# Tenderfoot Requirements

Official Scouts BSA requirements for the Tenderfoot rank, from the Scouting America advancement API (version 83, effective 2022-08-01). Overview: [Tenderfoot](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/tenderfoot/index.md). Study guide: [Tenderfoot Digital Requirements Guide](https://scouting.university/scouts-bsa/ranks/tenderfoot/guide/index.md).

## Requirements

- **1** *Camping and Outdoor Ethics*
  - **1.a** *Show and pack camping gear* Present yourself to your leader, prepared for an overnight camping trip. Show the personal and camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it.
  - **1.b** *Sleep in a tent you pitch* Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch.
  - **1.c** *Explain outdoor ethics* Explain how you demonstrated the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace on campouts or outings.
- **2** *Cooking and Meal Preparation*
  - **2.a** *Help cook a meal* On the campout, assist in preparing one of the meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup.
  - **2.b** *Clean cooking and eating gear* While on a campout, demonstrate an appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve, and eat a meal.
  - **2.c** *Explain patrol meal importance* Explain the importance of eating together as a patrol.
- **3** *Tools*
  - **3.a** *Demonstrate square knot* Demonstrate a practical use of the square knot.
  - **3.b** *Demonstrate two half-hitches* Demonstrate a practical use of two half-hitches.
  - **3.c** *Demonstrate taut-line hitch* Demonstrate a practical use of the taut-line hitch.
  - **3.d** *Care for knife, saw, and ax* Demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of the knife, saw, and ax. Describe when each should be used.
- **4** *First Aid and Nature*
  - **4.a** *Show basic first aid* Show first aid for the following:
    - Simple cuts and scrapes
    - Blisters on the hand and foot
    - Minor (thermal/heat) burns or scalds (superficial, or first-degree)
    - Bites or stings of insects and ticks
    - Venomous snakebite
    - Nosebleed
    - Frostbite and sunburn
    - Choking
  - **4.b** *Identify hazardous plants* Describe common poisonous or hazardous plants; identify any that grow in your local area or campsite location. Tell how to treat for exposure to them.
  - **4.c** *Prevent outdoor injuries* Tell what you can do while on a campout or other outdoor activity to prevent or reduce the occurrence of injuries or exposure listed in Tenderfoot requirements 4a and 4b.
  - **4.d** *Assemble first-aid kit* Assemble a personal first-aid kit to carry with you on future campouts and hikes. Tell how each item in the kit would be used.
- **5** *Hiking*
  - **5.a** *Use buddy system* Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and where you live. Use the buddy system while on a troop or patrol outing.
  - **5.b** *Explain what to do if lost* Describe what to do if you become lost on a hike or campout.
  - **5.c** *Explain safe hiking rules* Explain the rules of safe and responsible hiking, both on the highway and cross-country, during the day and at night.
  - **5.d** *Explain hiking on durable surfaces* Explain why it is important to hike on trails or other durable surfaces, and give examples of durable surfaces you saw on your outing.
- **6** *Fitness*
  - **6.a** *Record fitness benchmark* Record your best in the following tests:

    **Current results**
    - Push-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
    - Sit-ups or curl-ups________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
    - Back-saver sit-and-reach _________ (Record the distance stretched)
    - 1 mile walk/run _____________ (record the time)
  - **6.b** *Develop improvement plan* Develop and describe a plan for improvement in each of the activities listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a. Keep track of your activity for at least 30 days.
  - **6.c** *Show fitness improvement* Show improvement (of any degree) in each activity listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a after practicing for 30 days.

    **30 days later**
    - Push-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
    - Sit-ups or curl-ups________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds)
    - Back-saver sit-and-reach _________ (Record the distance stretched)
    - 1 mile walk/run _____________ (record the time)
- **7** *Citizenship*
  - **7.a** *Demonstrate American flag etiquette* Demonstrate how to display, raise, lower, and fold the American flag.
  - **7.b** *Complete 1 hour of service* Participate in a total of one hour of service in one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout slogan and Scout motto.
- **8** *Teach a skill using EDGE* Describe the steps in Scouting's EDGE method. Use the Teaching EDGE method to teach another person how to tie the square knot.
- **9** 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 in your everyday life.
- **10** *Complete Scoutmaster conference* While working toward the Tenderfoot rank, and after completing Scout rank requirement 7, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
- **11** *Complete board of review* Successfully complete your board of review for the Tenderfoot rank.

**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 Scout rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if they meet the criteria listed in the Scouts BSA Requirements book.