Merit badge idea -- "Social Skills"....

[RWSmith]

A scout is courteous, respectful, clean, kind. Is there a merit badge related to this? I want to know if it has ever been considered.

I recently wrote the parents' refererence for my son's eagle application and had to reflect on the many, many fantastic things he has learned from scouting. (Of course some he also had to learn from his parents.) Every time I have ever coached him on manners, social behavior, or what to wear to a funeral, he has acted mystified and wanted to know where people learn these things. I think there could be a merit badge!

I think this area could benefit many boys and launch them confidently into adulthood. I would loosely define it as "etiquette" or "gentlemanliness" but it needs a better title. I know that may sound dainty and unmanly to some but I am talking about the skills/knowledge a boy needs to be comfortable and confident in any social situation and to convey respect and kindness to others. I have four boys so I know what I am talking about---they are not born knowing these things, yet they are important in life, and can go a long way to enhancing a young man's leadership skills and enabling him to embody scouting's values.

I realize James Bond is a fictitious character who does not embody all the values of scouting, but he is brave and resourceful, and I think 007 probably knows how to do most of these things!

In no particular order (and there could be more added to this):

• how to act at an interview
• how to request a letter of reference
• phone etiquette
• email and online etiquette
• writing a thank you note or sympathy note
• how to behave at a wake/funeral
• going to a wedding or other formal occasion
• being a good houseguest
• basic grooming
• how to shop for a suit
• how to tie a tie/how to polish shoes
• particular etiquette towards elders, public officials, clergy, etc.
• basic table manners/restaurant etiquette

I gather that the road to a new merit badge is a long one, but I thought I would throw this out there for reaction.

thanks

[RWSmith]

lizzie,

Welcome to our forums. I am sure you'll find this a friendly place.

[smtroop168]

You can submit your idea to merit.badge@scouting.org

I doubt you'll find much traction for this kind of badge although maybe a Parenting Skills Knot for the Adults would work since these are all parental responsibilities

[AquilaNegra2]

I think this is an excellent idea for education in general, but not sure that it belongs in Scouting. While it's important for the boys to learn these things, I'd really like to see a return to a more outdoorsy program.

[RWSmith]

FWIW,

....I would loosely define it as "etiquette" or "gentlemanliness" but it needs a better title....

In no particular order (and there could be more added to this):

See Communications MB pamphlet for the following...

• how to act at an interview
• how to request a letter of reference
• phone etiquette
• email and online etiquette
• writing a thank you note or sympathy note

Almost all of these are covered, to some degree, in Cub Scouting...

• basic grooming -- All Cub Handbooks, as well as the Boy Scout Handbook. See also: (Uniform Inspection Sheet)
• how to tie a tie -- actually, this was in previous editions of the Boy Scout Handbook (and is currently a Wolf elective).
  how to polish shoes -- I think this was also in the Boy Scout Handbook... way back when Wagion was a young buck.
• basic table manners/restaurant etiquette
• being a good (house) guest
• particular etiquette towards elders, public officials, clergy, etc.

Regarding your remaining points...

• how to shop for a suit -- Eh, you got me there. I can only suggest that, "A Scout is (supposed to be) Thrifty." I.e., second-hand stores and thrift stores (Salvation Army, or Goodwill).
• how to behave at a wedding, funeral (wake), or other formal occasion. -- I don't know of any reference for these, specifically; but, I think it's a great idea to cover all of these in a Scout's training. As smtroop168 noted, this does rest very much in the purview of the family; what is "culturally" accepted in one household may not be appropriate in another. I.e., learn your family's customs first, but also learn how to, "when in Rome...", or, "when in doubt..."

[smtroop168]

7.0.4.1 New Merit Badges
Suggestions for new merit badges may be sent to the
Innovation Team at the National Council, merit.badge@
scouting.org. Ideas are researched for relevance to the
BSA mission and the needs of today’s youth and families.
Subject matter must spark interest in Scout-age boys; thus
part of the process involves presenting submissions to a
youth panel.

Here is the info on New MBs from the new Guide to Advancement.