hour sk8 session! wiped out! i love skateboarding, have won 1st place in comps at my skatepark, and i am 10 going up against adults and awesome teens! anyways, everyone keep skating and be consistant to make your way up to the big leagues. 
these are not real tips i can do all these things and its not as simple as they made it sound
This really helps right i mean im still doing it really helps
Keith is a great kid – we have known him for years and he has always been one of those kids you just have to stop and watch – congrats Keith
wow i love skateboarding but i was missing the basic foundation. i leaned alot thnx
cool i have been trying to do an ollie for a long time this should help
dont count on doing it because they didnt give all te steps
Take some tips from a world record-holding skater.
So is this just for helping out when called on or not also do you really need a hatchet?
Good list. I carry a pocket survival kit as well, waterproofed matches, flint and striker, some duct tape, fish hooks and sinkers and line, water purification tablets, a few small blades, and a water bag. I use an empty dip can to carry it in.
im taking emergency prep at summer camp and this was very helpful
What about a multipurpose tool (knife, can opener, pliers, etc.) Useful in all situations.
What is a good water treatment kit for the home in case of long water outages?
An MRE will keep longer, and keep you going longer. Many surplus stores carry them. Anyone who’s been in the service can show you how to use the flameless heater to cook the main dish. 
Instructions for creating a family emergency kit, a major disaster preparedness kit and a personal emergency service pack.
Watch as Scouts participate in the Olympic Biathlon Experience at Soldier Hollow Cross-Country Ski Resort, the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic biathlon.
I have a flint’n'steel I am hopeing to use it this saturday
theres another way. take any battery, and attatch steel wool to both ends. itll start to spark, and at that moment you gently blow it and add it to the tinder. itll be hot, but its either that or go without fire…
some swiss army knives have a magnifling glass on them
what if its cloudy? then your going to be out of luck. Thats why i stick with a good ol’ flint an steel
Great Video with good techniques and detail. A video great for Wilderness Survival Merit Badge. I have tried a three techniques and they work.
Have you ever heard of the Scout Motto, Be Prepared? If so, you probably wont need these tips. Still good to know if you’re lost in the woods. Overall great video.:)
Scouting is also about learning HOW to be prepared so these tips are very helpful.
thats really cool now I know what to do if I ever get lost
My scout troop went on a camping trip and one of our tenderfoots had gotten lost, he was gone overnight. He was not catching on with survival techniques as fast as the other scouts so I taught him in private classes. When he was lost he used a bow drill to start a fire, then he built a lean-to shelter to sleep on for the night. Thanks to this vidio I was able to teach him the skills that saved his life.
I was a Boy Scout, am an Eagle Scout, and love building fires. Great job on the video guys! But I would have to say that there are many more than just three ways to build a fire. For those of you who want to survive anywhere, here are a few more methods =)
- Single(1) match
- Battery and steel wool
- Burning laser light
- Lighter
- Drop of water in jar/cup
- Fire from ice – the natural lens
- Pop can and chocolate – parabolic lens
Have fun!
This is an EXCELLENT video! It teaches the basics of fire starting in a simple manner that is easily understandable. Great Job!!
The flint and steel is awsome I have started thousands of fires with the stuff.
Helpful I could do that on new years for a bonfire. But I do have matches, but they wont last longer than week.
I suppose a butane lighter wou.ld count as not using matches!
they need to dig a very small wide hole and put rocks around it to make a fire pit ive seen so many flammable things aroud that. they should also put a little bit of green grass in there. the water in the grass will evaporate and the grass will burn longer.
This is really cool I want to try, but Remember: Even in a survival situation, try to avoid harming the environment when building your fire. Look for a spot from which a fire could not spread and where the surrounding area would not be damaged.
And be carefull with making sparcs from flint and steel
I have a flint and steel already and they’re really cool I tryed the first technique and it really works!
sweet I’m so buying a steel and flint set for my next campout
There is another way to start a fire by using a battery and steel wool
cool but i dont know what flint rock looks like and where to find one
cool but Remember: Even in a survival situation, try to avoid harming the environment when building your fire. Look for a spot from which a fire could not spread and where the surrounding area would not be damaged.
Yes a really good thing to remember.
A good tinder that I use is charred cloth.
And remember only you can prevent a forest fire.
Great video!Next campout I’m getting a flint and steel set or use a bow saw like I learned here!
There are three ways to start a fire without the help of matches. Each can be effective, and all take lots of practice, but they're actually pretty fun to learn. Watch our step-by-step video to learn how.
to make your own, look in the backpacking merit badge book, and it has a better one
The “File No.1 Trip Plan Microsoft Word:” is a hyperlink-style item. Just click on it and it will open a box that will ask if you want to open it, save it, or cancel. If you open it, you can then “save as” and put it where you want it. If you save it, then you can put it where you want it to go immediately and look at it later.
Right Click on the words that say “File 1…” and click “save as” put in the file name and path and click save
Paperwork? For a backpacking trip? When it comes to backpacking, keeping good paperwork is part of Being Prepared. You’ll need a trip plan, an emergency plan and a duty roster. Download our templates below to help you get started.
Can someone respond if this is a merit badge required knot list?!?!?!?
Check out KNOT WARS on your computer or the app. It breaks these down better and adds 8 more knots as well.
i know some of them but i dont get the snell knot
After reading years of fishing mags,no one has condensed the best
knots as well as this. Thanks.
I have a pond in my backyard. This was really helpful. All i knew was the fisherman knot and granny knots. Thanks!!!!
This will be very helpfull in what I fish for Thanks for puting out so people like me can
use it
the only one i knew before this was the improved clinch knot(fishermans knot)
sweet know i can fish like an expert and also if you guys like survival stuff you should read the hunger games
WHEN YOU KNOW ENOUGH WORDS, YOUR EXPRESSION IS APT AND WHEN YOU KNOW ENOUGH KNOTS YOU ARE READY FOR EVERY CHALLENGE IN LIFE.
Can you imagine going fishing without knowing how to tie an improved clinch knot? Or a double surgeon's loop? Neither can we.
A wise man once said,”If you get wet, you will dry off.” The same usually applies to your gear on the trail.
I use bags on camping trips and then put all my gear such as compasses in a box so I can find everything.
Gear Guy tells you how to keep your gear clean and ready for action.
When water is a premium and can not be used for body washing I suggest the “NO RINSE” line of body wash and shampoo. They are not as good as the real thing but will help with the smell and grimy feeling after a long day of trekking.
I hate it when you go to summer camp and half the guys never shower or brush their teeth and are covered in dirt.
Gear Guy tells you what you need to do to stay clean in the outdoors.
cool this will help me alot while i am bass fishin’ this evening.
i love fishing. im going to try the shooter. i have a tip to use. next time you chew a piece of gum, save the wrapper, fold it up to where the sun can reflect off of it in the water. put it on your hook, and use the shooter
i would love to cast like a pro i might when i get older try to cath a realy realy big fish
Thanks for sharing those cool fishing techniques. Great to see a pro sharing with our boys!
Thanks for sharing those cool fishing techniques. Great to see a pro sharing with our boys!
Hey,im glad you posted those videos on how to improve my fishing techniques. i hope to go out soon and try some of the new moves. Thanks for the help and post some more videos!
I love to fish but usualy I don’t catch anything. Now I know how to fish.
shooter is awsome i caught a twelve pound bass that was unrder a dock that went out about 30 foot in thi water
I allmost got hooked but i saw some one else do the shooter and thay put thare fingers at the back of the hook so i tried it and i didn’t git hooked.
what kind of bait did you use to catch 20 fish, Yo?
Sweet. I will definitely use some of those the next time I’m fishing!
That was info. totally necssary for fishing.
Thanks for the advice.
I plan to use it at Tesomas for my fishing badge.
thanks im going to try it next time i go fishing
this has helped my fishing skills a lot, especially the shooter technique.
Improve your fishing. Reel in some tips from a master caster.
Try the gossamer gear murmur pack it weighs nothing and uses your foam pad as the frame.good weekend pack, if your base weight is light
dude your your knife if you can take a fixed blade carry a mora
tents do not protesct you from bear they can rip through your tents so easiky what you need to do is have no smellables around
dont lisen to them you do need a tent to protect your self from bears
I will never trust ultra thin nylon to protect me from a bear. The only things you can do to protect from a bear are: 1: keep smellables away. 2: the most important, don’t make it mad.
You try to rely on a piece of fabric to protect you, and let me know how well it works out.
Thin nylon in not going to stop a 900 pound bear.
and bear attacks are fairly rare
I just carry a 50 cal Desert Eagle no way a tent is going to stop a Bear!
Um, that wasent the point of this article. the point was “how to pack light” and “Fast Packing” not how to protect your self from bears. A tent isn’t going to protect you from bears. And nether is a tarp. so, if your concern is safety, bring a 2 foot thick Titanium tent, or stay home.
That is a good point but the “comments” section is also a place for conversation not just about the article
for a cook kit I just use a GI canteen cup and maybe another mug
You don’t even need the water purification tablets, after all you can boil your water and in doing that is the fool proof way of killing bacteria, where purification tablets and filters may fall short. Although tablets may be quicker in some cases and keep your water cold.
always take one pair of emergency clothes, and if you are taking care of yourself, all you need is a pot and a spoon, and maybe a potgrip.
It's possible to carry less weight and still have everything you need (or at least everything you really need) on a backpacking trip. Here's how.
It was a beneficial experience for me to go through your webpage. It definitely stretches the limits with the mind when you go through helpful advice and make an effort to interpret it accurately. I am going to review this web site frequently on my PC. Thanks for sharing
Our troop makes reflector ovens in late October, for the November Camp-out our troop goes on, since the November Camp-out is a no cooking camp-out.
tried the Cardiapple arrest and the sausage pie. they were real good.
sandy
I made a reflector oven in 1972 from plans in Boys Life (Aug 1972)and still use it today camping. I love it.
I love this idea. I think the recipes are great and I can’t wait to try them with the Venture Crew.
Good Idea, but I’d prefer that all of the recipes offered wouldn’t clog your arteries.
The 1967 Fieldbook has plans for a reflector oven. I remember using one to earn cooking merit badge about 1970.
Iv used them to make cake and stuff but its hard to control the heat and the flames im making one tommorow!!!
I had never heard of a reflector oven before. But now I think I’ll just have to start saving. This looks really cool.
What creative scouts these boys are! Recipes sound and look super delicious!!!!!
Just because you've been lugging your gear for miles on end doesn't mean you can't eat as if you were in your own kitchen. Check out some of the favorite reflector-oven recipes of Troop 1570 in Herndon, Va.
Peeing in a bottle then placing it outside your tent will attract animals
unless your in a very popular camp-ground, no it will not attract animals. Deer can be attracted and will even lick it up sometimes because the like the salty taste(personal experance). other wise no it will not attract animals. In fact it might even scare them away. (Most animals do not like the smell of humans and human urine has a very potent smell to it)
peeing in a bottle is kool but i pee like right out the tent
I had to pee in a bottle and lest just say the bottle was’nt big enough!
Pee is actually quite clean as your bladder keeps it hot enough to kill any germs. For the same reason you will sleep better in winter with an empty bladder as your body can heat your core instead.
To clarify on the sleep in your clothing bit. Make sure that it is clean and dry clothing. If it is not it will actually make you colder.
Adult Diapers are not the best solution and peeing in a bottle might get lots of funny looks if you get equipment inspections in camp.
If your like me and have bladder issues then a diaper is the best option. If your not sure I’d try them anyway as its easier to stash these then a loaded bottle.
its not worth the possible embarassment to pee in a bottle. if it is too “dangerous” to get out of your sleeping tent, then you need to set up camp in a different place. if its too dangerous to get out of your sleeping bag, then your doing something horribly wrong!
if ur having trouble getting up early on camping trips, like me, drink a lot of water before bed, then boom, your up, indians used this practice
Wow, that was helpful! I’ll have to take these into consideration on my next camp out!
-DoctorEvil
Im going camping tommorow so i am glad that i saw this! :]
I constantly get up to pee in the middle of the night on Scout campouts (And them only for some reason!) and I finally got smart and told Dad I want a pee bottle for the Centennial camporee our council is having this weekend. For some INCREDIBLY stupid reason he won’t let me simply because he doesn’t think peeing in a bottle is “normal practice for boys.” Really? I’ve Googled and Googled some more, and you even have it. Not sure how he can not let me now.
Peter why do you think peeing in a bottle is gross.
or you could just suck it up and take the cold! thats what i do! BUT if I had to I wouldn’t mind.
thanks this will really help me when i go on outings thx
xD
Sometimes the only thing you can do is camp, camp and camp more. I’ve camped since I was 7 years old and by now, the procedure is this: get in bed, take unnecessary layers off such as sweaters to roll up and put under your head to stuff your feet into, put the hat on, do an activity that makes you comfortable (reading, writing, drawing, praying…)and do it ’til you feel tired, then I sleep until 8 in the morning.
If you can’t find a completely level area to put your tent to have as a sleeping area, then sleep with your feet downhill from your head on a 1/2 percent slope grade to avoid developing a headache after sleeping on a hillside slope for about eight hours. Don’t sleep sideways, as many people will end up rolling down the hillside during the night as they turn during their sleep. Only sleep with your head downhill from your feet as a first aid technique for the elevation of the feet above the head.
I went camping in -10 degree (Faranheit), and I didn’t have a hat, I got cold really quick. I ended up borrowing one for the night: it really helped
I think these tips are very helpful. A couple of years back on my school’s camping trip our group didn’t brush away rocks and twigs. We got poked and scratched all night long. I used these tips on one of my scout outings where there were only hills. Having your noggin at the top of the hill really helps.
Cleaning up the area before you pitch your tent really does help. There are so many times I lie down to go to sleep and I feel a rock in my back, which turns the whole sleeping experiance into a nightmare!
This was very helpful. I’m going to philmont in about a month and will probably experience all of these situtions. Since I’ll be out on the trail for 2 weeks, getting a good night’s rest will be greatly neeeded.
Gear Guy is here with tips to help you get a good night's rest on the trail.
i was hoping to find a list of bugs tht exist in wisconsin….
I would make one but I can’t find any bugs, well you know cause it’s raining.
My son is 7 and I homeschool him. They say boys learn better from outdoors up to age 10-11. How perfect is this??!! Thanx. =0)
It’s not all that gross it’s the handaling the dead bugs part that makes it gross.
It looks cool but I thingnk if I do it I’ll just look for ones that are all ready dead
Thats pretty neat…I could do that! I wonder if theres a badge for it.
This article came in real handy, because it helped me get a good grade on my science project.
We see these at our state fair. Some of the bugs people find are amazing!
They might annoy us or amaze us, but there's no question about it: Bugs are an essential part of the natural order of things. Here's how to make your own nature museum to display them.
All u scouts talk about Philmont is it really that goo????????????????
How about deoderant? Like everybody else said, getting dirty is one of the best parts of camping. Good tips, though!
A little dirt never hurt! Getting dirty is the best part about camping!
Recommend a sponge bath using a rag and water, with biodegradable soap, rather than rubbing alcohol. Alcohol will strip your skin of natural protective oils, causing irritation if you’re on a long trip. You can also use white ashes, sand, or loamy soil as a soap substitute.
Consider wearing natural wool as a base layer (t-shirt and jockey shorts), it’s natural antimicrobial properties do a great job of keeping you dry and cutting down on odors. Smartwool and Patagonia make plenty of great options, try Sierra Trading Post for deep discounts.
Oh, and don’t bathe in a body of water that people use for drinking water. Spread any dirty water away from drinking water sources.
I’ll have to try timbozo’s suggestion of apple cider vinegar – sounds promising!
thaks i will use them tips when i go camping next and when i go to philmont next year.
I went on a week long conoe trip and remembered all of that stuff and it came in pretty handy if ya ask me.
Instead of rubbing down with alcohol, I would suggest carrying a bottle of raw apple cider vinegar and use that – it kills bacteria, and is less abrasive on the skin. You can even put it in a small spray bottle (around 2 or 3 ounces) and just spray it on.
Those are good tips but i like being dirty.Its the best part of camping.
but i don’t know how to take an outdoor shower without a shower!!!!!!!!!!!! 
A small package of antibacterial moist towelettes such as “Wet Ones Big Ones” work great. They’re lightweight and take up almost no room. Make sure to pack the used ones back out!
using deodorant really helps!! Luckily my dad bought a portable shower so all you have to do is put it in a bucket of water and you have a shower!!!
One way is to always volunteer to wash the dishes after meals. Liquid Dishwashing soap (such as Lemon Fresh Joy Dishwashing Liquid or another liquid dishwashing soap such as Palmolive liquid soap) can really keep the stink down and is not very harsh when disposed of in discarded wash water areas of the campsite. A great way to keep the stink out when camping is to “bucket Bathe” by washing yourself without removing all of your clothing such as with a shower.
If the Outdoor Code permits using a small bottle of shampoo under a small waterfall, is it okay to rinse the soap suds off of our utensils in a small minnow stream that contains crayfish? Maybe, a better idea is to get small cups of water from the water source of the waterfall and wash yourself off with the shampoo and water at least 90 feet up the bank of the waterfall stream so that the shampoo suds dissipate and are filtered out of the water source by the leaves, soil, and sand of the water source bank.
If you are camping in a beach and you have water shortage, you can wash in the sea with baby shampoo. No salt will stick to your bady and you will feel clean.
wash yourself with a small bottle of shampoo under a small waterfall.
Take along a large sandwich bag of Corn Starch. During long hikes and working outside you may get chafted between your legs. Taking corn strarch will absorb the moister there so you can go on camping.
Going without a shower on a long camping trip? Here are 7 hygiene tips to keep you healthy and relatively clean.
The best kind of skipping stone that I can find is slate. It’s thin, easy to shape and and they are great skippers.
my record is 14 skips. a bigger rock works a little better.
I skipped a rock 53 times today behind my house with a triangle rock. The thing is hold it like a plat and skip it hard
Dude, how did you even count the skips and find enough room behind your house to skip a world record?
mine is only 5 im not able to throw it quick . im loosing more strength
this helped me in a rock-skipping compitition and i won
My record is 18 skips of the rock. Triangle is best, square is good, too.
Thanks for the Information. It actually helped with a Science project of mine.
Triangle stones ARE actually better.
at lake mead i skipped rocks with my friend… my dad said to use round rocks i used triangular ones, and they DID work a lot better!
the most skips i have ever done is like seven or eight. anybody else?
I never skipped stones before because I can not find any good stones. Boo-hoo-hoo. ):
once i skipped it 30 times and all you have to do is get it to 25 degrees and something as big as half your hand and throw it as fast and spin fast
If skipping rocks was a professional sport i would be on the alstar team. This lesson of skipping rocks i feal has a few flaws. while i do agree triangular rocks get good amount of skips they are also much harder to throw because of the of the points.see if uthrow a triangle rock at imperfect angle or to hard the three points of the rock are likley to pierce the water which would end up in a bad skip.
hey i was with some friends and i got 16 skips and then i got 17 skips.
I once skiped it one hundred and eleventeen times!!!! 
haha i skipped it 3 hundred and twenty-one-teen times!!!
the most ive ever scipped is five, on a camping trip at lake mead.
The more horizontal the throw of the rock—the better the skip. If the throw of the rock is at less than a ten (10) degree angle to the surface of the water and the faster the spinning of the rock, the greater the more times that the rock will bounce across the surface of the water.
The first time I skipped a stone was when I was 5. I’m 11 1/2 right now.
The world recoerd for skipping stones is 57 in a row and it took 2 min. for it to stop.
the first time i skipped anything on water was 2 days ago with a penny
A stone skipping expert shares tips to help you successfully skip stones.
Love fishing? Want to learn how to catch more fish? Check out Boys' Life's ultimate fishing website for tips, tricks and expert advice.
Wilderness first aid expert "Dr. K" explains how to be prepared for medical emergencies that can occur in the outdoors where resources run thin and accidents are sure to happen. 
Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment?
Can't remember how to tie a bowline? Looking for an easy guide to sharpening your knife. Check out these videos.
Need to know what you need to bring on your next trip? Here are gear checklists for all kinds of outdoor adventures.
thats easy it is a brim.
Cool … 100%
really easy quiz i got 82% my brother got 100%
It can be easy if you like to fish.
94%, i was wishing for 100%
36 awwwwwww
i didn’t try but i got a %45
91% pretty good for a guy whos only ever caught jack fish
100 %. Had to go back and change the muske once i saw the northern though.
82%. . U
Zero wrong.
64% :/
me too
83%, ok
I can’t do it :’(
82% booyah
100%!!!
100% WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
I failed at 45% but I’ve only been fishing twice so give me a break!
36%
me too
this is like the Garfield show! haha
BOO-YAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 100%
I go fishing a lot…so I got 100%! Great idea for a quiz!
100%, yay!!! very easy though.
73%
64% thats good
73% not bad
same here 73%
they do not look real even though i have caught them all.northern pike Minsota ,large mouth in my pond (in TEXAS)-21in-,small mouth bass also my pond(17in),i also have caught channel catfish and croppies and sunnies.I caught a gar on the brazos (Texas).I caught a walleye also up northall kinds of trout in a friend’s pond -it is connected to a river-
100% baby!
100%
man 64 percent
You scored 100%!
100% it was very easy