Troop 13

Earning merit badges allows a Scout to explore many fields, helping round out his skills and introducing him to subjects that will perhaps become lifelong interests or a rewarding career. There are over 125 merit badges from which to choose which cover a variety of professions, hobbies, crafts, water sports, outdoor skills, conservation, and public service. Twelve "core" merit badges are required for Eagle Scout.

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There are numerous opportunities for Troop 13 Scouts to earn merit badges. Troop 13 emphasizes and sponsors classes for merit badges on Wednesday and Thursday evenings throughout the year.

 

Merit badge class announcements are made during Troop meetings and sign up sheets are provided. Because the scouting program teaches fundamental skills and then builds on these skills throughout the program, it is recommended that Scouts concentrate on achieving the rank of First Class before devoting a lot of time to working on merit badges.

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EAGLE-REQUIRED MERIT BADGES

All Eagle-required merit badges (except Swimming and Lifesaving, which are taught at El Rancho Cima) must be completed through Troop 13 classes and counselors, and only with the prior approval of the Scoutmaster.

 

With the exceptions of Swimming and Lifesaving, a Scout must first complete all of the rank requirements for First Class (i.e. finish through Board of Review) before proceeding with the Eagle-required merit badges, and should attempt no more than two Eagle-required merit badges at any one time until he reaches the rank of Life.

 

The Scoutmaster has the discretion to determine what Eagle-required merit badges are appropriate for a particular Scout and may redirect a Scout to complete other work as a building block to more challenging work. The ability to complete prior badges is also a factor in exercising this discretion.

 

While it may appear limiting, this recommended program is based on years of experience in Scouting. Learning the required skill is more important that having the badge, and Troop 13 will place a higher priority on skills learned than skills achieved. Listed below is the recommended schedule for the Eagle-required merit badges:

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• Swimming

• Lifesaving

• Citizenship in the Community

• Family Life

• Citizenship in the Nation

• Personal Fitness

• Communications

• Camping

• Citizenship in the World

• Personal Management

• First Aid

• Environmental Science

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NON-EAGLE MERIT BADGES

Other non-Eagle merit badges are taught during the year by Troop 13 merit badge counselors, such as Law, Astronomy, Disabilities Awareness, Truck Transportation, Rifle and Shotgun. Classes for these merit badges will also be announced during troop meetings.

 

A Scout may attempt any non-Eagle required merit badge at any level of age or advancement, but the emphasis for younger scouts will be on completing FCE requirements. Additional non-Eagle merit badges are offered outside the troop at the Mustang District Merit Badge Fair, and all summer camps. Some local companies, such as Bechtel and BP, as well as area museums, provide merit badge classes for any Scout in the Sam Houston Area Council.

 

A listing of the current requirements for all merit badges is found at www.scouting.org/boyscouts/advancementandawards/meritbadges.

 

MERIT BADGE PROCEDURES

If a Scout wishes to begin work on a merit badge, he should contact the Merit Badge Coordinator who will secure permission from the Scoutmaster and provide the Scout with a signed Merit Badge Application (blue card).

 

Scouts may not attempt a merit badge without a signed blue card approved in advance. (Blue cards are not used at summer camp). It shall be the responsibility of the Scout to give the signed blue card form to the Counselor and to fulfill the merit badge requirements with his Counselor. A parent may not counsel their own Scout on a merit badge unless the Scout is part of a larger group of Scouts being counseled for the same merit badge.

 

The Scout should work on the requirements until complete, meeting with the Counselor when the class is planned. Scouts must complete the stated requirements for the merit badge within 12 months of starting the class. The Counselor may teach more information or encourage the Scout to do more than the requirements stated, but he or she may not require it. However, the Counselor has the discretion, using reasonable judgment, to ask for the Scout to provide additional work for the merit badge that may not be written in the requirements.

 

The Scout must keep track of the blue card (not the Counselor, Scoutmaster, MB Coordinator or Advancement Chairman) until he has completed the requirements and the Counselor has signed the card. Turn in the approved blue card to the Merit Badge Counselor at the initial class meeting. If the Scout loses the blue card, the Scout will have to start the badge over unless the Counselor is willing and able to verify what the Scout has already completed the class.

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If the Scout changes Counselors for any reason, it is up to the new Counselor whether or not he or she will accept the work done with the previous Counselor. Normally the new Counselor will ask a few questions, and if the Counselor is satisfied that the Scout actually did the work that was signed off, he or she will accept it.

 

If a partial card is turned in, the Advancement Chair will keep it, but it is the Scout's responsibility to complete the requirements and turn in a completed and signed card. After the Scout has completed all requirements, the Counselor signs the blue card. The Counselor keeps one portion of the blue card, the Scout keeps a portion (parents should keep a photocopy), and the Counselor returns the third portion to the Advancement Chair, who enters the badge into the Troop computer records.

 

The badge earned will be presented to the Scout at the next Court of Honor.

 

MERIT BADGE RESOURCES

You can find information about merit badge requirements in the appropriate merit badge pamphlets in the Troop 13 library, at www.scouting.org, and in the current year's Boy Scout Requirements book.

 

Merit badge pamphlets are also available from the Scout Shop, or a store that sells Scouting supplies in your area. If you are finished using merit badge pamphlets that you own, we encourage you to donate them to the troop library. Be careful of out of date books, as the requirements change from time to time.

 

The books are still good tools, just check the specific requirements online. The Boy Scouts of America website, www.scouting.org, is probably the most reliable list of current merit badge requirements. Another good website for merit badges is www.usscouts.org, which has merit badge worksheets that are often very useful in organizing your work and meeting the written requirements that are common with most merit badges.

 

There are also numerous links to research information that can help you complete the badge. It is up to the counselor whether to require the use of the merit badge pamphlets, the worksheets, or any other materials that they choose to use in teaching the merit badge. Purchasing or reading a merit badge pamphlet is not a requirement for completing a merit badge, but it is always useful as it contains all the information needed to complete requirements for the badge.

 

MERIT BADGE CLASS SCHEDULE

Please see the Calendars section for the latest Merit Badge Class Schedule (NOT YET FUNCTIONAL).

 

OUTSIDE OPPORTUNITIES

There are several museums and companies that offer non-Eagle required merit badges throughout the year. Prior approval by Scoutmaster or Merit Badge Coordinator is required. These classes usually have a cost associated with it that is not covered by the Troop, as well as advance reservations.

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Bechtel Engineering Day www.bechtel.com/eng-day-home
Nuclear Science, Chemistry, Computers, Drafting, Electricity, Engineering Merit Badges (January 3, 2009 sign up)

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Museum of Science http://www.hmns.org/education/scouts/
Archaeology, Chemistry, Energy, Geology, Indian Lore, Insect Study, Reptiles and Amphibians merit badges

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Houston Arboretum and Nature Center www.houstonarboretum.org/education
Nature, Reptiles and Amphibians merit badges

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The Health Museum http://www.thehealthmuseum.org/ExportedSite/Programs/Boy%20Scouts%20Classes.htm

Medicine and Fingerprinting merit badges

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The Railroad Museum www.kingswayrc.com/education/scouting
Railroad merit badge

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The Weather Museum www.wxresearch.org/happen/scoutweatherclasses
Weather merit badge

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Space Center Houston www.spacecenter.org/scoutcampins
Space Exploration merit badge

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Stone Moves (climbing gym) www.stonemoves.com/classes/bsameritbadges
Rock Climbing merit badge

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BSA Requirements Link: www.scouting.org/boyscouts/advancementandawards/meritbadges

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For questions, please contact the Advancement Chair.

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Merit Badge Counselors

The Advancement Chairman and Scoutmaster shall recruit, register, and maintain a computer listing of Merit Badge Counselors for the Troop. Merit Badge Classes will be made available for Eagle-required Merit Badges and for those other Merit Badges deemed appropriate. Please read How to Become a Merit Badge Counselor.