Merit Badge requirements completed when they were cub scouts

[FrankJ]

Back to the OP question, I think the "all requirements have to be done as boy scouts" rule is good.

I didn't really mean to dispute that. (Besides good or not it's the rule.) Just wanted to point out in my renegade way that the were a few exceptions.

Same thing applies for venturers BTW. Only accomplishments done while registered as a venturer counts toward venturing recognition.

[RWSmith]

OK, thanks for the replies. Along the same thread, can the completion of one task be applied toward two merit badges? For example, a 15 mile bike ride for both the cycling and camping merit badge?

Sure if the particular 15 mile bike ride is part of a campout it can count for Camping MB req 9.b.3 and Cycling req 8

This is commonly referred to as "double-dipping"... Unless otherwise specifically prohibited in the requirements (i.e., rank, merit badge, or other award), it's perfectly okay. Just keep in mind though... you sometimes need prior SM, MBC, or possibly parent/guardian, approval.

Examples of (merit badge) exclusions:
 

• Collections - "Stamp and coin collecting are excluded from eligibility for this merit badge."
• Pets, Req. 1 - "Work done for other merit badges cannot be used for this requirement."
• Dog Care - "The activities used to fulfill the requirements for the Dog Care merit badge may not be used to help fulfill the requirements for other merit badges."

================

An example of double-dipping:
 

• Rank Service Project hours:
  
  • Second Class, Req. 5 - "Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project."
    -or-
  • Star, Req. 4 - "While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least six hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster."
    -or-
  • Life, Req. 4 - "While a Star Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least six hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster."
   
  Plus...
   
• Mammal Study, Req. 5 - "Working with your counselor, select and carry out one project that will influence the numbers of one or more mammals."
   
  Plus...
   
• Paul Bunyan Woodsman award, Req 3 - "With official approval and supervision do ONE of the following:"
  
  (b) "Trim a downed tree, cut into 4-foot lengths and stack; make a brush pile with branches."
   
  ....equals three birds, one stone.

Another example of requirements that could be successfully combined:

• Citizenship in the Nation, Req. 2(c) - Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.
   
  Plus...
   
• Aviation, Req. 4(b) - Visit a Federal Aviation Administration facility control tower, terminal radar control facility, air route traffic control center, flight service station, or Flight Standards District Office. (Phone directory listings are under U.S. Government Offices, Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration. Call in advance.) Report on the operation and your impressions of the facility.
   
  -or-
   
• Coin Collecting, Req. 10(a) - Tour a U.S. Mint facility, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, or a Federal Reserve bank, and describe what you learned to your counselor.
   
  ....Again, two birds, one stone.

[smtroop168]

OK, thanks for the replies. Along the same thread, can the completion of one task be applied toward two merit badges? For example, a 15 mile bike ride for both the cycling and camping merit badge?

Sure if the particular 15 mile bike ride is part of a campout it can count for Camping MB req 9.b.3 and Cycling req 8

This is commonly referred to as "double-dipping"... Unless otherwise specifically prohibited in the requirements (i.e., rank, merit badge, or other award), it's perfectly okay. Just keep in mind though... you sometimes need prior SM, MBC, or possibly parent/guardian, approval.

Examples of (merit badge) exclusions:
 

• Collections - "Stamp and coin collecting are excluded from eligibility for this merit badge."
• Pets, Req. 1 - "Work done for other merit badges cannot be used for this requirement."
• Dog Care - "The activities used to fulfill the requirements for the Dog Care merit badge may not be used to help fulfill the requirements for other merit badges."

================

An example of double-dipping:
 

• Rank Service Project hours:
  
  • Second Class, Req. 5 - "Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project."
    -or-
  • Star, Req. 4 - "While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least six hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster."
    -or-
  • Life, Req. 4 - "While a Star Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least six hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster."
   
  Plus...
   
• Mammal Study, Req. 5 - "Working with your counselor, select and carry out one project that will influence the numbers of one or more mammals."
   
  Plus...
   
• Paul Bunyan Woodsman award, Req 3 - "With official approval and supervision do ONE of the following:"
  
  (b) "Trim a downed tree, cut into 4-foot lengths and stack; make a brush pile with branches."
   
  ....equals three birds, one stone.

Another example of requirements that could be successfully combined:

• Citizenship in the Nation, Req. 2(c) - Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.
   
  Plus...
   
• Aviation, Req. 4(b) - Visit a Federal Aviation Administration facility control tower, terminal radar control facility, air route traffic control center, flight service station, or Flight Standards District Office. (Phone directory listings are under U.S. Government Offices, Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration. Call in advance.) Report on the operation and your impressions of the facility.
   
  -or-
   
• Coin Collecting, Req. 10(a) - Tour a U.S. Mint facility, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, or a Federal Reserve bank, and describe what you learned to your counselor.
   
  ....Again, two birds, one stone.

Yeah...what he said.

[SoCal76]

And a few more:


American Heritage 3c-Research your family's history. Find out how various events and situations in American history affected your family. Share what you find with your counselor. Tell why your family came to America.

-and-

Genealogy 6-Begin your family tree by listing yourself and include at least two additional generations. You may complete this requirement by using the chart provided in the Genealogy merit badge pamphlet or the genealogy software program of your choice

Genealogy 7-Complete a family group record form, listing yourself and your brothers and sisters as the children. On another family group record form, show one of your parents and his or her brothers and sisters as the children. This requirement may be completed using the chart provided or the genealogy software program of your choice

Genealogy 9-Discuss what you have learned about your family and your family members through your genealogical research.

---------------------

American Heritage 3a-Select a topic that is currently in the news. Describe to your counselor what is happening. Explain how today's events are related to or affected by the events and values of America's past.

-and-

Citizenship in the Nation 3-Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain how it affects you and your family.

------------------

American Heritage 1-Read the Declaration of Independence. Pay close attention to the section that begins with "We hold these truths to be self-evident" and ends with "to provide new Guards for future security." Rewrite that section in your own words, making it as easy to understand as possible. Then share your writing with your merit badge counselor and discuss the importance of the Declaration of Independence.

-and-

Citizenship in the Nation 4a-Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one.
a. Declaration of Independence

-----------------

American Heritage 4a-Explain what is meant by the National Register of Historic Places. Describe how a property becomes eligible for listing. Make a map of your local area, marking the points of historical interest. Tell about any National Register properties in your area. Share the map with your counselor, and describe the historical points you have indicated.

-and-

Citizenship in the Nation 2a-Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about the landmark or site and what you found interesting about it.

-and-

Citizenship in the Community 2a -On a map of your community, locate and point out the following:
1. Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county courthouse, and public works/services facility
2. Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home
3. Historical or other interesting points

------------------

Citizenship in the Community 8-Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. Stage your presentation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or a class at school.

-and-

Communications 3-Write a five-minute speech. Give it at a meeting of a group

-and-

Public Speaking 4-Select a topic of interest to your audience. Collect and organize information about this topic and prepare an outline. Write an eight- to 10-minute speech, practice it, then deliver it in the conversational way.

--------------------

Communications 5-Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue. Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Present an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor

-and-

Citizenship in the Community 3-Do the following:
a. Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session.
b. Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.

[Bill Pitcher]

WHEW!!

[Fred Johnson]

My favorite example is early on rank requirements to participate in X number of activities and the camping merit badge requirement of Y camping nights. If the activity is camping with the troop, it counts for both a rank requirement and a merit badge requirement.

[Quailman]

If you start the Bird Study MB early enough, you can count eight of the twenty birds you have to identify for a requirement for Nature MB, and ten of them for the "identify or show signs of ten wild animals" requirement.

Or did someone already mention that?

[gavnet]

As a PADI diving instructor and ASM I can and do certify scuba divers as young as 10. That said, there is one requirement of the MB that makes me question if I can use a prior certification for the MB.

2. Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the Swimming merit badge.

So, if you bust have Swimming before doing the certification which you can not get until after being a scout, what do you do?

George

[FrankJ]

As a PADI diving instructor and ASM I can and do certify scuba divers as young as 10. That said, there is one requirement of the MB that makes me question if I can use a prior certification for the MB.

2. Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the Swimming merit badge.

So, if you bust have Swimming before doing the certification which you can not get until after being a scout, what do you do?

Despite being highly qualified, you need to register as a MBC if you have not already done so.

This has been discussed (you can search for the thread) & officially answered. Certifications are an exception to this rule. If you are current certified, you have met the requirements & do not have to do them again.

[BartHumphries]

Seeing as how Tenderfoot through First Class is basically a slightly tougher repeat of everything they did for their Arrow of Light... if you could satisfy both requirements at the same time, then every Scout with an Arrow of Light would just do a few more things and suddenly be First Class.