Qeustion about listings for restrictions for a badge

[Quailman]

It's probably based on past experience. They know that there will be plenty of 'qualified' scouts to fill it, and may still have to turn some away. By using age as a criterion for a limited resource (spots in an Eagle-required MB class), the scouts who are closer to aging out get first crack. Those who have more available yeares in the program can take it next year if need be.

It seems perfectly reasonable to me, though with a newish scout who is already 15 1/2, I'd request a top spot on the wait list should a slot open up.

[jr56]

Why the tempest in the teapot? Any merit badge can be earned by any scout anytime. Nobody says that Enviornmental Science has to be earned at summer camp. I would say, find a buddy, earn it at your conveniance, and take merit badges at camp that are much easier to earn with camp equipment, (shooting, boating MB's, pioneering, etc...)
My son was very evnirnmentally minded, abd earned the MB on his own over the course of a couple of months in the fall.

[John F.]

Our camp has no age restrictions except where the state requires it. Like rifle, the scout has to be at least 12. Our camp does have a rank restriction on one MB. Water-skiing. There are only 12 slots for this MG. Six in the morring session and 6 for the afternoon session. They like scouts with higher ranks do this MB. A reason for them to come back to the camp. it is open for any scout,but if a higher rank scout signs up for it the lowest rank scout is removed, if they have more than 12 scouts signed up .

[Lynda J]

I hate age requirements for badges. I have seen boys as young as 12 do ES and do a wonderful job. Had a young man come to me just after school started. He had worked on ES as summer camp and they didn't do any of the outdoor requirements. They did all the "classroom" stuff.
He was a first year scout. He is also a science whiz. Kevin did Auto Mechanics when he was 12. He worked at the shop all summer.
So setting age requirements isn't fair. Let a boy work on any badge he wants to. If he doesn't finish it at that time he will probably come back and finish it.

[WeeWillie]

What is the rush.

I've seen too many Scouts enrolled in merit badges that they were not ready for because they did not have the academic preparation, physical strength or stamina, patience, or desire. Too often these Scouts become bored, disruptive and slow down the rest of the class. When these Scouts fall behind the parents or leaders either jump in and start doing the work for them, or blame the staff for not providing proper instruction. I can understand why some camps establish age restrictions for badges.

[joat]

Perhaps if theScoutmaster would properly counsel and advise the boy when approached about signing a blue card, there would be one less argument in favor of blanket age restrictions.

[scouter01]

I hate these reqs, since I tend to be the one who loses out since I as big as the older kids, but just not as old.


I did E S last year as a 12ish year old and it was eas. only 2 hours a day at lost valley scout ranch. I also did climbing at solid rock gym, and there were first year scouts and it was fine. we all had fun.

I think the age and rank req are silly ( except for shotgun annd ones where the small scout CANNOT do ) if there is a signup proablem, then whoever gets there first gets it. the camp I went to had an online sign up and that wokred out fine.

[joat]

I think the age and rank req are silly ( except for shotgun annd ones where the small scout CANNOT do )

If the problem is the boy might get his shoulder knocked out of place, or if his arms are to short and weak to hold the shotgun, perhaps the restriction should relate to height or weight or strength instead of age or rank.

[bearpatrolleaderinctown]

i agree with joat on the meritbadges that demand strength and size to put age and height restrictions at summer camp there could be some exceptions to this in most areas i have been before being a scout since i go camping all over the place as well as after i joined a scouting some restrictions would only apply to some younger scouts i have seen some kids that were 11 that could barely lift a five gallon bucket half full in places around big citys and out in the country some kids at my school who go hunting use rifles with more recoil than a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun so every restriction that you put on a merit badge will come back and haunt you at the end of summer camp. also rank restrictions should not be put because i have seen some 11 year old first class scouts that had the maturity of a 15 year old and some that just goofed around all weekend long at my councils camporee.

[Hubert]

I think the age and rank req are silly ( except for shotgun annd ones where the small scout CANNOT do )

If the problem is the boy might get his shoulder knocked out of place, or if his arms are to short and weak to hold the shotgun, perhaps the restriction should relate to height or weight or strength instead of age or rank.

I agree with Joat. What if you get one of those huge thirteen year olds that are big enough to take the MB but not old enough. My 15 year old cousin stands 6'4". He has always been a huge kid. Now, when he was 12, would he have been restricted at shotgun acording to age? I think it should be hight and weight.

As for the others, its all in the scout. I think it should be up to the parents as well. If they think their kid is ready for ES then he should be able to take it. As long as the scout knows what he is getting into, their should be no problem. ES was a hard badge to take, but it can be done. I was 14 when I took mine, and did a fine job.

Ps. As for the scout who posted this, Cycling is a great one to take if you are not a good swimmer. Thats what I had to do because I myself am a bad swimmer.

[pipestone1991]

Ps. As for the scout who posted this, Cycling is a great one to take if you are not a good swimmer. Thats what I had to do because I myself am a bad swimmer.

or hiking

[Hubert]

Added note: I said earlier about the huge kids, but what about the smaller ones? This is a problem that the council will run into, restrict by age? or by hight? No matter what, someone will be upset because they cant do it. I still stand that it should be up to the parents and scoutmasters.

[wagionvigil]

ALways remember safety considerations. A MB counselor or a camp can make restrictions due to safety considerations. This could be from experience of the counselor or camp or Local Insurance restrictions etc. I operate a climbing program at Laurel Caverns our insurance carrier ask us to restrict the activity to 12 and up. Our staff which is extremely experienced in climbing actually prefer 13 but they went along with 12.

[joat]

Safety is the most important consideration in setting a restriction. Trouble is, "safety" is hard to measure. A good restriction might be "the Scout must be safe", except it's hard to define and measure "safe". So, the insurance company, camp, or counselor uses a different restriction which it is hoped somehow relates to safety. Bottom line is that a 13 year old is supposed to be more "safe" than a 12 year old. And we all know that is not necessarily true at all.

[Hubert]

Bottom line is that a 13 year old is supposed to be more "safe" than a 12 year old. And we all know that is not necessarily true at all.

Indeed thats not true. I am just as much risk being 17 as the kid who is 13.

[wagionvigil]

There areome 14 years olds that are more mature than a 16 year old BUT they cannot drive a car. The powers that be set an age using something as a standard. Same goes with insurance companies and scout camps.

[MDEagle]

Ps. As for the scout who posted this, Cycling is a great one to take if you are not a good swimmer. Thats what I had to do because I myself am a bad swimmer.

This will be a little off-topic, Hubert, but I wish you'd consider going for the Swimming Merit Badge. It's one that could save your life.

As far as being a poor swimmer, I promise you can improve. My own son is not a great swimmer, but he's worked very hard to be able to complete the First Class test, and is going for Swimming at summer camp this year.

It's not about being a competitive Olympic-like swimmer, although there are some options along those lines. Most of the requirements are focused towards recreational swimming and survival techniques.

I confess I sort of part ways with BSA on this one. I think Swimming should be required... no option... because it's unlikely that any boy will spend his entire life away from water deeper than his height. Everyone should have some ability to save themselves if they ever find themselves in over their head.

And, before we get on a different off-topic run... I get that some Scouts have physical limitations, etc. So I suppose I'm talking about not-medically-waived Scouts.

[Hubert]

Normaly, I would. But I have a breathing problem. Its not as bad on a bike because I can change gears. But for some darn reason, while swimming, it comes up. And....I sink.

[Karen]

My son, who was then an 11 year old tenderfoot, took environmental science at summer camp last year. He didn't have any problems and completed it at camp. The only age restrictions at our council's camp are for cope and climbing where they have to be 13 by Jan 1.

Karen

[scoutaholic]

My son, who at the time of camp was 11 and had not yet completed his Tenderfoot, took Environmental Science at camp last year. He had no problem completing it along with 5 other merit badges (First Aid, Aviation, Basketry, Leatherwork, and Pioneering). In fact, he helped two other boys to earn it (both older than him).

Age and Rank have little to do with preparation to do most MBs.

He's now 12, 1st Class, waiting 2 more weeks for the time requirements on Star, almost finished with required MBs for Life, and already working on MBs for a Gold Palm.

When a boy decides what he wants, I will do what I can to support him, not put roadblocks in his way.