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Meetings: Monday at 7pm
5375 W. Henrietta Rd 		Henrietta, New York
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Chartered by the Moose Family Center
Henrietta Lodge #2290

 

Scout Ranks

Ref http://www.mymall.ws/

Merit Badge Program

As chartered by the Congress of the United States, the Boy Scouts of America is a movement dedicated to supplementing and enlarging the education of youth. The merit badge program, which provides opportunities for youth to explore more than a hundred fields of skill and knowledge, plays a key role in the fulfillment of this educational commitment.

Merit Badge Pamphlets

Each merit badge subject is outlined and explained in a pamphlet that contains short, introductory information written for Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts by recognized authorities. These pamphlets may be borrowed from the troop library, borrowed from the individual councilors or purchased from the scout store downtown. Now days the merit badge requirements may be down loaded from any one of many sites such as http://www.meritbadge.com/mb/

Counselors

People who are knowledgeable of the various merit badge subjects are selected, approved, and trained by council and district advancement committees to serve as merit badge counselors. For example, a dentist might be asked to serve as a counselor for the Dentistry merit badge. A counselor must not only possess the necessary technical knowledge but have a solid understanding of the needs, interests, and abilities of Scouts. A counselor must also be a registered adult with the BSA. For access to the Otetiana Merit Badge Counselor Directory, log into the Otetiana Members Area (Membership is open to registered Otetiana Council adults ONLY, all others contact an adult leader for assistance).

Procedure

When a Scout has an interest in earning a particular merit badge he must:
  • Neatly fill out the information on the merit badge application (blue card). Blue cards are available from the advancement coordinator as well as some other leaders. Obtain his Scoutmaster's or Advancement coordinator’s approval by having him initiate (sign) the new blue card.
  • Identify another Scout with similar interests to become his partner. At no time should a Scout be meeting with an adult, without another Scout present.
  • Identify an appropriate merit badge counselor. Your advancement coordinator has an up to date listing of all merit badge councilors in the area.
  • The counselor reviews the badge requirements with the young men and decides with them what projects should be undertaken and when they should be completed.
  • Different councilors may do things a little differently. Some may accept responsibility for storing the partial blue cards while the Scout is working on the different requirements. This is common at summer camp. More often, the Scout is responsible for the safe keeping of the partial blue card during the time it takes to complete the merit badge. Keep the partial blue cards in a safe place. They are your only proof that you’ve done some of the work. Some counselors may require full uniform during appointments and always make sure you are on time. Better to be five minutes early than three minutes late.
  • After all the merit badge requirements have been completed the merit badge councilor will sign off on the completed merit badge (2 places) and keep one section for their records.
  • The Scout will then obtain the signature of the unit leader (1 place) and tear off that section for their records. The Scout should keep a file of completed merit badges in a safe place, as this is proof that the merit badge was completed should other records be lost.
  • The Scout then turns in the final section to the Advancement coordinator. The merit badge will be presented to the Scout at a troop meeting shortly there after.

Badges for Eagle

To qualify for the Eagle Scout Award, Scouting's highest advancement rank, a Scout must—along with meeting five other requirements—earn a total of 21 merit badges, including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Camping, Hiking OR Cycling OR Swimming and Family Life.

All appointments with couselors must be in full uniform. Some couselors will refuse to see you if you are not, even if you do have an appointment. make sure you are on time. Better to be five minutes early than three minutes late.