Merit Badge Welfare

Bill Grimillion asks:
<< Does anybody besides me feel that their Scouts had it too easy earning
merit badges at summer camp? We had cases of Scouts earning as many
as eight. Supposedly a SM refused to allow his boys to have one
because it was being almost literally given away >>

We discussed this very topic at our last troop committee meeting. There are
certain MB's that apparently are virtually impossible to do, and do right, at
a typical weeks Scout camp. Usually because classes are too large, and the
requirements are too hands-on to "get everybody through" if done well.

In our case, First Aid MB was taught to 15 people in just four hours!HA!
Wilderness survival is also a "gimmie" badge at the three camps I've been to.
The aquatic MBs have been handled well. Scouts are told that sessions will need
to be two hours, and significant time outside of classes is needed to complete.
It's up to Camp Directors to hire competent people and insist on quality.
Most camps also have a four to five badge limit so that kids have some free
time.

Unless things change at our camp, it is likely that our SM and committee will
refuse to let our scouts take First Aid next year.

Mike Derleth, ASM T32
Monroe, LA

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