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Test Lab - Scouts can evaluate potential new merit badges

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Test Lab

Scouts work with a registered adult volunteer of their choosing on a new  merit badge under consideration. After completion of all requirements, Scout must take a short survey which will result in a certificate of completion.  When and if the merit badge is officially adopted, it will count towards advancement. 

Note test merit badges have no printed pamphlet (digital resources) and are hexagon shaped

Merit Badges currently being tested until June 30, 2026:

Auctioneering

Wildland Fire Management

Life Skills

Unclear about adult volunteer feedback.

 

More at sources, including Test Lab rules and PR release by National Auction Association.

https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/test-lab/

https://www.newswire.com/news/national-auction-association-partners-with-scouting-america-to-launch-22520683

Edited by RememberSchiff

Life Skills...why do we need parents?

Why not add some of these to Family Life and combine FL and Pers Management into one MB.

 

41 minutes ago, PACAN said:

Life Skills...why do we need parents?

Why not add some of these to Family Life and combine FL and Pers Management into one MB.

 

I hear you.  Of course, we could simply teach this stuff for fun, but based on our litigious society, we probably need a release for even sewing; after all, there are sharp things involved, and some youth's feelings might be hurt if someone laughed at his sewing his finger to the shirt, or how crooked it was.  I have been posting articles from our council history from almost a hundred years ago, newspaper coverage (imagine that) of camp activities and such.  The youth are noted to work with the adults to improve the camp, and actually build parts of it.  But today, the bad word insuranceies and the  insurance companies and the black feathered lawyers make things nigh unto impossible.  

 

And of course there is :

With your parent or guardian’s permission, demonstrate how to iron two different articles of clothing.

Demonstrate your knowledge by cleaning your bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen.

and the obligatory :

Explain how equity is different from equality.

I once proposed a "Religious Study/Faith" Merit Badge. It would have been a comparative religion sort of thing. They politely turned it down as not necessary with the Religious Awards program in place.

Now, I want to reiterate that the rumor of combining the Pet Care and Cooking Merit Badges is FALSE... 

Edited by SSScout

On 2/19/2025 at 7:49 PM, SSScout said:

They politely turned it down as not necessary with the Religious Awards program in place.

This actually seems interesting to me - not just a study of one’s own faith, but of multiple faiths. 

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