Merit Badge Application Process

Starting March 7, 2016, the following process will be in place for Scouts wanting to work on a Merit Badge.

1) Scouts are to arrange for a discussion with Scoutmaster in order to

1. State their desire/plans to work on a merit badge,
2. Define which merit badge counselor they are planning to work with 
3. To review some basic expectations of the merit badge process

2) When that Scoutmaster conversation is in place, I will then

1. Provide them a blue card, 
2. Ask them to fill out "Application for Merit Badge" section 
3. Will approve the application by signature

3) Scouts may then arrange to meet with Merit Badge Counselor to begin conversations.

The Scoutmaster will designate additional resources as needed for times of high activity.

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The following rules/guidelines are still in place.

Scouts and Parents,

All Troop 103 scouts who are working on Merit Badges need to meet the following expectations:

1) You need to schedule all meetings with your counselor ahead of time. This can be done by telephone, e-mail, or by asking them in person at a meeting. Do not walk up to your merit badge counselor at a meeting and ask them to meet with you on the spot. Our adult volunteers give very freely of their time, but they are pulled in multiple directions at a meeting. Take responsibility for scheduling your merit badge sessions.

2) Read the merit badge requirements carefully. If there is a requirement to have a discussion with your counselor prior to beginning a merit badge requirement (i.e. Personal Fitness, Family Life, Personal Management, etc.), DISCUSS WITH YOUR COUNSELOR BEFORE BEGINNING THE REQUIREMENT. If you have not fulfilled the discussion requirement prior to beginning the main requirement, it may not be approved. This means that you may have to do even a time requirement again (such as the personal fitness workouts).

3) If a time requirement requires you to record your results over the duration of the requirement, then record them as you go. Do not try to re-construct the records at the end of the requirement.

4) Merit badge worksheets are an excellent idea, but, simply writing down the answer and giving it to the counselor is not sufficient. Scouts need to be able to discuss their answer and be able to answer their counselor's questions on the subject. Answers need to reflect an understanding of the material and not be one-word answers such as "yes" or "no."

5) Two deep adult leadership must be in place at ALL TIMES. Adults; if the meeting is at your house, be home; if the meeting is at the counselor's house, stick around; if the meeting is at the church, don't drop off the scout and take off. This is very important for the protection of our troop as a whole.

Rank Advancement Reminders

Scouts and Parents,

Here are some reminders and some new information scouts and parents need to know regarding rank advancement: 

1. Troop positions of responsibility for Star Scout and above: Scouts serving in positions of troop responsibility will work with adult mentors and complete Junior Leadership Worksheets (reminder). Mentor assignments and Junior Leadership Worksheets can be found on the troop web page (http://www.bsa103.org/). Position of responsibility requirements in scout handbooks must be signed by the scout's position mentor (new). 

2. Merit Badge requirement verification for Star Scout and above: Scouts must request a Troop Master printout from Mr. Crawford at least one week prior to Scoutmaster conferences and boards of review for ranks Star Scout and above. Troop Master printouts will be used to verify merit badge completion. 

3. Remember to request a Scoutmaster conference and a board of review a week in advance. 

• Scouts should contact the Scoutmaster verbally or by email (lee.r.burchett@gmail.com) to schedule a Scoutmaster conference. 

• Scouts should contact the Troop Committee Chairman verbally or by email (robcrawfordinmiamisburg@gmail.com) to schedule a Board Of Review.

• Scouts must wear Class A uniform to all Scoutmaster conferences and Boards Of Review. 

4. Scouts should bring their Scout Handbook to all Scoutmaster conferences and board of reviews.

YIS,
Dr. Burchett and Mr. Crawford

Requirement Sign Off in Scout Handbook

Everyone,

There have been several questions asked about who can sign-off on completed requirements in the BSA Handbook. We have the answer....

The following people are permitted to sign-off completed requirements in the BSA Handbook for Troop 103:

1. Scoutmaster 
2. Assistant Scoutmaster 
3. Committee Member
4. Junior Assistant Scoutmaster

NOTE: Adult Leaders or Non-Leader Adults are NOT permitted to sign-off completed requirements for their own scout.