First Class Rank Requirements

NOTE: These requirements, and those for Tenderfoot and Second Class may be worked on simultaneously; however these ranks must be earned in sequence.

• 1. Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass.
• 2. Using a compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least 1 mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.)
• 3. Since joining, have participated in ten separate troop/patrol activities (other than troop/patrol meetings), three of which included camping overnight.
• 4. On one campout, serve as your patrol's cook. Prepare a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu that requires cooking; secure ingredients; supervise your assistants in fire building; and prepare the meals. Lead your patrol in saying grace at the meals, and supervise cleanup.
• 5. Visit and discuss with a selected individual approved by your leader (elected official, judge, attorney, civil servant, principal, teacher) your constitutional rights and obligations as a U.S. citizen.
• 6. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants found in your community.
• 7a. Demonstrate tying the timber hitch and the clove hitch and their use in square, shear, and diagonal lashings by joining two or more poles or staves together.
• 7b. Use lashing to make a useful camp gadget.
• 8a. Demonstrate tying the bowline (rescue) knot and how it's used in rescues.
• 8b. Demonstrate bandages for injuries on the head, the upper arm, and collarbone, and for a sprained ankle.
• 8c. Show how to transport by yourself, and with one other person, a person:
  • from a smoke-filled room
  • with a broken leg, for at least 25 yards.
• 8d. Tell the five most common signs of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• 9. Demonstrate your ability to swim 100 yards using one resting stroke and two other strokes, and to float (rest) as motionless as possible for 1 minute. (This requirement may be waived by the troop committee for medical or safety reasons.)
• 10. Demonstrate scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
• 11. Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

NOTE: Alternate requirements for the First Class rank are available for Scouts with physical or mental disabilities if they meet the criteria listed on page 6 of the 1995-97 Boy Scout Requirements Book .