Merit Badge Plan
A part
of the advancement program of the Boy Scouts of America, the merit badge
plan is one of the most unique educational tools ever devised.
What Is a Merit Badge?
A merit badge is an award that is presented to a Scout when he completes
the requirements for one of the merit badge subjects. The badge is only
a small piece of khaki cloth with a design embroidered in color, but its
significance is as large as the interest of the merit badge counselor
who helps a Scout earn it.
Millions of Scouts "browse" among the more than 100 subjects, choosing
those that seem most interesting to them. Some Subjects are in
craftwork, some in vocational fields, some in service to others, and
many in cultural or self-improvement areas. In addition, certain merit
badges are required for the Eagle Scout rank.
It is
in the career fields that adults can make a vital impact on the life of
a Scout by helping him with merit badges. Badges such as
Entrepreneurship, Graphic Arts, Engineering, Chemistry, and many others
provide the finest kind of orientation toward a possible career for the
Scout.
Service
clubs, unions, and professional societies often support the merit badge
program through their vocational guidance committees. Members offer
their services as counselors, and the group as a whole may help recruit
and train counselors for districts or councils.
Merit
badge counselors provide the means for Scouts to explore many subjects
that may not be available to them otherwise. The Scout who has earned a
number of merit badges gains confidence, finds greater purpose in life,
and becomes a better person from his experience. 'This cannot happen
without the service of thousands of merit badge counselors expert in
particular subjects and interested in helping Scouts grow into men of
character who are ready to take their place in the world of work as
participating citizens. You're probably saying, "That's all great, but
what do I do, and how do I do it?"
What's My Responsibility?
Your task is to satisfy yourself that each Scout who comes to you meets
all the requirements for the merit badge. In this sense you are an
examiner, though your larger opportunity lies in coaching-helping the
Scout meet the challenge of the requirements and making him aware of the
deeper aspects of the subject through your knowledge and experience.
What Do I Agree to Do?
As a merit badge counselor, I agree to Follow the requirements of the
merit badge, making no deletions or additions, ensuring that the
advancement standards are fair and uniform for all Scouts. Have a buddy
present with each Scout at all instructional sessions. Renew my
registration as a merit badge counselor annually it I plan to continue
serving as a merit badge counselor.
Earning a Merit Badge
Working on merit badges is especially enjoyable when Scouts work
together. The BSA encourages this by making the buddy system a part of
the merit badge program, Together the two meet with merit badge
counselors, plan projects, and keep their enthusiasm high. The
requirements for each merit badge appear in the current BSA merit badge
pamphlet for that award and in the book Boy Scout Requirements,
available at Scout shops and council service centers. When a Scout has
decided on a merit badge he would like to earn, he must follow these
steps:
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Obtain from his Scoutmaster a signed merit badge application and the
name of a qualified counselor for that merit badge. (A counselor must
know the subject well, be able to work effectively with Scouts, and be
currently registered as a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of
America.)
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Along
with another Scout, a relative, or a friend, set up and attend the
first appointment with his merit badge counselor. The counselor will
explain the requirements for the badge and help the Scout plan ways to
fulfill them so that he can get the most out of the experience.
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Complete the requirements, meeting with his counselor whenever
necessary until he has finished working on the badge. The advancement
program allows the Scout to move ahead in his own way and at his own
speed. 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.
How the Merit Badge Counselor Helps
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The
Scout contacts you, probably by phone. You may tell him what is
expected of him over the phone, or you may want to make an appointment
to discuss this with him face-to-face. Personal contact will make
earning the badge a better experience for you both.
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The
Scout should bring a merit badge application signed by his Scoutmaster
or Varsity Scout Coach on his first visit. He must always be
accompanied by a buddy.
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In
your discussion of what is expected, you may want to start by finding
out what the Scout already knows. Spend some time helping him learn
the remaining requirements, or give guidance in completing projects.
You can set up additional meetings with the Scout. The meetings are not
only for the purpose of passing him on the requirements, but also to
help him understand the subject.
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The
Scout, along with his buddy, should make another appointment with you
when he thinks he is prepared to prove his ability. You set the date,
time, and place.
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This
review session might be approached by the Scout with some
apprehension. He is familiar with final exams in school and may see
this meeting with you as another such experience. You can help a great
deal by putting him at ease. Talk with him rather than grill or
examine him. There is a big difference, yet you can still find out
what lie knows. Express honest enthusiasm for the things he has clone,
particularly if projects are involved. Your approval will give the
Scout confidence.
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When
he meets you, he should bring with him the projects required for
completion. If these cannot be transported, he should present
satisfactory evidence, such as a photograph of the project or adult
certification. His Scoutmaster or Varsity Scout Coach might, for
example, certify that a satisfactory bridge or tower has been built
for Pioneering, or that the required meals were prepared for the
Cooking merit badge. Your job, in addition to coaching, is to satisfy
yourself that the requirements have been met. Question the Scout and,
if you have nay doubts, contact the adult who signed the statement.
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When
you are satisfied that the Scout has met the requirements, you sign
his merit badge application.
You may
work with many Scouts each year as they earn merit badges. However, you
might only work with a few. Your contact with these Scouts is
tremendously important. Your influence is measured mot by the number of
Scouts with whom you work, but by the effect upon the lives of those with
whom you have an opportunity to work.
Throughout your association with the Scout, keep in mind that you are in
reality assisting the Scoutmaster, the Varsity Scout Coach, and other
troop and team leaders in the advancement program that the Scoutmaster
or Varsity Scout Coach helps each Scout plan. Often, the Scout's leader
will help him select the merit badges he will earn for a particular
award. Whether he earns the award or not, a merit badge counselor is
always interested in the Scout's progress. You should feel free to
discuss his work with the Scoutmaster or Varsity Scout Coach at any
time.
More or Less?
The Scout is expected to meet the requirements as stated-no more and no
less. Furthermore, he is to do exactly what is stated. If it says "show
or demonstrate," that is what he must do. Just telling about it isn't
enough. The same thing holds true for such words as "make," "list," "in
the field," and "collect, identify, and label."
On the
other hand, you cannot require more of a Scout than stated. You must
not, for example, say, "I want to be sure you really know your stuff, so
instead of the 20 items in your collection, you must have 50 to get my
signature." You can suggest, encourage, and help the Scout to get 50
things, but you must mot require it.
You
might wonder, then, if the requirements as stated are the limits, what
there is for you to do other than help the Scout with the specifics of
these requirements. Actually, you can go far beyond the requirements in
your discussions with the Scout. He probably will welcome your
willingness to share your knowledge well beyond the requirements, and
you will make a sincere contribution to him by doing so. But it isn't
required. That's the key. The Scout does not have to show his knowledge
of those things beyond the requirements.
You
might stress the fact that while knowledge is necessary, whether he can
put his knowledge to work is the important thing in life. As you work
with the Scout you can give him indirect career guidance. Many merit
badge subjects can acquaint a Scout with the job opportunities in
various fields. In these cases the merit badge work serves as an
exploration in all adult work experience, showing him whether or not he
has the interest or ability along such lines.
His
activity also can expose him to the educational requirements of a
subject area. You can provide the Scout with valuable information on job
possibilities, show him what is most interesting to you and what is
difficult. The final choice-the selection of what he will do with
himself in life-is Up to one person. That person is the Scout himself.
However, he will appreciate your help in relating his merit badge work
with his life as he goes to school, into business or a trade, and on
into adult life.
Where Do You Meet?
If the merit badge subject relates to your job or profession, then your
place of work might be the best place to meet with Scouts. Hobby-related
subjects usually are handled in your home. Here you Will have the proper
materials for use in coaching Scouts. For a few subjects, coaching will
happen in the field or where special equipment is at hand. Rowing, Rifle
Shooting, Swimming, and Astronomy are good examples.
How Many at a Time?
Frequently the skills of a subject can be taught to several Scouts at
one time. This has a time advantage for you. However, completing the
requirements must always be done on an individual basis. A Scout may not
qualify for merit badges by just being a member of a group that is
instructed in skills. Scouts must qualify by personally satisfying their
merit badge counselor that they can meet all the requirements. 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. So remember—you
can coach more than one at a time, but only one Scout at a time can
satisfy you that he has met the requirements.
Can You Sell Your Subject?
Boy Scout troops and Varsity Scout teams constantly seek program
materials for meetings. If you would like to expand interest in your
subject and to attract more Scouts to earn the merit badge, contact
Scoutmasters and Varsity Scout Coaches in your area and offer to attend
a troop or team meeting to "sell your subject." Not all Scouts will be
interested in the subject, so plan an exciting 10- or 15-minute
presentation designed to tickle the fancy of your audience. Then, offer
to meet after the meeting with those who are really interested to plan
for your next get-together.
Do You Need a Merit Badge Pamphlet?
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. They also contain suggestions for projects.
It's a
good idea to obtain the latest printing of the pamphlet on your subject.
It will contain the latest requirements and information. The printing
date is in each pamphlet. A complete list of merit badge pamphlets is
printed on the inside back cover of all pamphlets with the latest
revision date of each. By checking this list in any current year's
pamphlet, you can find out whether your pamphlet has been updated. Most
pamphlets are reprinted each year, and the contents are updated
periodically.
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