Ralph Seifert First Backpack Award
Sponsoring Council
Western Los Angeles County Council
Award Dimensions
3” x 2”
Summary
This award honors one of the founders of the WLACC High Adventure Team and represents his desire that all able-bodied and trained Scouts and Scouters backpack. Ralph Seifert has trained many leaders and introduced many more Scouts to the outdoors. This award introduces the HAT Basic Backpacking Awareness course participants and their scouts to the backpacking awards in the HAT patch system by earning a specific patch for successfully completing their first backpacking overnight trip.
Map Link (where applicable)
External Reference (where applicable)
Detailed Requirements
1. Comply with the High Adventure Award General Requirements.
2. This award may be earned on the outdoor portion of the HAT Basic Backpacking course or of the HAT Junior Backpack Awareness course by the course participants. This award may be earned in addition to earning the course stripe.
a. In the alternative, this award may be earned by Scouts or registered Scouters for successfully and safely completing the first backpacking trip organized under the supervision and direction of a leader after he or she has completed the Basic Backpacking course. In honor of the leader’s first organized hike, a Scout or registered Scouter is eligible for this award even if he or she has earned a previous HAT backpacking award.
b. In the second alternative, this award may be earned by scouts or registered Scouters for successfully and safely completing his or her first backpacking trip not otherwise eligible for a HAT backpacking trip award under the supervision and direction of a leader if he or she has never earned a HAT backpacking award. A Scout or registered Scouter is not eligible for this award if he or she has earned a previous HAT backpacking award.
3. For the first option, take an overnight backpacking trip under the supervision and direction of HAT staff instructors. The trip will take place at the location of the assigned HAT outdoor course. For the two alternatives, the overnight backpack trip will be under the supervision and direction of the leader who will determine the location and distance of the trip. The HAT approval advisor will confirm the itinerary.
4. Practice the Leave No Trace program during the trip. If the controlling agency requires, pack out all solid human waste.
5. Pick up every piece of trash, garbage or all man-made debris along the trail as the even service project. The trail and the entire area which can be reached safely just have a clean sweep to implement and practice the Leave No Trace program; pack out the collected material.
6. Cook at least two backpacking meals using the patrol method, with the use of cook stoves. Also plan a menu for a cold camp and meals without benefit of a cook stove, in case fire-danger conditions would so require. Plan the alternative cold-camp meal menus concurrent with the cooked menu, in order to be prepared for any last-minute changes in fire-danger conditions.
5. This award may be earned by any registered Scout, including any female Venture Crew Member, or any registered adult Scouter. Any HAT Staff Member, Course Instructor or Course Director also may earn the award by serving as an instructor for the outdoor overnight session of any HAT course.
6. Follow all fire regulations as appropriate to the conditions and as set by the applicable governmental agency and authority in the area.
7. Obtain a Tour Permit, plus any required Fire Permit and/or any other necessary permits from the appropriate governmental agencies or authorities in the trip area. Complete a HAT application and submit it for approval prior to the planned outing.
8. For any HAT award that requires a Training Hike award, this award would qualify as the equivalent for those adults who took and successfully completed a HAT-sponsored Basic Backpacking Awareness curse.