Historic Trails Award

Research a trail or site, hike or camp two days and a night there, then restore and mark it or stage a public event with a historic society, and file the application with the council.

5 steps (2 parts inside them). 2 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 9 October 2026 · About Historic Trails Award

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the question at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering one question will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 5

1 step

Find a historic society to work with Milestone

The program is built on cooperation with a local historic society. Make contact as soon as you start planning; most communities have one. Only chartered units may apply.

Stage 2 of 5

1 step

1. Find a historic trail or site and study it Document

From a historic society, a public library, or people who live nearby. The BSA historic trails index is a starting point.

Usually comes after Find a historic society to work with.

Stage 3 of 5

1 step

2. Hike or camp two days and one night there Requirement

Along the trail or near the site. A nearby hotel or another Scout's home counts.

Usually comes after 1. Find a historic trail or site and study it.

Stage 4 of 5

1 step

3. Work with the historic group on the trail or site Often forgotten Requirement

Restore and mark it, or help stage a public event about it.
2 parts
- 3(a). Restore and mark the trail or site Optional May not apply
- 3(b). Help plan and stage a historic event Optional May not apply

Stage 5 of 5

1 step

Council approves; the award is presented Milestone

The unit leader files the application with the council service center. The patches are for equipment, not the uniform.

Usually comes after 1. Find a historic trail or site and study it, 2. Hike or camp two days and one night there and 3. Work with the historic group on the trail or site.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.