Merit Badges
Merit badges are required for rank advancement from First Class to Eagle. There are over 130 merit badges in the Scouting program and they offer Scouts an opportunity to explore areas in which they may not have engaged otherwise. A list of merit badges can be found in the Scout Handbook or on-line. There are merit badges for many areas of interest, such as sports, hobbies, careers and Scouting skills. Through merit badges a Scout learns to manage himself, his home, his health and others.
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The troop offers various merit badges taught at the meetings throughout the year. Generally, we offer 3-4 Eagle required merit badges that we rotate once every 3 years along with numerous other merit badges based on our counselor’s skills and the Scouts interests.
Below are links to upcoming Merit Badge dates outside of the troop calendar:
The Chesterfield Historical Society offers several merit badges (archaeology, American Heritage, Citizenship in the Nation, etc...) for Scouts throughout the year. The classes are at one of their numerous sites in Chesterfield. Click on their website to get their current offerings, locations and detailed information & registration:
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The Triple C camps provides experiential environmental education programming to students of all ages. It is located in Charlottesville, VA and offers year round merit badge opportunities for Scouts.
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Procedure for obtaining merit badges:
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Prior to working on a merit badge and before meeting with a merit badge Counselor, it is the Scout’s responsibility to obtain a Blue Card (Application for Merit Badge) from the Troop Advancement Chairperson or Scoutmaster. The Blue Card is the permanent record of the Scout’s completion of the merit badge. It has three sections: The Scout, the Merit Badge Counselor, and the Advancement Chairperson each keep a portion of the card.
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The Scout should fill out the information on the front of the Blue Card (print in ink) and then have the Scoutmaster sign it.
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Once the Blue card has been properly filled out and signed by the Scoutmaster, the Scout should contact the appropriate merit badge Counselor to discuss the requirements and see if there are any special instructions before beginning any work on the merit badge. The Troop Committee maintains a list of Troop Merit Badge Counselors. If the Troop does not have a Counselor for the badge desired, then the Scout should contact someone on the merit badge Counselor List for the Huguenot Trail District (the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chairperson should have the most recent copy).
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Scouts should use the “buddy system” for working on merit badges and meeting with merit badge Counselors outside of Scout meetings. It is more fun to work with someone else and it is in the best interest of the Scout and the merit badge Counselor that a Scout and an adult not meet alone without the parent’s/guardian’s consent.
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Once requirements and expectations are clear to the Scout, he may begin working on the merit badge. A BSA pamphlet is available for each merit badge. The Troop has many, but not all, merit badge pamphlets in its library, which may be checked out from the Librarian. Merit badge pamphlets may also be checked out from the Midlothian Library. If neither the Troop nor the Midlothian Library has a particular merit badge pamphlet needed, it is the Scout’s responsibility to obtain one. They can be purchased from the Scout shop. A Scout should consider donating the merit badge pamphlet to the Troop Library when he completes a badge.
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Once a Scout thinks he has completed the requirements for a badge, he is to contact the merit badge Counselor and arrange a time to discuss how he has met each requirement. The Counselor will review the quality and thoroughness of the work of each applicant and the decision whether to approve completion of the merit badge rests completely with the merit badge Counselor.
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The Counselor will sign the Blue Card when he/she is satisfied that the Scout has completed the merit badge. The merit badge Counselor will keep the appropriate portion of the Blue Card for his/her records.
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The completed Blue Card should be presented by the Scout to the Advancement Chairperson and the merit badge will be presented at the next Court of Honor.
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After receiving merit badges at a Court of Honor, save all blue cards and cards attached to the merit badges. They are important documentation of when merit badges were earned that will be needed to go with the application for Eagle Scout. Plastic sheets for baseball card collections are excellent for storing Blue Cards and are available from the Scoutmaster.
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There is no time limit to complete a merit badge. However, all work must be completed prior to the Scout’s 18th birthday.
Special note on earning merit badges - It is the Scout’s responsibility to follow the requirements of each merit badge exactly. If a merit badge requirement states that a Scout must “show or demonstrate” a skill, the Scout must actually exhibit the skill to the Counselor; talking about a skill is not sufficient. Scouts are advised to read each requirement carefully and follow it to the letter. If the requirements change before the Merit Badge is completed the Scout must complete the badge using the newer requirements.
The following information is provided for the convenience of members of Troop 897 and is NOT intended to be an official source of merit badge requirements. Changes made by BSA National may not be quickly reflected in these pages.
Rank Advancement
Rank advancement requirements for all ranks of Scouting are signed off in the Scout Handbook. This is the Scouts written proof of completing the requirements. Most of the information needed to pass these rank requirements can be found in the handbook. Taking the time to read and study a subject thoroughly is important and expected. When a Scout satisfactorily demonstrates that he has a complete knowledge of a skill or requirement, the requirement may to be signed off in the handbook by the Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide or Instructor so long as they are ranked above the Scout they are signing off on. Life and Star Scouts have the privilege of also signing off on lower ranking Scouts with permission of the Scoutmaster and SPL.
Rank advancement cannot be signed off by a family member. However, a family member can provide verification that a requirement was satisfactorily completed
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BE PREPARED for your Scoutmaster Conference.
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Be in full Class A uniform. (Don't forget your official Scout belt and socks. ) Make sure all your insignia (patches) are up to date and sewn on in their proper locations.
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Bring your Scout Handbook
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Bring your Scout Binder with all of your Merit Badge blue cards
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Your most recent Advancement Report from the Advancement Chair
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Your updated Activity & Service log
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Bring a question you'd like to ask the Scoutmaster
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Below are things the Scoutmaster (SM) or Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) will look for or discuss at your conference. Be prepared to review these areas and be able to discuss them.
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Service Work
Service work is defined as “Work or activities by a Scout for someone other than his family or his Troop”. All service work to be performed by a Scout for advancement must be pre-approved by the Scoutmaster. The Scout is responsible for meeting with the Scoutmaster to discuss the service project. If the Scout fails to obtain pre-approval for his service work, the time spent will not count toward advancement. The pre-approval requirement is not necessary for Troop service projects such as putting out the flags, Church service projects and Eagle projects. Each Scout should keep a record of his service time with his advancement records.
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Scout Spirit
BSA definition of Scout Spirit: Scout spirit applies to how a Scout lives and conducts his daily life. He shows Scout spirit by being a role model to his peers, living by the Scout Oath and Law. The concept of Scout spirit is not based on how many Scouting events or outings a Scout attends, but rather by how he helps bring out the best in others as a reflection of his own character and attitude in his daily life.
Though the requirement looks the same for each rank, it's really different - Scout Spirit for Life Scout is very different (and much harder) than Scout Spirit for Second Class. Scout Spirit should be shown at all times, and generally this requirement is one of the last ones to be signed off for any rank. Scoutmasters will want to see the appropriate Scout Spirit for some period of time before they sign off the requirement. For Second Class that may only be for a campout and the last few meetings, but for Eagle it may be for several months.
Here is just a few of the things we look for:
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Second Class
· Do you participate in lots of troop activities regularly (better than 50%, and better than 75% for Troop Officers and Patrol Leaders)?
· Do you come to "work" activities like service projects and meetings, as well as fun nights?
· Do you try not to complain or put other people down, even when you feel bad or you have to do a task like cleanup?
· Are you willing to try new things, and keep trying even when you don't succeed at first?
· Do you pay attention when we need you to, and know when to stop what you're doing to help out?
· Do you come prepared for campouts? Do you keep track of your stuff, or lose it a lot?
· Do you never bully, harass, or joke around with other Scouts unless they are willing & happy participants?
First Class
· A first class Scout Spirit Scout must never complain about weather, or work, or cleanup, and must never gripe or "whine" when a leader makes a decision they do not like.
· A Scout must never criticize others harshly, or make fun of other Scouts whose skills aren't as good.
· Do you handle normal personal tasks and patrol tasks (cooking, camp setup and tear down, getting water, etc.) without being asked?
· Do you keep an eye on others in the troop and help them out - like pickup their garbage, or quietly returning stuff they forgot or left out, so that the Scoutmaster doesn't get it?
· Do you sometimes lend a hand teaching new Scouts some of the basics (and you can do it without yelling)?
· Are you starting to help out your patrol leader & troop by offering ideas for events, and helping to organize and call people when needed?
· Do you listen & learn well when a Scoutmaster or more advanced Scout tries to teach you something, or do you play "know-it-all"?
· Do you show Scout Spirit at home and in school?
· Do you also meet the requirements for Second Class?
Star
· For Star rank, you have to serve in a troop leadership position. Did you serve well and help out the troop, or did you miss meetings, show up unprepared, not get things done, etc.?
· Are you starting to show the kind of leadership a First Class Scout should know? Do you help organize other Scouts to get things done at campouts (like put up dining flies, set up campfires, etc.?
· Do you watch out for other Scouts and make sure they're doing OK - on the trail, in camp, etc.?
· Can you be relied on to finish what you start?
· Are you always ready to assist and be helpful when you see something that needs doing, or do you just "hang out" with your buddies?
· Do you show respect for other Troop Leaders as you would like them to respect you when you're leading?
· Do you also meet the requirements for First Class and Second Class.
Life
· As a troop leader (even if you don't hold an office), do you actively take up leadership when you see something that needs doing?
· Can you organize & coordinate other Scouts of all ages (without yelling)?
· Are you a major player in the "behind-the-scenes" work that makes the troop run - organizing equipment, making camping arrangements, setting up activities for the PLC?
· Are you a good, patient teacher and example to younger Scouts?
· Are you involved in your school or in the community as a volunteer?
· Do you also meet the requirements for Star, First Class and Second Class?
Eagle
· Do you participate actively in all troop activities?
· Do all the adults and Scouts treat you almost as if you were another Scoutmaster?
· Are you involved in your school and community as a leader?
· Do you also meet the requirements for Life, Star, First Class and Second Class?
The Scoutmaster (or his appointee) is the only person who can sign the requirement for Scout Spirit.
Skills Review
For each rank from Tenderfoot through Life a Scout is asked to demonstrate his knowledge and understanding of the skills of his rank. This is the 3rd part of rank advancement – “Testing”. We do that through the use of a “Skills Review”. For the ranks of Tenderfoot through 1st Class, the advancing Scout will meet with a Life Scout and complete the Skills Review. This is not a quick review but an in-depth demonstration by the advancing Scout along with questions posed by the Life Scout with regards to the understanding of the skill. The ranks of Star and Life are an important developmental step in a Scout's "Trail to Eagle". They no longer have Scouting given to them but they bring Scouting to others. They become the teachers and role models. We want to know they have the knowledge & skills at their fingertips to assist the younger Scouts on their "Trail to Eagle". This review encompasses all of the skills a Scout should have learned from the rank of Scout through 1st class. A Skills Review should be studied for as you will be discussing and demonstrating all of the knots & lashings, first aid skills, trail skills, etc... you have learned to this point in your Scouting career. The review for tenderfoot through 1st Class can take about an hour if the Scout is prepared. For the ranks of Star and Life can take 3-4 hours to complete and is done before a panel of Adult leaders. You will need to see your Scoutmaster to schedule this review. Details of the Skills Review can be found on the Forms & Links Tab on this website.
Scoutmaster Conferences (SMC)
Scoutmaster conferences (SMC) are required prior to taking your Board of Review (BOR) for advancement to each rank. This is a time for you to review with an adult leader in the Troop: a) how you are doing on your Road to Eagle; b) what you need to know for your Board of Review; c) what is in store for you after you reach your next rank; d) to have an opportunity to tell an adult leader in the Troop how your Scouting experience is progressing. Before you can sit for your SMC or BOR you must obtain a copy of your advancement report from the Advancement Chair. You must provide this to the SM prior to the SMC which will then be reviewed for completion of the rank requirements. Without this report you cannot sit for your SMC.
See your Scoutmaster to schedule a Scoutmaster Conference.
Boards of Review (BOR)
Troop 897 conducts quarterly boards of review prior to the Courts of Honor. Special boards can be requested as needed. Check the troop calendar for the next board of review.
After completing your Scoutmaster Conference, see the committee member in charge of advancement or e-mail them to get on the list for the next board. Please let them know what rank you are being reviewed for.
BE PREPARED for your Board of Review.
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Be in full Class A uniform. (Don't forget your official Scout belt and socks. ) Make sure all your insignia (patches) are up to date and sewn on in their proper locations.
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Bring your Scout Handbook
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Bring your Scout Binder with all of your Merit Badge blue cards
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Your most recent Advancement Report from the Advancement Chair
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Your updated Activity & Service log
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Bring a question you'd like to ask the committee.
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Order of the Arrow
To become a member, the Scout must be a registered Boy Scout and hold the rank of First Class. The Scout must have experienced a minimum of 15 days and nights camping (including 6 days and 5 nights at a long-term camp) within the last 2 years. Camping nights are any nights spent sleeping in a tent, lean-to or shelter you have erected, under the stars or in an unimproved shelter (no power). Scouts are elected by their fellow Scouts following approval by the Scoutmaster.
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Adult Scouters can become members and must meet the same requirements as above. The one exception is that an adult is nominated by the Troop and voted on by the executive committee of the Lodge. The Scoutmaster will nominate the adult after consultation with other adult OA members and the Troop Committee.