All worksheets / Exploration
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Exploration
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Exploration is the pursuit of discovery through rigorous, purposeful scientific field and laboratory investigation. You will learn how exploration differs from recreational adventure travel, examine the history and impact of exploration across major scientific fields, study active expeditions, plan a complete expedition using the 8-step planning cycle, prepare gear and conduct a pre-expedition SAFE check, undertake an actual field expedition applying Leave No Trace and outdoor ethics, compile a formal post-expedition report, and explore careers in exploration.
Key Requirements Covered:
- History & Ethics of Scientific Exploration
- Expedition Planning, Logistics & Safety
- Navigation, Field Science & Data Collection
- Expedition Execution & Fieldwork Reporting
9Printable Pages
9Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Exploration Requirements
Every requirement for the Exploration merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Exploration Principles and Environments
General Knowledge. Do the following:
- a Define exploration and explain how it differs from adventure travel, trekking or hiking, tour-group trips, or recreational outdoor adventure trips.
- b Explain how approaches to exploration may differ if it occurs in the ocean, in space, in a jungle, or in a science lab in a city.
2History of Exploration in a Field of Study
History of Exploration. Discuss with your counselor the history of exploration. Select a field of study with a history of exploration to illustrate the importance of exploration in the development of that field (for example, aerospace, oil industry, paleontology, oceanography, etc.).
3Importance and Attributes of Exploration
Importance of Exploration. Explain to your counselor why it is important to explore. Discuss the following:
- a Why it is important for exploration to have a scientific basis
- b How explorers have aided in our understanding of our world
- c What you think it takes to be an explorer
4Real-Life Exploration Study
Real-Life Exploration. Do ONE of the following:
- a Learn about a living explorer. Create a short report or presentation (verbal, written, or multimedia slide presentation) on this individual's objectives and the achievements of one of the explorer's expeditions. Share what you have learned with your counselor and unit.
- b Learn about an actual scientific exploration expedition. Gather information about the mission objectives and the expedition's most interesting or important discoveries. Share what you have learned with your counselor and unit. Tell how the information gained from this expedition helped scientists answer important questions.
- c Learn about types of exploration that may take place in a laboratory or scientific research facility (medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, etc.). Explain to your counselor how laboratory research and exploration are similar to field research and exploration.
5Sponsoring Organization or Research Facility Visit
Exploration in Lab and Field. Do ONE of the following, and share what you learned with your counselor:
- a With your parent or guardian's permission and counselor's approval, visit either in person or via the internet an exploration sponsoring organization (such as The Explorers Club, National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Institution, American Alpine Club, World Wildlife Fund, or similar organization). Find out what type(s) of exploration the organization supports.
- b With permission and approval, visit either in person or via the internet a science lab, astronomical observatory, medical research facility, or similar site. Learn what exploration is done in this facility.
6The Eight Steps of Expedition Planning
Expedition Planning. Discuss with your counselor each of the following steps for conducting a successful exploration activity. Explain the need for each step.
- a Identify the objectives (establish goals).
- b Plan the mission. Create an expedition agenda or schedule. List potential documents or permits needed.
- c Budget and plan for adequate financial resources. Estimate costs for travel, equipment, accommodations, meals, permits or licenses, and other expedition expenses.
- d Determine equipment and supplies required for personal and mission needs for the length of the expedition.
- e Determine communication and transportation needs. Plan how to keep in contact with your base or the outside world, and determine how you will communicate with each other on-site.
- f Establish safety and first-aid procedures (including planning for medical evacuation). Identify the hazards that explorers could encounter on the expedition and establish procedures to prevent or avoid those hazards.
- g Determine team selection. Identify who is essential for the expedition to be successful and what skills are required by the expedition leader.
- h Establish detailed recordkeeping (documentation) procedures. Plan the interpretation and sharing of information at the conclusion of the expedition.
7Expedition Preparation and SAFE Checklist
Prepare for an Expedition. With your parent or guardian's permission and counselor's approval, prepare for an actual expedition to an area you have not previously explored; the place may be nearby or far away. Do the following:
- a Make your preparations under the supervision of a trained expedition leader, expedition planner, or other qualified adult experienced in exploration (such as a school science teacher, museum representative, or qualified instructor).
- b Use the steps listed in requirement 6 to guide your preparations. List the items of equipment and supplies you will need. Discuss with your counselor why you chose each item and how it will be of value on the expedition. Determine who should go on the expedition.
- c Conduct a pre-expedition check, covering the steps in requirement 6, and share the results with your counselor. With your counselor, walk through the Scouting America SAFE Checklist for your expedition. Ensure that all foreseeable hazards for your expedition are adequately addressed.
8Expedition Execution, Ethics, and Report
Go on an Expedition. Complete the following:
- a With your parent or guardian's permission and under the supervision of your counselor or a counselor-approved qualified person, use the planning steps you learned in requirement 6 and the preparations you completed in requirement 7 to personally undertake an actual expedition to an area you have not previously explored.
- b Discuss with your counselor about the vital role of outdoor ethics in exploration, explaining how they promote responsible and mindful adventuring. Explain how you applied the Outdoor Code, Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! principles during your expedition.
- c After you return, compile a report on the results of your expedition and how you accomplished your objective(s). Include a statement of the objectives, note your findings and observations, include photos, note any discoveries, report any problems or adverse events, and have a conclusion (whether you reached your objective or not). The post-expedition report must be at least one page and no more than three; one page can be photos, graphs, or figures.
9Careers and Hobbies
Career Opportunities. Do ONE of the following:
- a Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian's permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.
- b Explore how you could use knowledge and skills from this merit badge to pursue a hobby. Research any training needed, expenses, and organizations that promote or support it. Discuss with your counselor what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Exploration requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/exploration/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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