Re: Advancement to First Class vs. Merit Badges
Blaine S Nay (b.nay@JUNO.COM)
Sat, 31 May 1997 08:27:46 EDT
> I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on Troop policies or
BSA
> policies on Advancement through First Class vs. Merit Badges.
>
> A review of requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class, and
some
> of the outdoor and preparedness oriented merit badges
(orienteering,
> camping, first aid, swimming, etc) shows a great deal of overlap
> between requirements for the different area's. Our current adult
> leadership troop philosophy, not strongly held, is that multiple
> requirements can be met for the same event. I.E. demonstration of
> first aid skills for advancement in rank can be used to "sign off"
a
> merit badge requirement provided the boy has "declared" for the
merit
> badge and his MBC signs off on his achievement of the skill.
>
> I do not agree with this philosophy. My preference, recognizing
that
> very few things in this life have no exceptions, would be to have
work
> on merit badges start after attainment of First Class rank. My
review
> of the requirements suggests that there is a two step structure to
> advancement T-FC and Star through Eagle, with the attainment of
First
> Class being the goal for producing competence in basic outdoor
skills
> (camping, basic first aid, basic orienteering), able to take care
of
> himself and his fellows, and have a good time in the woods.
There is no restriction on boys earning Merit Badges before attaining
First Class Rank.
However, as you suggest, the level of skill expected of a Merit Badge is
much higher than for First Class rank and below. Therefore, leaders must
ensure each individual Scout has retained the requisire level of skill or
knowlege.
Through repetition over the course of a many months or a year, skills
such as first aid eventually reach a Merit Badge level of retention. But
if a boy is proficeint more quicly, he deserves to be recognized with a
badge.
Blaine S Nay; Unit Commissioner, Western Alaska Council
I used to be a Buffalo (SE-350-83)
b.nay@juno.com
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/B_Nay
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