Climbing Merit Badge Outline

Sections are based on 30 to 45 minute sessions.

First Meeting

1) Cover ground rules.

a) One strike your out
b) Safety first
c) Instructors only give permission to climb or repel

2) General equipment and Storage and Care

a) Ropes
b) Harness
c) Helmet
d) Shoes
e) Carabineers
f) Braking devices
g) Ascenders
h) Aide

3) Categories of climbing

a) Top Roping
b) Repelling
c) Belaying
d) Lead Climbing
e) Free Climbing
f) Aid Climbing

4) Detail of first four points of Climb On Safety

a) Qualified Supervision
b) Discipline
c) Physical Fitness d) Safe Area

Second Meeting

1) Review of first four points of Climb On Safety

2) Second four points of Climb On Safety

a) Top Roping
b) Repelling
c) Belaying
d) Lead Climbing
e) Free Climbing
f) Aid Climbing 4) Commands for:

a) Climbing/belaying
b) Repelling/belaying
c) Bouldering/spotters

5) Importance of belayers / spotters

6) Knots

a) Figure Eight
b) Figure Eight Follow Through
c) Figure Eight On a bite
d) Water Knot
e) Double fisherman's knot (Grapevine knot)

Third Meeting

1) Review Climb on Safety

2) Rope

a) Describe the kind of rope acceptable for use in climbing and rappelling.
b) Show how to examine a rope for signs of wear or damage.
c) Discuss ways to prevent a rope from being damaged.
d) Explain when and how a rope should be retired.
e) Properly coil a rope.

3) first aid for injuries or illnesses that may occur during climbing activities,
including hypothermia, blisters, sprains, snakebite, abrasions, fractures, and insect bites or stings.

4) Continue with knots

5) CPR general overview (note: that this is a topic that should be covered by someone who is certified in CPR. This is just an overview and not a certification course.)

Fourth Meeting - Testing

1) Review Climb on Safety

2) Scouts Demonstrate

a) Knots
b) Ropes
c) Coil
d) Check / Retire
e) Commands
f) Storage
g) Categories
h) Putting on Harness

3) Explain how to set up Top Rope & Belay.

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