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A Brief Background of the Scout Fieldbook

(Boy Scouts of America / Scouting America)

4th Edition—Fieldbook (2004-2013)

It's bigger, heavier, and has color photos on every page. It has BSA Supply Division ads on both inside front and back covers.

4th Edition Summary and Printing History

• title from title page—Fieldbook
• author uncertain
• cover has 3 photos of skier, hikers, and canoer, none of whom appear to be Scouts
• 2004-2013 (10 years)
• ?? copies printed
• size 152x229x27 mm (6x9")
• ?? printings (I haven't kept up with different printings; any information you have is welcome):
  —1st printing (2004 & following, ?? copies)—614 numbered pages

Actual 4th Edition Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Leadership and Trek Preparation
• 1. Organizing for Adventures
• 2. Outdoor Leadership
• 3. Becoming Fit
• 4. Planning a Trek
• 5. Outdoor Menus
• 6. Managing Risk
• Leaving No Trace
• 7. Implementing Leave No Trace
• 8. Using Stoves and Campfires
• 9. Hygiene and Waste Disposal
• 10. Traveling and Camping in Special Environments
• Trek Adventures
• 11. Gearing Up
• 12. Navigation
• 13. Cold-Weather Travel and Camping
• 14. Hot-Weather Travel and Camping
• 15. Backpacking
• 16. Watercraft Adventure Safety
• 17. Canoeing
• 18. Kayaking and Rafting
• 19. Sailing
• 20. Bicycle Touring and Mountain Biking
• 21. Riding and Packing
• 22. Ski Touring and Snowshoeing
• 23. Mountain Travel
• 24. Caving
• 25. Fishing
• 26. Search and Rescue
• Appreciating Our Environment
• 27. Understanding Nature
• 28. Observing Nature
• 29. Examining the Earth
• 30. Monitoring Weather
• 31. Plants
• 32. Wildlife
• 33. Watching the Night Sky
• 34. Being Good Stewards of Our Resources
• Index

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Last Revision to This Page: 14 May 2026
Text copyright © 2006 by Jeff Snowden
Web format © 2006-26 by Troop 97 BSA
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Handbook images copyright © by Scouting America