Requirements
1. General Knowledge. Do the following:
a. Define exploration and explain how it differs from
adventure travel, trekking or hiking, tour-group trips,
or recreational outdoor adventure trips.
b. Explain how approaches to exploration may differ if it
occurs in the ocean, in space, in a jungle, or in a science
lab in a city.
2. History of Exploration. Discuss with your counselor the
history of exploration. Select a field of study with a history
of exploration to illustrate the importance of exploration in
the development of that field (for example, aerospace, oil
industry, paleontology, oceanography, etc.).
3. Importance of Exploration. Explain to your counselor why
it is important to explore. Discuss the following:
a. Why it is important for exploration to have a
scientific basis
b. How explorers have aided in our understanding of
our world
c. What you think it takes to be an explorer
4. Real-Life Exploration. Do ONE of the following:
a. Learn about a living explorer. Create a short report or
presentation (verbal, written, or multimedia slide presentation)
on this individual’s objectives and the achievements
of one of the explorer’s expeditions. Share what you have
learned with your counselor and unit.
b. Learn about an actual scientific exploration expedition.
Gather information about the mission objectives and the
expedition’s most interesting or important discoveries.
Share what you have learned with your counselor and
unit. Tell how the information gained from this expedition
helped scientists answer important questions.
c. Learn about types of exploration that may take place in a
laboratory or scientific research facility (medicine, biology,
chemistry, physics, astronomy, etc.). Explain to your
counselor how laboratory research and exploration are
similar to field research and exploration.
5. Exploration in Lab and Field. Do ONE of the following,
and share what you learn with your counselor:
a. With your parent’s permission and counselor’s approval,
visit either in person or via the internet an exploration
sponsoring organization (such as The Explorers Club,
National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Institution, Alpine
Club, World Wildlife Fund, or similar organization). Find
out what type(s) of exploration the organization supports.
b. With permission and approval, visit either in person or
via the internet a science lab, astronomical observatory,
medical research facility, or similar site. Learn what
exploration is done in this facility.
As you work on the Exploration merit badge, remember to always use
the buddy system. Whether you are out in the field or meeting with your
merit badge counselor, having a buddy will help ensure everyone’s safety.
You and your buddy can watch out for each other wherever you may be or
whatever you may be doing.
6. Expedition Planning. Discuss with your counselor each of
the following steps for conducting a successful exploration
activity. Explain the need for each step.
a. Identify the objectives (establish goals).
b. Plan the mission. Create an expedition agenda or
schedule. List potential documents or permits needed.
c. Budget and plan for adequate financial resources. Estimate
costs for travel, equipment, accommodations, meals,
permits or licenses, and other expedition expenses.
d. Determine equipment and supplies required for personal
and mission needs for the length of the expedition.
e. Determine communication and transportation needs. Plan
how to keep in contact with your base or the outside
world, and determine how you will communicate with
each other on-site.
f. Establish safety and first aid procedures (including planning
for medical evacuation). Identify the hazards that
explorers could encounter on the expedition, and establish
procedures to prevent or avoid those hazards.
g. Determine team selection. Identify who is essential
for the expedition to be successful and what skills are
required by the expedition leader.
h. Establish detailed recordkeeping (documentation) procedures.
Plan the interpretation and sharing of information
at the conclusion of the expedition.
7. Prepare for an Expedition. With your parent’s permission
and counselor’s approval, prepare for an actual expedition to
an area you have not previously explored; the place may be
nearby or far away. Do the following:
a. Make your preparations under the supervision of a
trained expedition leader, expedition planner, or other
qualified adult experienced in exploration (such as a
school science teacher, museum representative, or
qualified instructor).
b. Use the steps listed in requirement 6 to guide your
preparations. List the items of equipment and supplies
you will need. Discuss with your counselor why you
chose each item and how it will be of value on the
expedition. Determine who should go on the expedition.
c. Conduct a pre-expedition check, covering the steps in
requirement 6, and share the results with your counselor.
With your counselor, walk through the Sweet Sixteen of
BSA Safety for your expedition. Ensure that all foreseeable
hazards for your expedition are adequately addressed.
Expeditions are widely variable. You do not have to climb
Mount Everest or go to a jungle to be an explorer. For this
merit badge, an expedition should be viewed like a field
trip or science project. While you cannot just hike some
place and call it an expedition, you can hike to a location
and study an aspect that interests you.
The major difference between an expedition and
a field science trip is that you (with your counselor’s
guidance) have to plan everything. You have to formulate
objectives and plan an agenda. As needed, you will
need to do things like confirm transportation, arrange
communication, plan for food and medical supplies,
acquire all food and other supplies, construct safety and
possible evacuation procedures, manage any adverse
events, and prepare a report after the expedition.
Evaluating the effects of a storm on the local forest or
nature preserve, the effects of a drought on a field used
by birds and mammals, changes in butterfly populations
due to loss of wildflower habitat, incursions by invasive
plant or animal species, insect diversity, and presence
or absence of amphibians or fish are just some of the
examples that can be studied and reported. Your imagination
is your only limitation.
8. Go on an Expedition. Complete the following:
a. With your parent’s permission and under the supervision
of your merit badge counselor or a counselor-approved
qualified person, use the planning steps you learned
in requirement 6 and the preparations you completed
in requirement 7 to personally undertake an actual
expedition to an area you have not previously explored.
b. Discuss with your counselor what is outdoor ethics and its
role in exploration and enjoying the outdoors responsibly
c. After you return, compile a report on the results of your
expedition and how you accomplished your objective(s).
Include a statement of the objectives, note your findings
and observations, include photos, note any discoveries,
report any problems or adverse events, and have a
conclusion (whether you reached your objective or not).
The post-expedition report must be at least one page
and no more than three; one page can be photos, graphs,
or figures.
9. Career Opportunities. Identify three career opportunities in
exploration. Pick one and explain to your counselor how to
prepare for such a career. Discuss what education and training
are required, and why this profession might interest you.
Resources:
Scouting.org Merit Badges - Requirements
boyscouttrail.com Merit Badges