Troop 408 Omaha, NE
Make sure to have a blue card signed before you start a merit badge and have the merit badge handbook. It is also a good idea to have the workbook printed off from meritbadge.com the link can be found under the links page.
Troop 408 Merit Badge Policy
The following has been prepared to standardize Troop 408’s policy for completing Merit Badges.
Sources for Merit Badge Instruction
Merit badge counselors will not be required to keep a record of completed requirements beyond 12 months after the merit badge is started. Merit Badge Counselors will supply the Advancement Chairman a list of completed requirements at the end of the Merit Badge session as well as at 2 months and 6 months after completion of the session. It is the Scout’s responsibility to update the merit badge counselor with any newly completed requirements. Some requirements may be completed on a campout or as a part of another activity, including possibly as a requirement for a school assignment or project. Again the Scout needs to notify the merit badge counselor if the requirement was completed. Do not rely on another Scout or an adult who might have been at the campout to report the completion of requirements. However, the merit badge counselor may request from an adult (another adult leader, a parent or a teacher) verification that the requirement was adequately completed. This is not to say the Scout is not trusted but, rather, to verify that the work done does in fact match up with the actual requirements of the merit badge.
Merit badges completed through Summer Camp At the end of our Summer Camp week, the Scoutmaster will receive a printout of the status of completion of all merit badges that our Scouts had signed up for. Again, unfinished requirements may be worked on for a period of 12 months following summer camp. A committee member, Assistant Scoutmaster or the Scoutmaster should be able to sign off on completion of outstanding merit badge requirements.
Merit Badge Books
Scouts must purchase and read the instructional books for all merit badges. 80%-90% of the material needed to complete the merit badges can usually be found in the instructional book. The Troop does keep a library of past merit badge books that can also be checked out. However, the Scout should verify that it is the most current instructional book.
In order for a counselor to get through the material for a merit badge class in the 4-6 weeks allotted, they will make homework assignments that are due at the next session. Just like homework for school, it is imperative that Scouts complete these assignments on time so that the counselor can keep the class on track. It is disruptive to the merit badge class when individuals do not complete the assignments on time because it then slows down the class for other participants. Scouts shall come to the merit badge classes prepared and shall be respectful to the merit badge counselors who have volunteered their time to help the Scouts.
The following has been prepared to standardize Troop 408’s policy for completing Merit Badges.
Sources for Merit Badge Instruction
- Offered through the Troop with a designated Merit Badge Counselor.
- Offered by the Mid America Council through Summer Camp.
- Offered at Council or District sponsored Merit Badge clinics.
- Offered through an approved organization. (Example: The Strategic Air & Space Museum offers the Aviation Merit Badge through their sponsored activities.)
- Completed as an activity on a Troop sponsored High Adventure trip.
- Completed by a Scout on his own. (This requires the advanced approval of the Scoutmaster and a designated parent or adult to act as the merit badge counselor.)
Merit badge counselors will not be required to keep a record of completed requirements beyond 12 months after the merit badge is started. Merit Badge Counselors will supply the Advancement Chairman a list of completed requirements at the end of the Merit Badge session as well as at 2 months and 6 months after completion of the session. It is the Scout’s responsibility to update the merit badge counselor with any newly completed requirements. Some requirements may be completed on a campout or as a part of another activity, including possibly as a requirement for a school assignment or project. Again the Scout needs to notify the merit badge counselor if the requirement was completed. Do not rely on another Scout or an adult who might have been at the campout to report the completion of requirements. However, the merit badge counselor may request from an adult (another adult leader, a parent or a teacher) verification that the requirement was adequately completed. This is not to say the Scout is not trusted but, rather, to verify that the work done does in fact match up with the actual requirements of the merit badge.
Merit badges completed through Summer Camp At the end of our Summer Camp week, the Scoutmaster will receive a printout of the status of completion of all merit badges that our Scouts had signed up for. Again, unfinished requirements may be worked on for a period of 12 months following summer camp. A committee member, Assistant Scoutmaster or the Scoutmaster should be able to sign off on completion of outstanding merit badge requirements.
Merit Badge Books
Scouts must purchase and read the instructional books for all merit badges. 80%-90% of the material needed to complete the merit badges can usually be found in the instructional book. The Troop does keep a library of past merit badge books that can also be checked out. However, the Scout should verify that it is the most current instructional book.
In order for a counselor to get through the material for a merit badge class in the 4-6 weeks allotted, they will make homework assignments that are due at the next session. Just like homework for school, it is imperative that Scouts complete these assignments on time so that the counselor can keep the class on track. It is disruptive to the merit badge class when individuals do not complete the assignments on time because it then slows down the class for other participants. Scouts shall come to the merit badge classes prepared and shall be respectful to the merit badge counselors who have volunteered their time to help the Scouts.
