Earning Badges As A Troop

[Chief J]

An interesting topic. When I joined my current troop when my son crossed over from Webelos, we were told that the troop was going to work on ___ merit badge. Sounded like fun. Anyway, as the weeks progressed, half the scouts in the troop lost interest, some of the scouts just quit coming, and the adult leadership started fighting openly amongst themselves.

I am now the Scoutmaster, and this is how we approach this: If the PLC wants to schedule a troop meeting to "work" on a merit badge, that is fine. They can use the instructional time to work on a skill or two (Requirement or two). Example, camping merit badge, we will use the instructional time to learn how to plot our trip on a topographical map, or how to plan meals for a camping trip as a group. That being said, the scout still needs to take this information to his counselor and his counselor will determine if he gets credit for the merit badge. By doing this, we are introducing new skills ( or reinforcing skills already learned), but we are not forcing the whole troop to try and complete a merit badge.

Best of luck with your decisions.

[BM_Crawford]

Our troop is going to start offering MB's at the last half hour of the meetings. Kids can work on the badge or go play in the gym. And it is up to each scout to finish the badge if it is something he likes.

[ASM-142]

Why give the boys the choice of working on the MB or playing in the gym. They also have the opportunity to use the time to work on a MB that they are interested in instead of playing in the gym.

[BM_Crawford]

The merit badge will be going on and if it's something a kid isnt interested in he can go down into the gym. It's to help make the kids feel like they are accomplishing something and make them want to keep comming to meetings.

[ASM-142]

If they are just going to the gym what are they accomplishing. The boys that are not interested in your group merit badge should have the option to work on merit badges individually that they are interested in

[commish3]

My concern is that the methods of scouting are not being used and so how can the aims of scouting be accomplished?

First, Patrols are being divided. If the patrol leader and his assistant are working on the merit badge and the rest of the patrol is somewhere else then how can the PL do his job or practice his leadership skills.

Secondly, the advancement method prescribes that advancement is not the program, but that participation in an active program will lead scouts to fulfilling advancement. Rather than say "tonight we will work on Tenderfoot requirements 10a", you instead have a troop Olympics night. By competing in the activity the scouts complete the requirement.

If your theme for the month is fishing then you visit a hatchery, teach the fishermans knot and various rigging knots, have a representative from a sporting goods store come in and teach the different types of rods and reels, have a park ranger come in and do fish identification. Have a troop meeting at a park and have casting competitions. Plan a fishing campout. Then at the end of the month you hold up the fishing merit badge books and say "there are merit badge opportunities and you have already learned to do some of requirements during this month's meetings. Anyone interested in completing one or both of the merit badges needs to see the SM for a blue card and the name of a counselor".

Advancement should be the residue of an active program and not the program itself.

The more we use the methods of scouting the more fun the boys will have and the better we will achieve the aims of the program.

[BM_Crawford]

The purpose wasn't to make the boys advance but to get them interested in comming to meetings. We havn't started with this idea yet but so far our other ideas havn't failed and instead of 10 boys a meeting we have 30

[ICanCanoeCanU]

I Agree! And sometimes a scout has to grow into the program as their motivations change. If the program was only about advancement, we would've lost many including some that have gone on the obtain the Eagle rank.

[BM_Crawford]

I Agree! And sometimes a scout has to grow into the program as their motivations change. If the program was only about advancement, we would've lost many including some that have gone on the obtain the Eagle rank.

I agree with you, that's why only the end of our meeting is mb intro's and optional.

[commish3]

OK I am officially confused

Our troop is going to start offering MB's at the last half hour of the meetings. Kids can work on the badge or go play in the gym

The merit badge will be going on and if it's something a kid isnt interested in he can go down into the gym.

that's why only the end of our meeting is mb intro's

Are you offering and working on merit badges, or are you introducing merit badges?

And who will be leading the patrol if the patrol leaders are working on merit badges while the patrol is in another room?

Who is running the troop if the SPL and ASPL choose to work on the MB?

[West]

Is it an additonal half hour after the meeting is compleated? More an easy opertunity for scouts and councilers to get together?

[riverwalk]

Our Troop has so many nights on Calendar for MB work, and other activities other nights. On MB nights, these may be a whole Troop thing, or breakouts for those working their Badges. At those times, youth not working on one, will often do something like planning for outings, menus, what-have-you. The only "game time" stuff is during the gathering phase, usually.

[BM_Crawford]

Is it an additonal half hour after the meeting is compleated? More an easy opertunity for scouts and councilers to get together?

Yea that's it thanks for helping me clear it up lol

[diamondbackAPL]

most of our troop leaders are registered merit badge counselors, so a scout can work on a merit badge whenever they choose to. also we sometimes start merit badges on troop "field trips" i.e. to the airport for aviation or the bank for Personal Management, and then let the scouts choose to finish it.

[BM_Crawford]

most of our troop leaders are registered merit badge counselors, so a scout can work on a merit badge whenever they choose to. also we sometimes start merit badges on troop "field trips" i.e. to the airport for aviation or the bank for Personal Management, and then let the scouts choose to finish it.

The Troop "field Trips" sounds like a real good idea to get kids envolved and to take them to new places!

[Mrw]

Our troop does teach the First Aid merit badge as a group thing for the newer scouts each year. Then individual testing is done by the counselor to determine who has completed the badge. (and they don't all pass on the first try).

The only other group badges we have done were climbing, forestry and geology at Laurel Caverns. These did require some prep time at meetings before hand.

Besides that the guys are on their own for badges. Some work together and some individually. The ones who never earn a badge on their own are in the program because they like the camping and outdoors stuff. The ones who want to advance are motivated or can be motivated to work on badges themselves.

[Mrw]

Regarding the meetings with counselors, I have taken my sons, alone or with a friend, to several counselors who have the boys come to their house. They discuss the badge requirements and I bring a magazine and get some reading down. I have never been asked to participate in any way besides driving the taxi. (Nor would I if asked.)

[cballman]

I have been asked to be the first aid dummy for the merit badge. so i guess when you can fill the part then yes you can particiipate. I try my best to stay in the back also but sometimes the MBC will ask for help to control some of the kids.

[wagionvigil]

Got Enough Bandages?

[ASM-142]

I have been asked to be the first aid dummy for the merit badge. so i guess when you can fill the part then yes you can particiipate. I try my best to stay in the back also but sometimes the MBC will ask for help to control some of the kids.

In my role as a MBC, if the kids don't stay under control the session is over. I do not nor should I need help in controlling scouts.