July 8th, 2019
Sorry for running late on last Monday, this was the second time they zoo ran this program so they are still working on the program to get the timing correct. For those who are not on the Troop TEXT GROUP, one of the advantages of being on the group it allows us the ability to send out on-the-fly announcements if things like this happen. For those on the Text group, they got a message shortly after 8:30 to notify you we were running late. This time we ran late, but if we have weather changes or emergency we can communicate with the entire group in a timely manner with this text group, I would highly suggest that if you have not done so, text @t161bsb to the phone number of 81010 and join the text group.
The Zoo Program
There were several questions related to merit badge work done at Monday’s meeting. The program the zoo presented is to get people excited about Reptiles and Amphibians, they have used the Boy Scout Merit badge program as a course outline and touched on MANY of the requirements of the Reptile and Amphibians Merit Badge. There are some requirements that just are not doable in two and a half hour program offered and requires some extra work at home. In order to finish the badge, you would have to do the remaining requirements and then meet with a Merit Badge Counselor (read requirements closely, some say to meet with the counselor before doing the work). That counselor can then sign off the requirements that are incomplete but also has an obligation to make sure you know the other stuff and may question you on requirements that were signed off already, seeing that they are putting their name on the blue card that says you FINISHED the badge work. Based on the speed that things were covered on Monday night, it would be highly recommended that you study that info, seeing the presentation at the zoo may be different for different people. If this was the first time you learned some of these things, it was a lot to soak up, if it is something you covered in a school class or you have studied on your own (maybe by being a reptile caretaker) then you will have no problems repeating the answers. The goal of the evening was not to GET you the merit badge, it was to get you familiar with reptiles and amphibians and for those who have a solid working knowledge of reptiles, completing the badge is a side benefit. Either way, we hope you enjoyed the program, and feel free to finish the badge when you are ready. When you are ready, contact Mrs. Andersen and she can get you the name of another counselor who is qualified to sign off on this, it might be our friends at the zoo. When you request that info, be sure to have your blue card, Mrs. Andersen or I will sign the card that the zoo handed out, Merit Badge Counselors should not be working on badges with youth till they have been approved by the Troop (a complete explanation is at the end of this BSB), in this case, seeing this was a Troop event, we, in essence, approved your working on this.
July 8, 2019
FAMILY EVENT - Kenosha Kingfish Baseball, Tailgate, and hat
Time: 6:00 PM Location: Simmons Field, Kenosha Uniform: Class B- Red Shirt
We have a few tickets left, let us know if you would like to attend
Program:
Join us for exciting Northwoods League baseball as the Kenosha Kingfish battle the Traverse City Pit Spitters! This is a family event, parents, brothers and sisters, friends, grandparents are welcome. Tailgate buffet (all you care to eat) from 6:00 – 7:00PM. Tents are located to the south of right field. Game starts at 7:05 PM. . Remember, all family members must abide by Scouting rules, which includes no alcohol.
Transportation: Transportation to be provided by your family. Scouts, if your Family doesn’t want to go but you do, sign up and we will find you a ride. The Scouts will be returned to their home late Monday night. Please have someone available to greet your Scout upon his return home. Web Site: http://northwoodsleague.com/kenosha-kingfish/
We were waiting till last minute to order our tickets to make sure we had everyone seeing people were slow turning in sign up sheets, we were unable to get tickets in advance, so we will be by the will call window on the East side of the field, you can meet us there to pick up tickets, if you are running late, we will be by the tailgate party section, which is right there too.
July 14 to 20, 2019 Camp Freeland Leslie Time: 9:00 AM SHARP
Location: St. Rita’s Parking Lot Uniform: Class A –Tan Shirt
Program: A years worth of Scout program packed into one week.
Transportation: 9:00 AM SHARP. Bring your gear and a bag lunch for the trip.
More Info in next week’s BSB
Thanks, that is all for this week. See the info about merit badges that follow, feel free to print it and tuck it in your handbook. If have any questions, be sure to let me or Mrs. Andersen know, we are working on this fact sheet for future communications.
Mr. F.
How to Earn a Merit Badge
The Boy Scouts has a collection of Merit Badges for scouts to work on from all sorts of profession and hobby interests. Consult your local ScoutsBSA handbook or BSA National web page for a complete list. All Merit Badge books have a complete listing in the back cover of the book. While it is not an official BSA page, Meritbadge.org also has a good listing of the badges along with the requirements and also worksheets to assist you in gathering the information you need to complete the badge.
The process of getting started on a Merit Badge
The Scout develops an interest in a merit badge and may begin reading the merit book and working on the requirements.
The Scout (not the parent) discusses his interest in the merit badge with his unit Advancement Chairperson (Mrs. Andersen) or unit leader (Mr. F.) BEFORE HE CONTACTS ANY COUNSELOR.
The unit advancement chairman or leader signs a blue card and provides the Scout with at least one council certified counselor contact.
The Scout contacts the counselor.
The counselor considers any work toward requirements completed prior to the initial discussion with the Counselor. Some requirements say talk to the counselor before starting, be sure not to start any of these requirements till you have that discussion with the counselor.
The Scout, his buddy (and/or parent) and the counselor meet (often several times). The parent’s role in the meeting is to provide two deep leadership, the parents are advised to allow the scout to work with the counselor and allow the scout to work directly with the counselor. It is not uncommon for this meeting to occur at a public place like the meeting place, restaurant, coffee house, etc.
The Scout finishes the requirements.
The counselor approves completion.
The Scout returns the signed blue card to his unit Advancement Chairperson, who signs the applicant record section of the blue card.
The unit leader gives the Scout the applicant record.
The unit reports the merit badge to the council.
The Scout receives his merit badge at the next Court of Honor.
When a “Scout” is calling to talk to the counselor he should be polite and respectful, using the Scout law as a guide. These counselors are volunteers giving of their time to serve and the Scouts need to respect that. If you do not make contact right away, be sure to leave a detailed voice message with your contact info to call back. Remember to talk slowly and clearly so the person may call you back. Parents are encouraged to be there to assist their son if needed.
Why do I need a Blue Card?
The Blue card insures that you are working with a certified counselor for the badge. No Merit Badge Counselor should begin a Merit Badge with a Scout till they have signed the blue card. Every Merit Badge Counselor has to be trained in how to facilitate the badge correctly, be registered with the BSA (which includes a background check) as well as participate in Youth Protection Training program of the BSA and be current in all those trainings. The Three Harbors Council keeps a complete list of those who are certified and it is the unit responsibility to make sure each scout is going to one of those certified Counselors. This is for the safety of the Scout as well as ensuring all work done to complete the badge can be approved when the scout finishes the badge. Work approved by an uncertified counselor may be rejected.
Merit Badge Clinics
The council and other agencies may offer Merit Badge clinics where Merit Badges may be taught to a group of scouts. It is important that each participant does the requirements of the badge. When it says demonstrate or explain or things like that, each person in the session must do as the requirement outlines. Just cause one person answers the question does not complete it for all. The requirements for the badge should NOT be altered to fit the group setting. Some clinics do this well, others do not. If you participate in a clinic that does not do this well, you have the option to redo that portion or all of the badge with a different counselor by asking for a new counselor.
Do I need a blue card for a Clinic?
Yes, ALL clinics need to have a blue card for each participant. Not only do you need a blue card, but it must also be signed by the Troop leadership BEFORE you begin or attend a session. Some clinics may offer blue cards to the participants, but remember the correct order is to get Troop permission BEFORE you go to the clinic and the troop reserves the right to deny any blue card that was not signed in advance. As the rules stated earlier, the Troop has a responsibility to make sure the counselors are certified counselors before you work on the badge, that includes clinics. Sometimes people at museums and such may have been trained once, but they do need to renew that training on occasion and we need to make sure that has taken place before we send you the scout to the clinic.
Do I need a blue card for Summer Camp?
Summer camp may be the one and the only situation where you do not need a blue card to start a badge, it is the exception to the rule. When we sign up for camp, camp management has a responsibility to make sure that all counselors are certified. Part of the pre-signup for badges is so the Troop knows what badges you are working on so that we can ensure that any prerequisites are met such as nights of camping, swimming requirements, etc.
Can I work on a badge by myself?
Yes, you can work on a badge by yourself, but the Merit Badge Counselor cannot work one on one with a Scouts so it is recommended you find a buddy to work on the badge with you, so when you go to see a counselor, you have two scouts there along with a parent.
If I complete a work Worksheet, is that all I have to do?
Places like MeritBadge.org has worksheets for each of the merit badge, these are intended to be study guides to assist you in preparing to meet with your counselor. Completing a worksheet does not mean you qualify for all the requirements especially when it says discuss, tell, show, or demonstrate, etc. Requirements like that must be worked on directly with the counselor.
What is a partial?
Sometimes when working on a badge you may run out of time, like at camp. If you completed portions of a badge, the counselor should sign off on the requirements you completed as you complete them if you do not finish the Merit badge at that time, and there are still requirements remaining that is considered a partial. If you can not return to the same counselor, you can ask the Troop advancement chairperson for another counselor to finish up the badge. If you only finish part of a merit badge at camp, the Troop advancement chairperson will have a blue card with your name ready for you to seek out a counselor when you return home.
Where can I find a Merit Badge Booklet?
The Troop maintains a library of popular Merit Badge Books. You can check them out for free and as long as you need them, as long as you return them as soon as you are done with it. You can also purchase these books at the Scout store or online. There many of the books which are available as ebooks for tablet use. For the hard copies of the books, once you finish using the book, the Troop may purchase the book from you at a reduced rate to add it to the Troop Library.