astrospartian Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Here's the story: When I was a first year scout, I took the Small Boat Sailing MB at summer camp. It was probably the best MB I've taken, especially with the size of the lake and just how amazing it was to take the boats out during free time with a buddy(the lake at camp is still the biggest I've seen at any scout camp). The problem is that now that I look back, I remember how much I've forgotten from the class. Now I only know how to handle a rudder and tell the difference between port and starboard. So instead of annoying the the MB teacher during free time, could I retake the class? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortridge Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Sure, why not? It should be encouraged. The goal should be skills, not "classes." Just make it clear to the instructor you've already earned it and are seeking a refresher. Like with all skills, if you don't use 'em, you lose 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoPenn Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 My first reaction is an unqualified Yes! My second reaction is a Yes! but.... Given the merit badge (small boat sailing) and the limits of summer camp, might I suggest that the Scout-like thing to do would be to approach the MB Counselor and ask politely if he will accept you in his merit badge sessions provided that the class hasn't filled up. In other words, avoid taking a spot that someone who hasn't yet earned the merit badge and wants to sign up would have otherwise gotten had you not taken that space - give the lads who haven't earned the badge first shot even if you're first in line. There is a chance that the class won't fill up and the counselor can take you in - but there's a pretty good chance that the class will fill up. Don't be afraid to ask the MBC if he can give you a refresher in boat handling so you can take the boats out during free time if the sessions do fill up (at my camp, the sailing master (that's what we called him) was always glad to help someone with rusty skills polish them up). You might also want to take a read through the merit badge book again, just to familiarize yourself with the terms and safety rules again. Oh - and if the sessions do fill up, the counselor will be far more likely to give you those refresher lessons if you accept that with a cheerful demeanor and not go storming off because you're disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twocubdad Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Guys in our troop do it all the time. My older son too rifle shooting for a second time. The last day of the class, the counselor was handing out the safety test to everyone, and my son said he didn't want to take it. The counselor told him, "but you won't get the merit badge!" "I've GOT the merit badge," he said. "What? Then what are you doing here?" "It's FUN! I got to spend all week shooting!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMT224 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 As long as there's room in the class, it's fine. You just won't earn a mb. The archery mb class at the summer camp our Troop attends is very popular as it's taught by a gold medal Olympic champion from the US team. Scouts who have taken the class once and earned the mb are prohibited from taking it again. However, they offer an "advanced archery" class and an "Olympic-style archery" class for those who have earned the archery mb but want to continue to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleBeaver Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Three guys in a patrol took Climbing three years in a row at summer camp. The third year, the counselor had them presenting much of the information and assisting newbies with skills. Win-win-win as far as I could see. You might remember more than you remember remembering and could help the counselor teach the skills. Scout On Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisabob Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Twocub - my son did that with rifle shooting, too. This will be his 3rd time through the badge. SMT - great idea! If more camps got into a "program" mode instead of a "MB class" mode, then they could do that sort of thing and boys could continue to enjoy and progress in the activities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudu Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Some of my Scouts took Shotgun Merit Badge every year. The Scoutlike thing to do is sign up for the class, so if it fills up they will offer more classes. Yours at 300 feet, Kudu http://kudu.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertrat77 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Go for it! You'll learn a little more each time. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stosh Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 The only problem I see with taking MB's multiple times is the scout that wants to take the Citizenship classes for the 8th time. Might want to have a friendly chat with their parents about the boy's psychological stability. Stosh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle92 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 While I admit i do see a need for the "paperpushing MBs," i.e. the Citizenships, Personal Management, etc... (on soapbox screaming at the top of my lungs) SUMMER CAMP IS NOT THE PLACE FOR THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (off soapbox and ready for rational discussion ) "SCOUTING IS OUTING!" as Green Bar bill Said, and summer camp is the place for the FUN MBs, climbing, swimming, canoeing, wilderness survival, etc, and some of the difficult to do otherwise outdoor ones,i.e. environmental science, forestry, etc. One thing I really liked about the 2 British camps I worked at, the camps provided program resources and opportunities, not classes. Troops created their own program and schedule. And if that included the SM taking his PLC out to the annual steak dinner to celebrate another good year, well that's all fine and dandy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twocubdad Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 So E92, your SM should do what the SM in my sons' troop does -- grow a pair, make his signature on the blue card meaningful and JUST SAY NO. He even whites-out those merit badges on the camp schedule before distributing it to the troop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basementdweller Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Current SM and I had a loud disagreement about taking the citizenships at camp..... I contend they should take merit badges that they cannot complete at home....waterfront, shooting, Swimming and the crafts..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle92 Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 2Cub, I'm still on the pack level. I know there was some talk about me being SM when oldest becomes a Boy Scout, but it cannot happen b/c of youngest. He'll be joining as a Tiger 6 months after oldest is a Boy Scout. Thankfully the troop found another to be SM. Besides, I don't think the parents and committee would like me as SM. They thought the old SM was too hard on the scouts, having too high exceptions and letting them "fail" with certain activities and events. And I am the one who trained him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callooh! Callay!1428010939 Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Yes. You can even retake Citizenship in the Community, if you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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