Merit
Badges
"A vital part of the BSA's advancement plan, the
merit badge program is one of Scouting's basic character-building
tools. Through participation in the program, a Scout acquires
the kind of self-confidence that comes only from overcoming obstacles
to achieve a goal. Instruction is offered in everything from animal
science and public speaking to swimming and communications, providing
a young man with invaluable career, physical, and interpersonal
skills."
- From the BSA
website
Earning Merit
Badges As Individuals
The best thing to do is find a buddy who wants to earn the same
merit badge, and then proceed as follows:
- Talk to the Scoutmaster about your interest in the merit
badge.
- See Mrs. Caron to find a merit badge counselor and to get
your blue card.
- Fill out your blue card.
- Read the merit badge booklet before meeting with the counselor
or before actually starting on the badge.
- Contact the merit badge counselor to arrange a meeting.
- When the final requirement of the merit badge is completed,
the merit badge counselor completes the blue card and returns
part of it to you, the Scout.
- Record your merit badge completion in your scout book.
- Have the ScoutMaster sign your blue card.
- Give the blue card back to Mrs. Bourget.
- You receive your new merit badge at the next Court of Honor.
NOTE
Scouts are responsible for being prepared to meet
the merit
badge requirements, for filling out his blue card, and for the
safe transport of the card at all times.
Earning Merit Badges
at the Pow-Wow
In March of each year Troop 99 conducts a merit badge
Pow-Wow where Scouts can sign up for and earn merit badges in
a group settings. The Pow-Wow generally runs on the first 4 Saturday
mornings of March from 9:00 AM to noon at Stark Hall. There is
a small fee each Saturday to cover the cost of snacks.
2007Pow-Wow
Schedule
NOTE
Scouts are responsible for obtaining and preparing
a blue card and for READING the merit badge booklet
BEFORE the begriming of the Pow-Wow.
See Mrs. Caron for blue cards
and for more information about the Pow-Wow. The merit badge booklets
are available at the Council Store.
The Pow-Wow includes a special program for the Scouts
that have just crossed over from Cub Scouts.
Earning Merit
Badges as a Group
About once a year the Troop sponsors a group merit badge project.
Last year, interested Scouts earned the Textile merit badge by taking
part in a special program at the Textile Museum in Lowell, Mass.
This year we are doing the Stamp Collecting merit badge and will
be going to the Spellmen Stamp Museum as part of the project.
In the future we are looking at the possibility of
doing the American Heritage merit badge with a trip to Fort No.
4 and couple others that fit this format. The group merit badge
projects depend on adult volunteers to organize and conduct the
projects.
Earning Merit
Badges at Summer Camp
The summer camp at Hidden
Valley, which Troop 99 attends in July of each year, offers
an excellent opportunity to earn merit badges. Hidden Valley
offers over 30 different merit badges including some of the badges
that are harder to earn such as Shooting, Boating, Swimming,
Indian Lore, Wilderness Survival, Archery, and many others. Scouts
sign up for merit badges as they register for camp and are responsible
for bringing their own merit badge booklet.
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