Troop 53 Merit Badge Process

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1 Table of Contents MERIT BADGE PROCESS - OVERVIEW...1 SCOUTS INDEPENDENTLY PURSUING A MB...1 SCOUTS ATTENDING A BSA ORGANIZED EVENT (E.G. MB ACADEMY, SUMMER CAMP)...1 TROOP MERIT BADGE ACTIVITY (E.G. TROOP CAMPOUT, GROUP ACTIVITIES, ETC.)...2 PARTIAL MERIT BADGES...2 WHAT THEY ARE:...2 HOW TO COMPLETE THE MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENTS, THE SCOUT CAN:...2 GROUP INSTRUCTION OF MERIT BADGES...3 EAGLE REQUIRED MERIT BADGES...3 EARNING EAGLE- REQUIRED MERIT BADGES FOR STAR OR LIFE RANK...3 FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE MERIT BADGE PROCESS...3 Merit Badge Process - overview Scouts independently pursuing a MB 1. The Scout chooses to purse a merit badge and checks Trooptrack (TT) or Gulf Ridge Council (GRC) for a registered merit badge counselor. 2. The Scout obtains a blue card from the Advancement Chair and requests the Scoutmaster s signature. 3. The Scout coordinates working on the merit badge with the approved counselor. 4. The merit badge counselor signs off on the requirements as they are completed. 5. Upon completion of all of the requirements, the merit badge counselor will fill in his contact information, sign, and date the blue card. The counselor should retain his portion for his records. 6. The Scout presents the blue card to the Scoutmaster for his final signature and then turns it into the Advancement Chair for recording in TT and GRC. 7. The merit badge will be presented to the Scout with his portion of the blue card at the next Court of Honor. Scouts attending a BSA organized event (e.g. MB Academy, summer camp) 1. The Scout chooses to pursue specific merit badges when registering for the event. The Scoutmaster and Advancement Chair need to be informed of the Scout s registration. 2. The Scout completes prerequisites as instructed in the registration and attends the event as directed. (e.g. with supplies, workbook, etc.) 3. The merit badge counselor will provide the council or unit leader with final documentation of each Scout s progress report or will distribute blue cards before leaving. 1

2 4. The Advancement Chair will record the Scout s progress in TT (partial completion or completion) and the Advancement Chair will prepare a blue card and obtain the Scoutmaster s signature. (see below for details about partial merit badges). 5. Partially completed blue cards will be returned to Scouts at a subsequent meeting. Completed merit badges will be presented to the Scout with his portion of the blue card at the next Court of Honor. Troop merit badge activity (e.g. troop campout, group activities, etc.) 1. Youth leaders research merit badge needs, interest, and potential counselors. 2. Youth and unit leaders and Advancement chair coordinate the scheduling and logistics of the activity. *An approved and registered merit badge counselor must be involved in leading the instruction. 3. At least one week prior to the activity, youth and/or unit leaders will communicate the agenda and any necessary prerequisites to the Troop via TT. 4. The Advancement Chair will prepare blue cards and obtain the Scoutmaster s signature. 5. Recording progress. a. Choice 1 The merit badge counselor or an adult leader on the counselor s behalf will inform the Advancement Chair of the Scouts progress and this will be recorded in TT and blue cards distributed at a later meeting. b. Choice 2 The merit badge counselor will record each Scout s progress on the Scout s blue card and completed blue cards are turned into the Advancement Chair. (see below for details about partial merit badges). 6. Completed merit badges will be presented to the Scout with his portion of the blue card at the next Court of Honor Partial Merit Badges What they are: Any merit badge that has been started but has not yet been completed is considered a partial merit badge. If a partial merit badge is earned at a BSA approved event or a troop activity, the Scout will be provided with his partially completed blue card. Scouts are responsible to confirming the accuracy of his progress. Any discrepancies should be brought to the merit badge counselor and/or Advancement Chair immediately. How to complete the merit badge requirements, the Scout can: Complete independently Consult with Scoutmaster about your plans and then follow instructions 3 7 from Scouts independently pursuing a MB Complete at a troop/council event Consult with Scoutmaster about your plans and then follow 2-5 form Scouts attending a BSA organized event or 5 6 Troop merit badge activity 2

3 Group Instruction of Merit Badges Troop 53 Merit Badge Process The question arises as to whether it is permissible to have Scouts earn merit badges in groups. Many subjects may be presented to groups of Scouts without defeating one of the purposes of the merit badge plan working closely with a qualified adult. Scouts must be tested individually, and they must meet all the requirements. A Scout may not qualify for merit badges by just being a member of a group that is instructed in skills. This may be hard to do in a group. When one Scout in a group answers a question, that can t possibly prove all the other group members know the answer. Then, too, each Scout learns at his own pace. No Scout should be held back or pushed ahead by his association with a group. Eagle Required Merit Badges Earning Eagle- Required Merit Badges for Star or Life Rank Candidates for Star or Life, in the selection of any four or any three, respectively, of the merit badges required for Eagle, may choose from all those listed, including where alternatives are available: Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving; Cycling OR Hiking OR Swimming; and, beginning July 2013, Environmental Science OR Sustainability. For example, if a Scout earns Cycling, Hiking, and Swimming, all three of them count as Eagle required for Life rank. Only one, however, would serve toward the required merit badges for the Eagle Scout rank. The other two would count toward the optional merit badges required to make up the total of 21 merit badges. Note that Star and Life requirements each allow two non- Eagle- required merit badges. It is the Scout s decision, however, to earn more or all of his Star and Life badges from the Eagle- required list. Beginning July 2013, Sustainability may be used for a Star or Life Eagle required merit badge as well, even if Environmental Science has also been earned, but only one of the two would count toward an Eagle rank. Full description of the Merit Badge Process The requirements for each merit badge appear in the current BSA merit badge pamphlet for each subject and in the current edition of the Boy Scout Requirements book. These resources are available at Scout shops and council service centers as well on the website, meritbadge.org. The requirements for a badge may change. The latest changes are on BSA national website, and go into effect at the beginning of each year. When a Scout has decided on a merit badge he must first get the Scoutmaster s approval to start the process. The Scoutmaster s approval will be based on possible age restrictions, the Scout s readiness and maturity, and Merit Badge Counselor availability. When approved, the Scoutmaster 3

4 signs the Application for Merit Badge (blue card) and gives that card to the Scout. Next, the scout must contact the merit badge s approved troop merit badge counselor. If no troop counselor exists for that badge, contact the adult merit badge counselor coordinator. Merit badge books can be checked out and obtained from the Troop Librarian. Most local councils (including summer camps) use the Application for Merit Badge, or blue card. This tool just makes the record keeping easier for the Scout, the merit badge counselor, and the unit leader. Working on merit badges is especially enjoyable when Scouts work together, and the BSA encourages this by making the buddy system a part of the merit badge program. Together you and at least one buddy meet with merit badge counselors, plan projects, and keep their enthusiasm high. The Scout s buddy could be another Scout, a parent or guardian, brother or sister, relative, or friend. The Scout should bring a buddy to all his appointments with his counselor. The Scout telephones the merit badge counselor to make an appointment, and together they schedule a date and time for the Scout and his buddy to meet. The counselor suggests that the Scout bring the merit badge pamphlet, the blue card, and any work that he has started or accomplished, and that he prepare by reading over the requirements. The information in the pamphlet is probably familiar to you, but it will help you to know what the Scout has read. The pamphlets are written for Scout- age boys and contain suggestions for projects. It is a good idea to obtain the latest printing of the pamphlet on your subject. It will contain the latest requirements and information. While the pamphlet is not required for the Scout to earn the merit badge, it helps the counselor to know what the Scout may be studying and the level of learning expected of the Scout. Once a Scout has started working on a merit badge, he may stay with the requirements in effect when he started. He is not required to meet newly introduced changes unless the national office places a specific timeline on the implementation of new requirements. But he should keep a copy of the older requirements he must satisfy until he has received his badge. His scoutmaster signature date is the time when he starts a badge. At their first meeting, the merit badge counselor and the Scout decide upon a tentative schedule for completing the requirements. They should keep the Scout s other obligations (Scouting, school, worship, etc.) in mind, and set the dates, times, and locations for future meetings. The counselor will explain the requirements for the badge and help the Scout plan ways to fulfill these requirements so that he can get the most out of the experience. In some cases, the Scout may share with the merit badge counselor the work he has started or accomplished. Merit badge counselors help Scouts meet the requirements for the merit badge. They may expand on the information in the merit badge pamphlet based on their knowledge, experience, and expertise in the subject. They are encouraged to tell about their own experiences that positively reinforce the subject matter, 4

5 The merit badge counselor assesses the Scout s knowledge to ensure he has completed all the required work no more, and no less. You may not add to, delete from, or modify the merit badge requirements in any way, although certain considerations can be made for Scouts with disabilities. The number of counseling sessions will depend on the difficulty of the merit badge requirements and the Scout s preparation and ability. The Scout and counselor are expected to meet as many times as is necessary for the Scout to complete the requirements for the merit badge. The advancement program allows the Scout to move ahead in his own way and at his own pace. Rather than competing against others, he challenges himself to go as far as his ambition will carry him. The rate of advancement depends upon his interest, effort, and ability. As the Scout completes each requirement, he is always tested (but with a buddy present), and as each requirement is completed, the merit badge counselor marks it on the application. When all the requirements for the merit badge are fulfilled, the merit badge counselor certifies that the Scout has completed the requirements. The Scout may return his completed blue card to his Scoutmaster. There shall be no board of review procedure for merit badges, but public recognition is given at a unit court of honor or other suitable occasion. 5