Should there be Merit Badges Required for First Class?

[tuscarora299]

My Troop and several leaders and kids from around the counsil say there should be merit badges required for First Class This is the list they said,
1.Camping 2.Cit. in CommunityORNation 3.First Aid 4.Personal Fitness OR Personal Manegment.

What do you think of this list?

[Lynda J]

No. Much of getting to First Class is learning skills. And boys need to work on those without having to do badge work for the ranks. Boys can work on badges but they should not be required for Tenderfoot- First Class.

[ASM-142]

I agree with Linda. The first 1-2 years in scouting are too important to require earning MBs whern there are so many scout skills to learn and also learning to be a troop member.

[ThunderingWind]

I agree that the focus for ranks upto First Class should be on skills.

I also think the level of skill should be raised. The bar needs to be raised a little higher, not much, just a little. A few more knots, another few nights of camping, fire making with flint and steel (at least teach the skill), cooking, better plant and animal ID....

Just one man's opinion.

[tuscarora299]

I agree with all of you , it is too important to learn skills in your first year!

[cballman]

well I still beleive that the First Aid merit badge needs to be required for first class. It would cover all the scout skills in first aid but i see the other side of no merit badges required.

[PaulSWolf]

well I still beleive that the First Aid merit badge needs to be required for first class. It would cover all the scout skills in first aid but i see the other side of no merit badges required.

It WAS required for First Class some time prior to 1995. I can look it up tonight, when I get home.

[Scouting179]

I don't think that MBs should be required for First Class. Getting there should be skill-focused.

Paul: I was in Scout troops from 1968-1974 and there were no MBs for First Class required. If there ever was such a requirement, I never heard of it, but if there was, I'd suspect it was pre-WWII, but I may be wrong.

[OldGreyBear]

Just as a rhetorical question, should the requirements be tightened up or should those who "sign off" on the present requirements assure the present requirments are met.

Perhaps no merit badges should be worked on until the scout is first class

[PaulSWolf]

Paul: I was in Scout troops from 1968-1974 and there were no MBs for First Class required. If there ever was such a requirement, I never heard of it, but if there was, I'd suspect it was pre-WWII, but I may be wrong.

It was during the "Skill Awards" period in the 80's. First Class required First Aid MB.

[riverwalk]

Yep. I'm for First Aid being in there again. Scout skills are the most important I think also, for the new Scout. But if they want to pursue First Class, they're probably going to be around awhile and be active. Older Scouts, that are also going on activities, should be prepared to help others. Besides, it helps them learn teaching skills to others. This is what any Scout/Scouter should do for anyone newer to these Programs.

[diamondbackAPL]

Perhaps no merit badges should be worked on until the scout is first class

I disagree. If you start earning merit badges before first class, you can already have them out of the way and focus more on the other requirements for star.

P.S. I also think first aid should be required for first class.

[TCC7]

If you don't allow scouts to work on merit badges before FC, what about those boys who begin scouting at an older age, say 15 or 16. You will really limit their chances of reaching Eagle. A boy coming into scouting should strive to accomplish the most he can within his limits. Why would we impose those limits on him? I like to see those young guys beam with pride when they get to sew the first badge on that sash. I don't think merit badges should be required for FC.
The boys and leaders of our troop get certified for CPR and First Aid through the Red Cross every year. The Trainer becomes a merit badge counselor for First Aid and we get those first aid requirements signed off then. Through the year, during campouts, we provide emergency first aid scenarios, where scouts come upon a victim on the trail. It's great to see those skills in action and know that the scout will be able to help someone who really needs it.
Camping is certainly formost in a new scouts mind. Integrate Camping merit badge requirements to your campouts and he will earn it naturally along with rank requirements.
A game with a purpose. Our old scoutmaster used to say, "We trick them into learning"

[PaulSWolf]

Paul: I was in Scout troops from 1968-1974 and there were no MBs for First Class required. If there ever was such a requirement, I never heard of it, but if there was, I'd suspect it was pre-WWII, but I may be wrong.

It was during the "Skill Awards" period in the 80's. First Class required First Aid MB.

As a follow-up - the First Class requirement for First Aid MB ended on January 1, 1989.

[cballman]

well in the mid 70s Paulswolf is right there was skill awards and I beleive that a total of 5 merit badges required for first class. and also if you check the records 24 merit badges was required for Eagle. I can relate to these because I am a Eagle from the 24 badge era. or as another leader calls this " the hippie era " . But now that I have been involved in scouting again for a couple of years, I understand that we need to change with times but if scouting is also pushing " timeless values " then I think we need MORE first aid and more scout skills.

[Scouting179]

No one said they can't work on them before making FC, just that they should not be required.

[Lynda J]

But that is exactly what the question was.

Should badges be required for 1st Class.

I do not thing that we should limit a scout on earning badges before he is 1st Class either. Had a boy that came into our troop in March from Webs.
He wanted to start working on badges. To start the SM allowed him one badge. He selected Scholarship. By the time school was out he had completed the badge. And was 2nd Class.
One thing we do require is that all first year campers must take First Aid and Swimming at summer camp.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

One thing we do require is that all first year campers must take First Aid and Swimming at summer camp.

Interesting? Do you make them take this the first year along with a first year program? If so, your mandating what they take the very first year at camp?

[wagionvigil]

In our council camp First aid and Swimming are part of the First year program

[tuscarora299]

In our council camp First aid and Swimming are part of the First year program

Mine Too.