Orienteering and Geocaching Merit Badge for Scouts 

Land Navigation/Orienteering/GPS -Geocaching  for Adults.

This is NOT an overnight. (8:30am-5pm both days) Camping is available, please email Andrea.Villalobos@scouting.org to reserve.

Cost: $ 150/scout

          $ 100/adult ( no pamphlets ) REI comparable cost for two days of activities 

Cost includes: compass, pace beads, and a Sunday pizza lunch.

Geocaching will be presented as a STEM merit badge with scientific and mathematical explanations.

Due to technical subject matter and hiking endurance needed, Scouts need to be Second Class or
higher, or 7 th grade and above. (Yes, exceptions can be requested if the scout possess the appropriate
level of athletic ability and academic studiousness.)
Portions of the courses will be hiking off trail in simi rugged areas, crossing creeks and walking thru tall 6
ft grass. … But its all FUN!

Prerequisites for merit badges: Be prepared to discuss and explain as indicated in the Merit Badge requirements. 

Geocaching merit badge prerequisites completed prior to class: 7 and 8d

Attire and other items to bring: 

      Program training is all outdoors so dress in appropriate layers.

      Wear long pants/leggings with long sleeve shirts and hiking boots for off trail hiking. 

      Bring day pack with essentials.

      Bring all other snacks and beverages, plus lunch for Saturday. 

Optional but helpful: Hiking Stick, Ankle gaiters, Poison Oak wipes, waterproof hiking boots helpful, hiking gloves, etc   

Qualifications of the Instructor:

David Hensley has over 50 years of land navigation/orienteering experience.  Mr. Hensley, an Eagle Scout,  practiced land navigation as a Scout and during his tenure in the US Army. He was a member of the Quantico Orienteering Club in Virginia and the co-founder of the Phoenix Orienteering Club in 1987. He is the Los Angeles Area Council's  High Adventure Team's  Land Navigation and Orienteering course instructor.  Since 2005, Mr Hensley has been integrating GPS into his land navigation  skills and has been an active member of Geocaching.com