Backpacking MB

[ScoutsMama]

The Troop is going backpacking this weekend. They will trek 1.2 miles to the first campsite, 6.3 miles to the second campsite, then a mile back to the car to drop off backpacks then hike to some points of interest to finish a total of almost 15 miles. Could this trip be counted for the Backpacking MB? They plan to have backpacks with all their gear on for ~8.5 miles and just hiking no packs for the last ~6.5. 

Edited June 11 by ScoutsMama

[RememberSchiff]

@ScoutsMama welcome to scouter.com

[Double Eagle]

My initial take is you could count the 8.5 backpacking miles, but the 6.5 may be considered hiking, but not backpacking.  There is a definite difference between the two.  Also, consider the intent of the merit badges.  As much as some may overlap, there is a benefit to a separate mindset.  I applaud you and the scouts for the entire program and outing.

[ScoutsMama]

3 hours ago, Double Eagle said:

My initial take is you could count the 8.5 backpacking miles, but the 6.5 may be considered hiking, but not backpacking.  There is a definite difference between the two.  Also, consider the intent of the merit badges.  As much as some may overlap, there is a benefit to a separate mindset.  I applaud you and the scouts for the entire program and outing.

Someone in the troop said it doesn't say carry the pack for 15 miles. They said in the supplemental documentation that we shouldn't overread the requirements, and GTA says we aren't allowed to create requirements via parsing. 

I'm just not sure what is right and if that should be counted as a 15-mile backpacking trip if more than 1/3 of the time you don't have a backpack on.  

[DuctTape]

The merit badge counselor is of great importance here. 

It has been a while, but I do believe the requirements do state to carry everything throughout the trek.

[HashTagScouts]

4 hours ago, DuctTape said:

The merit badge counselor is of great importance here. 

It has been a while, but I do believe the requirements do state to carry everything throughout the trek.

It does, indeed:

10. Following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code, participate in at least three backpacking treks of at least three days each and at least 15 miles each, and using at least two different campsites on each trek. Carry everything you will need throughout the trek.

 

@ScoutsMama I hope the Scout enjoys this weekend, but don't get bogged down of whether "it counts for anything". Many, many youth in the program don't even experience more than a single overnight backpacking these days, so take the experience as an "intro" to backpacking of sorts, and cherish it.

[Tron]

The key that is going to mean no is the end of item 10. "Carry everything you will need throughout the trek."

[qwazse]

There’s nothing stopping a scout from carrying his/her pack throughout the trip.

[Eagledad]

Hmm, nothing like adults meddling in scouts business. Merit badge requirements are between the scout and the counselor. Also, when adults start talking about shortcuts, they are mentoring shortcuts to the scouts. We must be careful that we don’t teach advancement over adventure.

Sounds like a great campout. I’m jealous.

Barry

[Tron]

16 hours ago, qwazse said:

There’s nothing stopping a scout from carrying his/her pack throughout the trip.

Except for the fact that they said they are not. Oh no! Reading strikes again!

[SSScout]

This past saturday, I was on the porch of our Meeting House,  tending to some maintenance, when I looked up to see a young man walking by (we are at the north end of a county "history " trail. ), and I said hello.  He was carrying a backpack, looked to be fully equipped, he had two hiking "sticks".  We spoke for awhile. He said his Scout Troop (!) was going to Philmont, and he knew he had to do some "training".  We talked about gear, distance (he did not know the trail he was on , except it was "in the neighborhood".  It was the first time he had been out with his new pack (it looked new!).   I shared some of my hiking history, and counseled him about the distance of this trail (you can do a five mile loop, good for the Second Class requirement), and encouraged him to "get tired now" so you won't be as tired later.   

It sounded like his Troop was going the last week in July....  I 

[satl8]

First of all, the Scout would need to talk to the merit badge counselor first (as others have said)

 

In the name of discussion, and certainly not trying to ruffle feathers here, my perception as a counselor is "maybe"-

Been to Philmont? In the course of your trek you will likely have a day trip to summit a peak or to do an activity on a layover day. A day pack is on the packing list. When you get your packet at the end of the trek, there is no differentiation between the days with full gear on or a day pack. Miles are miles?