Earning Merit Badges
Merit Badge work is for Scouts that have achieved the rank of First Class Scout. There are a number of awards that may be earned which do not directly count toward rank advancement requirements. You will find that while working on advancement and sometimes by participating in particular outings and/or service projects you may have met the requirements for an award.
Getting Started and Locating A Counselor
Be sure to meet with the your Scoutmaster or one of the Assistant Scoutmasters when you want to start work on a merit badge. He will advise you on particular merit badges and can keep you up to date on the changes to badge requirements and rank advancement requirements.
You need to get a merit badge "blue card" which must be signed before you begin work. Also, the SM/ASM can help you locate a registered counselor for that particular badge. Note that there are counselors outside the troop. Scouts are encouraged to get some of their badges from outside the troop.
Locating A Counselor
You must meet with your Counselor before you begin work. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared by reading through the requirement pamphlet before your visit. A Merit Badge Counselor Book lists local counselors for the Ojibwa District. Your Scoutmaster and most of the Assistant Scoutmasters have a copy. Some of these counselors are leaders and adults from our Troop and many are associated with neighboring units.
Merit Badge "Blue Cards"
See your Scoutmaster or your counselor to get a signed blue card for each merit badge you want to start work on. You should help by filling in as much of the card as you can, after speaking with your counselor. Once all requirements are completed and you have gotten the signatures, turn in the completed form to the troop’s advancement person.
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Rank Advancement
Advancement is an important part of Scouting. It is a measure of your growth and progress. Each Scout keeps his own personal advancement record and record of your service campouts, troop activities and leadership positions in his copy of The Boy Scout Handbook. The troop also keeps advancement records. You should work on advancement with you parents, your fellow Scouts, your Scout Leaders and counselor. You may work on your advancement on your own, in patrol and selected Troop meetings, and during some Troop functions/outings. Scout skills can be mastered by reading, doing, understanding, and through repeated practice, even after the skill has been "sign off."
Scoutmaster Conference
Each Scout must regularly meet with a Scoutmaster for a Scoutmaster Conference. This is to discuss your goals and accomplishments and is required for each rank advancement. You do not have to wait until you have completed requirements for another rank to request a Scoutmaster conference. To count towards rank advancement a Scoutmaster Conference must take place after all other requirements are complete and before the Board of Review.
Board of Review
A Board of Review is required for each rank advancement. After completing the requirements and getting approval through a Scoutmaster Conference, you must contact the Troop Scribe to sign up in advance for a Board of Review (held during Troop meetings or at Comittee Member's homes)
For the review, you need to have you Boy Scout Handbook and must appear in full ‘Class A’ uniform. You review will discuss your trail to Eagle, quiz you on required knowledge and skills for your rank, and evaluate you in terms of troop activities and preparedness for the new rank. You may also provide feedback to the Troop Committee about activities and your scouting experience.
The Board will inform you qualify for the next rank or what actions you must take to qualify. Do not expect to pass every Board of Review the first time. You must earn your rank before it is awarded. If you do not advance in rank over a period of approximately six months, you may be asked to participate in a Scoutmaster Conference and/or a Board of Review for an interim evaluation of your progress. This helps both you and the adult leaders monitor Scouts that are advancing so they can offer appropriate encouragement and guidance.
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Recognition
Troop recognition and badges are awarded at the next Troop meeting. Formal recognition with family and friends in attendance is done at a Court of Honor, usually held twice each year.
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