The five National Outdoor Badges recognize a Boy Scout who demonstrates both knowledge and experience in camping, hiking, aquatics, riding, and adventure. Scouts earning the National Outdoor Badges have demonstrated that they are knowledgeable, safe, and comfortable in the outdoor activity covered by the badge.

When the first badge is earned, the scout receives the center patch and earned segment. Additional segments are added as the badges are earned.

National Outdoor Badges may be earned in the following areas:

  • Conservation:

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

    A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of conservation work. 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). Youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of hours of conservation work.

    This site is run by Troop 1539, Kitsap District, Chief Seattle Council, Boy Scouts of America
    It is not an official BSA site