Lead others safely into the wild
For leaders and older Pathfinders who take groups outdoors. Two honors, built on the camping, hiking, orienteering and first aid honors.
Wilderness Leadership, then Advanced
Summarized in our words. Official requirements: Wilderness Leadership · Wilderness Leadership Advanced
| Area | Wilderness Leadership | Wilderness Leadership Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Starts with | Nine prerequisite honors (below) | Its own prerequisite honors (see official list) |
| Safety | Health, safety and conduct rules for youth groups in the wilderness | Physical and mental preparation before a wilderness experience |
| Rescue | Signaling and rescue; a mock lost, stranded or injured drill; lead a search for a hidden "injured" person | Survival steps and travel considerations by terrain and season |
| Field skills | Leadership skills in one chosen area; ten wild plants identified, prepared and eaten | Camouflage and tracking; skills in two more areas; snare and trap construction (demonstration); a debris shelter from natural materials |
| Faith | Leadership qualities of two people you study | Faith in divine leadership from Psalm 91 |
| Capstone | Lead a weekend wilderness camping trip | Help teach a prerequisite honor, then plan and join a week-long wilderness trip |
Snares and traps are built as demonstrations only and taken down the same day; we do not trap animals. Activities follow Maryland DNR and site rules.
Prerequisite honors
Wilderness Leadership expects these honors first. If your group is missing some, we can plan a path; the Wilderness Living Honor class covers much of the ground.
| Honor | Status |
|---|---|
| Backpacking | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
| Camping Skills I | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
| Camping Skills II | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
| Camping Skills III | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
| Camping Skills IV | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
| Fire Building & Camp Cookery | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
| First Aid | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
| Hiking | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
| Orienteering | Required before Wilderness Leadership |
From prerequisites to a week in the wild
Prerequisites
Camping Skills I to IV, Backpacking, Hiking, Orienteering, Fire Building & Camp Cookery and First Aid.
Leadership sessions
Group safety, conduct rules, signaling and rescue, and the leadership skill you choose.
Scenario day
A mock lost-and-injured drill, then you lead a search for a hidden "injured" person.
Lead a weekend
Plan and lead a weekend wilderness trip using everything above.
Advanced: week in the wilderness
Tracking, shelter from natural materials, Psalm 91, and a week-long trip.
Best paired with Red Cross Wilderness & Remote First Aid for every adult leader.
Train your leadership team
We work with club directors and conferences to schedule the track around your camporee and campout calendar.