Bring Back Historical MB's?

[Reasonable Rascal]

I personally would like to see a renewal of the Historical MB program. There are somewhere over 100 historical MBs that have been phased out for some reason or another - most often changing technology, lifestyles and, frankly, interest. Sometimes they changed title and requirements (Ambulanceman is now First Aid, for instance), and other times they are technologically obsolete (Bookbinding). But they are all gone and save for 4 that were resurrected for the centennial year likely to never be seen again.

Given the interest shown in 2010 why would we expect differently if Woodturning, Zoology or Cement Work were resurrected again for a year, marked by a bronze or red border, for instance, as opposed to the once-in-a-lifetime gold-rimmed centennial MBs.

Yes, I know it would/could be a pain each year, or even E/O year, but it could also be a source of pride and renewed interest in Scouting, a way for the alumni to reconnect through areas of particular interest matching their skills.

Just a thought.

RR

[smtroop168]

Send your idea to merit.badge@scouting.org.

[cdwscout]

As a scout, this would be a lot of fun. I think some guys would find a lot of interest in this, but don't try to resurrect too many each year; I would say no more than 2-3.

[Reasonable Rascal]

cdw, I agree. BUT, and this is a big but.... give the boys more than 8-9 months to complete these. It takes time to find counselors and get them up to speed with YPT, etc before they are ever ready to coach a MB. I spent literally months trying to find the tools necessary for the Carpentry MB - enough to hold a clinic, which was the aim. I succeeded but it took a lot of miles, weekends and yard sales before I found the tools that haven't been sold in many years (rip and 2-man crosscut saws).

Sorry to be so long-winded but this idea has gripped me with a passion lately (probably because I am in between jobs while I wait on a professional license from CA, so I have time to sit and ponder) and I have been mulling it over for a while.

Ideally a series of historical badges would be rolled out a couple at a time for a period of say 12-15 months, with a break in between groups. Rim them in red or other color to differentiate them from Eagle-required, electives, and the original Centennial year-only Historicals and allow for time to find counselors, etc so we don't need last minute 1 or 2-hour "clinics" just so boys can sew these on their sashes. Using a 15-month eligibility model a summer camp could include the MB in their program for 2 years running before losing it, and offer a different Legacy MB program for the next 2 years. Run the programs from May 15 to August 15 the following year. take into consideration summer camp schedules so that no one is cut off because their troop attended the last session of the year and the cut-off date was the week before. Decide on the MB(s) to be offered and announce them ahead of time so that program directors have time to work them up as far as counselors and needed equipment (Woodturning would require lathes, etc). Use the original MB pamphlets so that new pamphlet development is not an issue - just make the old ones available in .pdf format so they can be downloaded and printed off as needed.

Our council had such clinics offered literally in the last week of the Historical program. No one actually 'learned' Morse Code, it was just set up so the scouts could follow the bouncing ball so to speak by using a computer (in one case) to send a message, or following a "tracker' around a set course and thus 'earning' the MB almost by observation alone, essentially. I know all the arguments and I agree, but also disagree. The counselor signed them off and as the SM I do not have the authority to tell a boy the counselor was a wingding and the signed BC doesn't count. Liberal interpretation of the rules does not meet the intent of the requirements, so give them time to actually learn the skills and enable them with proper support.

I also see the program as a way to bring back alumni. We have untold numbers of non-involved alumni who could counsel Cement Work or Woodturning by way of example, but it would take time to find, train and register them. And it might keep boys involved over time if they knew that by staying in they could earn a coveted "Legacy" MB when the program starts 6 months hence.

Oh, and sm...168? I took your advice. Thank you sir.

RR

[smtroop168]

Oh, and sm...168? I took your advice. Thank you sir.

RR

"one paragraph at a time"

[cdwscout]

rascal, I agree, there must a clear timeline. I would have them announce the badges the summer before, requirements by September/October, make the pamphlets available November/December, and have them "official" January 1 until December 31. That way, summer camps could actually find counselors and do them.

[smtroop168]

My contacts at National says "we have no plans to re-introduce retired merit badges.

This was only done in special celebration of the 100th Scouting Anniversary."

[Reasonable Rascal]

I appreciate the response, sir.

RR

[BartHumphries]

and other times they are technologically obsolete (Bookbinding).

Go talk to any librarian -- bookbinding is not an obsolete technology. Years ago at my high school, it seemed like we were rebinding/reglueing/whatever almost a book a day. I see a few books sitting on the repair counter almost every time I go down to the County library near me. Go look at the hymnbooks in almost any older church, they're probably at least a few that need some work done on them.