Required Trail Badges

Trail Life USA badge requirements include completing activities in four categories, earning specific Trail Badges, and completing elective badges. 

Devotional, Discipleship, Discipline, and Demonstration 

  • Devotional: Engage with spiritual truth in a regular way
  • Discipleship: Live out faith through service and learn from others
  • Discipline: Practice intentional activities that result in spiritual growth
  • Demonstration: Share Worthy Life experiences with parents, Troop, and/or church

There are 15 specific Trail Badges that are required for Rank advancement

Required Trail Badges include:

1. Aquatics Trail Badge

2. Camping Trail Badge

3. Fire Ranger Trail Badge

4. First Aid Trail Badge

5. Our Flag Trail Badge

6. Outdoor Cooking Trail Badge

7. Ropework Trail Badge

8. Trail Skills Trail Badge

9. Wood Tools Trail Badge

10. Citizenship Trail Badge

11. Emergency Preparedness Trail Badge

12. Family Man Trail Badge

13. Outdoor Life Trail Badge

14. Personal Resources Trail Badge

15. One Fitness Trail Badge option:

Swimming

Hiking

Fitness

Cycling

  • Additionally, Trailmen are required to earn a minimum of ten Elective Trail Badges. Trailmen can choose Elective Trail Badges that are currently available, or Trailmen can choose to create their own Elective Trail Badge using Trail Life’s Design Your Own Badge guidelines.
  • Trailmen learn various skills through Trail Badges in the Navigators and the Adventurers programs 
  • Trailmen can pursue advancement outside of meetings and activities to complete the badge work 
  • Trailmasters and Advisors can help guide and coach the trailmen 

Elective Badges

  • There are many elective badges to choose from, including topics such as Heritage and Sports & Fitness 
  • Elective Trail Badges are laser-cut medallions made from olive wood grown in Jerusalem 
  • Elective Trail Badges are suspended from the Trailman’s Standard using paracord or a leather cord