The National Outdoor Badge for Riding recognizes Scouts and Venturers who cover lots of miles on bikes, horses, boats, or skates. It's a fun way to build skills and stamina.
Why it's worth it
Two hundred miles on a bike, a horse, a motorboat, or skates covers a lot of road, trail, and water. This badge rewards Scouts and Venturers who've made riding a regular Scouting adventure and learned to do it skillfully and safely. Whether it's a multi-day bike tour, trail rides at a ranch camp, or long days on the lake, the miles turn into stories you'll tell for years.
Start this week
- Check that you've finished requirement 1: First Class, Sea Scout Apprentice, or Ranger requirements 1-6.
- Choose your activity for requirement 2: Cycling, Horsemanship, Motorboating, or Skating, or the Ranger equivalent.
- Start a mileage log with the date, route, activity, and miles for every Scouting ride.
- Message a counselor for your chosen badge through your Scoutmaster or Advisor, with a parent copied.
Plan ahead: Requirement 3 is 200 logged miles of riding in Scouting. Start logging at your next ride and ask your leader whether past rides count.
Stay safe
- Wear a properly fitted helmet for cycling, skating, and horseback riding, and a life jacket on any boat.
- Follow traffic laws and the Guide to Safe Scouting, and ride with your group instead of alone.
Requirements · 3
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
Earn First Class rank or Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or finish Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1–6
Tip: Make sure you've finished First Class, Sea Scout Apprentice, or the listed Ranger requirements first.
For example: If you've reached First Class or Sea Scout Apprentice, you're set. If you joined Venturing without it, Ranger Award requirements 1-6 cover the core skills instead, and first aid matters on every long ride.
- Requirement 2
Riding skill and mileage. Choose 1 of 4
Tips for this section: Choose the activity you enjoy most and complete the badge and mileage. Wear the right safety gear every time.
Example for this section: Pick your ride: Cycling if you like road or trail biking, Horsemanship if you can reach horses through camp or a stable, Motorboating for time on a lake, or Skating if you skate. The badge includes its own mileage, so log from day one.
- Requirement 2a
Finish the Cycling merit badge or the Ranger Cycling/Mountain Biking elective, and ride 100 miles by bike
- Requirement 2b
Finish the Horsemanship merit badge or the Ranger Equestrian elective, and ride 20 miles on horseback
- Requirement 2c
Finish the Motorboating merit badge or the Ranger Watercraft elective, and travel 100 miles by motorboat
- Requirement 2d
Finish the Skating merit badge or the Ranger Winter Sports elective, and skate 20 miles
- Requirement 3
Cover 200 miles of riding in Scouting America activities, such as cycling, stock riding, skating, motorboating, or mountain boarding (ATV or PWC riding counts only at an approved council program); miles from requirement 2 count
Tip: Keep a mileage log of Scouting rides until you reach 200 miles. Ride with a group and follow safety rules.
For example: A log might show "May 4, troop ride on a rail-trail, 22 miles" and "Aug 10, crew bike tour day 2, 35 miles." A handful of long rides gets a cyclist a long way toward 200.
Ask yourself
- Which ride is your favorite so far, and why?
- How has your skill or stamina changed as the miles added up?
- What safety habit do you never skip now?
- Where would you like to ride next, and who would you bring?
Good questions to ask your counselor or an experienced rider
- How do you plan a long ride so the group stays together and safe?
- What maintenance should I do before every ride?
- How do you build up to longer distances without getting hurt?
Helpful reads
- Venturing: plan your own adventures, How a Venturing crew works, the four ranks from Venturing to Summit, what officers do, how to plan an adventure, and the national high-adventure bases., Youth · Leaders · 5 min read
- Finding service that matters, Service hours count toward your rank, but the best ones are the ones you'd want to do anyway. Here's how to find them, arrange them, and get the most out of them., Youth · Families · 5 min read
For leaders & parents
- Plan group rides and help Scouts track mileage.
- Make sure all riding activities follow safety guidelines and use proper equipment.
People & places that can help
- Merit badge counselors — Talk with them early; they can explain what's expected.
- Local bike shop or riding stable — Can help with equipment and safety tips.
- Scouting America (opens in a new tab) — Safety guidelines for riding activities.
- National Outdoor Awards (opens in a new tab) — Scouting America's official rules for the National Outdoor Badges and Medal.
- League of American Bicyclists (opens in a new tab) — Bike safety, riding skills, and bike-friendly routes.
- Adventure Cycling Association (opens in a new tab) — Route ideas and tips for multi-day bike tours.
- U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety (opens in a new tab) — Boating rules, life jackets, and safety tips for motorboating.
Pairs well with
Named in these requirements
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.