Background and Purpose
Outdoor/high adventure is the largest and fastest growing interest in the Boy Scouts of America. High adventure and the outdoors have always been of interest to young Americans as well as an important part of the BSA program. Because of the attraction of high adventure, the Ranger Award is available to Venturing youth members of the Boy Scouts of America.
The purpose of the award is to: encourage Venturers to achieve a high level of outdoor skills proficiency; recognize achievement of this high level of outdoor skills proficiency; provide a path for outdoor/high adventure skills training; establish Rangers as a highly trained leadership resource for crews, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the community.
The Ranger Award exemplifies a challenging high-level outdoor/high adventure skills advancement program. Once earned, it will identify a Ranger as an elite outdoorsman who is skilled at a variety of outdoor sports and interest, trained in outdoor safety, and ready to lead or assist others in activities. Rangers can be great program asset to Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops.
Requirements
Ranger candidates must complete eight challenging core requirements:
| First Aid | Leave No Trace |
| Wilderness Survival | Cooking |
| Emergency Preparedness | Navigation |
| Communications | Conservation |
And four of eighteen challenging electives:
| Backpacking | Mountaineering |
| Cave Exploring | Outdoor Living History |
| Cycling/Mountain Biking | Physical Fitness |
| Ecology | Plants and Wildlife |
| Equestrian | Project COPE |
| First Aid | Scuba |
| Fishing | Shooting Sports |
| Hunting | Watercraft |
| Lifesaver | Winter Sports |
Note:
Venturers, who have received the Outdoor Bronze Award, need only complete
four more of the core requirements and two more electives to qualify for the
Ranger Award, since they already have completed four Core requirements and two
electives.
Procedure
Ranger candidates can earn requirements. They can work on their own or with other Venturers. A crew may also work together. Candidates can work with outside consultants such as a scuba diving instructor. Advisors and consultants must sign a Ranger candidate's record sheet found in the Ranger Guidebook.
The Ranger Award
After months of experiencing and acquiring skills on a wide variety of outdoor/high adventure interests, sharing those skills with others, the Ranger will receive a sterling silver medal that features a powder horn superimposed over a compass dial. The medal is worn suspended from a green and white ribbon, which is suspended from a silver Ranger bar.
A Silver Ranger Bar only (without the medal) is also available (#04185) for wear on the left pocket flap of the field uniform.
