Merit Badges
Merit badges are an important part of a scout’s advancement. A scout may begin working on merit badges as soon as he enters the troop. However, no merit badges are required through the rank of First Class. After that, the ranks of Start, Life, and Eagle require both a minimum number of merit badges and specific badges for advancement.
At Summer Resident Camp, a wide range of merit badge classes are offered to the scouts. Most of these badges can be completed during the week of camp with a minimum of the commitment from the scouts and without taking away from the scout’s camp experience.
During the remainder of the year, the scouts can work on the merit badges of their choice by contacting the designated merit badge counselors. A list of counselors is available from the troop librarian. Also, our troop library contains most of the merit badge books which the scouts may sign out. As with all troop equipment, the scout is responsible to return the Merit Badge book to the library in good condition.
Once the scout has determined which merit badges are of interest to him and that he meets the minimum qualifications for that badge, it is the scout’ responsibility to contact the counselor and arrange such meetings as may be necessary to complete the work.
It is recommended that two or more scouts work on the same merit badge at the same time. The group can help to encourage each other in accomplish the requirements, and it is more effective for the counselor to meet with groups of scouts for most badges. Besides, it’s more fun to work with someone toward a common goal.
Scouts are urged to maintain and protect the portion of the completed merit badge cards. (A three-ring binder with sports card protectors works well.) It will simplify documenting and confirming the records when the scout succeeds to the rank of Eagle.
Training
Training is an important part of the Boy Scout program. There are the leadership training programs for both youth and adult participants. There are training programs for scoutmasters and assistant scoutmasters in troop organization and leadership or outdoor skills; for adults interested in troop, district, or Council Committee involvement; and for health, safety, and youth protection.
The Boy Scouts of America policy requires that at least two adults at every troop event must have completed training Youth Protection and Health and Safety. Both of these training session are approximately ninety minutes in length. Parents are urged to support troop activities by taking available training classes.
