The National Council just announced another new merit badge - Scouting Heritage. Scouting Heritage is now considered a regular merit badge and can be worked on from now on. Scuba Diving was also announced earlier this year.
In addition, four retro merit badges that were discontinued from the past are being re-introduced during the Centennial Year only. They are; Carpentry, Path-finding, Signaling, and Tracking (formerly known as Stalking). The retro merit badges must be completed by the end of 2010, when they fade back into history.
There will be two more merit badges announced soon, the Inventing merit badge and the GeoCaching merit badge. The requirements listed here are still preliminary (so you can't earn them yet). Stay tuned - we'll let you know when they are official. The Robotics merit badge will also make its debut later in the year.
Note that there will not be any requirements booklets published for the retro badges - National is supplying information on a 100th anniversary website for the badges. Troop 119 now owns a copy of the Scouting Heritage requirement book. The Scuba Diving requirement book is available at the Scout shop.
Merit badge counselor applications for any of these badges are being accepted now. If you have an aptitude for one or more of these topics, please consider signing up. We especially need counselors for the retro badges since they can only be earned this year. Adults who are already merit badge counselors can use just the merit badge application form (page 5 from merit badge app ) . Adults who are not currently counselors must fill out the entire form. Please submit your forms to Stann Chonofsky (spc001 "at" rcn "dot" com) who is responsible for tracking troop 119's merit badge counselors. Stann will record your badges and send the forms on to the council.
WHAT'S THE WORD OF THE DAY?
ADVANCEMENT! A-D-V-A-N-C-E-M-E-N-T! ADVANCEMENT!
Remember to bring your books to troop meetings to record all your advancement! You will be surprised at how many things that you did at meetings or on camping trips, maybe even without knowing it! The PLC plans meetings and activities to help you advance. You can work on Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class requirements at the same time, but you must earn them in order.
Older scouts sign off on most of the requirements. A scout who is two ranks above the requirement level can sign off on that requirement. So, a First Class scout can sign off on Tenderfoot requirements, a Star scout can sign off on 2nd Class, and a Life Scout can sign off on 1st Class. Don't be afraid to ask them to sign off your books. After all a few short years ago, they were new scouts and needed older scouts to sign off for them.
After you get your book signed off, don't stop there! Find Mrs. Gunther or one of the other adults helping out in advancement and have it recorded in the troop records!
After you have all the requirements signed off, except for Scout Spirit, a Scoutmaster Conference, and a Board of Review, it's time to find Mr. Gunther and ask him for a Scoutmaster Conference. Scout Spirit gets signed off as part of a Scoutmaster Conference. After your Scoutmaster Conference, find Mrs. Gunther, or an adult leader who is helping with advancement, and ask for a Board of Review.
A Year of Celebration - A Century of Making a Difference!
Earn the new patch designed for the BSA Centennial Year!
BSA wants every Scout, adult leader, and Scouting alum to have the chance to be part of BSA's biggest milestone yet—our 1OOth Anniversary Celebration. We want to fire up the passion for Scouting while giving everyone an opportunity to make a difference—and earn recognition. Through A Year of Celebration, A Century of Making a Difference, we will do just that. Individuals can earn awards by demonstrating dedication to five of Scouting’s core values—Leadership, Achievement, Community Service, Character, and the Outdoors. Participants can earn one award in each category. The program will be both fun and engaging and, most important, will show America the impact of Scouting through its commitment to these values. A Year of Celebration will be in effect from September 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010.
Scouts, check out the patch requirements here.
Adults, check out your requirements here.
For those of you who are Venturers, there are requirements here.
There are some new merit badges coming! The following merit badges have been approved:
- Robotics merit badge approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected spring 2010.
- GPS/GIS merit badge approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected early 2010.
- Scouting Heritage merit badge has been approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected later this year
Many of the Merit Badge Requirements were updated for 2009. A new merit badge book for each of the merit badges was republished in August 2008, but for the most part, this included color pictures and unchanged text. The Merit Badges that were changed are listed below.
A scout who has already started a Merit Badge can use the old requirements to finish the badge. All scouts starting any of these Merit Badges now should use the new requirements.
Merit Badge Counselors should check out the new requirements of their merit badges.
Archery
Architecture - (8/1/2008)
Auto Mechanics
Automotive Maintenance- (8/1/2008)
Cinematography- (8/1/2008)
Coin Collecting- (8/1/2008)
Collections- (8/1/2008)
Drafting- (8/1/2008)
Emergency Preparedness- (8/1/2008)
Engineering- (8/1/2008)
Farm Mechanics- (8/1/2008)
Indian Lore- (8/1/2008)
Insect Study- (8/1/2008)
Landscape Architecture- (8/1/2008)
Lifesaving- (8/1/2008)
Motorboating- (8/1/2008)
Painting- (8/1/2008)
Pottery- (8/1/2008)
Radio- (8/1/2008)
Swimming- (8/1/2008)
Boy Scout Advancement
Scout Badge – All Scouts when joining a troop must pass the joining requirements listed on page 4 of the Scout Handbook for the Scout Badge. Scouts who have just crossed over will recognize these requirements – they are very similar to the requirements for the Arrow of Light.
Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class. The first set of ranks - Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class - is designed to teach the camping, first aid, and safety skills needed to go camping to new Scouts. Some Scouts can do all of the requirements in less than a year, some will take longer. All Scouts go through the same advancement program no matter how old they are or when then join.
You may pass any of the requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class at any time. For example, if you fulfill a First Class requirement before you are a Second Class Scout, you may check off the First Class requirement as completed. You may not receive a rank, however, until you have earned the one before it.
Rank requirements are signed off by your fellow Scouts. A Scout who is two ranks above the rank you are working on is allowed to sign off. For example, a First Class Scout (or above) can sign off on all Tenderfoot requirements.For an online primer to rank advancement, check out the National Council video primers at www.scouting.org. Click on any of the rank badges and then choose a requirement to see a short clip about the requirement.
Scoutmaster Conference – One requirement that Boy Scouts have for rank advancement is that whenever you complete the requirements for a rank you need to have a Scoutmaster Conference. At this meeting the Scoutmaster will review the requirements with you to make sure that they have been learned correctly, he will help you to set up the goals for the next advancement, and he will have you share your ideas about the troop (how its going from your viewpoint, what you would like the troop to do more of, problems you see occurring…)
Board of Review – All rank advancements, except for the Scout badge, require a Board of Review. The members of a Board of Review are adult leaders in the troop except for the Scoutmaster or any of his Assistant Scoutmasters. The main purpose of the Board of Review is not to retest the skills a Scout has learned, but to see what the Scout’s spirit is and how the troop is doing is helping the Scout along and meeting Boy Scout objectives.
Court of Honor –When you complete a rank advancement you will usually be given the badge at the next troop meeting. About three or four times a year, the troop will hold a special meeting called a Court of Honor. This is a formal ceremony to recognize you and your fellow Scouts for rank advancement and other Scouting achievements. This event is held with an audience of family, friends, chartered organization officials, and troop leaders.
The Path to Eagle –Once a Scout has reached First Class and learned the basic skills of Scouting, he is ready for the challenge of becoming an Eagle Scout. The Path to Eagle has three ranks, Star Scout, Life Scout, and Eagle Scout. Here the requirements for advancement consist of earning merit badges, doing service projects to help the community, showing that you can lead other Scouts as a patrol leader or some other leadership position, and demonstrating to others that you have Scout spirit.
Merit Badges – A merit badge is an invitation to explore an exciting subject. With more than a hundred to choose from, some merit badges encourage you to increase your skill in subjects you already like, while others challenge you to learn about new areas of knowledge. Many of the merit badges are designed to help you increase your ability to be of service to others, to take part in outdoor adventures, to better understand the environment, and to play a valuable role in your family and community. Earning a merit badge can even lead you toward a lifelong hobby or set you on the way to a rewarding career. See more information about merit badges on our Frequently Asked Question page. You can also visit the National Council website and check out their merit badge primer at www.scouting.org. (You will need Quicktime to run this.)
Other Awards –There are two other Scout awards that are usually of interest to new Scouts: The Totin’ Chip and the Firem'n Chit.
When a Scout demonstrates that he knows how to handle wood tools (knife, axe, saw) he may be granted totin’ rights. Until a Scout has earned his Totin’ Chit he is not allowed to carry a pocketknife. If a scout is found handling wood tools incorrectly, a corner of the Totin’ Chip card is often cut off. When all four corners are gone, so are the Scout’s totin’ rights.
The owner of a Firem'n Chit has demonstrated knowledge of safety rules in building, maintaining, and putting out camp and cooking fires. Until a Scout has earned his Firem'n Chit, he is not allowed to carry matches.
Scoutmaster Conferences
One requirement that Boy Scouts have for rank advancement is that whenever you complete the requirements for a rank you need to have a Scoutmaster Conference. At this meeting the Scoutmaster will review the requirements with you to make sure that they have been learned correctly, he will help you to set up the goals for the next advancement, and he will have you share your ideas about the troop (how its going from your viewpoint, what you would like the troop to do more of, problems you see occurring…)
To request a Scoutmaster Conference, send an email to the Scoutmaster, Mr. Gunther, or see him at any troop meeting. Generally, a conference will be held one week after the request is made. Early rank conferences may be done by some of the assistant scoutmasters.
Scout's Guide to a Board of Review (BoR)
In order to advance along the ranks in Boy Scouts, each scout must participate in a Board of Review. This is a meeting with three members of the Troop Committee. For lower ranks, if there are not enough committee members available, troop parents can help out.
A scout should come to his Board of Review in full uniform, with his neckerchief and merit badge sash (for Star and Life), looking sharp. He should have his book with him. The review is NOT a test - the board will ask about the scout's experiences in the troop. It is basically a two way conversation, a time for the adults to get to know the scout, and for the scout to connect with some adults who are interested in him.
So, bring your book, dress well, and come ready to share your experiences and your opinions.
To request a Board of Review, contact the Advancement Chair, Mrs. Gunther, at any troop meeting or by email. Generally, a review will be held one week after the request is made.
Merit Badges – Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decide on which badge to work on?
121 merit badges covering a wide range of interests. Take a look through the merit badge list and find something you will enjoy. You will be surprised to see how many of the things you do in your daily life -- sports, taking care of your dog, working on family projects or reading -- fulfill merit badge requirements.
How many merit badges do I need to earn?
21 merit badges are required for Eagle, 12 are specific "Eagle-required" badges. Of these, 6 (4 required) will be earned for Star and 5 more will be earned for Life (3 additional required).
Can I work on a merit badge on my own?
Yes! Summer Camp, troop-run programs and Merit Badge University help, but you should work on badges on your own. You should always have one or two badges that you are actively working on and when you finish one, find another on which to start. You will be surprised how fast that sash fills up!
What is the process?
- Review the list of merit badges and badge requirements to select a badge.
- See the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair to obtain a signed “Blue Card”
- Use the Merit Badge Counselor List to select a counselor. (List in the Troop Library.)
- Get a copy of the Merit Badge Book, from the scout store or borrowed from our Library.
- Contact the counselor and ask them if he or she is willing to work with you.
- Meet with the counselor to discuss the requirements and completion steps.
- Meet with your counselor as needed to review your completed requirements.
- The counselor will sign the blue card indicating his or her approval.
Return the completed card to the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair for signature. - Receive your merit badge at a future meeting or Court of Honor.
Where do I find the requirements?
For each merit badge there is a merit badge book to guide you through the requirements. The books are for sale at the Scout Store. You can borrow from another scout or you may be able to borrow one from the Troop Library. As a quick reference, the Scout Store also sells the Boy Scout Requirement book. You can also find a wealth of information including the requirements and various help resources at www.meritbadge.org or www.usscouts.org/mb/ . Be sure to make sure that the requirements you are using are the current requirements by checking with www.meritbadge.com.
How do I find a counselor?
Many adults in Troop 119 and Troop 160 are counselors and ready to help you. The list is in the Troop Library. Once you have a name, you should contact the counselor to make sure that they have time available to assist you. Counselors from other troops in the council are also available, if you can not find a counselor within the troop. You can ask for help from Mr. Chonofsky to find a counselor.
When do I meet with the counselor?
Each counselor will handle things a little differently. You may meet a couple times, once at the beginning and once at the end when you are done your work. In other cases you may meet several times. You should work this out with your counselor and find a convenient time to meet.
Who attends the meeting with the counselor?
Scouts should never attend a meeting with a counselor without a parent or another adult or a buddy. Doing so is a violation of Scouting’s Youth Protection Guidelines. For fun and to satisfy these guidelines, we strongly encourage you to find another scout interested in working on the same badge at the same time.
What is a “Blue Card”?
Before you meet your counselor you must obtain a Blue Card from the Scoutmaster. It is a three-part card that your counselor will use to record your achievements. The Scoutmaster must sign the blue card, indicating that you are ready to work on the badge. Once you have completed the requirements, the counselor will return two sections of the card to you. You must ask the Scoutmaster to sign off on completion on the scout's portion of the card. You should then submit the remaining section to the Advancement Chair, Mrs. Gunther.
How do I wear the merit badges?
Badges will be awarded at scout meetings and Courts of Honor once the Advancement Chair has received the completed Blue Card. Badges are displayed on the merit badge sash worn over the right shoulder.
What is an Eagle Palm?
Eagle Palms are awarded for each 5 merit badges you earn beyond the 21 required for Eagle. You can earn as many as you want. I have heard that there are scouts who have earned every badge. Go for it!
What is a “partial”?
Often at summer camp or other group events, you will start a badge with a counselor but then not complete the badge. They will return the Blue Card to you, signing off on those requirements that are complete. It is up to you to complete the remaining requirements on your own and find a counselor to review your work.
I have a partial from 3 years ago. The requirements have changed. What do I do?
You have two choices. You may complete the merit badge using all the old requirements or you may complete the merit badge using all the new requirements. Often newer requirements are written so that the older requirements may fulfill them, but you must complete one set or the other. Work with your counselor or the Advancement Chair to figure out which situation is easier for you.
FOR PARENTS:
How do I become a counselor?
Adults with an appropriate interest or skill are encouraged to become registered as a merit badge counselor. It is a wonderful way to share your expertise, have fun with a topic you enjoy and help the scouts and the Troop. Periodically we will run counselor training and other counselors are always available to give you advice. Contact Kate Schoch for information about how to apply to become a counselor.
Can a parent sign off on requirements?
Like other requirements in Scouting, parents are not allowed to sign off on requirements. Encouragement, supervision and even light coaching is appropriate, depending on the requirements. There will be requirements intended for completion in the home or with family and a parent may be asked to certify that it was indeed completed. The only exception to this rule is when a parent teaches a class that includes his or her son and only when the son fulfills the requirements in the same manner as others in the class.
Donate Your Old Books!
If you have completed a badge and no longer have use for your book, please consider donating it to Troop 119 so we can build up a sharing library for other scouts to use.
Blue card, blue card, who's got the blue card?
The question often comes up as to who is holding merit badge blue cards for merit badges started at summer camp or merit badge university, or troop-run merit badge classes.
If a scout has a partial merit badge after one of these events, it is the troop practice to hold that card in his file instead of giving it back to the scout. The reasoning behind this is that if the blue card is lost, so is the work that the scout has done. The cards are held in the scout's Troop 119 file, and any scout who wishes to resume work on a badge need only email Mrs. Gunther, or see her at any troop meeting. If a scout wishes to just check on his status for a particular merit badge, Mrs. G. will gladly email a scanned copy of the card to him.
For merit badges being worked on individually with a merit badge counselor, it is usual for the MB counselor to hold the card until the scout is finished with the badge. Once the badge is done, the counselor signs the card, keeps his portion and gives the remaining 2/3 card to the scout. It is then the scout's responsibility to get the card signed by the scoutmaster and then turn it in to the advancement chair (currently Mrs. Gunther.) The scout may at that point keep the portion of the card that is the scout's record.
All completed cards are kept in the scout's file, until such time as the scout needs them for his Eagle board of review.
To request a list of Troop 119 Merit Badge Counselors
Because the Merit Badge counselor list is always under construction, with new counselors often being added, you can request the most up to date list by emailing Mrs. Schoch. You will receive a .pdf file that contains the latest list of counselors. If there are no merit badge counselors for a badge that you would like to work on, please contact Mr. Schoch for help in finding a council merit badge counselor.
For Parents
Acting as a merit badge counselor is a great way to contribute to the Troop. Contact Mrs. Schoch for information about how to apply to become a counselor.
Eagle Trail Overview
During your Scoutmaster Conference as you complete your Life Scout requirements you will discuss with the Scoutmaster your plans for the final, rugged path to Eagle. Achieving the Eagle rank will require that you use all the skills you have learned in your scouting career, particularly your leadership skills. Adults in the troop and outside the troop will be supportive of your efforts but becoming an Eagle Scout is up to you.
A good place to start is the Eagle Scout Resource Page on Boston Minuteman Council's website. There you can download a copy of an Eagle Project Workbook and an Eagle application.
You will also be asked to select an adult in the troop as your advisor. On the web you will also find a wealth of resources. Follow the links below:
NESA Trail to Eagle National Eagle Scout Association's guide for Eagle requirements.
EagleScout.org A comprehensive source on all requirements.
2010 Rank Requirement Changes
<Mirrored from www.scouting.org>
The centennial edition of the Boy Scout Handbook will soon be available, and with the new handbook come several rank requirement changes that will be in effect as of January 1, 2010.
Tenderfoot
- A Scout must teach another person how to tie a square knot using the EDGE model (explain, demonstrate, guide, and enable). He must also be able to discuss four specific examples of how he lived the points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
Second Class
- A Scout must discuss the principles of Leave No Trace and explain the factors to consider when choosing a patrol site and where to pitch a tent.
- He must explain what respect is due the flag of the United States.
- He must again discuss four examples of how he lived four different points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
- He must earn an amount of money agreed upon by the Scout and his parents and save at least 50 percent of it.
First Class
- An additional requirement to the 10 separate troop/patrol activities states he must demonstrate the principles of Leave No Trace on these outings.
- He must discuss four more examples of how he lived the remaining four points of the Scout Law in his daily life.
Life
- A Scout must use the EDGE model to teach a younger Scout a specified skill.
Star, Life, and Eagle
- Troop Webmaster and Leave No Trace trainer are two new leadership positions.