New Truck Transportation pamphlet and requirements

[PaulSWolf]

A new pamphlet for Truck Transportation is now available. Major changes to the requirements were made. The old requirements were among the oldest in the list, and the pamphlet hadn't been updated since 1973 (32 years!). The new requirements can be seen at http://usscouts.org/mb/mb113.html

[MDEagle]

My son earned this merit badge yesterday at a Merit Badge Day. It wasn't on the top of his list of "wants" but it was what was available for him, so he took a chance.

I could see him becoming more interested during his work on the pre-reqs and while reading the merit badge phamplet. Ended up he had a great time learning from an engaging counselor. I don't think he's looking at trucking as a career, but he did learn a lot about this important aspect of our economy. Now that's it's all done, he's happy he earned it, and will recommend it to other Scouts.

As a parent, I hope it gives him a little more incentive to explore some of the other badges that may be out of his comfort zone.

Is this badge a popular one in other parts of the country? It's kind of overlooked here.

[cballman]

MDEagle I am glad that your son earned the merit badge but also that he learned something that he didnt already know. that is what the merit badge system is for. I just wish that every parent and child would understand that sometimes the least wanted badges are the ones that the kids will remember.

[coneyraven]

Actually, it is a rather popular one here....I guess being in Appalachia, trucking, in general is a very popular occupation, especially when it comes to coal transportation between the "hills", and the Port of Baltimore.....there are several "Dads" in the council that are merit badge counselors for this one.....

[lifescoutforlife]

I work at engine plant that builds diesel engine's for a lot of the major trucking companies. So I love teaching this badge and the scouts and leaders get to tour our plant. They learn a lot about how businesses rely on trucks more than they may think. They all enjoy watching a new engine getting started up for the first time and really enjoy watching the painting process of the engine. I hope they keep this MB around forever.

[Wapiti]

Is this badge a popular one in other parts of the country? It's kind of overlooked here.

It's usually offered once or twice a year here in the Mid-America Council (Omaha) and the classes usually fill up. My youngest son will be attending the MB class next weekend.

[tlankard]

My company, Con-way Truckload (located in Joplin, Mo.) is looking to start offering this badge. This will be my first time assisting with a badge program. Can anyone offer some ideas on the types of activities you did related to this badge or any other suggestions for a greenhorn?

[wagionvigil]

First Welcome to the forum.
You might want to down load the worksheet for this MB from Meritbadge.org and start with that.
Also pick up a copy of the MB Pamphlet it will hep more than you know.

[tlankard]

Thank you for the starting place. I have download the worksheet and plan to pick up the book this afternoon.

I was hoping to network with others who had taught this badge to find some creative ideas for activites to get the scouts more engaged. For example, since we're hosting this at our company, we plan to take the scouts on a tour of our operations and maintence centers. For one of the icebreakers, we're going to ask the scouts to name items in their home that did NOT arrive by truck.

Any suggestions on how to engage this audience would be greatly appreciated!

[wagionvigil]

Crank the Cat or Cummins or Detroit and let it blow smoke. They will be engaged. Possibly somone will see this and respond. Make sue you get the latest version of the MB Pamphlet