FIRST CLASS RANK REQUIREMENTS

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CAMPING AND OUTDOOR ETHICS

1a. Since joining Scouts BSA, participate in 10 separate troop/patrol activi-

ties, at least six of which must be held outdoors. Of the outdoor activities,

at least three must include overnight camping. These activities do not

include troop or patrol meetings. On campouts, spend the night in a tent

that you pitch or other structure that you help erect, such as a lean-to, snow

cave, or tepee.

(See pages 260 and 276–277.)

1b. Explain the potential impacts of camping, both on the environment and on

other outdoor users. Explain why the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace

principles are important for protecting the outdoors.

(See pages 221-235.)

COOKING

2a. Help plan a menu for one of the above campouts that includes at least one

breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner, and that requires cooking at least

two of the meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from MyPlate or the

current USDA nutritional model and how it meets nutritional needs for the

planned activity or campout.

(See pages 290–301 and 311–325.)

2b. Using the menu planned in First Class requirement 2a, make a list showing

a budget and the food amounts needed to feed three or more youth.

Secure the ingredients.

(See pages 296–299.)

2c. Show which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and

serve these meals.

(See pages 302–304.)

2d. Demonstrate the procedures to follow in the safe handling and storage of

fresh meats, dairy products, eggs, vegetables, and other perishable food

products. Show how to properly dispose of camp garbage, cans, plastic

containers, waste water, and other rubbish.

(See pages 306–309.)

2e. On one campout, serve as cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove

or building a cooking ﬁre. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned

in First Class requirement 2a. Supervise the cleanup.

(See pages 304–311.)

TOOLS

3a. Discuss when you should and should not use lashings. (See pages 371–378.)

3b. Demonstrate tying the timber hitch and clove hitch. (See pages 367–368.)

3c. Demonstrate tying the square, shear, and diagonal lashings by joining two

or more poles or staves together.

(See pages 373–376.)

3d. Use lashings to make a useful camp gadget or structure. (See pages 371–378.)

NAVIGATION

4a. Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers

at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of

designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.).

(See pages 328–331,

340–345, and 350–351.)

4b. Demonstrate how to use a handheld GPS unit, GPS app on a smartphone,

or other electronic navigation system. Use GPS to ﬁnd your current

location, a destination of your choice, and the route you will take to get

there. Follow that route to arrive at your destination.

(See pages 345–349.)

NATURE

5a. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants found in your

local area or campsite location. You may show evidence by identifying

fallen leaves or fallen fruit that you ﬁnd in the ﬁeld, or as part of a collection

you have made, or by photographs you have taken.

(See pages 188–199.)

5b. Identify two ways to obtain a weather forecast for an upcoming activity.

Explain why weather forecasts are important when planning for an event.

(See pages 212–218.)

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5c. Describe at least three natural indicators of impending hazardous weather,

the potential dangerous events that might result from such weather condi-

tions, and the appropriate actions to take.

(See pages 212–218.)

5d. Describe extreme weather conditions you might encounter in the outdoors

in your local geographic area. Discuss how you would determine ahead

of time the potential risk of these types of weather dangers, alternative

planning considerations to avoid such risks, and how you would prepare

for and respond to those weather conditions.

(See pages 212–218.)

AQUATICS

6a. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.

4,5

(See pages 168–170.)

6b. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip aﬂoat. (See pages 172–174.)

6c. Identify the basic parts of a canoe, kayak, or other boat. Identify the parts

of a paddle or an oar.

(See pages 174–175.)

6d. Describe proper body positioning in a watercraft, depending on the type

and size of the vessel. Explain the importance of proper body position in

the boat.

(See page 176.)

6e. With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender

and as rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from

shore in deep water.)

(See page 180.)

FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

7a. Demonstrate bandages for a sprained ankle and for injuries on the head,

the upper arm, and the collarbone.

(See pages 142–148.)

7b. By yourself and with a partner, show how to:

• Transport a person from a smoke-ﬁlled room.

(See pages 149–150.)

• Transport for at least 25 yards a person with a sprained ankle.

(See page 150.)

7c. Tell the ﬁve most common signals of a heart attack. Explain the steps

(procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

(See pages 116–119.)

7d. Tell what utility services exist in your home or meeting place. Describe

potential hazards associated with these utilities and tell how to respond in

emergency situations.

(See pages 154–155.)

7e. Develop an emergency action plan for your home that includes what to do

in case of ﬁre, storm, power outage, and water outage.

(See pages 153–155.)

7f. Explain how to obtain potable water in an emergency. (See page 240.)

FITNESS

8a. After completing Second Class requirement 7a, be physically active at

least 30 minutes each day for ﬁve days a week for four weeks. Keep track

of your activities.

(See pages 76–77 and 79–81.)

8b. Share your challenges and successes in completing First Class requirement

8a. Set a goal for continuing to include physical activity as part of your

daily life.

(See pages 76–77.)

CITIZENSHIP

9a. Visit and discuss with a selected individual approved by your leader (for

example, an elected ofﬁcial, judge, attorney, civil servant, principal, or

teacher) the constitutional rights and obligations of a U.S. citizen.

(See pages 54–55 and 66–67.)

See the Swimming merit badge requirements for details about the BSA swimmer test.

Under certain exceptional conditions, where the climate keeps the outdoor water temperature below safe levels year-

round, or where there are no suitably safe and accessible places (outdoors or indoors) within a reasonable traveling

distance to swim at any time during the year, the council Scout executive and advancement committee may, on an

individual Scout basis, authorize an alternative for requirements 6a and 6e. The local council may establish appropriate

procedures for submitting and processing these types of requests. All the other requirements, none of which necessitate

entry in the water or entry in a watercraft on the water, must be completed as written.

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9b. Investigate an environmental issue affecting your community. Share what

you learned about that issue with your patrol or troop. Tell what, if anything,

could be done by you or your community to address the concern.

(See pages 55–56.)

9c. On a Scouting or family outing, take note of the trash and garbage you

produce. Before your next similar outing, decide how you can reduce,

recycle, or repurpose what you take on that outing, and then put those

plans into action. Compare your results.

(See pages 55–56.)

9d. Participate in three hours of service through one or more service projects

approved by your Scoutmaster. The project(s) must not be the same service

project(s) used for Tenderfoot requirement 7b and Second Class requirement

8e. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout Law.

(See pages 13–16.)

LEADERSHIP

10. Tell someone who is eligible to join Scouts BSA, or an inactive Scout,

about your Scouting activities. Invite this person to an outing, activity,

service project, or meeting. Provide information on how to join, or

encourage the inactive Scout to become active. Share your efforts with

your Scoutmaster or other adult leader.

(See the inside front cover.)

SCOUT SPIRIT

11. DemonstrateScout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how

you have done your duty to God and how you have lived four different

points of the Scout Law (different from those points used for previous ranks)

in your everyday life.

(See pages 11–16 and 23.)

12. While working toward the First Class rank, and after completing Second

Class requirement 11, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

(See page 418.)

13. Successfully complete your board of review for the First Class rank.

(See page 414.)

Notes: The requirements for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on

simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence.

Alternative requirements for the First Class rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if

they meet the criteria listed in the Scouts BSA Requirements book.

RANK REQUIREMENTS

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