How to make a plan
- 1Pick the trip and route — decide where you're going, out and back; for backcountry, mark it on a map in pencil.
- 2Set a return time — decide when you'll be back, with margin, so people know when to worry.
- 3List who's going — who: names of all participants and who's driving; confirm the group fits the trip.
- 4State the purpose — why you're going, in a sentence or two.
- 5Plan what to carry — what: the Scout Basic Essentials always, plus food, gear, shelter, water, and weather-appropriate clothing.
- 6Write it down and file it — put the plan in writing and leave a copy with at least two trusted adults not on the trip.
- 7Add an emergency plan — nearest help, emergency contacts, and what to do if someone is hurt or lost.
- 8Check in on return — tell your contacts you're back, so no one launches an unnecessary search.
Remember it as
Five W's — Where, When, Who, Why, What.
When to use it
- Every hike, backpacking trip, and campout — the first step of Leave No Trace ("Plan Ahead and Prepare") and basic safety.
- Requirement work (Second/First Class hiking, Hiking and Backpacking merit badges).
- Any time a group heads into the backcountry where help isn't close.
Common mistakes & safety
- Filing a plan is your safety net. If you're overdue, the people holding your plan know where to look and when to act — without it, no one knows you're missing or where.
- Set a realistic return time and stick to the check-in. An accurate "when" triggers help at the right moment — always check in when you're back.
- Carry the essentials the plan lists. The "what" isn't a formality — the Scout Basic Essentials keep a problem from becoming an emergency.
- Match the trip to the group. Plan routes, distance, and difficulty to the least-experienced member.
- Plan water, weather, and bail-outs — know your water sources, the forecast, and escape routes before you go.
Going deeper
- Five W's = the whole plan. Where, When, Who, Why, What — answer them in writing and you've filed a plan.
- "When" is the trigger. The single most important line is your return time — it's what tells someone when to start worrying and calling.
- Two adults, not one. Leaving the plan with two people who aren't going means someone is still available to raise the alarm if one is unreachable.
Official source
Hiking information — Troop Leader Resources →Trip planning supports the Second Class and First Class hiking requirements — requirement wording described here in our own words.