Topic
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
Showing 51–100 of 108 posts
Here's one for your browser's bookmarks bar: The newest edition of the Boy Scouts of America Guide to Advancement released today. The PDF version contains answers to pretty much any advancement question that might come up, and it's essential reading for your unit's advancement chair and others who like to be kept in the loop…
Two new merit badges-and a long-anticipated update to an existing badge-will be available beginning July 15 at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree and online: Cycling update with mountain biking option Sustainability Programming More information will be released next week, but the merit badge pamphlets for all three should hit Scout shops (and scoutstuff.org) in early…
Aviation Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in ScienceBoy Scouts learn all about the history and science of flight when they earn their Aviation merit badge. There is an annual skill center for this badge in our council at a local airport.
Wood Carving Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in ScoutcraftBoy Scouts can learn about wood carving techniques and safety while working on the Wood Carving merit badge. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting [ This is a content summary only.
Well, it's that time of year again. I've just returned from another wonderful week at Camp Friedlander. As a result of another week visit, we had to take a hard look at what not only my own boys packed (I took three boys with me), and what to tell the other 60 boys to bring.
Water Sports Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in FitnessThe Water Sports merit badge focuses on water skiing. Boy Scouts will learn about safety and technique while working on this badge. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting [ This is a content summary only.
The Ask the Expert floodgates are wide open. I'm now getting roughly 50 emails a week with Ask the Expert questions, a sign that Scouters out there care enough to seek out the right answer to their burning BSA queries.
With the finish line tantalizingly close, you'll never guess what slowed down John L. on his trail to Eagle. John, a Life Scout from Texas, had finished his position of responsibility requirements and completed his Eagle Scout project. He had signatures from his counselor and Scoutmaster on the blue card for his final required merit…
Architecture Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in The Arts and CreativityArchitecture is both an art and a science. Boy Scouts who are interested in learning more about the design and creation of buildings can earn their Architecture merit badge.
Want proof as to how passionate Scout volunteers are about the Boy Scouts of America? Just look at my inbox. Last week, I provided answers to eight frequently asked questions , and at the end of the post, I provided information on how to ask your own Scouting-related question.
Orienteering Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in ScoutcraftOrienteering is a sport that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in unfamiliar terrain. Boy Scouts can learn all about orienteering when they earn their Orienteering merit badge.
So far, Ask the Expert posts have offered one often-lengthy answer to one complicated Scouting question. You can read past posts here . Perhaps a question you have is answered there. But now it's time for the lightning round. Here's a collection of questions I've received along with the short answer: blue cards Question from Ramona…
Scuba Diving Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in FitnessThe Scuba Diving merit badge gives Boy Scouts the opportunity to learn all about scuba. Your local scuba shop might be a good resource. One in our area has chartered a Venture Crew with a scuba specialty.
I think one of the coolest things about the Bear Lake Aquatics Base is what they offer for the Aviation Merit Badge. In fact, it's one of the reasons we're going to BLAB again this summer. Boys who register for this merit badge get to complete requirement 2 by actually going up in an aircraft!
Rowing Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in FitnessRowing merit badge is often completed at Boy Scout summer camp. I always enjoy seeing their skill level improve over the series of days. The first day they are often rowing around in circles, but by the end of the week they have the hang of...
Reptile and Amphibian Study Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Posted in Nature and the WorldBoy Scouts who want to learn more about reptiles will enjoy the Reptile and Amphibian Study merit badge. They will learn how to classify reptiles and find out about their habitats and how they live.
Not all merit badges are earned in the traditional troop setting. Enterprising Scouts can earn them at council-run merit badge "colleges" or workshops, summer or winter camps, or on their own with a registered counselor. But some troops restrict or even prohibit this practice, insisting that merit badges must be earned under their own roof…
At summer camp, what's more important for Scouts, advancement or fun? Trick question. Scouts who attend the best summer camps and have effective Scout leaders guiding them don't have to choose. For these Scouts, advancement is part of the fun.
What are your expectations for summer camp merit badges? To most of us and to nearly all of our Scouts the central feature of the week at camp is earning merit badges. But what if it wasn't? What if Scouts exchanged earning summer camp merit badges for learning and doing the things that actually interest…
Posted in Culture Indian Lore Merit Badge for Boy Scouts The Indian Lore merit badge is a favorite for our first year Boy Scouts at summer camp. I can always tell which Scouts are working on the badge because they are usually walking around with a necklace with beads on.
New Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
I'm in the process of updating all of the current merit badge workbooks to a PDF format that will allow Scouts to type into the form and save their work (but not, of course, change the wording of the requirements).
Posted in Be PreparedCamping Wilderness Survival Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Boy Scouts who like building their own shelters and making survival packs will enjoy the Wilderness Survival merit badge. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Scouting [ This is a content summary only.
If a Scout camps several nights with his troop before getting a signed blue card from his Scoutmaster, do those nights count toward his earning Camping merit badge? That's what a Scouter, who I'll call James, wondered last week in an email.
Posted in The Arts and Creativity Textile Merit Badge for Boy Scouts A textile is a flexible material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Boy Scouts can learn all about the uses and manufacture of textiles while working on the Textile...
Which merit badges had Scouts rushing to counselors and Moms and Dads rushing to the sewing machine last year? Here's your answer. In January 2012, I presented a list of 2011′s most- and least-popular merit badges based on sales numbers from the Supply Division.
Posted in Science Weather Merit Badge for Boy Scouts The Weather merit badge might be a good one for all of those Boy Scouts who spend a lot of time worrying about and checking the weather before they go camping.
You talked, and we listened! Thanks to the requests of many Scouts who have been requesting a tweak to the Cycling merit badge, we have added a mountain biking option to the requirements. Now, Scouts can choose to complete their Cycling merit badge with either the road bike option or the mountain bike option.
Posted in CitizenshipCulture American Heritage Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Boy Scouts who are interested in history can earn the American Heritage merit badge and learn about our past. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing [ This is a content summary only.
Posted in A Game with a Purpose Truck Transportation Merit Badge for Boy Scouts A local trucking company offers Boy Scouts a skill center for the Truck Transportation merit badge every year. The last time our Scouts went, they said they learned a lot, but they were a little disappointed that they...
Many of you have asked about the status of the Merit Badge Midway for the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Get ready because we have some answers. Two things: It's no longer called the Merit Badge Midway . Rather than a specific area, merit badge booths will be located throughout the Summit Center area of the jamboree.
Posted in Science Surveying Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Boy Scouts who earn the Surveying merit badge will learn about calculating the distance and angles between different points and how this skill is used. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Cub Scouting, Boy...
Scouting is outdoor adventure like camping, backpacking, climbing and canoeing, right? Does that leave the technology-heavy learning to a realm outside of Scouting? Not exactly. This video from code.org has been making the rounds of the internet, and it got me thinking about how we teach kids about programming.
Posted in Aims of Scouting Game Design Merit Badge for Boy Scouts This badge give Scouts the opportunity to design and prototype a game. The game can be electronic, athletic, tabletop, or a pen and paper game. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Cub Scouting, Boy...
BSA's latest new merit badge, GAME DESIGN, is now available for Scouts to earn. BSA released the requirements for the new badge on March 6, 2013. The US Scouting Service Project has posted a copy of the requirements, and a note to counselors from the merit badge pamphlet, along with a workbook we prepared (with…
What were Merit Badges like in 1913? Today I'd like to present to you a great article I discovered from an 1913 edition of Boys' Life Magazine. The topic is on Merit Badges, specifically, an introduction to what Merit Badges are all about.
Golf Merit Badge for Boy Scouts If you know a Boy Scout who loves golf, then he is lucky because there is a Golf merit badge just for him. Golf is unique because the players police themselves. Other sports depend upon referees or umpires to apply penalties when there are infractions of the rules.
What's on the menu for the revamped Cooking merit badge, served up next year? The BSA's volunteer-led team isn't ready to dish on the main course just yet, but I was authorized to give you a taste - an appetizer, if you will.
New Merit Badge for Boy Scouts
Robotics Merit Badge for Boy Scouts While we might not see robots like in the Jetsons or Star Wars, automation and robotics are becoming more and more a part of the world. Scouts who complete the Robotics merit badge requirements will have a better understanding of how different types of robots are created and what…
BSA's latest new merit badge, GAME DESIGN, is now available for Scouts to earn. BSA released the requirements for the new badge on March 6, 2013. The US Scouting Service Project has posted a copy of the requirements, and a note to counselors from the merit badge pamphlet, along with a workbook we prepared (with…
The final cover (click to enlarge). Let me stop you right here. I know what you're thinking, but, no, this is not a merit badge Scouts earn by playing video games. Now that I've dispelled that common misconception, here's the real story: Game Design merit badge - released today - teaches Scouts how to create, test, and…
The BSA's 131st current merit badge-Game Design-has been released. It teaches Scouts how to create, test, and refine a game from one of four categories: Electronic (games for computers, game systems, or mobile devices) Outdoor/Athletic (sports or games like capture the flag) Tabletop (dice-based games, board games, card games) Pen and Paper or Role-Playing Games…
Sculpture Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Working on the Sculpture merit badge give Boy Scouts the opportunity to create three dimensional art. This merit badge introduces Scouts to sculpture, an art form that allows an artist to express what he sees and feels by using these three dimensions by shaping materials such as clay, stone…
Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Boy Scouts who want to learn more about conserving our natural resources can work on the Soil and Water Conservation merit badge . Conservation isn't just the responsibility of soil and plant scientists, hydrologists, wildlife managers, landowners, and the forest or mine owner alone.
Posted in Nature and the World Bird Study Merit Badge for Boy Scouts The Bird Study merit badge is a good elective for the Boy Scouts in your troop who enjoy watching birds. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing [ This is a content summary…
Posted in Science Radio Merit Badge for Boy Scouts Even in a world where the internet is becoming a favorite method of communication, radio still plays a vital role. Boy Scouts can learn more by earning the Radio merit badge.
Those of us who have experience providing a program of Scout Pioneering, and who are familiar with the edition of the Pioneering Merit Badge Pamphlet written by the legendary Adolph Peschke , will have no difficulty relating to why there are repeated references and allusions to the 1993, 1998 edition in this website.
A new edition of Boy Scout Requirements was released in mid January, 2013. Paul Wolf at the US Scouting Service Project Inc. has published his annual review of Boy Scout requirement changes, a tremendous resource and a great service to us all, thank you Paul!
Posted in Careers and Vocations Plumbing Merit Badge for Boy Scouts The Plumbing merit badge will introduce Boy Scouts to some very practical skills and may interest them in a career in the field. Copyright Scouter Mom - A resource for adults and youth involved in Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and...
