National Outdoor Achievement Award
The National Medal for Outdoor Achievement is the highest recognition that a Scout can earn for exemplary achievement, experience, and skill in multiple areas of outdoor endeavor. As is the case for the National Outdoor badges, outdoor activities completed as part of an approved Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouting, Venturing, or Exploring program may be used it they meet the requirements.
To earn this medal, the scout demonstrates proficiency in a wide array of skills and participates in a broad range of outdoor activities. The award is achieved by earning National Outdoor Badges and further expanding skills and knowledge through training, leadership, and merit badges.
This award replaces the individual National Camping award.
In order for a youth to earn the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement, the youth must complete the following requirements:
- Earn the Scouts BSA First Class rank.
- Earn the National Outdoor Badge for Camping with a silver device.
- Earn any two additional National Outdoor Badges, each with two gold devices.
- Earn the following merit badges: Backpacking, Emergency Preparedness, Nature, and Wilderness Survival.
- Complete a 16-hour course in Wilderness First Aid from the American Red Cross, Wilderness Medical Institute, or other recognized provider.
- Become a Leave No Trace Trainer by completing the 16-hour training course from a recognized Leave No Trace Master Educator.
- Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an outing for your troop, team, patrol, or squad in two of the following activity areas: hiking and backpacking, aquatic activities, or riding. Include in each outing a service element addressing recreational impacts resulting from that type of activity. With the approval of your unit leader, you may plan and lead the outings for another Cub Scout pack, Scout troop, Sea Scout ship, or Venturing crew.
- Complete at least one of the following:
- Plan and lead, with the approval of your unit leader, an adventure activity identified in the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure for your troop, team, patrol, or squad.
- Successfully complete a season on a council summer camp staff in an outdoor area, such as aquatics, Scoutcraft, nature/environment, climbing, or COPE.
The unit leader completes the National Outdoor Achievement Award application and submits it to the local council service center.
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Comments:
May 14, 2018 - David
Thanks
May 14, 2018 - Scouter Paul
@David - BSA doesn't publish much in the way of stats and numbers. You might contact them directly from FAQ page - good luck
Oct 21, 2019 - David
Thanks!
Jun 13, 2021 - Erin Howarth
Does that mean one outing or two outings? I think its two, but its worded rather strangely.
Also, Requirement 8a: "Plan and lead... an adventure activity identified in the National Outdoor Badge for Adventure for your troop..."
Is an "adventure" very much different than and "outing"? Maybe an adventure is an overnight and and outing is a day trip?
Jun 14, 2021 - Scouter Paul
@Erin - #7: Since the requirement also says "Include in EACH outing", it
sounds like TWO outings.
#8a: The possible Adventure Badge activities are
listed on this page under the "Adventure" section.
Dec 26, 2021 - Richard Morrow
Dec 29, 2021 - Scouter Paul
Jan 09, 2023 - David S
Feb 07, 2023 - zachary gerber
Feb 07, 2023 - Scouter Paul
@zachary - Sleeping in a warm, furnished cabin is not typically considered to be Camping. I do not see a definition of "camping" mentioned in what you described as a note from Mr. Hiser. The BSA did have a definition in this form for the previous National Camping Award, and it counts "rustic" cabins - those without electricity. I would follow those guidelines with nothing newer to follow.
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