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I scout ask last night," I need Eagle Merit Badges to advance to my next rank, how do I get them and which ones should I work on first?"
Here is my answer:
A) There are several ways to earn Merit Badges:
1) Troop 373 as Leaders that are Merit Badge Counselor for all the Eagle Merit Badges (and just about all the non eagle MB too). After deciding on a merit badge to work on ask a Scoutmaster to sign a blue card for the MB, the Scoutmaster or ASM may talk to you to see if you ready for the MB (see below), as some are hard and some have prerequisites that must be done first. Once your card is signed, then contact Ca t hy M orr is or To m S a r g e n t by phone or email to get the name and phone # of a Counselor(s). Call the Counselor let them know you would like to start a merit badge. They may or may not have some instructions for you, you may ask them for guidance if you have questions. Once you have completed the requirements, call and make an appointment to completed the badge and get your blue card signed off. An appointment before or after a Troop meeting works nice. Troop 373 Counselors do not charge a fee for this service. Bring your own blue card, get one from your Patrol leader.
2) Camp Trask and Arcadia Wilderness Park offer Eagle Merit Badges and non Eagle MB classes. These classes, you sign up and paid on your own. Camp Trask sign ups are now done online thru the web site. Bring your own leader signed Blue Card, MB book and worksheet (see below)
3) Each Scout going to Holcomb Valley or Cherry Valley or Circle X Ranch Summer camp needs to pick at least 3 to 5 merit Badges to work on in class. At least one should - must be a Eagle Merit Badge (unless you have all of the ones the camp offers) Check if the camp provides Blue Cards for you. Bring your worksheet and MB books. The Troop Web site list of camp's MBs You merit badge picks must be approved by the Troop before camp.
4) Troop 373 offers Merit Badge Classes, at this time only non Eagle MB classes are offered, as Eagle MBs require more time to complete. Some classes require homework, some have no homework. Homework is given out at the class. Troop 373 provides Blue Cards for these classes. Troop 373 Merit Badge Classes are the only classes you will not need to buy a merit badge book for or bring a worksheet. Upcoming new classes are added to the Troop's online Calendar
5) Some Troop 373 camp outs will work on Merit Badges also. You will be told before camp what supplies or homework you may need. Troop 373 camp outs count toward some MBs like: Cooking and Camping. Being a MC at a camp out count towards Communications.
Merit Badge Worksheets:
Some Counselors and all BSA camps
will ask you to use a Merit Badge Worksheets for working on the requirements.
These are found at the the end of each MB at http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/meritbadges.asp.
The MBs are listed on the left side. Here you will find the work sheets
in both Word Doc and PDF format. You may work on the sheets before the
class. You should read the MB book before the camp.
Need more info? See the Troop's Web Site Troop 373 Merit Badge Procedure
B) "which ones (Eagle MBs) should I work on first?"
It is good to get your Eagle MB Blue Card signed by a "Unit Leader" before starting. Your Unit Leader can let you know if the Eagle MB you picked is right for you at this time. A "Unit Leader" is a Troop 373 leader that knows the Eagle MBs, like your Scoutmaster or an Assistant Scoutmaster. Here is why:
There is no set order list of MBs to work on, but some
MBs have prerequisites. Some may be too hard for younger Scouts.
The
First Aid MB, Second Class and First Class Rank First
Aid should be done before or during the following:
Emergency
Preparedness Good to work on after or during First Aid,
[Make a personal emergency service pack.]
Swimming
Good to work on after or during First Aid, must be a strong swimmer
Personal
Fitness with 12-week physical fitness program, Good to work on
after or during First Aid
Camping
Needs 20 days and 20 nights camping 1st, only one week long camp (6 days]
can be counted, needs at least one backpack trip.
Lifesaving
* Should have Swimming MB first, or just do Emergency Preparedness
in it place..
Cycling
* Must be in good shape, the last ride is 50 miles in one day.
or
do Swimming OR Hiking. Good to work on after or during
First
Aid
Hiking
* Must be in good shape, the last hike is 20 miles in
one day. or do Swimming OR Cycling. Good to work on
after or during First Aid
Note: Starting Jan. 1, 2014 Cooking
will be needed also.
(The above listed in about easy to hard, for most Scouts)
Note on Eagle required MB Ors: ( Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving *) (Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling *) (if you do more that the required Eagle MBs, the extra MB(s) can count as a normal MB)
Non-First Aid prerequisite
Family
Life Log chores (at least five) for 90 days, home project and
more...
Citizenship
in the Community Volunteer at least eight hours in your Community...
Citizenship
in the Nation Visit Government place(s)...
Citizenship
in the World Learn about current world
event and a foreign country, foreign cultures and types of governments.
Environmental
Science Experiment(s) nad report writing...
Some time in 2013 Sustainability
will
be a new MB that can be done in place of Environmental Science.
Communications
Public Speaking, writing, planning ...
Personal
Management Track your income, expenses, and savings for 13 consecutive
weeks, money management, Make a seven-day calendar or schedule, written
project plan, learn about stock and banks...
(The above listed about easy to hard, for most Scouts)
My 2 cent for today.
Best Regards,
D av e Sa rg e nt
ce ll 6 2 6 - 5 3 3 - 7 5
2 3
Merit Badge Sash: Merit
Badges are put 3 across starting at the top, check the merit
badge book or an online reference page to ensure placement is right
side up. If sewing, staple in place before sewing. As a general rule put
the merit badges in the order they are earned. The sash comes in
at least two lengths, 30 inches and 42 inches. All Scouts should purchase
the longer sash, unless you are sure your scout will no grow should you
purchase the shorter 30" sash. If you fill the front of the sash, the patches
then start up the back from the bottom. No non-merit badge patches may
go on the back or front. Merit
Badges are award at COHs.
FYI, the Eagle
Scout required merit badges have a silver boarder. The Sash is worm
for formal occasions like to COH, Scoutmaster Conference
and
Board of Review. Also to community Color Guard events. The sash goes on
the right shoulder. From Troop
373 Uniform Page
To Troop 373's List of Merit Badges Page.
Troop 373 Merit Badge Procedure
Activity
Schedule for Troop 373
.