MB's & nitpicking

I had this mostly constructed when I received Bob Rosebrough's message
covering most of the same ground, so massive revision time.

We have to remember that the merit badge requirements are constructed so
that the boy learns a certain amount of material about the subject, not for
the convenience of the schedule of a merit badge counselor or advancement
chairman. If one boy can complete a merit badge in 2 days and it takes
another 2 years, why should we care since they both covered and presumably
learned the same material.

Also, we have to consider what debators call "Framer's Intent".. what did
the people devising the merit badge requirements expect the scout to do and
learn. If the requirement says "Write a 500 word report", they obviously
expect him to spend some time organizing his thoughts and explaining the
subject in some ordered fashion, something you won't always get with a
verbal report. But, how many of us actually COUNT the words to make sure he
didn't try to sneak by with only 490 words? And how many of us don't
discuss the report, expanding this point or that point, clarification here,
etc. Is that a dreaded "additional requirement"???

For the final 'sign off' for a badge, how many of us don't do a quick review
conversation (another "additional requirement"??)? The main thing is to
make sure they learned what they are supposed to learn and had a good time
doing it -- these merit badges aren't supposed to be a chore, nor are the
sessions with the counselor supposed to be an inquisition, not if we want to
keep boys in the program.

Jim Holman /
holman.2@osu.edu ///////
------- I used to be a bear
SM T78 Killbuck District | | |
Buckeye Council #436 \/ \/
Brotherhood member Sippo #377 >-W-W-W->

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