The Iron Scout Challenge 2026
An Annual Day of Physical Achievement & Scout Skills – Troops 571 & 5749
📅 June 6, 2026📍 Lake Sammamish State Park🏆 6 Activities · Two Difficulty Levels
📢 Important: New Venue for 2026
Seattle Public Utilities has indefinitely suspended large-group permits at Rattlesnake Lake. We’ve secured an excellent alternative: Lake Sammamish State Park – same great tradition, same core activities, even better facilities.
What Is the Iron Scout Challenge?
The Iron Scout Challenge is a signature annual tradition for Troops 571 and 5749 – a full-day test of physical endurance, scout skills, and team spirit. Scouts complete up to 6 activities spanning water, trail, and field, choosing their challenge level for each.
40-60
Scouts Participating
6
Total Activities
2
Difficulty Levels Each
All Day
Family BBQ & Celebration
Skills developed:
Physical Fitness
Perseverance
Teamwork
Outdoor Ethics
Leadership
“Iron Scout isn’t just about the activities; it’s about the grit, the community, and the memories that last a lifetime.”
Mark Your Calendars!📅 Saturday, June 6, 2026
Lake Sammamish State Park · Tibbets Beach Day-Use Area · Issaquah, WA
“Together, we build stronger scouts – one challenge at a time.”
Our New Home: Lake Sammamish State Park
Located in Issaquah with easy access from I-90, Lake Sammamish State Park offers ample parking, beach access for canoeing and swimming, on-site restrooms, and a beautiful day-use area at Tibbets Beach serving as our Base Camp for the day.
✅ All Core Activities Preserved at the New Location
- Canoeing & Swimming – Tibbets Beach
- Run – Park paths and surrounding roads
- Hiking – Squak Mountain State Park (Bullitt Access Loop)
- Biking – East Lake Sammamish Trail
- Scout Skills – Day-use area
- Simplified permitting (single agency) · Ample parking · Centrally located
Event Schedule – June 6, 2026
Base Camp: Day-Use Area near Tibbets Beach, Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah. Check-in opens at 6:30 AM – plan to arrive on time!
| Time |
Activity |
| 6:30 AM |
Check-In Table Opens |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM |
Swimming |
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM |
Canoeing |
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM |
Run (5K or 10K) |
| 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM |
Hiking – Squak Mountain (Bullitt Access Loop) |
| 1:30 – 4:30 PM |
Biking – East Lake Sammamish Trail |
| 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Scout Skills – Orienteering & Pioneering (available throughout the afternoon) |
| All Day |
Family BBQ & Celebration at Base Camp |
The Activities
🏊 Swimming | Lead Volunteer – Keith Putt
7:00 – 8:00 AM
½ Mile
1 Mile
- Shoreline routes at Tibbets Beach
- Dedicated safety kayak for every swimmer
- BSA-trained Water Rescue adult oversight
- Must pass swim test prior to event day – Stay tuned for available times and locations!
🚤 Canoeing | Lead Volunteer – Keith Putt
8:00 – 9:00 AM
1 Mile
1.5 Miles
- Routes at Tibbets Beach
- Adult supervision from kayaks on water
- Life Jackets required for all participants
🏃 The Run | Lead Volunteer – Amy Hayes
9:00 – 10:30 AM
5K – 3.1 Miles
10K – 6.2 Miles
- Routes marked with sandwich boards and pin flags
- Adult volunteers stationed along the course for safety & cheering on our runners
🥾 Hiking – Squak Mountain | Lead Volunteer – Gayathari Devalapalle
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM · Bullitt Access Loop
3.5 Miles
4.8 Miles
- Scouts carpool to Squak Mountain State Park
- Small groups of 8-10 scouts + 2 adult leaders per group
- Leaders carry medical kits and radios
🚲 Biking – East Lake Sammamish Trail | Lead Volunteer – Scott Yoo
1:30 – 4:30 PM
12 Miles
24 Miles
- 12 miles: Ends at Marymoor Park; scouts are shuttled back to Lake Sammamish State Park
- 24 miles: Full out-and-back route returning to the Costco Soccer Fields
- Groups of 6-8 scouts + 1 adult leader; first aid kits and radios carried
Scout Skills
Orienteering | Lead Volunteer – TBD
Pioneering | Lead Volunteer – Matt Wilma
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Available Throughout the Day
- Orienteering: Compass and map navigation challenges within the park’s day-use area using traditional BSA techniques
- Pioneering: Knot-tying and lashing challenges in the grass area near registration – scouts build structures and solve lashing puzzles
Merit Badges, Rank & Award Opportunities
The Iron Scout Challenge isn’t just a physical feat – it’s a scouting opportunity. Many ISC activities directly support rank advancement requirements, merit badge progress, and national award milestones. Look for the tags below to see what you can earn while you compete.
🎖 Merit Badge
⬆ Rank
🏅 Award
🏊 Swimming
🏅 Award
One Mile Swim Award
- Complete Req 1-3 at the ISC swim test (jump, 100-yard swim with turn, pre-qualify with ¼ mile)
- Swim the 1-mile ISC course to complete Req 4 and earn the award
- Note: Req 3 must be completed before Req 4
⬆ Rank
First Class – Req 6a
- Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test (jump, 75 yards strong stroke + 25 yards backstroke)
⬆ Rank
Second Class – Req 5a & 5b
- 5a: Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim
- 5b: Pass the BSA beginner test (jump feetfirst, swim 25 feet, stop, turn, return)
🎖 Merit Badge
Multisport – Req 7
- Swimming counts toward Req 7 if the activity transition is planned correctly
🏅 Award
National Outdoor Award – Aquatics (Req 4)
- Swimming counts as 1 hour toward the 25 hours of aquatic activity required
🚤 Canoeing
🏅 Award
National Outdoor Award – Aquatics (Req 4)
- Canoeing counts as 1 hour toward the 25 hours of aquatic activity required
🏃 The Run
The run does not count toward rank advancement, hiking miles, or awards on its own.
🎖 Merit Badge
Multisport – Req 7
- Running counts toward Req 7 if the activity transition is planned correctly
🥾 Hiking
⬆ Rank
Second Class – Req 3b
- Take a 5-mile hike (with compass and map) approved by adult leader and parent/guardian
- ⚠ Needs 5 miles: Current routes (3.5 mi / 4.8 mi) are just short of qualifying – leaders are looking at a small extension
🏅 Award
National Outdoor Award – Hiking (Req 4)
- All hiking miles count toward the total hiking mileage requirement
- Miles also count toward your personal Activity Log
🚲 Biking
🎖 Merit Badge
Multisport – Req 7
- Biking counts toward Req 7 if the activity transition is planned correctly
🎖 Merit Badge
Cycling – Req 6, Option B (Trail Riding)
- Option B, Req 4: Either ISC route (12 or 24 mi) can count as one required trail ride
- Option B, Req 5: The 24-mile route satisfies the 22-mile minimum ride requirement
🏅 Award
National Outdoor Award – Riding (Req 3)
- All biking miles count toward Req 3 total mileage
🧭 Scout Skills – Orienteering & Pioneering
Orienteering
⬆ Rank
Second Class 3a & 3d · First Class 4a
- SC 3a: Demonstrate how a compass works and orient a map; identify 5 map symbols
- SC 3d: Demonstrate finding directions day and night without a compass or electronic device
- FC 4a: Complete a 1+ mile orienteering course using map and compass, including measuring height/width of designated items
Pioneering – Knots
⬆ Rank
Tenderfoot 3a/3b/3c · Second Class 2f/2g · First Class 3b
- TF 3a: Demonstrate a practical use of the square knot
- TF 3b: Demonstrate a practical use of two half-hitches
- TF 3c: Demonstrate a practical use of the taut-line hitch
- SC 2f: Tie and describe a situation for the sheet bend knot
- SC 2g: Tie and describe a situation for the bowline knot
- FC 3b: Demonstrate the timber hitch and clove hitch
Pioneering – Lashings
⬆ Rank
First Class 3a / 3c / 3d
- FC 3a: Discuss when you should and should not use lashings
- FC 3c: Demonstrate square, shear, and diagonal lashings joining two or more poles
- FC 3d: Use lashings to make a useful camp gadget or structure
Event Points & Award Scale
Every activity earns points – standard or Xtreme. Stack your points and events to climb the award ladder, from Iron all the way to the Ultimate Iron Scout.
| Event |
Points |
| 🏊 Swim |
2 |
| ⚡ X – Swim (Xtreme) |
4 |
| 🚤 Canoe |
2 |
| ⚡ X – Canoe (Xtreme) |
4 |
| 🧭 Scout Skills |
2 |
| ⚡ X – Scout Skills (Xtreme) |
4 |
| 🏃 Run |
2 |
| ⚡ X – Run (Xtreme) |
4 |
| 🥾 Hike |
2 |
| ⚡ X – Hike (Xtreme) |
4 |
| 🚲 Bike |
2 |
| ⚡ X – Bike (Xtreme) |
4 |
| Points / Parameters |
Award |
| Participate in 1 or 2 events |
🔩 Iron |
| 6 points or participate in 3 events |
⚙️ Titanium |
| 8 points or participate in 4 events |
🥈 Silver |
| 10 points or participate in 5 events |
🥇 Gold |
| Participate in all 6 events |
💎 Diamond |
| All 6 events with at least 1 at Xtreme level |
💎💎 Double Diamond |
| All 6 events at Xtreme level |
🏆 Triple Diamond
The Ultimate Iron Scout
|
Scouts – Register for Activities
Choose your challenge level for each activity. Every scout picks their own path – sign up early to secure your spot!
🏆 Scouts ReGISTER Here
Questions? Contact Karen Blue or Bobbie Jo Foster-Putt
Family BBQ – Celebrate Together
The Family BBQ is the social heart of the Iron Scout Challenge. Located in the grass area near registration for easy access all day, families are encouraged to come, cheer on their scouts, join the meal, and share in the day’s stories. All are welcome – no need to wait until the end!
Volunteer Opportunities – We Need You!
This event runs entirely on parent and adult volunteer power. Choose a role below and sign up – every position makes a difference!
🔧 Setup & Logistics
4-6 needed
- 6:00 AM arrival required
- Tent & table setup
- Activity staging
📋 Registration
2-3 needed
- Scout arrival processing
- Distribute materials
- Track participation
🏊 Waterfront Support
3-4 needed
- BSA Swim & Water Rescue preferred
- Canoe & swimming supervision
👤 Activity Leaders
4-6 needed
- Oversee individual activities
- Manage check-in/out
- Safety monitoring
📍 Checkpoint Volunteers
6-8 needed
- Stationed on hiking/run routes
- First aid equipped
- Radio communication
🍔 BBQ Team
3-5 needed
- Food prep & service
- Cleanup coordination
📷 Photographers
1-2 needed
- Capture memories for scouts and families!
📦 Tear Down Crew
2-3 needed
- Pack up tents, tables & equipment
- Leave no trace cleanup
- End-of-day load out
🤝 General Volunteers
Open
- Float and help where needed
- Fill gaps across all activities
- Great for first-time volunteers!
