Merit Badge Day

From MeritBadgeDotOrg

Boy Scout advancement policies cover Merit Badges, Summer Camp,
Scout Spirit, Active, Special Needs, Eagle Projects, Scoutmaster Conferences,
Boards of Review, Appeals, Courts of Honor, Time Extensions, and more.

A Merit Badge Day may also be known as a:

⇿ Merit Badge Clinic	⇿ Merit Badge College	⇿ Merit Badge Conference	⇿ Merit Badge Camp	⇿ Merit Badge Jamboree
⇿ Merit Badge Midway	⇿ Merit Badge Seminar	⇿ Merit Badge University	⇿ Merit Badge Weekend	⇿ Merit Badge Workshop

Merit badge days are often hosted by local councils, districts, troops, civic groups, fraternities, or charter organizations and held at a college campus, high school, civic area or during a camporee. Many merit badge days are held once or twice a year, often in the fall, winter, or spring.

The largest merit badge event is the National Jamboree Merit Badge Midway established at Fort A.P. Hill. Since 1981, this program has been held at each jamboree and is expected to feature hundreds of counselors offering nearly 100 merit badges to thousands of Boy Scouts at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Boy Scout Requirements 3 Advancement Policies 4 Merit Badges Offered 5 Merit Badge Worksheets 6 Cub Scout Belt Loop Days 7 Webelos Days 8 Scouting Magazine Articles 9 See also 10 Controversies 11 External Links

Overview

A merit badge day let's Scouts learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers. A merit badge day may focus on a single merit badge or offer a variety of fields to explore that might not normally be available. Observatories, planetariums, parks, museums, ships, colleges, universities, police, and fire departments may offer special events available only to Scouts and only one day each year. Scouts might learn first-hand from dentists, veterinaries, doctors, lawyers, financial planners, engineers, chemists, artists, astronomers, scientists, and other experts.

Many merit badge events also offer training in the skills needed through the First Class Rank as well as adult and youth leader training. Regardless of the setting or content, the goal is to have fun as you learn new skills and gain knowledge.

Often certain requirements must be completed outside of the merit badge day either as preparation or in completing the work with a merit badge counselor back home.

Boy Scout Requirements

Most merit badge days follow the Boy Scout Requirements and Advancement Policies.

Main article: Merit Badge Introduction

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2014 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #637685)

“ "Any Boy Scout may earn any merit badge at any time. You don't need to have had rank advancement to be eligible." "Unless otherwise specified, work for a requirement can be started at any time." "You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated—no more and no less. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements." "You are expected to meet the requirements as they are stated -- no more and no less. You are expected to do exactly what is stated in the requirements." ”

— Boy Scout Requirements p. 22 - 23.

Advancement Policies

Main article: Advancement Policies

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Guide To Advancement, 2011 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #637685)

Group Instruction of Merit Badges

Main article: Group Instruction of Merit Badges

“ …Group instruction and orientation are encouraged where special facilities and expert personnel make this most practical, or when Scouts are dependent on only a few counselors for assistance. However, this group experience should be followed by attention to each individual candidate's projects and his ability to fulfill all requirements. In the end, the Scout must be reviewed individually by the counselor to ensure completion of the badges requirements. ”

— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 26)

Troop and Team Merit Badge Counselors

Main article: Troop and Team Merit Badge Counselors

“ …All merit badge counselors, even those who serve only one unit, must be approved by the council and district advancement committee, and counselors must register as a merit badge counselor (see "Qualifications of Counselors" above). ”

— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 14)

Responsibility for Merit Badges

Main: Responsibility for Merit Badges </b>

“ Clause 13. The responsibility for merit badges shall rest with the merit badge counselor approved by the local council and district advancement committee. Merit badge counselors shall be registered adult members of the Boy Scouts of America. The merit badge counselor shall prepare and qualify youth members. There shall be no board of review procedure for merit badges, but public recognition may be given at a unit court of honor or other suitable occasion. ”

— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 17)

Qualifications of Counselors

Main article: Qualifications of Counselors

“ Persons serving as merit badge counselors must be registered as a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America. They must be men and women of good character, age 18 or older, and recognized as having the skills and education in the subjects for which they are to serve as merit badge counselors, as well as the ability to work with Scout-age boys. Register merit badge counselors by using the adult leader application. All merit badge counselors must be approved by the council advancement committee. Merit badge counselors are not required to pay a fee if they are only registered as merit badge counselors. There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges an individual may be approved to counsel for, but they must be approved by the committee for each specific merit badge. All merit badge counselors must be trained in the aims of Scouting and in advancement procedures. ”

— Advancement Policies #33088, p. 13)

Merit Badges Offered

A merit badge day may focus on a single merit badge or offer a variety of fields to explore that might not normally be available.

Merit Badges offered might include:

Art	Chemistry	Citizenship in the Nation	Citizenship in the World
Computers	Crime Prevention	Electricity	Electronics
Emergency Preparedness	Energy	Fingerprinting	Fire Safety
Leatherwork	First Aid	Indian Lore	Medicine
Nuclear Science	Personal Management	Photography	Plumbing
Railroading	Safety	Space Exploration	Surveying
Traffic Safety	Truck Transportation	Weather	Wood Carving

Merit Badge Worksheets

Main article: Merit Badge Worksheets

Merit Badge Worksheets allow Merit Badge Counselors to offer group instruction but still test each Scout individually. The counselor can see who is understanding and who will need more time. Worksheets require the Scout to be an active listener not just hearing words but understanding concepts.

Cub Scout Belt Loop Days

There are also many Cub Scout Belt Loop Days are sometimes called Loopapaloza's that may be offered at the same time as a merit badge day or as a separate event. These events may focus on Cub Scout Academics or Cub Scout Sports belt loops and pins. In two moring and two afternnon sessions, Cub Scouts may earn up to four Belt Loops. Cub Scout Worksheets are available for all belt loops and pins.

Webelos Days

Similarly, a Webelos Day or Webelos Workshop may be scheduled to coincide with other events or as a separate event. Indoor settings Webelos might work on Readyman, Citizen, Scientist, Craftsman, or Engineer. In outdoor settings, Webelos Days might include Outdoorsman, Aquanaut, Naturalist, Forester, or Geologist. Webelos Worksheets for all 20 Activity Badges.

Scouting Magazine Articles

Scouting Magazine has featured numerous merit badge events in its articles for adult leaders:

• Astronomy for Scout Groups - Observing the stars and planets makes a great group activity.
• Merit Badges and Five Arrows- South Florida Council's annual college, 900 Scouts earn all or part of more than 2,800 merit badges, while another 400 Scouts work toward First Class in a special advancement program.
• Days of Discovery - Missouri merit badge college
• Troop 73's 2,500-Mile Learning Adventure - Scout Spirit Days& - a special Walt Disney World program for earning merit badges..
• High-Tech Badges and High-Ideal Lives - The annual merit badge weekend at the U.S. Naval Academy lets Scouts and midshipmen share good times and common values.
• Partnerships for Learning - Merit badge clinics and Webelos Scout workshops presented at the St. Louis Science Center.
• Tools of the Trade - A Wisconsin troop's annual Home Improvement Camporee gives Scouts hands-on experience in the building trades while they perform a service project.
• Great Times at Merit Badge U - Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity, hosts a day on the University of Texas campus in Austin for Boy Scouts and Venturers to work on merit badges and other outdoor skills.
• What a Blast! - Hands-on experience, quality instructors, great facilities, and fun have made this Utah merit badge event a soaring success for 48 years.
• Trek Into History - The Henry Ford serves as the ideal vehicle for a weekend of learning and fun for Detroit-area Scouts.
• A Garden State First - New Jersey State Police team with five local Scout councils to host 6,100 campers for a first mega-camporee dedicated to learning about law enforcement.
• News Briefs - Georgia Merit Badge University Looks to Repeat Success
• Rendezvous at Ripley - Five Scout councils team with a National Guard facility to host 9,000 campers at a mega camporee filled with history themes, action centers, and merit badge workshops.
• A Boost Toward Eagle - A council's special camp helps older Scouts move up the Trail to Eagle by offering instruction in required merit badges - plus a healthy dose of high adventure.
• Seeing Beyond Disabilities - A special camporee lets Scouts personally experience the impact of different physical handicaps and also realize that such limitations need not keep a person from living a full life.
• To God and Country - Georgia and Alabama Scouts convene at a site rich in historical significance for a weekend focusing on issues of citizenship and the importance of spirituality in their lives plus American Cultures and American Heritage merit badges.'

See also

Boy Scout portal Varsity Scout portal Venturing portal

General Merit Badge information An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc. Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need. Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc. Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed? Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list. Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)

• Jamboree on the Air

Controversies

Some merit badge days state publicly that they do not follow the Boy Scout Requirements or Advancement Policies.

External Links

• Listing of Merit Badge Days] throughout the US.
• Coronado Council Kansas State University
• Rainbow Council Pathways to Eagle
• Troop 9 Merit Badge Seminar University of Illinois campus
• Alpha Phi Omega - A coeducational service fraternity in many US colleges and universities founded on the principles of the BSA and Scout Oath and Law.
• Epsilon Tau Pi - Eagle Scout Fraternity