Landscape Architecture Req 4

[alex gregory]

Landscape Architecture Req. 4:

Make a report in the form of a short talk to your Scout troop on what you found in requirement 3. Discuss the following:
a. Tell whether the design had separate spaces, a clear path system, and sun and shade variety.
b. Tell about the places to sit, eat, or park a car.
c.Tell whether you were always comfortable and protected.
d. Tell about some of the trees, shrubs, and ground covers used in the design.

The MBC wants to know what a "report in the form of a short talk to your Scout troop" means. The Scouts understandably thinks that the requirement may not make for truly riveting troop discussion, and would prefer to make his spiel to the MBC as if he were making a presentation to his troop. I think that interpretation works, no?

Now, for the opening:
"Guys, come on, signs up, please, shut up already, Danny hey, I'm trying to talk here, come on guys, I want to tell you about important landscape architecture stuff, next week's camp out can wait, menu planning really is'nt that important you can just do hot dogs again, fetch me a shrubbery?, ha ha, like I have'nt heard that one before . . .":

[smtroop168]

The MBC wants to know what a "report in the form of a short talk to your Scout troop" means. The Scouts understandably thinks that the requirement may not make for truly riveting troop discussion, and would prefer to make his spiel to the MBC as if he were making a presentation to his troop. I think that interpretation works, no?

NO. The requirement says "to your Scout troop"

Can a merit badge counselor add or remove requirements?
"Each counselor must maintain the exact standards as outlined in the merit badge requirements -- nothing deleted, nothing added..." - AP p. 34
"No council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to or subtract from an advancement requirement." - AP p. 3, 23, 26, 34, etc.

[alex gregory]

Actually the requirement says "report in the form of a short talk to your troop". The requirement could say "make a short report to your troop" and then there would be no question what is intended (begging the question why does a report to the troop have anything to do with landscape architecture?).

This is the only example I've seen (so far) of BSA using the phrase "report in the form of . . . " - what the heck is that?!? Communications, CIC, Public Speaking all have presentation requirements that are quite clear.

[AquilaNegra2]

I'm going to agree with SM168. There are several merit badges that require a presentation to the troop. It's for the benefit of the troop AND to get the young man used to speaking in public.

The intent is clear. The report NEED NOT BE WRITTEN, but is an oral report to the troop. It's the Scout's job to *make* it an interesting report. Visual aids may help. If he begins as you've written above, there is a bigger problem with the troop than modifying merit badge requirements. Are those boys not taught to be good listeners?

Reporting to the MBC shortchanges the Scout and his troop.

[alex gregory]

OK. It's still stupid and has nothing to do with landscape architecture.

I'm all for public speaking and communication. Seems like a stretch to toss in a "troop" discussion when those skills are not an aspect of the activity or purpose of the badge. My guess is that the powers that be had to come up with something.

[AquilaNegra2]

Archaeology requires a troop presentation. You could present the same argument. We had several boys do it last year, using photos and video from their dig, and brochures provided from the Indian tribe where they dug. It was very interesting, and had the effect of getting OTHER boys interested in the badge.

[alex gregory]

Archaeology requires a troop presentation. You could present the same argument. We had several boys do it last year, using photos and video from their dig, and brochures provided from the Indian tribe where they dug. It was very interesting, and had the effect of getting OTHER boys interested in the badge.

I think it's great to Search - Discover - Share (I loved Tiger Scouts!).

While we're at it, lets add a troop presentation requirement to every merit badge!

[Quailman]

Requirement 3 says "Go to a completed landscape project that a landscape architect has designed. Before you visit the site, obtain a plan of the design from the landscape architect if one is available. "

My guess is that the requirements were either written or heavily influenced by a professional landscape architecture organization. A large part of the LA's job is presenting plans to (prospective) clients. Doing so would insure that the scout understands the aspects covered in 4 a-d.

[smtroop168]

[quote="alex gregory
While we're at it, lets add a troop presentation requirement to every merit badge![/quote]

There are 17 different MBs that have a presentation requirement to a group (troop, cub pack etc)

American Business 6a
American Cultures 5
Archeology 5
Cit in Comm 8
Coin colelcting 10c
Communications 3, 6, 8
Crime Prevention 5, 6c
Disabilities Awareness 5a, 5c
First Aid 7
Indian Lore 3a
Landscape Arch 4
Law 6b
Music 4a
Oceanography 8c
Public Speaking
Traffic Safety 5b
Weather 9a, 9b

Are all these "stupid" too? 3 are required MBs.

[Mrw]

We periodically have a boy who needs to make a presentation to the troop like that. They are given the time they need at the beginning of the meeting, right after opening and any announcements.

The other boys may or may not be at all interested, but they are generally polite. These presentations seem to take 5-10 minutes and are not a big deal.

[alex gregory]

[quote="alex gregory
While we're at it, lets add a troop presentation requirement to every merit badge!

There are 17 different MBs that have a presentation requirement to a group (troop, cub pack etc)

Are all these "stupid" too? 3 are required MBs.[/quote]

No, because the presentation requirement in virtually all of the above examples is not limited to making a "Troop" presentation. What is stupid is limiting the presentation to "Troop Only" and being inconsistent with virtually all other merit badges. A Scout working on his individual merit badge should not be required to take up troop time on his merit badge that otherwise has no relationship to the regular troop program. But this too shall pass, and life goes on.

[smtroop168]

This one to me is a perfect one to talk to your troop about. With a large number of Eagle Projects that are Conservation oriented, this gives the other scouts an opportunity to hear about this badge and the requirements and maybe spur a project idea or two.