Cub Scout Backwoods Cooking Activity Badge – Requirements & Guide

The Backwoods Cooking Activity Badge teaches Cubs the essential skills of outdoor cooking. From lighting a fire to cooking over hot embers, this badge is about learning independence, responsibility, and the joy of making a warm, tasty meal in the wild.

How to Earn the Backwoods Cooking Badge

To complete this badge, Cubs need to show that they can safely prepare, cook, and tidy up after an outdoor meal.

1. Lighting a Fire

• Demonstrate how to light a fire safely using matches, a fire steel, or another safe method approved by your Leader.

• Understand the importance of fire safety and adult supervision.

2. Preparing a Fire for Cooking

• Help someone build and prepare a fire so that it’s suitable for cooking.

• Learn how different types of fires (e.g., log fire, pyramid fire, trench fire) are used for different cooking methods.

3. Cooking with a Billy Can

• Use a billy can (or similar cooking pot) to prepare a hot meal such as soup, pasta, or hot chocolate.

4. Cooking in the Embers

• Cook something directly in the embers of the fire, such as foil-wrapped vegetables, baked potatoes, or damper bread.

5. Cooking on a Stick

• Prepare and cook simple food on a stick, such as bread twists, marshmallows, or sausages.

6. Fire Safety and Tidy Up

• Show how to make the fire safe when finished.

• Fully extinguish the fire and ensure the cooking area is left tidy and safe for others.

Tips for Success

• Always cook under adult supervision.

• Think about food hygiene as well as fire safety.

• Try a mix of sweet and savoury recipes to develop your skills.

• Remember: Scouting is about learning by doing – so don’t worry if it isn’t perfect the first time!

✅ The Cub Scout Backwoods Cooking Activity Badge is a fantastic way to build outdoor confidence, learn campfire skills, and enjoy delicious food with your Pack.