Age On Merit Badges

[wagionvigil]

Lets see what you all think about this

[dparker]

I don't know what one more physical year adds, really. I have seen 12 year olds that are far more mature than some 14 year olds. For me, the subject material needs to be appropriate for a particular boy. In our current troop, the boys decided they wanted to work on the Cit. World MB. We sat down and started working on the requirements and the 12/13 YO's were just in over their heads. Most of them had a shaky understanding of a what foreign country even was.

As in the Archery thread, the question was not really that the Scout was a first year Scouter, but rather that he was not physically able to complete the requirements. Now, I have my own opinions on the new Archery accuracy requirements, but I already said my peace on those in an older thread.

As a Scout is considering a MB, I try to look at the requirements and help him to pick one that he can accomplish, even though it might take some effort. If I know that the Scout is just not going to be able to complete the requirements, I try to explain my reasoning and suggest an alternative.

[Lynda J]

In my troop we have kids at 12 that are more mature and focused then the 16 year old. I do understand about the physical strength on some of the badges. But Kevin (11) has been canoeing for two years. But can't do Scout canoe trips. No he probably couldn't do white water but you can never tell.

[OldGreyBear]

I don't think BSA should have age limits on merit badges anymore than they should have age limits on ranks. Each boy is an individual and I dont want artificial limitations placed on what each boy can an can't do. if a boy is to immature to meet the requirments of a merit badge, its up to the Counselor to not pass him.

[commish3]

Age is a measure of the number of sunrises you have had the opportunity to see and nothing more.

It does not measure physical ability. (I challenge any scoutmaster to perform the the skills of a 16 year-old olympic gymnast.)

It does not measure aptitude. All you scouters who have earned a college degree by age 14 raise your hand. (There is currently a 15-year old doing his medical residency in the US)

It does not prove maturity. (Sit in on a Roundtable gripe session for evidence of that.)

If we start restricting boys based on age, we better be willing to restrict adult volunteers based on physical condition and maturity.

We would lose a lot of boys...and a lot of adults.

[BM_Crawford]

I voted yes, because wether or not a kid is more mature or less mature the age requirements gives the scout something to look forward to. As a kid growing up I have always had things I had wanted to do but couldn't because of age in both scouting and life. What age did to me is first off, was that it gave me the ability to learn and participate in paralell activities and allowed me to enjoy a greater variety of things, and secondly, when the time came that I could participate in an activity It was sooooooo much more enjoyable. The wait only entices excitement and energy in the activity. Life is about waiting, if anything age requirements will teach patients and teach scouts the value of waiting.

[RWSmith]

Even so, enjoying the right to choose any MB, even if you know yourself that you might fail, is very, very important. Given that fact, plus the trying and actually failing to complete a MB requirement or two, or three, gives one pause and teaches a valuable lesson... THE ONLY WAY ONE CAN KNOW HIS LIMITS IS BY TESTING THEM! (Sorry for yelling.)

[BM_Crawford]

Yea but scouting's suppose to also be fun, the wait makes the end so much more enjoyable.

Besides there is no other effective way to regulate who takes different merit badges. Besides there are other, safer ways to not suceed than a possibly dangerous Merit Badge requirement.

There are planning activities, rank advancements, merit badges without age limits and others to fail at and try again.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Commish - the examples you listed you must admit are real but to the extreme? I would love to know what the average age is for a medical residency, I'll bet it's past the teens!

I agree with Crawford - I don't think very many badges would be worth looking at for an age limit but the ones that did have a limit would give the boys something to look forward too. Maybe we would see a rise in the number of boys that stick around in scouting? Once the boys are older they seem to take quite pride/excitement in being older than others in the troop. We've seen this with boys at summercamp that can finally take shotgun.

This may be a slightly different string but I'd like to see a few badges have prerequisites listed more clearly. I've seen a boy complete the sailing badge because he has a relative with a cottage but he can't swim and did not pass the swim test at camp.

[commish3]

There are over 100 merit badges, 6 ranks, as well as several high adventure experiences, special awards such as BSA Lifeguard, Paul Bunyan Award, National Junior Leader Instructor Course, more than a dozen positions of responsibility.

There would seem to be ample things to look forward to in addition to excellent troop meetings and monthly outdoor activities you will expose him to that will more than fill his short time in Boy Scouting.

Is it really necessary for adult leaders, who he is asked to trust, to create artificial hurdles beyond the challenges presented him by the BSA?

These people I have sited are not the extreme, though they may be the exceptional. Who are we to determine which boy could not be exceptional in some way. The very activity that you would keep him from, might be the key to that exception.

[evmori]

Placing an age on merit badges doesn't make sense. There are no age limits (other than joining and completing Eagle) that the BSA has. Besides, what purpose would it serve?

[cballman]

No I dont think a merit badge should have a age req. on them but maybe a height and weight on some of them for safety reasons. because I have had 11 year olds that are more mature then 16 year olds but cant do the badge because they are not heavy enough to Rappel down a tower, or have been knocked down by a shotgun. so it also goes back to the parents and scoutleaders communitating as to what is best for each boy and not a whole group of 11 year olds or 15 year olds

[ynotquilt]

I don't think that an age limit is necessarily appropriate, but a "pre-requesite" such as needing to do the basic fishing before fly-fishing or Swimming before Lifesaving would be reasonable I am using these as examples in the sense that you would need to learn sewing basics before you learn to quilt (I am a quilting instructor also) If one merit badge were to "build" upon another, it would make sense. If that were the case though, it should be put in the "Y" merit badge as a requirement that you must earn the "X" merit badge before you can earn the "Y"

[mommatoodle]

I don't think there should be an age limit on any badge. I do agree that it makes sense to do some badges before others. A boy should be able to try any badge and if he "fails" (notice the quotes) then he can always continue it later. It is a learning experience, A boy who doesn't try won't learn anything. We want our kids to learn and grow and leave the nest, if we put age restrictions on everything then we are in a sense protecting them and not allowing them to stretch their wings. (I don't know if I'm stating this right!)

My son has told me that he doesn't want to do C. in the World until sometime next year. He realizes that the requirements are beyond what he can currently do, he did P. Management with no problem since he has a goal of saving enough money for his own boat.

A boy needs to try and sometimes fall and then get up and try again and sometimes fall again. Just like, not everyone gets on a bike and rides it perfectly the first time.

[Billiken]

No to age requirements for MBs.

We've got a first year Scout (11 yrs old, just crossed over from WEBELOS) who at summer camp this week is getting Swimming, Canoeing and Astronomy. Not the typical first-year selection of Indian Lore, Basketry, etc....

[Lynda J]

If we start restricting age for merit badges then we will also start restricting rank advancement by age. Can't earn Tenderfoot until 12, 2nd Class 13, 1st Class 14, Star 15, Life 16. Where does it stop. The rule should then be that NO ONE can earn Eagle before their 16th birthday. How do you thing that would set with some. Do I think all 14 year olds make good Eagles NO.
Boys should be able to advance at the rate they are comfortable with. Not what adults are comfortable with.
As adults many times we want to make rules and restrictions based on our own experiences and that we simply are not wanting our boys to grow up. But we have to be careful that we don't put a dampner on boys wanting to achieve.
Kevin wants Eagle by 16. If he makes it more power to him. If he doesn't make it until the day before he turn 18 I will still be just as proud of him.
A boy dies not fail simply because he starts a merit badge and doesn't finish it or waits to finish it. He will learn something from the work he does.
And we also have to be careful about how we view failure. No one fails if they try their best.

[maricopasem]

I'm new to these forums, and so please forgive any overbearance.

I have a hard time that this is even a topic. I agree wholeheartedly with the "no more, no less" answer. Let's just run the program how it has been established rather than impose more bureuacracy on it.

Additionally, I can't understand restricting a young man who wants to do something worthwhile. In our society where more and more boys retreat into the mind-numbing isolation of video games we should shout for joy when a boy wants to do something challenging and meaningful.

I wonder which Merit Badges people think should be restricted. Is it over safety concerns? I don't see any MB that done correctly would be dangerous. Sure, a shotgun might be more likely to knock down an 11 year old than a 17 year old, but good for the younger one to try.

Is it over maturity concerns? I can't think of any value or principle in Scouting or its awards that should be denied a young man of any age. How long should we wait to teach a boy about patriotism or finances or familial duties?

Once again please pardon the length and the tone -- the feelings are strong and they are deep.

[WVBeaver05]

I don't believe that age requirements are necessary or appropriate for Merit Badges. Like many others it is more up to the skills and maturity level of the Scout. With all due respect to the other opinions, I don't see any advantage to age requirements.

All that should be important is whether they can complete the requirements.

Just my opinion.

YiS