favorite MB

[diamondbackAPL]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I thought I would put under all the awards.
I'm just wondering, what was/is your favorite merit badge as a scout and why? also, what was/is your least favorite badge?
my favorite would be wilderness survival (so far.) and my least favorite was Cit. in the World.

[diamondbackAPL]

one more thing, ask your sons that are in scouts and maybe the kids in your troop.

I just want to know the general opinion.

[BM_Crawford]

Humorously enough my favorite two were First Aid (First merit badge I took) and Communications (the last merit badge I took)

My least favorite is most definately Environmental Science lol (not much of a science kid )

[Mick Scouter]

Good Question I will ask my boys.

[Lynda J]

One of my favorite questions when I sit on an Eagle BOR is

"Which merit badge did you enjoy doing the most? And which one did you learn the most from?" Funny thing is that about half the time they are the same badge.

So far Kevin's favorite badges have been First Aid and Atomic Energy.

[Mrw]

My boys both enjoyed climbing so much, they took it twice. Our troop goes to Laurel Caverns for caving, climbing, geology and forestry opportunities every 2-3 years. They did not repeat geology or forestry, but didn't think twice about whether they wanted to take climbing. Canoeing also get high marks.

My sons would also say cycling was their easiest badge as we do bike touring as a family and they had really earned it several times over by the time they were old enough to earn the badge. Old enough being Boy Scouts and not Cub Scouts.

I always ask in Eagle BOR's what were the most and least like badges. Personal Fitness and Personal Management usually earn the least liked spots, mainly due to the amount of record keeping and organization required. Climbing, canoeing, sailing, hiking, backpacking and the like are usually the most liked.

[wagionvigil]

I am really glad you like Laurel Caverns Climbing Program as I have spent alot of time making it the best around.

[Billiken]

MINE: Emergency Preparedness. My first SM was the Fire Chief in our small IL town. Learned a lot.

Easiest: Basketry.

Today: Our guys earn swimming right off the bat. Great pool (indoor and outdoor in our community. Very Scout-Friendly director of the facility.

[diamondbackAPL]

another oneof my favorites is Swimming. I haven't exactly finished it yet, but I've done most of it.

basketry is probably the easiest merit badge out there. at least it was for me.

[t305spl]

Favorite: First Aid and Climbing
Least Favorite: Swimming definately swimming

[ASM-142]

Favorite: First Aid and Climbing
Least Favorite: Swimming definately swimming

If swimming is your least favorite I can guess that you have not taken Life Saving.

[t305spl]

No I took Emergency Preparedness instead.

[Chief J]

Way back when, (Longer than I care to admit) when I was a youth. Swimming, and Canoeing were tops.

I also completed the Mile Swim several years in a row.

Don't remember having a least favorite, but I'm sure there was one.

Chief J

[wagionvigil]

Swimming was probably still required then as it should be today! No Option!

[diamondbackAPL]

I love swimming, but I probably will take emergency prepaedness instead of lifesaving. I was reading the requirements for lifesaving (at meritbadge.com, of course ) and I'm not sure if I can do the 400 yard swim right now (maybe in a few years), and for swimming, I keep messing up on the dives, and diving is probably something you shuld do well for lifesaving.

[Chief J]

Wagionvigil,

Back in my time, Swimming was a required merit badge, with no options.

I am not a fan of Scouts being able to choose Swimming, Hiking, or Cycling. I believe every individual needs to understand and respect the water, as well as be able to save themselves if they end up in the water sometime. The swimming merit badge is the minimum requirement to gain this understanding.

Chief J

[diamondbackAPL]

I agree, it should be required, and it's not that hard, so everybody can do it.

[ASM-142]

I do not think that the swimming MB is the minimum to get understanding of the water. This MB also inlcudes being able to swim using different strokes as well as diving, etc.

The minimum requirements for swimming are those specified in 2nd and 1st class

[Scouting179]

In my day, Swimming and Lifesaving were BOTH required, no options. I don't like the options either, especially Swimming options. I kinda sorta can live with the EPrep option.

Everyone should be comfortable enough in the water to save themselves, and swimming does that.

[ASM-142]

... Everyone should be comfortable enough in the water to save themselves, and swimming does that.

Isn't this covered by the requirements for 2nd and 1st class?