What type of badge does Russell earn by helping Carl?

Russell earns the Assisting the Elderly badge by helping Carl.

Russell is a young Wilderness Explorer who needs one final merit badge to become a Senior Wilderness Explorer. He visits Carl’s house intending to assist an elderly person, initially offering to help Carl cross the street, yard, or porch. Carl dismisses him and even sends him searching for a fictional “snipe,” but Russell’s determination eventually places him on the balloon-lifted house headed toward South America.

During the adventure, Russell genuinely helps Carl in ways far beyond the small task he originally imagined. He travels through dangerous terrain, helps protect Kevin, and continues trying to reunite the bird with her chicks. His actions transform the badge from a childish requirement into proof of courage, compassion, and persistence.

At the final ceremony, Russell’s father is absent, so Carl steps forward to represent him. Russell receives the official Assisting the Elderly badge, while Carl gives him Ellie’s grape-soda bottle cap as a personal honor called the “Ellie Badge.” The two badges are related but not identical, which is why the longer stored answer is the canonical one.