All worksheets / Surveying
Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Surveying
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Surveying is the precision measurement and mapping of land boundaries and elevation contours. You will learn how to operate optical levels, transits, and GPS units, and read property deeds. Requirements 2 through 4 require measuring a real five-sided traverse in the field, recording field notes, and plotting an accurate site plat to scale.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Surveying Instruments: Levels & Theodolites
- Angle Measurements & Closed Traverse Math
- Elevation Profiling & Topographic Contours
- Drafting Official Boundary Survey Plats
4Printable Pages
8Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Surveying Requirements
Every requirement for the Surveying merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1First Aid for Surveying Injuries
Show that you know first aid for the types of injuries that could occur while surveying, including cuts, scratches, snake bite, insect stings, tick bites, heat- and cold-related reactions, and dehydration. Explain to your counselor why a surveyor should be able to identify the poisonous plants and animals found in your area.
2Measure a Five-Sided Traverse
Do the following:
- a Set an instrument over one of the corners of a five-sided lot laid out by your counselor and sighting one of the other corners for reference and, using radial measurement methods, record the angle turned and the distance measured to each of the remaining corners, as directed by your counselor. Record the angle and distance to five topographic features (trees, shrubs, rocks, etc.) near your work area.
- b Measure to three of the same points with GPS measurement and compare the distances between the points measured.
3Plot Your Field Notes
From the field notes gathered for requirement 2, and using a protractor and scale, plot the points you measured and draw to scale a map of your survey which includes a north arrow, scale bar, title, date and a diagram of the lot you measured. Submit a neatly drawn copy.
4Run Levels from a Benchmark
Use one of the corner markers from requirement 2 as a benchmark with an assumed elevation of 100 feet. Using a level and rod, collect and record measurements, and determine the elevation of the other four corner markers.
5Read a Property Deed
Get a copy of the deed to a piece of property approved by your counselor, from the local courthouse or title agency. Discuss with your counselor the different parts of the deed and their importance.
6Drones, Laser Scanning, and New Technology
Discuss emerging surveying technology such as drones and laser scanning and the strengths and weaknesses of each.
7GPS and How It Is Changing Surveying
Tell what GPS is; discuss with your counselor the importance of GPS and how it is changing the field of surveying.
8Careers
Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in surveying. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Surveying 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/surveying/ 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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