Wilderness Living
Overview
The more you know, the less you need to carry. This honor will expand your camping skills to the next level. You’ll learn how to build a shelter from natural materials and find many of the things you need in the wild.
Investiture Achievement Connection: This Honor is related to the Investiture Achievement requirements for FRONTIER GUIDE Outdoor Living which require completion of this Honor or one of 4 other Honors, not previously earned.
Requirements
1. Go on at least two weekend campouts during which you learn the skills called for in this honor.
2. Tell five things to do if lost in the wilderness. Know three methods of determining directions without a compass.
3. Demonstrate three ways to purify drinking water.
4. Know three ways to collect drinking water in the wilderness and demonstrate two of these methods.
5. Demonstrate two methods of judging the height of a tree and the width of a stream.
6. Identify four wild animal or bird tracks.
7. Using a compass, follow a course for more than 100 yards (91.4 meters) with three different headings and less than 5% error.
8. Identify in the wild, prepare, and eat ten varieties of wild plants.
9. Have a personal survival kit of 15 items and know how to use each item.
10. Explain the necessity in wilderness living of adequate sleep, proper diet, personal hygiene, and proper exercise.
11. Have the First Aid honor. In addition to the First Aid honor, know the prevention, symptoms, and the first aid treatment for the following:
- a. Hypothermia
- b. Venomous snake bite
- c. Heat and sunstroke
- d. Heat exhaustion
- e. Poison ivy and poison oak
- f. Open wound infection
- g. Altitude sickness
- h. Dehydration
12. Demonstrate two ways to signal for help.
13. Demonstrate the principles of stalking and concealment.
14. Explain how to prepare and provide shelter on the following:
- a. Snow slopes
- b. Rocky areas
- c. Swamps and marshes
- d. Forests and tundra
15. Prepare a balanced menu for two people for a weekend. Prepare these meals while on a campout over an open fire or a camp stove.
16. Know ways to observe wilderness etiquette and how you can contribute to wilderness conservation.
17. Demonstrate how to tie the following knots and know their uses:
- a. Bowline
- b. Bowline on a bight
- c. Clove hitch
- d. Double fisherman’s
- e. Figure eight
- f. Prusik
- g. Taut-line hitch
- h. Two half hitches
- i. Square
1. Have the “orientation” and “wild and edible plants” specialisations.
2. Name and indicate the rules of survival and safety when camping.
3. Pack a backpack, including food, clothing and equipment for at least 3 days.
4. Find a suitable place to camp, pitch your tent, and prepare a campfire for 3 days or more.
5. Provide a set of 10 survival items, and know the purpose of each one.
6. When you’re lost, what should you do?
7. Name 5 ways to locate and obtain water.
8. Build a solar still, a shelter and a makeshift bed.
9. Explain 2 methods for purifying water.
10. Explain what hypothermia is, its causes, prevention and treatment.
11. Know 5 international distress signals and demonstrate the ability to signal with a mirror or whistle.
Answer key & resources
Master awards
This honor counts toward:
Investiture Achievement
This honor is required, suggested or listed as an option in:
- Explorer: Honor Enrichment
- Ranger: Honor Enrichment
- Voyager: Honor Enrichment
- Guide: Outdoor Living
- Guide: Honor Enrichment
See also
- Wilderness Leadership - AdvancedHonor
- GuideReference
Adapted from AY Honors/Wilderness Living on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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