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From Basketry to Robotics, merit badges are where Scouts meet the wider world. These posts share counselor tips, workbook debates, new badge announcements and the stories behind favorite badges.
637 posts · 2007–2020
20 posts
Dr. Architecture contacted me a while ago with more resources for those pursuing the Architecture merit badge . Here are his recommended resources: Becoming an Architect: A Guide to Careers in Design --Amazon link Summer programs listed (Summer 2009 to be updated by the end of January 2009) National Architectural Accrediting Board ( NAAB ) provides a list…
[Scouters in Dallas-Ft. Worth TX area--please share in Comments if you have any more data!] OK, this requires some explaining. I saw a comment posted related to "Boy Scouts" and "Architecture". I've tried multiple times on separate occasions to get a link to work for the Museum of Nature & Science in Dallas TX.
Shortly after I began my tenure as a scoutmaster at the age of 21 in 1981 I was told during a training event that an adult could serve as a merit badge counselor for up to six merit badges, but a Boy Scout could only earn two merit badges with a counselor.
One of the strongest American passions is sports. Exercise, games, magazines, blogs, websites, television and more feed this driving need. And when that isn't enough, we invent sports like "professional" wrestling and roller-derby. We are also a nation growing a bit hefty about the middle.
Space, the final frontier. And we have a new Star Trek movie to remind us! We continue to learn new things all the time. Want to see a new planet in our solar system? Or one in another solar system ?
Art merit badge has the distinction of being the shortest named merit badge. Since I cannot draw a straight line, even with a ruler, let us say I never considered this one when I was a Scout. Many Scouts can tell you that there are 8 basic colors: red , orange , yellow , green , blue , purple , black…
-13 Vote On Idea In response to the numerous postings about adding various merit badges to the current program, how about creating one new badge known as "design your own'? A Scout could work with an adult leader or counselor to show proficiency in a field of interest that is outside of the merit badge…
Architecture brings to mind images of great churches, ancient buildings like the Acropolis, and the Taj Mahal. It should also bring to mind your post office, where you live and go to school. Architecture is about the structure and construction of buildings.
When visiting troops, Webelos parents come with a lot of questions; but they don't always know everything to ask. The old philosophy still applies. There are no stupid questions. Ask away!!! Over the years, there is a common set of questions that need to be answered whether they are asked or not.
Archery. Let's get to the point. I've just finished a very good series of novels that take place in the 14th century, following an English archer (not Robin Hood). Seems that English archers were widely feared due to their prowess with the longbow in the Hundred Years War .
By now those of you that follow Scouting on the Internet have read the story of one Coleman Carter. Coleman is an 18 year old Scout that has earned 121 merit badges. That is far and away more than the average of 30 that your typical Scout earns.
Archaeology. Visions range from digging in the endless heat and sand of the desert, to the swashbuckling adventures of Indiana Jones. Dinosaur bones, ancient sea beds, pottery shards near a riverside, Egypt, giant ants that carry you off into the ground...OK, that was the last Indiana Jones movie.
Animal Science" merit badge covers a subject near and dear to many a carnivore's heart: where our agricultural meat comes from. OK, maybe not the "Horse Option", but everything else looks like farm food that walks. A century ago, most Americans were tied to the land somehow, raising their food to either support themselves or…
American Labor" refers to the working people of our country. We often hear that America has the finest and most productive workforce in the world. They even have their own holiday: Labor Day. Our workforce is important enough to warrant a seat with the President of the United States.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), located in California, has developed a program for Boy and Girl Scouts interested in working on geology related merit badges.
American Heritage" should have been awarded a lot more than it has. 4,274 American Heritage merit badges were awarded in 2007, out of 1.89 million. ( BSA Fact Sheet ) When I was a kid, we were taught US History in the eighth and eleventh grades.
American Cultures" can be represented in many ways. Different parts of America over the past several centuries have seen the influx of peoples from around the world. Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South and Central America, Australia and hundreds of islands spanning the globe have contributed to America.
American Business" is in the news a lot today. Good news, bad news. It constantly changes, and seems to have a life of its own. The American Business merit badge is designed to teach you about free enterprise; the relationship between money, business, government, banking and insurance; and labor relations.
Each year the Boy Scouts of America make changes to the advancement requirements. See which Merit Badges have requirement changes in 2009.
Resources for Merit Badges are available on the Merit Badge requirements page. You'll find lists of publications, organizations, websites, and more listed with requirements for each badge.
