favorite MB

[wagionvigil]

it is supposed to be But alot of scoutmasters and committees blow that off.
No one should be an Eagle Scout without being able to swim.

[diamondbackAPL]

it is supposed to be But alot of scoutmasters and committees blow that off.
No one should be an Eagle Scout without being able to swim.

I totally agree with you.

[ASM-142]

it is supposed to be But alot of scoutmasters and committees blow that off.
No one should be an Eagle Scout without being able to swim.

I agree that no one should be an Eagle without being able to swim. That is one of the reasons I beleive that the swimming requirements are in 2nd and 1st class. If SM and committees "blow off" those requirements they are doing something wrong. The swimming MB goes beyond being able to swim and being comfortable enough in the water to save themselves

[wagionvigil]

Actually several years ago when the requirements were updated there were two basic committees one to do TF -1st class and another to to Star-Eagle. The Star to Eagle committe TRIED to make Swimming and Lifesaving Required with no option it failed to make it through SO the committee doing TF- 1st Class made the swimming Requirements tougher in their section I personally do not feel that had an impact. I do believe requiring Swimming and Lifesaving without an option would have a big impact.

[diamondbackAPL]

yes, I know swimming is covered in 2nd and 1st class, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. take, for instance, the requirement where you jump into the waer clothed and you have to inflate your clothes and float. that's an important skill that you don't learn at first class anymore. also you have to do a 150 yd. swim using several different strokes, which one might need to know some day.

[ASM-142]

I know that the skill to inflate your clothes is important and should not of been removed from 1st class. However, the ability to swim 100 yards, 150 yards, or 500 yards using different strokes should not matter.

If a scout can swim 100 yards and then rest and not be at his limit that in itself should demonstrate that he is being comfortable enough in the water to save himself.

[tuscarora299]

I think backpacking was my favorite , and personal managment was my least favroite

[ilduncans]

Favorite is no contest, either with me, or with Eagle candidates I have reviewed -- Wilderness Survival almost every time.

[diamondbackAPL]

I know have a three way tie for my favorite. canoeing, archery, and wilderness survival

[Rick Tyler]

To go back to the original thread topic -- no question, my favorites were the boating MBs: Small Boat Sailing, Motorboating, Canoeing, and Rowing. I went on to become an active sailor, and was a member of my college sailing team. It's become a life-long hobby, started when I was in Boy Scouts.

[eaglescoutjohnstanford]

Lifesaving would be my first choice and the reason being is...
You may never have the opportunity to help save a life, but if the need arises...you'll be ready and prepared.

[scouter01]

my favorite mb was fingerprinting

[616kayak]

I think fingerprinting is a bit of a joke. You do learn some stuff, but its way too easy.

[lane_eaglescout]

great topic! This is a hard one for me....favorite was probably Public Speaking(or Motorboating..hard decision) and my least favorite was art.....I have no idea why I took it.

[Swim4lyfe]

So far, Lifesaving has been my favorite merit badge. I did it alongside BSA Lifeguard and it was fantastic. The instructor was great and knew what he was talking about. The diving for the weights was cool as we did it in a lake instead of a pool. Overall; fun merit badge, even if it has a lot of requirements.

My least favorite would probably be Communications. It was easy, but very boring and I had to really push myself to finish it.

it is supposed to be But alot of scoutmasters and committees blow that off.
No one should be an Eagle Scout without being able to swim.

I agree that no one should be an Eagle without being able to swim. That is one of the reasons I beleive that the swimming requirements are in 2nd and 1st class. If SM and committees "blow off" those requirements they are doing something wrong. The swimming MB goes beyond being able to swim and being comfortable enough in the water to save themselves

I will disagree with you there. Some kids hate swimming and dread the water. I met a guy at summer camp who didn't get his Eagle due to the fact that Swimming was required. Sure, swimming is a very prominent aspect of life, but many people choose not to swim. I don't see why we should punish a Scout who is afraid of the water or just doesn't like swimming. It's not right. The First and Second Class requirements are enough.

[wagionvigil]

But people also expect more from an Eagle Scout and swimming skills are some of those.

[lifescoutforlife]

My favorite one to teach is Truck Transportation because scouts get a tour of were I work in a diesel engine assembly plant. They really enjoy the tour and get to see a cool movie of one of our trucks racing up Pike's Peek. My son's favorite is Wilderness Survival, he has went on outposts after getting the MB just because he liked it so much the first time.

[Swim4lyfe]

But people also expect more from an Eagle Scout and swimming skills are some of those.

Why not make hiking required as well?

[jr56]

My peersonal favorite is Reptile/Amphibian Study, but that is because I'm a Herpetoculturist, an interest which was fostered when I earned that merit badge myself as a scout.

[pipestone1991]

it is supposed to be But alot of scoutmasters and committees blow that off.
No one should be an Eagle Scout without being able to swim.

I see the problem here, if they went by the book (as they should), then every Eagle would be able to swim!...keep the requirements the same.......


Anyway ,

My favorite is Energy, you learn a TON. I have swimming and Eprep but still plan on taking Lifesaving next year at camp, it looks hard but passable, plus, the experience should be unreal. My least favorite was Personal Management, however, you do learn a lot....one of those things you are glad you did but would never do all over again.