Star, life requirments

[scubascout]

do you think that star and life ranks should have requirments like tenderfoot through first class or do you think that the merit badges required for those ranks cover that material needed to know/learn?

[PPC_NYLT]

The ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class are meant to teach scouts the 'basics' of scouting. As scouts progress through these ranks, a foundation is built. This foundation is meant to be built upon in the ranks of Star, Life, and eventually, Eagle, by teaching other scouts the skills he has learned and provide leadership to his fellow scouts. Also he build his knowledge base by earning the merit badges that he chooses.

The flexability in the rank requirement of these upper ranks allows scouts to get involved in different parts of scouting, such as the OA, NYLT, Camp Staff, Jambo(s), Philmont, Venturing, etc... and it also provides the scout with the chance to explore different activities that he is interested in and explore new topics. IMHO having reqs. similar to the Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class reqs. would take away from that flexability and inhibit the development of the scout as a leader.

[gwd-scouter]

I like the way the Star-Eagle requirements are set up. But, because of the constant inquiries about what it means to be "active in your troop for six months," I would like to see something more specific such as those requirements for 2nd and 1st class - i.e., attend five troop outings, attend ten troop outings, [insert number here] must be campouts.

Probably will never happen and I'm sure there is some logical reason why the activity requirement is very specific in T-1st class requirements and vague in Star-Eagle.

[wagionvigil]

At one time the Merit badges were grouped by catagory. In each rank star, life, and eagle you had to have a certain amount from each catagory.This was in addtiton to the required MB's

[jr56]

Wow, you must really be an old timer, I don't remember that at all, and I thought I was getting up there in years.

[wagionvigil]

Eagle 64

[jr56]

Yes, you were a little before my time,
Eagle 1971

[outfoxed86]

You both have me beat
Eagle -77

[PT]

I too remember the old categories for merit badges, and I'm not that old!

Eagle 66

[WVBeaver05]

Looks like some of you beat me too.

Eagle 73

YiS

[Jeremy Cyr]

i am a life scout and i think that the merit badges supply alot of knowledge and i think thats enought for advancement

[mhjacobson]

The removal of the categories makes it easier for a scout to express his own particular personality as he moves on the trail toward Eagle. In addition, The old category method sometimes stalled a person at First Class or STar until they were able to earn a badge in a particular category. This method seems to be fairer.

(Eagle '62)