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With 126 merit badges out there (including four for 2010 only ), Scouting offers something for every boy in your troop. But when a Scout comes up to you with dreams of Drafting or visions of Veterinary Medicine, how would you respond? Don't... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

There's a Merit Badge App For That!

I t looks like Boy Scouts with iPhones and iPod Touch's will soon be able to keep track of their merit badges on their devices. According to scoutingnews.org: Beginning in early 2011, Boy Scouts will be able to manage their merit badges with an... From A Scoutmaster's Blog 1 decade ago

Merit Badge Sash Pins

Last year, my wife got me the world's most useless Christmas present - a BSA Branding Iron (which, if you read the page, has a warning that it is not intended for children under 3 years due to choking hazard, but no mention of burn hazard ???) But,... From Scoutmaster Musings 1 decade ago

Merit Badge Misteaks...Misstaks...Problems

A little fun from Scouting magazine--what is wrong with the merit badges on the left? The ones on the right are the current* version. So why were they changed? Answer (scroll to the bottom). *Beekeeping is not a current merit badge, this was the... From ScoutSigns 1 decade ago

Historic Merit Badge Program on Hold

According to the good folks over at U.S. Scouting Service Project News Blog, the historic Merit Badge program is on hold . There had been a few rumors about the program happening, but it looked like everything was in the bag when the Scouting... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Geocaching Merit Badge Requirements

A few Councils have started releasing the requirements for the much anticipated Geocaching Merit Badge.  This was originally discussed as GPS/GIS Merit Badge.  Keep in mind the Geocaching merit badge and pamphlet are not finalized yet, but these... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Scouting Heritage Merit Badge

Have you heard about the Scouting Heritage Merit Badge yet? No? Well, that is probably because there is no such merit badge... yet. On the BSA Innovation Engine (found at http://ideas.scouting.org/ ) there are a lot of ideas thrown around for new... From A Scoutmaster's Blog 1 decade ago

Merit Badge of the Week: Aviation

Flight is one of mankind's oldest dreams.  A toy glider has been found in the ruins of ancient Egypt.   My eldest son's Scoutmaster 15 years ago, used to take the Scouts up in his personal craft and with a little instruction, turn the controls... From ScoutSigns 1 decade ago

Earn The Scouting Heritage Merit Badge.

I almost wish I young enough to be a Boy Scout again. The merit badge I have been waiting for has finally arrived. Scouting Heritage is has been approved and is ready for Boy Scouts to begin earning. Since I am too old to earn it myself, I will be... From A Scoutmaster's Blog 1 decade ago

Merit Badge of the Week: Bird Study

We are fortunate to have an Audubon club in a nearby town. Each November, they have a multi-day event for the general public that includes hikes, vendors, several talks, and a great session with live birds (last year's was about raptors). They also... From ScoutSigns 1 decade ago

Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge

The Emergency Preparedness merit badge is one of the most useful badges a Boy Scout can earn. You hope you will never need to use the information you learn, but if you do find yourself in an emergency situation, you can make a difference. This... From Scouter Mom 1 decade ago

Robotics merit badge launch includes all-new interactive resource center

The age of robots in the Boy Scouts of America has begun. No, the BSA isn't planning to replace Scoutmasters with androids. At least not that I've heard of. I'm referring to today's launch of the Robotics merit badge. It's the latest example of how... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

Earn A Historical Merit Badge

Are you a Boy Scout? Would you like to do something different this year, the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America? How about earning a merit badge from the early days of Scouting that have been off the books for years? The BSA is bringing... From A Scoutmaster's Blog 1 decade ago

First look: Robotics merit badge

Scouts at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree are getting a hands-on sneak peek at an exciting upcoming merit badge by visiting the Robotics tent inside Merit Badge Midway. The badge won't be available to earn until April, but that didn't stop a... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

Boy Scout Merit Badge: Geocaching

One of the new merit badges announced this year is Geocaching. Geocaching is an outdoor activity that pairs GPS and other navigational techniques to find a cache – anything from an amazing view to a hidden container of treasures.  Often... From Stadri Emblems Scouting Blog 1 decade ago

Ask the Expert: What happened to Bugling merit badge?

Have you been searching for an answer to a Scouting-related question? Ask the Expert is here to help. Send us your question , and Cracker Barrel will seek out the answer. This week we hear from Bill Nelson , a Scouter in the Grand Canyon Council... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

Preliminary Requirements for Inventing Merit Badge

The preliminary requirements for Inventing Merit Badge are starting to float around to various Councils.  The Inventing Merit Badge is set to debut sometime in 2010.  These requirements should not be used to start the Inventing Merit Badge but... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Merit Badge Corner â€" Historic Merit Badges

The BSA recently released four historic merit badges that were around when scouting was founded for scouts to earn during 2010. These merit badges will allow scouts to learn things that some of the first scouts learned. The requirements will be the... From A Boy Scout's Blog 1 decade ago

Merit Badge of the Week: Automotive Maintenance

There are a couple of fairly common references to Scouts and automobiles. It is one of the "fumes"--perfumes and car fumes. Eagle Scouts may have a driver's license in my house. Get busy. The American love of the automobile is legendary. Monster... From ScoutSigns 1 decade ago

Official Geocaching merit badge requirements released

You won't need your GPS unit to find the Geocaching merit badge requirements. We've got them right here. The merit badge pamphlet is not yet available, but the Boy Scouts of America wanted to get the official requirements in the hands of... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

Hunting Merit Badge

I'm sure you heard by now that the Robotics merit badge comes out this month. But, in a more subdued release, I saw that the Hunting merit badge is available TODAY at our local Scout Shop. I really like the badge design and I think the scouts that... From Scoutmaster Musings 1 decade ago

Historic Merit Badge: Carpentry

As we stated in Historic Merit Badge Program A Go (for real this time!) , we are going to be taking an in-depth look at each of the four Historic Merit Badges in the next few days.  First up is Carpentry Merit Madge! Carpentry Merit Badge was first... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Design of Geocaching merit badge pamphlet released

You've got  the requirements . Now, check out the design of the Geocaching merit badge pamphlet and circular badge, released today by the Boy Scouts of America. For Boy Scouts who are geocaching enthusiasts, a merit badge that rewards... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

Inventing Merit Badge Released. First badges awarded

Boy Scouts and Lemelson-MIT Program introduce Inventing merit badge The inventive spirit of young people burst onto the scene today in Cambridge, Mass., as hundreds gathered to see the first awarding of the Boy Scouts of America's new Inventing... From U.S. Scouting Service Project 1 decade ago

Physical Development Merit Badge

In an effort to learn something new every day I have been a quest to learn more about some merit badges. I have a sash that belonged to my Father in Law. The merit badges are mostly Type D and E merit badges, so they range from 1942 to 1960. They... From The Scoutmaster Minute 1 decade ago

Historic Merit Badge Program on HOLD

WE've gottten a note from BSA that the Historic Merit Badge program for the Centennial has been delayed. Although a notice was placed in the Scouting Magazine "Cracker Barrel" blog, it was premature. The requirements we posted were DRAFTS, and have... From U.S. Scouting Service Project 1 decade ago

Boy Scouts of America releases Scouting Heritage merit badge

Scouting uses its 125 different merit badges to shine a light on topics that engage and inspire young minds. But with merit badge No. 126, the BSA intends to turn the light on itself. The new Scouting Heritage merit badge , available now,... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

Merit Badge Corner â€" Pathfinding

This weeks merit badge corner is a merit badge I earned last week at Summer Camp and is also one of the historic merit badges . It's the pathfinding merit badge!  The pathfinding merit badge is very interesting and easy merit badge to earn and... From A Boy Scout's Blog 1 decade ago

Historic Merit Badge: Signaling

As we stated in Historic Merit Badge Program A Go (for real this time!) , we are going to be taking an in-depth look at each of the four Historic Merit Badges in the next few days.  First up was Carpentry Merit Badge , now its Signaling!... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Cycling Merit Badge

We haven't had anyone earn this badge in recent memory. The Scouts in our troop always earn the Swimming merit badge their first year at summer camp. The troop does go out riding occasionally, especially on Grant's Trail which is very close to us... From Scouter Mom 1 decade ago

Update: BSA Historic Merit Badge Program

You may have heard rumors that the Historic Merit Badge Program has been canceled. Not true. What is true is that the BSA is putting finishing touches on the program now, and the end result will be well worth the wait. The Youth Development team... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

Merit Badge of the Week: Camping

Camping is the backbone of the Boy Scouts of America. Super campers get to join the Order of the Arrow . We dream about it, look forward to it each month (you do camp each month, right?), teach the skills and walk the walk. No wonder Camping is one... From ScoutSigns 1 decade ago

Merit Badge Days - Good or Bad?

This email came from a listener/reader. I answered it in Podcast number 4 as well as in this post; Hi Clarke- I really enjoy your thoughtful blogs and podcasts, and I'm interested to learn about your views on merit badge days. Your podcast item... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 1 decade ago

Merit Badge of the Week: Canoeing

When I was a Boy Scout in central Alaska, I worked hard on the Canoeing merit badge. There weren't a lot of places to use a canoe aside from our Scout camp--at least for me. Only problem: I couldn't swim! But they still let another Scout and me... From ScoutSigns 1 decade ago

Historic Merit Badge Program

The official info is Finally available on Scouting.org page - let's do this thing already! The final completion date is still December 31, 2010. The page above has links to online info and requirements for each badge. Scout... From Scoutmaster Musings 1 decade ago

Historic Merit Badge: Pathfinding

As we stated in Historic Merit Badge Program A Go (for real this time!) , we are going to be taking an in-depth look at each of the four Historic Merit Badges in the next few days.  First up was Carpentry Merit Badge , then Signaling Merit Badge ,... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Archery Merit Badge

Archery is another favorite merit badge for Boy Scout summer camp. DS earned this one a couple of years ago. When the guys sign up for this, they think it will be all shooting, but there is really a lot more to it than that. They have to learn a... From Scouter Mom 1 decade ago

Camping Information Sheet for Camping Merit Badge

I recently spent a week at Swift Base at S bar F Scout Ranch with our Boy Scout troop. Swift is normally a Venturing camp, so when they do a week for Boy Scouts, the only merit badges offered by the staff are Canoeing, Swimming, Lifesaving, Rowing,... From Scouter Mom 1 decade ago

Military Assists Pioneering Merit Badge at Jamboree

Soldiers out of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., with the Joint Task Force-National Scout Jamboree man the pioneering merit badge booth and assist boy scouts with the tasks necessary to earn the badge at the Boy Scouts of America 2010 National Boy Scout... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Next up: Welding merit badge

Want to spark some passion in your Scouts? Tell them about Welding, the next new merit badge from the Boy Scouts of America. When it debuts in the next month or two, it will become the BSA's 128th current merit badge, joining fellow newcomer Chess... From Aaron on Scouting Magazine 1 decade ago

Merit Badge of the Week: Cinematography

America loves movies. Even small towns have a movie theater with the latest films from Hollywood. Libraries loan DVDs and video stores abound. Netflix will deliver them to your mailbox or over the Internet. Need more? Youtube is one of the most... From ScoutSigns 1 decade ago

Bugling Merit Badge being discontinued, and revisions to Music merit badge

Bugling merit badge is being discontinued as of next January, 2011. Bill Nelson, a Scouter in the Grand Canyon Council (and former member of the USSSP team) wrote to BSA's "Ask the Expert" as follows: The Bugling merit badge is no longer on the... From U.S. Scouting Service Project 1 decade ago

Merit Badge Corner â€" Emergency Preparedness

This week's merit badge focuses on skills that are vital in being ready for emergency situations. The Emergency Preparedness merit badge  or the lifesaving merit badge can be used for the eagle required merit badge but you must only earn one. The... From A Boy Scout's Blog 1 decade ago

Merit Badge Corner â€" Citizenship in the Nation

With memorial day having just passed a couple of weeks ago and this being one of the badges I am working on I thought that this would be a good badge for this week's corner. The citizenship in the nation merit badge is required to earn the eagle... From A Boy Scout's Blog 1 decade ago

Why Chess Merit Badge?

Judith Bruner was the love of my life in second grade. Miss Bruner was a young, idealistic new teacher who played guitar. In 1968 she taught me how to play chess. I will never forget her for it. I was on our high school chess team and played a... From Scoutmaster Clarke Green 1 decade ago

Historic Merit Badge Program A Go (for real this time!)

It's been a long wait since Scouting Magazine announced the Historic Merit Badge Program back in January to yesterday when the program was made live for Scouts to earn the badges.  (ok, technically the material first appeared on March 30th,... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Lifesaving Merit Badge

LC earned this last summer. Even though he was a first year Scout, they let him do it because it was our second summer camp for the summer and he had completed Swimming merit badge at the first camp. LC is a good swimmer but is small. The only part... From Scouter Mom 1 decade ago

Scouting Podcast!

SMM 55 â€" The Scouting Heritage Merit Badge

The Scouting Heritage Merit Badge is a new merit badge and a great way to allow Scouts to learn about the rich history and heritage of not only the Boy Scouts of America but the Scouting movement. Join Scoutmaster Jerry and his new co host Scott as... From The Scoutmaster Minute Podcast 1 decade ago

Scuba Merit Badge

As we mentioned back in August, Scuba Merit Badge was approved and would be showing up later this year. Wait no longer. The details are now available. While the requirements and information have been released and will be pushed out through the... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

Occoneechee Council, BSA Introduces Historic Merit Badge Program

The Occoneechee Council has announced that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is now offering four historic merit badges in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of BSA.  Scouts will have the opportunity to earn merit badges in Signaling,... From Scouting News 1 decade ago

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