Climbing

Scouts BSA · Merit Badge · Outdoors

Climbing is a thrilling sport that builds strength, focus, and trust in your team. This badge teaches safety first, then gear, knots, belaying, climbing, and rappelling. Every step happens under qualified supervision, so you can challenge yourself with confidence.

Why it's worth it

Climbing is a puzzle you solve with your whole body, and every route teaches you to trust your feet, your knots, and your belayer. This badge takes you from learning the gear and signals to belaying a friend, climbing three routes, and rappelling down three more. The focus and teamwork it builds help with anything scary or hard, and it opens doors to climbing gyms, outdoor crags, and high adventure trips where ropes and rock are part of the day.

Start this week

Learn the basic climbing signals this week, like "On belay?" and "Belay on," and practice the call-and-response with a family member.
Ask your Scoutmaster for the name of a Climbing counselor, and send them a short message with a parent copied to set up a first meeting.
Find out where you can climb with qualified instructors, such as your council's camp climbing program or a climbing gym that works with Scout groups.
Get a 6-foot piece of rope and start practicing the figure eight follow-through until you can tie it without looking.

Stay safe

Climb and rappel only under qualified instructors following Scouting America's Climb On Safely, with helmets on and every knot and harness checked before you leave the ground.
Never climb, belay, or rappel without supervision, and stay out from under climbers to avoid falling rocks or gear.

Requirements · 13

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

Requirement 1
Safety and first aid
Tips for this section: Learn first aid for common climbing injuries like scrapes, sprains, and falls. Know who to call in an emergency.
1. Requirement 1a
  Explain to your counselor the hazards you're most likely to face while climbing and rappelling, and how to anticipate, prevent, mitigate, and respond to them
2. Requirement 1b
  Show you know how to prevent and give first aid for climbing injuries and illnesses: sprains, fractures, abrasions, blisters, rope burns, concussions, dehydration, heat and cold reactions, stopped breathing, snakebite, and insect bites or stings
3. Requirement 1c
  Name the conditions that must be present before you give someone CPR
Requirement 2
Explain the meaning of the Outdoor Code and each of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Tip: Think about how to protect rock, plants, and trails at climbing areas. Practice the Outdoor Code on every outing.
Requirement 3
Show up properly dressed to belay, climb, and rappel; explain why you're wearing each item and how your clothes let you move easily, avoid snagging, and give comfort and weather protection
Tip: Ask your instructor to look over your clothes and shoes. Learn what each piece of gear does and why it matters.
Requirement 4
Climbing location
Tips for this section: Look at a climbing area with your instructor and talk about hazards, route ratings, and how you'd get help if needed.
Example for this section: Look at a crag or gym wall with your instructor and talk through it: loose rock or slick holds, where the anchors are, what the route ratings mean (for example, 5.6 is easier than 5.9), and the emergency plan, including the nearest phone signal and road access.
1. Requirement 4a
  Explain how climbs are rated for difficulty, and rate the rock faces or walls where you'll show your climbing skills
2. Requirement 4b
  Explain top-rope climbing, lead climbing, and bouldering
3. Requirement 4c
  Judge how safe a particular climbing area is, checking the weather, how well you can see, the state of the rock or wall surface, and other environmental dangers
4. Requirement 4d
  Figure out how to get emergency help to the climbing area, and discuss what medical training your group needs when it climbs or rappels far from help
Requirement 5
Explain why verbal signals matter on every climb and rappel and while bouldering; then, with your counselor or another Scout, show the signals each of the following uses
Tip: Practice the signals out loud with your belayer until they feel natural. Clear communication keeps everyone safe.
For example: Run the signals like a script: Climber: "On belay?" Belayer: "Belay on." Climber: "Climbing." Belayer: "Climb on." Add "Slack," "Up rope," "Falling," and "Off belay" so you can explain when each one is used.
1. Requirement 5a
  Show the verbal signals climbers use
2. Requirement 5b
  Show the verbal signals rappellers use
3. Requirement 5c
  Show the verbal signals belayers use
4. Requirement 5d
  Show the verbal signals boulderers and their spotters use
Requirement 6
Rope
Tips for this section: Ask your instructor to show you how to inspect a rope and what signs mean it should be retired.
Example for this section: Explain why climbing uses dynamic rope that stretches to absorb a fall, while rappelling and anchors often use static rope. Then show how to run the rope through your hands looking for cuts, soft spots, or stiffness, and why a rope gets retired.
1. Requirement 6a
  Describe which kinds of rope are acceptable for climbing and rappelling
2. Requirement 6b
  Show how to inspect a rope for wear or damage
3. Requirement 6c
  Discuss ways to keep a rope from getting damaged
4. Requirement 6d
  Explain when a rope should be retired and how to retire it
5. Requirement 6e
  Coil a rope properly
Requirement 7
Climbing knots
Tips for this section: Practice each knot at home with a short rope until you can tie it without looking. Have an instructor check every knot before climbing.
Example for this section: Tie each required knot and explain its job, like a figure eight follow-through to tie into a harness or a water knot for webbing. Have the instructor check every knot before anyone leaves the ground.
1. Requirement 7a
  Tie a figure eight on a bight and give at least one way it's used in belaying, climbing, or rappelling
2. Requirement 7b
  Tie a figure eight follow-through and give at least one way it's used in belaying, climbing, or rappelling
3. Requirement 7c
  Tie a water knot and give at least one way it's used in belaying, climbing, or rappelling
4. Requirement 7d
  Tie a double fisherman's knot (grapevine knot) and give at least one way it's used in belaying, climbing, or rappelling
5. Requirement 7e
  Tie a Prusik hitch onto a rope and give at least one way it's used in belaying, climbing, or rappelling
Requirement 8
Harness, helmet, and gloves
Tips for this section: Have an instructor check your harness, helmet, and gloves every time you gear up.
1. Requirement 8a
  Explain what a commercially made climbing harness is for and show how to put it on correctly
2. Requirement 8b
  Explain what a climbing helmet is for and show how to put it on correctly
3. Requirement 8c
  Explain what climbing or rappelling gloves are for and show how to put them on correctly
Requirement 9
Name each part of the CHECK system and explain to your counselor what each one means
Tip: Learn the CHECK system well enough to explain each step. Use it every single time before you climb.
For example: Learn each step of the CHECK system the way your instructor teaches it, then say it out loud before every climb as partners check each other's harnesses, helmets, buckles, knots, and belay devices. No one climbs until the belayer says "Climb on."
Requirement 10
Belaying
Tips for this section: Practice belaying only with a qualified instructor watching and a backup belayer in place.
1. Requirement 10a
  Explain why belaying climbers and rappellers is important and when it's needed
2. Requirement 10b
  Belay 3 climbers, each a different person, on 3 different routes
3. Requirement 10c
  Act as backup belayer for 3 different climbs
4. Requirement 10d
  Belay 3 rappellers, each a different person, on 3 different routes
5. Requirement 10e
  Act as backup belayer for 3 different rappels
Requirement 11
Climbing
Tips for this section: Start with easier routes and build up. Focus on using your legs more than your arms.
Example for this section: Start on an easy route to warm up, then try something a little harder. Focus on pushing with your legs, keeping your hips close to the wall, and resting on straight arms instead of bent ones.
1. Requirement 11a
  Tie a belay rope directly to your harness the correct way
2. Requirement 11b
  Climb at least 3 different routes on a climbing wall or rock face, using good technique and verbal signals with a belayer
Requirement 12
Rappelling
Tips for this section: Rappel only with a qualified instructor and a safety backup. Take it slow and keep a good stance.
1. Requirement 12a
  Tie a belay rope directly to your harness the correct way
2. Requirement 12b
  Attach a rappel rope to your harness using a carabiner and a rappel device
3. Requirement 12c
  Rappel down 3 different rock faces or 3 rappel routes on a climbing wall, using verbal signals with a belayer and good rappelling technique
Requirement 13
Show how to store climbing, rappelling, and belaying gear, including rope and hardware
Tip: Help coil and pack the gear after each session. Store it clean and dry, away from chemicals.

Places to visit

Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.

A climbing gym
Gyms have routes of every difficulty, trained staff, and gear you can rent, so you can practice year-round.
How: Have a parent call to ask about Scout group programs or beginner classes. Climbing for the badge must follow Scouting America's climbing rules with qualified supervision.
Your council's camp climbing area
Camp climbing staff are trained to Scouting standards and can cover all the requirements on towers or natural rock.
How: Check the camp's merit badge schedule with your Scoutmaster and sign up early.

Where it can lead

Climbing instructor or guideTeaches climbing at gyms, camps, and outdoor areas; certifications are available through national programs.
Rope access technicianUses climbing skills to inspect bridges, wind turbines, and tall buildings.
Search and rescue team memberUses rope systems to reach injured people in steep terrain.
ArboristClimbs trees to trim and care for them; often learned through on-the-job training and certification.
Climbing gym route setterDesigns new routes by placing holds on the wall.

Ask yourself

What part of climbing excites you most, and what part makes you nervous?
What did you tell yourself when you got stuck halfway up a route?
How did it feel to trust your belayer, and to be the one someone else trusted?
What did you learn about yourself the first time you leaned back on rappel?
Where would you like to climb next, and what skills do you still want to build?

Good questions to ask your counselor or a certified climbing instructor

What's the most important habit that keeps climbers safe?
How do you decide whether a route or a day is too risky?
How do you stay calm when you're scared on a climb?
What do you look for when you inspect a rope or harness?
How can I keep climbing after I finish this badge?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

Make sure all climbing and rappelling is led by qualified climbing instructors following Scouting America safety policies.
Look for climbing programs at council camps or local climbing gyms that work with scouts.

People & places that can help

Merit badge counselor — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
Council camp climbing program — Trained climbing staff and safe equipment.
Local climbing gym — A controlled place to practice skills with instructors.
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (opens in a new tab) — Tips for protecting climbing areas.
Access Fund (opens in a new tab) — How climbers protect climbing areas and keep them open to the public.
American Alpine Club (opens in a new tab) — Climbing safety lessons, accident reports, and ways to get involved.
USA Climbing (opens in a new tab) — Youth climbing teams and competitions across the country.

Into this? Explore more

Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.