The Scout Fieldbook

The BSA produced forerunners to the Fieldbook as early as 1920 with pamphlets called the Scout's Fieldbook or Scoutmaster's Fieldbook. And from 1927 to 1942, they produced "The How Book of Scouting", which was also a Fieldbook forerunner. They finally produced the first official Fieldbook in 1944.

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1st Edition Fieldbook (1944-1967)

Author credit went to both James E. West, Chief Scout, and William Hillcourt. West retired as Chief Scout Executive in 1943 and was named Chief Scout until his death in 1948 (only other Chief Scout was Ernest Thompson Seton)

Cover art was by BSA artist Don Ross, who also did the cover art for the Scout Handbook. The book is lavishly illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Some photos were updated as uniform styles changed. Chapters are called "Pow-Wows". The back cover of many printings had an index listing references to all Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class advancement requirements.

Table of Content

PART I IT'S FUN TO BE A Scout
Chapter 1 The Gang in Action
Chapter 2 Get in with the Gang

PART II HIKING ALONG
Chapter 3 Along the Pioneer Trail
Chapter 4 Through the Wilderness
Chapter 5 Judging Tricks
Chapter 6 Maps and Mapping
Chapter 7 Signs and Signals
Chapter 8 Use Your Senses
Chapter 9 Tracks and Traces
Chapter 10 The How of Stalking
Chapter 11 Many Kinds of Hikes

PART III CAMP CRAFTS
Chapter 12 Call of Camping
Chapter 13 Your Camp Outfit
Chapter 14 Your Wilderness Home
Chapter 15 Fires and Fireplaces
Chapter 16 Camp Cookery
Chapter 17 Axe and Knife
Chapter 18 Knots and Pioneering
Chapter 19 Fun in the Water
Chapter 20 Stunts in Camp
Chapter 21 Many Kinds of Camps

PART IV WILD LIFE
Chapter 22 Our American Animals
Chapter 23 Winged Friends
Chapter 24 Let's Go Fishing
Chapter 25 Reptile Facts
Chapter 26 A Few Amphibian
Chapter 27 The Six Leggers
Chapter 28 Flowers of the Year
Chapter 29 Our Native Trees
Chapter 30 Heavens Above
Chapter 31 Wind and Weather
Chapter 32 The Earth We Step On

PART V, HELPING OTHERS
Chapter 33 The Good Turn Habit
Chapter 34 Better Be Safe
Chapter 35 When Emergencies Strike
Chapter 36 First Aid

PART VI YOU!
Chapter 37 Physically Strong
Chapter 38 Mentally Awake
Chapter 39 Morally Straight
Chapter 40 On to Eagle

PART VII, OUR AMERICA
Chapter 41 Our Flag
Chapter 42 Our America
Chapter 43 Our Democracy
Chapter 44 YOU—American

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2nd Edition Fieldbook (1967-1984)

After letting the Fieldbook be out of print for 8 years, the Boy Scouts of America brought out a Second Edition in 1967. No author credit is given. The book is also lavishly illustrated with black-and-white photos, and has a brief "Quick Reference Key" on the back cover. There were two cover variants, plus the BSA allowed Workman Publishing to produce a commercially available version with a third cover. The commercial version also included a 16-page color insert of Norman Rockwell Scouting paintings.

Table of Content

Chapter1 Hit the Trail
Chapter 2 Ready for Hiking
Chapter 3 Map and Compass
Chapter 4 Camping Gear
Chapter 5 Camping
Chapter 6 Woods Tools
Chapter 7 Ropework
Chapter 8 Fires
Chapter 9 Cooking
Chapter 10 Physical Fitness
Chapter 11 Swimming
Chapter 12 Watercraft
Chapter 13 Safety and First Aid
Chapter 14 High Adventure
Chapter 15 Winter Camping
Chapter 16 Survival
Chapter 17 World of Nature
Chapter 18 Plant Kingdom
Chapter 19 Animal Kingdom
Chapter 20 Conserving Resources
Chapter 21 The Earth
Chapter 22 Weather
Chapter 23 The Heavens
Chapter 24 Between Adventures

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3rd Edition Fieldbook (1984-2004)

This edition switches to full-color photos as well as line drawings. This book includes major emphasis on low-impact camping, and includes up-to-date information on technology and techniques.

Table of Content

Part I. PREPARING FOR OUTINGS
Chapter 1 Reducing Our Impact
Chapter 2 Hiking
Chapter 3 Backcountry Navigation
Chapter 4 Gearing Up
Chapter 5 Making Equipment
Chapter 6 Camping Know-How
Chapter 7 Stoves and Fires
Chapter 8 Trail Menus and Cooking
Chapter 9 Becoming Fit
Chapter 10 Outdoor Safety
Chapter 11 Outdoor First Aid
Chapter 12 Survival Preparedness
Chapter 13 Swimming and Lifesaving
Chapter 14 Where To Go
Chapter 15. Planning

Part II. OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Chapter 16 Backpacking
Chapter 17 Canoeing
Chapter 18 Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking
Chapter 19 Riding and Packing
Chapter 20 Winter Camping
Chapter 21 Cross-Country Skiing
Chapter 22 Snowshoeing
Chapter 23 Mountain Hiking and Climbing
Chapter 24 Mountaineering and Technical Climbing
Chapter 25 Caving
Chapter 26 Wilderness Search and Rescue
Chapter 27 Fishing
Chapter 28 Bicycling
Chapter 29 Outdoor and Nature Photography
Chapter 30 Trail Building and Maintenance

Part III. APPRECIATING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Chapter 31 Understanding Nature
Chapter 32 Observing Nature
Chapter 33 The Earth
Chapter 34 Weather
Chapter 35 Plants
Chapter 36 Wildlife and Fish
Chapter 37 The Night Sky

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4th Edition Fieldbook (2004-Today)

It's bigger, thicker, and has color photos on every page. But it also costs $20. It has Boy Scouts of America Supply Division ads on both inside front and back covers.

Table of Content

Leadership and Trek Preparation
Chapter 1 Organizing for Adventures
Chapter 2 Outdoor Leadership
Chapter 3 Becoming Fit
Chapter 4 Planning a Trek
Chapter 5 Outdoor Menus
Chapter 6 Managing Risk

Leaving No Trace
Chapter 7 Implementing Leave No Trace
Chapter 8 Using Stoves and Campfires
Chapter 9 Hygiene and Waste Disposal
Chapter 10 Traveling and Camping in Special Environments

Trek Adventures
Chapter 11 Gearing Up
Chapter 12 Navigation
Chapter 13 Cold-Weather Travel and Camping
Chapter 14 Hot-Weather Travel and Camping
Chapter 15 Backpacking
Chapter 16 Watercraft Adventure Safety
Chapter 17 Canoeing
Chapter 18 Kayaking and Rafting
Chapter 19 Sailing
Chapter 20 Bicycle Touring and Mountain Biking
Chapter 21 Riding and Packing
Chapter 22 Ski Touring and Snowshoeing
Chapter 23 Mountain Travel
Chapter 24 Caving
Chapter 25 Fishing
Chapter 26 Search and Rescue

Appreciating Our Environment
Chapter 27 Understanding Nature
Chapter 28 Observing Nature
Chapter 29 Examining the Earth
Chapter 30 Monitoring Weather
Chapter 31 Plants
Chapter 32 Wildlife
Chapter 33 Watching the Night Sky
Chapter 34 Being Good Stewards of Our Resources