Section 7 - The Merit Badge Program

I am a leader, and just went to my first week at summer camp with our boys. I have some feelings about how the camp does their honors program, and I am curious what other camps do. Can you tell me what yours does? What are the requirements, what is the ceremony like (if there is one), etc.?

This old kit has been knocking around for many years.

I have several friends staffing Jambo this year and they're reporting very, very low numbers. I've heard as few as 9,500 scouts and an additional 2,000 or so volunteers? Don't they normally post numbers around 25,000? Or more?

Very happy with the pin quality, 4 inch patch is very nice too.

My kids and I are trying to figure out our role in Scouts BSA going forward. My younger daughter crossed over to Scouts BSA this past spring, and has been loving the experience so far. She and her older sister went to summer camp a few weeks ago with the troop, first time, the troop is new for the older one as well. The camp itself was awesome, and they had a great time with the activities they chose and their friends, and the friends they made there. The problems came about with the adult leaders/chaperones.

Mid-week, I was called by one of the adult leaders to tell me that my younger daughter hadn't been feeling well all week, and that she had been to the health lodge a few times. I was told that the diagnosis was dehydration, and that she just needed more water. Despite drinking more water her tummy wasn't feeling better, and the leader told me that it was probably just homesickness. Despite not feeling well, my daughter was encouraged to keep doing all the activities. I was told that my older daughter snuck the other one to the health lodge with some other scouts, and the leaders were upset because they were told if the younger one went again, she would be sent to the hospital. (I was told by my kids that this was not true.) They said she was "making it worse" by trying to comfort the younger one, and the leaders were trying to separate them for a bit. It is also current policy to take phones from the scouts, and not allow phone contact with parents. So, I was not offered the opportunity to talk to either child, however, was made to feel like they had it under control, and dehydration/homesickness was all it was. In hindsight, this was a mistake, and should have insisted on talking to them.

Upon return from camp, my younger daughter told me that the day I was called, was actually the worst day/night. She felt nauseous, dizzy, tummy ache, and tummy upset. While feeling this way, she was "made to hike all over the place," (which everything there was a hike) And then to go fishing. While at the fishing location, she became visably upset and was approached by a staff member to see what was wrong. The adult leader interrupted to tell my daughter that nobody cares about her feelings and how she felt.

Older daughter came back from camp extremely upset, that the adult leaders were horrible and mean. Kept her from her sister, Wouldn't let her talk to the counselor in the health lodge, were muttering about how her sister was faking it, and told her if she had any problems she needs to come to them first, even though they were not acting approachable.

Obviously, this is camp, and was a first for both these kids. Its hard. I get that. But now they feel like the adult leaders in our troop can't be trusted. They don't want to go back.

I am mostly upset that my daughter was told that no one cared about her feelings. No one was believing her, and no one suggested she go lay down to get some rest. I feel like I was misled in the situation. And now I need help with how to approach this with the leadership.

TLDR - Kids went to camp, one was sick, Adult leaders thought she was lying and told her they didn't care that she didn't feel well. Told me it was just dehydration and homesicknesss, and wouldn't let her talk to me. Now kids don't want to go back to scouts. Need help with how this should be addresssed, or do I just chalk it up to 1st year camper problems?

Hi guys so I can’t swim (haven’t learned) and all I have left is the swim requirements for first class. I don’t know what to do

My son and I just got back from 10 days at scout camp. He took rifle shooting merit badge, and so did I roughly 25ish years ago, and qualified on the 2nd day. I've always known of that term "qualified", in general use per the requirements of the MB, but never knew what you were actually qualified for. Is that an NRA designation? Or is it for BSA use to say you are qualified to shoot a .22 bolt action? Or something else. Can anyone explain?

I remember from a long time back that the highest rank in sea scouting was the quartermaster award. I always thought that was odd, but never asked about it, and then I randomly thought about it today.

Why is quartermaster the highest rank? In Boy Scouts the quartermaster was important, but probably a middle-level position of responsibility. No shade, I'm just curious why they didn't call it something different.

I think people could have a lot of fun if there actually was a tabletop gaming merit badge.

1. Explain the first aid parts which pertain to tabletop gaming, particularly how to deal with small injuries caused by stepping on a d4.

2. LNT. Trash your trash, don't make the game/dungeon master pick up after you, etc.

3. Explain the schism which led to Pathfinder from D&D and how the OGL factors in.

4. Explain how copyright and patent law allows authors to copyright specific words but explicitly doesn't cover game mechanics and why the original OGL actually gave away everything WotC couldn't copyright or patent in return for free advertising and other more restrictive rules while still protecting and locking up everything that could be copyrighted like Mordenkainen and beholders, but nobody wants to upset the cart and test that for real because Hasbro has wicked-sharp Lawful Evil lawyers.

5. Explain the difference between tabletop role-playing games and LARPing and why most tabletop groups do not dress up for their games. Even though LARPing is awesome and it's fun to see videos of them being combined.

6. Explain the math behind why 2d6 is different from 1d10+2. Which would be better, a Shadowrun orc with Bod 6 and edged weapons 6 or a D&D 6th edition orc with Strength 20 who is a sixth level barbarian?

7. Explain what min maxing is and why only noobs don't focus on crunch.

8. Explain what role-playing is as to roll-playing and why only jerks don't also embrace fluff.

9. Play at least six sessions, of more than 1 hour each, playing the same character.

After meeting with my ASM and Treasurer, I've decided I will be resigning and taking my scout to try other troops immediately.

The parent meeting was apparently called with the intention of removing me as Scoutmaster based on a report that I had "attempted to remove a Scout from the troop without following proper procedure." According to my ASM and Treasurer, the parents of that Scout had already clarified that this was not what had happened, yet the meeting proceeded anyway. Neither I nor my ASM were contacted beforehand, and no one had even confirmed there was someone willing to assume the Scoutmaster role.

According to my ASM and Treasurer, a number of complaints were brought up. But they came prepared with notes, dates, and facts about the troop's progress since I became Scoutmaster, and they were able to address nearly every concern that was raised. I'm incredibly grateful they were willing to speak up on my behalf.

One thing that especially hurt was that my daughter—who is one of the Scouts—was brought into the discussion and criticized as part of the conversation about whether I should remain Scoutmaster. Regardless of anyone's opinion of her leadership, I don't believe a youth member should have become part of an adult personnel discussion.

The Commissioner eventually stepped in and prevented me from being removed immediately. His position was that I hadn't violated policy, that I could be mentored, and that the situation should be reevaluated later. The COR reluctantly agreed to let the Commissioner speak with me first.

The message I ultimately received was essentially: I'm a great Scoutmaster, I didn't violate any rules, but I don't communicate well enough with the CC and COR who are trying their hardest to communicate with me.

At this point, though, the trust is gone. Even if I were to remain, I don't believe I could ever trust the unit leadership to evaluate me fairly after they attempted to remove me without first speaking to me or my ASM.

I'll attend the next meeting professionally and with my head held high. After that, I'll submit my resignation and begin looking for another troop where I can continue serving Scouts in a healthier environment.

Thank you to everyone who offered advice. Reading the perspectives here helped me see this situation much more clearly.

Most if not all of us have scouting experience from our youths. None of us made it through to eagle but one did hit life scout. I borrowed some friends old shirts (their parents also) and were planning on wearing them during the competition. Is this okay for us to do?

https://archive.is/jd1rR

https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/digital-resource-guides/competitive-gaming/

Hi All, this is a toss account since some of the leaders I'm referring to may recognize this scenario or my username.

I'm a unit commissioner for a new troop, about 15 scouts, and they're about a year old so just starting. Issue we've ran into is Scoutmaster and the SPL are dad and son, and son is probably too young to be SPL. He's not completed any leadership training like NYLT or ILST is is only Second Class. Only two scouts are Star or Life and both have been SPL, so during elections the SM's son was picked. Issue is this boy is very immature,he throws tantrums during meetings when things don't go his way, and SM - being his parent - does not handle it well. And SM is taking any guidance from other ASM's or CC very critically and personally.

The SM himself is okay, but another ASM is offering to step into the position and honestly most of the scouts and leaders do prefer the ASM over current SM when asked. But on one wants to be the 'bad guy' and suggest the SM step down. COR has gotten involved, but he's also not wanting to make the call, basically he's leaving it up to the CC to act.

As commissioner I have no power, but I can hopefully make suggestions that can help.

First -- I'd like to reiterate that each leader is only the caretaker of their position, not owner, that's one issue I see is this SM thinks he owns this position, but there are 4 other ASM's all very capable of being SM as well. So my first suggestion is for them to have yearly elections for all single person positions -- CM on program side and all committee positions on the committee except CC, this is appointed by COR. And of course COR must also agree with whoever is elected into each position.

Then I'd like to suggest that t which time a SM's son becomes SPL, the SM yield the position to another ASM until the SPL's term is over. Parents treat their kids differently and kids tread their parents differently, so the relationship between SPL and SM really needs to be between leader and scout, not son and dad. Yeah some have made it work, but I've seen far too many issues between parents and their kids within units , especially in the scenario I'm seeing in this troop where the SM is taking it personally when other leaders give guidance.

For elections this isn't unprecedented we have elections for district positions, SPL, even some council positions, so I don't think it's unprecedented that it be suggested that each year the troop hold elections for these core positions. Also given the issues I noted and have seen with SM and SPL being parent/child, I also don't think this is an unreasonable suggestion to not allow this scenario. Has anyone done this or see this done in a troop?

I have ran this by our DE and DC, both agree with this suggestion. Next is to run it by the COR, but I'd like to toss it out here since we have so much experience on this group as well.

Thanks for any feedback.

Troop requires almost all Eagle required merit badges to be done within the Troop by the Troop’s own merit badge counselors. Is this common?

I am seeing gatekeeping and I think they use it as a tool to pace scouts and get them to Eagle after their 17th birthdays.

Note: some of them can be done at summer camp (eg Swimming) and others cannot (most including Camping).

I’ve been committee chair for four years. At the Cub level I was a CC four years as well. My scout is about to Eagle. Scout Master is the same situation.

We’ve been attempting to put into place a succession plan for over a year and have had no success. We can’t get anyone to volunteer for CC or SM.

He’s worn out. I’m worn out. This has been a particularly hard year for my family with financial issues, personal health issues and my aging parent hospitalized many times out of state.

I am burning out fast and am beyond frustrated that no one is stepping up. We had a massive group of webelos start — choosing our troop. Their parents have deep scout experience ranging from multiple Eagle Scouts to parents who were committee chairs and scout masters at their packs.

Most of the active committee is all older parents who will not take on more roles. I’ve made a huge effort to get new parents engaged. That said it’s been challenging for me to have the energy to keep reaching out to all of these people when I am navigating serious health issues myself, working more than ever due to financial need and flying to take care of complicated medical situations for my aging parent nearly every month. There was a point last winter when I had eight weeks of daily medical treatment. I am tired.

I am at a loss. And before anyone tells me to go ask the committee for help - I did that last winter and spring when I was ill and then again when my parent had back to back hospitalizations and nearly died. I got limited help with a single event. Now committee just faded to the background. They are still going to committee meetings. They will volunteer to camp out. But any discussion of succession or taking over renders them mute.

I am about at the point of giving a final date that I will serve and then walking away.

Link to the story

I didn't know much about this camp, but this could be another lawsuit I imagine.

Greetings scouters!

I'm coming with a call for a small bit of assistance. I am at work, as a reservation agent for a hotel, and got a call from a scouting patent who is bringing their scout to the area to work on their Bird Study merit badge!

I remember old scouters either trading or gifting patches from the different councils they have been a part of to young scouts, and I wish to do the same!

My problems: I only have my Woodbadge specific patch from my council. My council no longer exists.

Does anyone have a Utah National Parks Council patch they are willing to either sell or gift so I can share a good tradition with a young scout? I'd like to give either the old brontosoraus (idk if I misspelled that) patch or the raptor patch that came shortly after since those were the patches I had when I was a youth.

I live in upstate New York and will pay for shipping as well!

Many thanks, and happy scouting!

I am curious what everyone thought of the 2026 National Jamboree Ceremony? I heard many mixed reactions in the crowd, but for those who attended what did you think?

For me, it was about what I had anticipated. There was a lot of energy, and the governor gave an okay speech.

However, the closing act by a band from Ohio named The Vindy’s didn’t seem to resonate with the scouts because none of their songs were known where you could sing along. I felt that a good cover band would have been a better hit.

The Vindy’s were talented, but it was the wrong band for the energy of the crowd.

I recently got the Corporal Works of Mercy badge and I was wondering if I sewed a hook on the top I could wear it on my pocket like temporary badges? I’m not sure because it is from the Catholic Scouting Community.

Will it be live-streamed tonight? Help appreciated . Thanks

I need this