badges for new scouts

[Mick Scouter]

I agree with getting first aid early. There are plenty of opportunities to use what you have learned. Also there are plenty of opportunities to reinforce first aid throughout the program.

[riverwalk]

...can have many meanings. Yes, it's one of the basic Scouting skills needed by all Members and at all Activities. Interesting that a Camp hasn't staffed for presenting this one.

[hacimsaalk]

i would say leatherworking, 1st aide, sports, music, and other ones like that. i would stay away from the citz. ones, and most of the eagle mb's, and also the shooting ones, as most boys are too young to do it

[diamondbackAPL]

I also think that first aid should be earned early. even though new scouts can't take it at our camp, our scoutmaster is a doctor, and is a counselor for it, as well as our SPL's grandfather.

[mommatoodle]

Last year my son took a lot of the hands on merit badges: leatherwork, basketry, woodcarving, cooking, space exploration. He also took astronomy which his SM was sure was going to be a little difficult. My son had it done in 3 days, he spends his summer nights in the back yard looking up in the sky! He didn't need to take the trail to first class so he concentrated on merit badges that he was interested in. He is the type of kid you likes to work with his hands, so those are the ones he took.

This year he wants to work on Eagle required merit badges. He needs two more for Life.

Each boy is different, but I agree that some of the badges while all boys can "do them", some make better sense for the older boy. Some may not have the strength to climb or the arms long enough yet to hold the rifle. Our SM talks to each boy and explains why he feels a certain badge may not be good for him. If the boy still wants to try it, that's ok. One kid when it was explained that he just didn't have the upper body strength yet, agreed and decided to hold off on climbing. He worked out, matured and then was able to do it with no problem.

[diamondbackAPL]

my first year I took leatherwork, fishing, and the polaris progrm that takes up four hours leaving u with only 2 merit badge sessions. and I didn't even finish fishing.

[tuscarora299]

Read my TENDERFOOT PROGRAM AT SUMMER CAMP? Posts for my answer

[deweylure]

I let the scouts sign up for badges they were interested in. I had nine first year scouts ,they were Tenderfoot. Just because they were small I did not discourage them from any badge. Three passed Rifle,1 archery,2 passed Enviromental science. Each boy earned at least 4 badges.
Basketry,Space eXploration,Indian Loreand Leatherwork were popular.

Dewey

[Troop160]

For new scout or first timer, I required all boys take swimming and first aid merit badge for those who don't have one yet. Many in Scout book rank required swimming and first aid. (Look in second and first class section).

[Mrw]

When we go to camp, all the boys take the swim test the day we arrive. We can sign off for swimming rank requirements based on how they do. This also determines what part of the pool they may use for the rest of the week and what type of boating, if any, they may do.

Swimming for the merit badge would be an option they could choose, but would not be required. Our camp does not off the first aid merit badge.

[EagleBoy62204]

wow you guys have your first years do alot of badges their first year. Our group usually there is a big number of them going to summer camp so most of them if not all are in the first year program. Most camps we have been too in the past years include the basics, like leatherwork, basketry, fingerprinting, swimming and sometimes even rifle m.b. Since I'm a merit badge councilor for a couple badges, i also brought all my stuff and we did pionneering, photography (some of it), family life (some of it), computers, collections (which is like a 15 minute badge) and graphic arts (some of it). Of course the ages ranged from the first years to the older boys.. but most of the boys who took the badges with me were between 11 - 14.

Computers and Graphic Arts were difficult, because some of the times we would blow the fuses for the pavilion with my monster powerful computer. The only reason i brought it was because at the camp we were at last year, they have a cabin in each campsite. Since alot of the members of my troop worked at the camp we got the keys from the camp director and was able to hold computers and graphic art merit badge in the cabin, protecting it from water damage.

[Mrw]

Our boys have been going to the first year program at the camp we attend, but have never been all that happy with it. We are now trying to re-work our spring/summer troop meeting program to cover the first year stuff better there and let the boys do badges instead. Typically, our boys have been coming back from that first summer camp with one or two badges. Leatherwork, basketry and art are the popular choices.

[John F.]

Our boys have been going to the first year program at the camp we attend, I am very happy with it. I have been an adult leader at summer camp since my son joined Boy Scout. His first year at camp he did the first year program plus one merit badge. When the troop meeting started up the next school year he was way a head of the other scouts who didn't attend summer camp. He made first class in about 5 months. Made Eagle at 15 and half. He will turn 18 next month and he is working on his last merit badge, Golf. This will give him, his third bronze palm. That is 56 merit badges.

[wagionvigil]

It is pretty simple you must attend summer camp to make steady advancement. ANyone that says different is just plain wrong.

[Mrw]

Not only that, but the boys that don't go to summer camp at least the first or second year usually don't stick around very long.

My older son managed 36 merit badges before he turned 18. the younger one has 32 now and another 18 months to earn a few more. He says he is done earning badges, but we made him promise to do a few more.

He is nearly clueless about what he wants to study and we are using this as some career expolration help for him.

[RWSmith]

He is nearly clueless about what he wants to study and we are using this [Merit Badges] as some career exploration help for him.

B.I.N.G.O.

[wagionvigil]

My son is 26 and Eagle SCout and has a degree in Political Science. What does he do? he is a Whitewater Guide and an adventure Sport Guide. In the winter months Nov-Mar. he substitute teaches. WIll he get rich ? No. Is he Happy Absolutely. Where did he get the idea of doing the outdoor stuff? Guess! SCOUTS

[hacimsaalk]

he is a Whitewater Guide and an adventure Sport Guide.

i know this is off topic- what rivers does your son run, and what company (if any) is he with? im just curious

[wagionvigil]

The Yough,Cheat,Tygart,Gauley,New, and he works for Wilderness Voyaguers in Ohiopyle Pa.

[hacimsaalk]

The Yough,Cheat,Tygart,Gauley,New, and he works for Wilderness Voyaguers in Ohiopyle Pa.

thats cool. i went with wilderness voyagers for both the yough and the cheat. they are a top notch outfitter.