Winter Camping
Overview
Most people do all their camping in the spring, summer, and fall. But you can camp in the winter too if you know how. Winter camping will open the door to a different experience as you drink in God’s creation and enjoy the solitude. A campfire never felt better. Also, no bugs, and the bears are asleep!
Investiture Achievement Connection: This Honor is related to the Investiture Achievement requirements for FRONTIER VOYAGER Outdoor Living and FRONTIER GUIDE Outdoor Living which require completion of this Honor or one of 4 other Honors not previously earned.
Requirements
1. Earn the Camp Craft honor.
2. Make up a complete list of necessary camping equipment for winter conditions, such as possible sub-zero (-18° C) temperatures, storms, and snow.
3. Explain the principles of maintaining body warmth and dryness through the proper use of clothing and sleeping gear under all temperatures down to zero while traveling, resting, and sleeping.
4. List and explain the characteristics of winter campsite selection.
5. Describe, or show where possible, the preparation of a level tent site in snow and pitch a tent in winter conditions.
6. Prepare a balanced three-day menu to be used in your winter camping experience.
7. Know how to get water from snow.
8. Know five safety rules of winter camping.
9. Explain the proper steps to take if stranded without equipment in winter conditions.
10. Show knowledge of and ability to prevent, recognize, and care for mild frostbite, hypothermia, mild snow blindness, and dehydration.
11. Spend a total of six days and nights in cold weather camping.
- a. All nights should have temperature lows in the 40’s (5° C).
- b. Two nights should have temperature lows below freezing (0° C).
- c. All nights should be spent in tents, tarps, or the open.
1. Know how your body reacts to cold.
2. Know the causes and symptoms of frostbite. Know how to avoid and treat them.
3. Know why washing is important when it’s cold.
4. Explain what type of clothing to bring to face the cold.
5. Acts 28.2 “[…]; they gathered us all together by a great fire, which they had kindled because the rain was falling and it was very cold.” Learn how to start a fire in adverse conditions (high humidity).
6. How do you set up a tent when the ground is frozen? What precautions should I take before folding it up?
7. Composing menus for a 4-day camp where the temperature is low (~0°C).
8. Camping for 2 weekends in tents or improvised shelters in temperatures below 0°C.
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: Outdoor Living
- Voyager: Honor Enrichment
- Guide: Outdoor Living
- Guide: Honor Enrichment
See also
- Outdoor LeadershipHonor
- VoyagerReference
- GuideReference
Adapted from AY Honors/Winter Camping on the Pathfinder Wiki, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. See the original page's history for its authors.
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