Fencing merit badge.

[FrankJ]

Now if you just added light sabers....

[twheatley]

I suspect the swimming/cycling/hiking merit badges is less about a sporting activity then it is about teaching a lifetime fitness activity that you can enjoy long after competitive sports are just a little bit harder then they used to be.

Fencing is also excellent lifetime fitness activity. I am 46 and plan to fence the Longhorn Open this weekend. There are "veterans" categories even for 60+ year old fencers, and yes, they compete on an international level, and trust me, most can give those "youngsters" a lesson!

[twheatley]

Well here is my take on this matter. Look at the ages of the merit badges and see how long they have been merit badges. Now go look at the Olympic sports and see how long they have been around.

Fencing is one of only four sports to be included in every modern Olympic Games, since the first in 1896. Fencing was also a sport in the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece.

For more fencing facts see:

http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/content/view/1568/107/

As for it being a survival skill in the 1700's, I beg to differ...

[wagionvigil]

TW I agreen with you but there is a proceedure to go through. I highly siuggest that you look that over and make an attempt. I also would check and see if it was ever submitted and when.
Best of luck but IMHO you are pushing a snowball through a field fire

[twheatley]

But I'd venture to say that fencing is just a bit ahead of rabbit raising and beekeeping in popularity, so I wouldn't expect to see a new MB any time soon.

Current United States Fencing Association membership as of 07/31/08 is 22,091. Of those members 8262 of those are boys between the ages of 11 and 18 (Scouting age). Unfortunately, I have no statistics on how many of those are scouts, but it is a good bet it is more than a handful.

[twheatley]

TW I agreen with you but there is a proceedure to go through. I highly siuggest that you look that over and make an attempt. I also would check and see if it was ever submitted and when.
Best of luck but IMHO you are pushing a snowball through a field fire

I will go through the process, of course. I'm just trying to get a feel for general attitude through this forum.

[wagionvigil]

You are hearing yea and No but we all know it is for the boys and we also know that in most cases if a new MB is added another is dropped.

[twheatley]

So... where can one find the statistics on how many boys go for and/or complete each of the currently offered merit badges?

[Quailman]

Here.

[scoutaholic]

So... where can one find the statistics on how many boys go for and/or complete each of the currently offered merit badges?

Statistically, I would say that any badge being earned less than 1000 times in a year is a prime candidate for being cut. (American Business, Bugling, Fly Fishing, and Plant Science in the 2007 stats in the link given.)


Some portion of the 8262 scout age members of the USFA would probably love to earn the Fencing MB.
I would think it would be fun to learn about fencing and earn the badge, but I wouldn't know how to find a MBC or club where I could learn it.
Even though it sounds fun and interresting, I'm not sure there would be enough interrest to statistically justify the MB.

[Quailman]

I would think it would be fun to learn about fencing and earn the badge, but I wouldn't know how to find a MBC or club where I could learn it.

Utah Valley Sport Fencing in Orem. They have group demonstrations. Their website says "Bring Scout Troops." They also have links to other clubs in the area.

[ThunderingWind]

I hope it gets accepted. I think it has something to offer. One of my Crew girls is active in fencing so she can try to earn a scholarship for college. Womens's Fencing Scholarships often go unawarded.

But why is Karate (or other martial arts) not allowed? One can learn and go through many levels without ever "fighting" and only do the Kata or movment forms.
There are many competions for only the form.

[smtroop168]

I communicated with National this AM and was told that a proposal for Fencing is not in their files.

[twheatley]

I communicated with National this AM and was told that a proposal for Fencing is not in their files.

I will endeavor to correct that deficiency...

[smtroop168]

Go for it if you want. Not to be too much of a naysayer but don't look for a quick decision even if you can come up with a sponsor with $$.

You probably have a better chance for the money part if you can get it as an earmark from your Congressman.

Maybe you can include your campaign in the Cit in Nation MB letter requirement for all Fencers.

[RWSmith]

<snip>

[RWSmith]

Dude,

Read the rules here... and, remove that commercial link from your signature (in your profile)... or, you will banned by the end of the day.

You have been warned.

[wagionvigil]

Dude,

Read the rules here... and, remove that commercial link from your signature (in your profile)... or, you will banned by the end of the day.

You have been warned.

Ya beat me I just removed it for him we will need to watch him closely