Teaching the Subject

[optimist]

Messages moved from MeritBadge.com

wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 191
Location: PA
Posted: 11 Aug 2004 09:12 am Post subject: Teaching the
Subject

Sometimes I believe that we do the Scouts a disservice when we
do some of the MB. I teach climbing MB each weekend most of
the year and some weeek days in the summer. Anyhow, We teach
them about Climbing and rappelling. We explain the equipment.
ANd HOW to do it BUT we donot teach them why we do certain
things. Rigging and self rescue are two of the most important
items any climber must know. But no where in the Book does it
address this. "Topping Out" does but the MB book does not. Do
I Teach it in my class? No because it is not in the
requirements or the book BUT I tell each group that they need
to take a class on rigging and a class on self rescue before
they should ever attempt climbing and rappelling on their own
later in life.
I am quite sure that this is true with many other MB's so we
as counselors need to keep working on the powers that be to
make necessary changes. I believe this is based upon money
sometimes (we have 100,000 ABC Books in stock we cannot change
them yet)
Should I teach them these items? If it were not BSA yes but I
am bound by what the BSA wants me to instruct . "Liability"
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

Back to top

RWSmith
Counselor

Joined: 13 Jul 2004
Posts: 55
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posted: 11 Aug 2004 10:20 am Post subject: Re: Teaching the
Subject

wagionvigil wrote:
Sometimes .... we do not teach them why we do certain
things. .... Do I Teach it in my [MB] class? .... Should
I teach them these items? If it were not BSA yes but I
am bound by what the BSA wants me to instruct.
"Liability"

Bro. wagionvigil,

I do not know of any BSA policy that restricts a MBC from
adding to the Scout's "learning experience" by providing the
"why" behind any given requirement.

MB requirements have been written as they are (for many, many
years) for two reasons:
A) Neither you, nor the Scout can move the bar. However,
B) either one or both of you can raise the level of learning
(or teaching), as long as you both understand that the
requirement reamins the bar... and he will not be "required"
perform at any level above that, in order to meet the bar...
And, conversely, he will not be "required," nor "expected,"
to stop at the bar, either.

Liability is a recent development, relatively speaking... And
as long as you remain w/i the scope of the G2SS (and common
sense), you are free to do whatever is necessary to help the
Scout safely satisfy the requirements.
_________________
Bob Smith, OA, NESA, DAV
ADC, Apache District

If you can read this, thank a teacher... If you can read it in
English, thank a Veteran.

Back to top

ScoutmasterBob
Counselor

Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 79
Location: Woods Cross, Utah
Posted: 11 Aug 2004 10:36 am Post subject:

I think the experience of getting a MB is supposed to give the
scout a "taste" of the what that MB offers.
When a scout earns a MB I dont think that makes him an expert
in the subject. I beleive it should spark an intrest in
learning more either as a hobby or as a profession.
When a scout completes the climbing MB he cannot and should
not be considered an "expert" in that area, more comprehensive
training is required. The MB gives them an oppritunity to be
on the wall, and using the equipment, with supervision, and
lets them decide if they want to get more in depth
instruction.
I am sure there are alot of things left out of MB req. because
if it takes a year to do one MB, a scout would most likley
loose interest.
Which MB are usually the last ones a scout wants to work on,
the ones that take 90 days to finish, Personal fitness,
Personal Management, Family life.
Unfortunatley, we live in a world of immediate gratification,
gimme this now, gimme thta now, right now. Anything that takes
more than a hour to do, is not worth the time to do. Its too
bad.
_________________
Bob Torkelson
Scoutmaster Troop 538
www.wx5troop538.homestead.com
Live The Oath!

Back to top

wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 191
Location: PA
Posted: 11 Aug 2004 11:11 am Post subject:

Great Feed back keep it coming. this is an important part of
advancement. WHen I do a Climbing Class I pass out tons of
literature to the SM or the Youth. Web Sites,Contacts,
Instruction Books they can use like Topping Out etc.. This
adds to the instruction but I am not giving the Instruction. I
tell them of places that give advance instruction Like EMS and
REI and what they may expect to pay. I tell them of places to
go Like Seneca Rocks in WV or Nelson Rocks there also that has
a Via Ferrata. But these are things they may look at and read
etc.
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

Back to top

optimist
Advancement Chairman

Joined: 27 Jun 2004
Posts: 146

Posted: 11 Aug 2004 12:07 pm Post subject:

Yes, you can't add to the requirements. In most cases,
reviewing relavent materials will not be adding to the
requirements. The only way I could see it as being adding to
the requirements is if you refuse to sign off on a requirement
the Scout has completed simply because you haven't discussed
the related subject you want to bring up.

If the Scout does the work, you sign him off. Talk about
anything you want. Show him whatever you want. As long as you
sign him off as he completes his work and don't intentionally
delay him because you feel something beyond the scope of the
requirements is important, you can talk till the cows come
home

Back to top

Lynda J
Scout

Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Texas
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 10:16 am Post subject:

I quite often add infomation to merit badges I teach. But you
can't make the additional information a requirement for
earning the badge.
I started Reptile with a group of boys last night. I always go
over a lot of information on poison snakes that isn't part of
the requirements but I do feel the boys need to have the
information.

You can't add additional requirements and you can't delete
requirements or change them unless it is to deal with a boy
that has a disability. And then you have to get permission to
change the requirements.

Lynda J

Back to top