Troop 111 Summer Camp
Camp Powhatan 1999

Merit Badge Primer

This includes excerpts from a more extensive summer camp guide I prepared many years ago, and discusses merit badges in general terms. First or second year campers should review this list carefully before selecting.

MERIT BADGES: One of the formal purposes of attending summer camp is to earn Merit Badges (hereafter MB's). Camp Powhatan offers a wide variety of MB's which the Scouts can pick and choose from (the complete list is below); however, the selection process requires some careful thought. A few important preliminary comments:

(1) Number of MB's: Each Scout should plan to take a MINIMUM of THREE to a MAXIMUM of FIVE MB's. No Scout will be allowed to take more than five MB's without permission from myself (which will be granted only if the Scout has done extensive prior work on specific Badges in preparation for camp, or has nearly complete partials from prior summer camps.) In addition, the adult leaders will exercise the 'Royal Executive Veto' on specific MB requests which appear to be out of line vis-a-vis the Scout's abilities (i.e., size, age and academic.) In working with your son to lay out a proposed program, please keep in mind that Summer Camp is supposed to be fun, not just drudgery, work and unrelenting pressure the entire week. [Unfortunately, many parents and Scouts have difficulty with the concept of enjoying summer camp.]

(2) Types of MB's:
A) MB's are subclassified as to general type, i.e., Aquatics, Ecology/Conservation, Handicrafts, Scoutcrafts and Shooting Sports. All other things being equal, it's better to go for MB's which are more difficult to obtain here in Arlington.

B) Older Scouts should attempt whichever of the EAGLE REQUIRED MB's that they haven't already earned (these are Italicized in the MB list below).

C) The MB's on the list are also categorized by overall degree of difficulty with asterisks (* = Fairly Easy, **** = Quite Challenging); it is not recommended for first or second year campers to take MB's with 3 or 4 asterisks - these are both difficult and time consuming, and we will probably veto their selection. All Scouts can take one or more of the single asterisk MB's - some of these can be trivially completed in 2 or 3 days. As was implied above, many of the more difficult MB's (e.g., Environmental Science) can be handled much more easily if the Scout does some preliminary work on it before attending camp; still others (e.g., Astronomy or Personal Fitness) require preliminary work in order to be completed while at camp. More details below. [Note: Failure to complete a MB results in a "Partial" - similar to an "N" or "I" grade at college - which must be completed with MB counselors back in Northern Virginia. Typically, however, most Partials are never completed - they expire due to Scout inertia over the summer vacation and the eventual advent of school; this is the other major reason why we have Troop restrictions on the number and type of MB's the Scouts are allowed to take.]

D) Water! I recommend that all Scouts take a water-oriented MB or award; this way the Scouts all get a bath at least once a day - first year Scouts should try Swimming MB; older Scouts should go for Lifesaving MB, the Mile Swim Award or BSA Lifeguard. Note that open and Troop swims are limited and may conflict with an individual Scout's MB schedule, so there's no guarantee that a Scout will get to go swimming if he foregoes all aquatic instruction.

E) The Troop is usually able to provide "loaner" MB pamphlets for all MB's requiring prior work; it is up to the Scout to acquire these from the Troop Library. Alternately, you can purchase your own MB pamphlets at either Casual Adventure or The Scout Shop (they run about $2 apiece).

(3) MB Schedules: Most MB's are offered only once or twice a day. Remember registration day when you went to college? Ittt's baaaaaccck!!! This year's Camp Powhatan schedule was provided in a recent email from Kim S. Note that all MB's have formally scheduled classes (i.e., there are no "open session" MB's (i.e., without classes)). Note that there are usually "practice hours" (Merit Badge Shoots) for the Field Sports MB's Archery and Rifle MB's every day; these are not listed, but I'd be surprised if the camp didn't have them. Merit Badges listed with question marks - these are new for us at this camp, and I cannot make good judgement calls on their level of difficulty.

THE MB LIST: Art(?), Archery ****, Astronomy ***, Backpacking****, Basketry *, Bird Study(?), Camping ***, Canoeing **, Cooking **, Emergency Preparedness ***, Environmental Science***, First Aid **, Fish & Wildlife Management **, Fishing *, Forestry **, Geology ****, Horsemanship ****, Indian Lore ***, Insect Study ***, Leatherwork *, Lifesaving ***, Mammal Study *, Nature **, Orienteering **, Pioneering **, Reptile and Amphibian Study **, Rifle Shooting ***, Rowing **, Sculpture(?), Shotgun Shooting ****, Soil and Water Conservation ***, Swimming *, Weather **, Wilderness Survival *** and Woodcarving **.

DETAILS: Specific Cautions, Requirements for Prior Work, Extra Equipment Requirements, Certification Requirements:

Preliminary Comments: Selection of MB's should be done only after review of all the requirements; these can be found in A) the MB Pamphlets (most are available at the Scout Hall), B) the Boy Scouts Requirements Handbook (check with the older Scouts and Adult Leaders), and C) for Eagle Required MB's only, in the back of the Boy Scout Handbook. Note that very few summer camp MB's actually try to complete all the listed requirements (there isn't enough time), but the requirements are still a good indicator of the general expectations at camp, and of the level of difficulty of the badge.

In addition, in the "information briefs" below, "certification" refers to some kind of independent documentation that a specific requirement was completed; e.g., a letter from a Park Naturalist that Scout John Paul Jones completed 4 separate 2 hour environmental observation sessions, or from me certifying that Scout Sam Spade has completed 20 days and nights of camping. "Detailed records" are just that - e.g., week-by-week performance charts of physical testing results, weather observations, plant growth charts, etc. "Coach's Forms" are signed letters from a Scout's athletic Coach that he was indeed a member in good standing on the basketball team, officiated a Little League game or participated in two track meets, etc. - these cannot be signed off by the Scout's parent, unless that parent was also the coach in question.

Finally, "written reports" include, e.g., followup summaries of visits, reports of observation sessions, sketches and/or diagrams, etc., done at the time of the event (not 3 months after the fact at camp). Without this documentation, it is extremely difficult (read: "virtually impossible") for a Scout to earn the MB in question!

Art - No basis for comments.

Archery - Not for novices; at least some familiarity with archery equipment and prior shooting experience is highly desirable. Not for diminutive Scouts; Scouts need to be physically strong enough to repeatedly draw 20 - 30 pound bows. If your son did not do very well shooting bows and arrows on the annual "Guns and Arrows" campout, he probably shouldn't attempt this badge. [Note: Almost every Troop 111 Scout who has attempted this Badge over the last 10 years has received a partial (and very few of those partials were ever completed).]

Astronomy - Requires extensive prior work, primarily sketches of the positions of various celestial bodies over 1 - 8 weeks and written followup reports on same. Note that celestial observations are often impossible at summer camp - even on cloudless nights - due to the night-time haziness associated with the perpetual high humidity at local Scout camps. Finally, if the "visit planetarium" option (Req. 8a) is used, certification of the visit (a dated ticket stub, signed letter, etc.) and the followup written report must be brought to camp.

Backpacking - Not possible to achieve at camp unless you already have done extensive backpacking treks (in which case, you probably already earned the badge from me!)

Basketry - Requires purchase of several items at camp (less than $15 total).

Bird Study - Appears to be a very difficult badge; only for Scouts with a fair to good working knowledge in the field. Has been earned by one Troop 111 Scout in the last 10 years.

Camping - Requires Troop certification of completion of 20 days and nights of camping (including a backpacking trek of at least 3 miles, but including only one long-term camp in the total) and preparation of at least 5 full meals on camping trips. Must bring a full array of backpacking gear for a practical examination and an overnight while at camp. Requires visits to the grocery store and a camping outlet in order to acquire prices/weights of typical camping foods. [The Troop will provide all necessary camping/cooking documentation.]

Canoeing - Must be able to swim fairly well. Must be physically capable of picking up a canoe (with 1 other Scout) and carrying it for at least 50 feet.

Cooking - Requires Troop certification of completion of preparation of several meals (3 dinners, 1 lunch and 1 breakfast). Requires visits to the grocery store and a camping outlet in order to acquire prices/weights of typical camping foods. [The Troop will provide all necessary cooking documentation.]

Emergency Preparedness - Requires prior earning of the First Aid Merit Badge (and no, you can't take them concurrently.) Interested Scouts should review the requirements in the back of the Scout Handbook before considering. Requires preparation of a "family evacuation kit" prior to coming to camp. Requires certification of attending and participating in a mock disaster drill (Note: this may be done at camp.) Requires planning and participating in a mock Troop mobilization drill (may also be done at camp.)

Environmental Science - Requires a fair amount of observation hours (4 separate 2 hour sessions) and written reports. [The Troop will run observation sessions at Potomac Overlook Park as a program event.]

First Aid - Need to have completed all Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class First Aid requirements (Note: we will certify all Second Class Scouts as having completed these requirements, since our Tenderfoot and Second Class First Aid modules are far more detailed and challenging than that required in the handbook.) Requires preparation of a first aid kit prior to coming to camp. The Troop may run select parts of the F8 module for our Second Class Scouts prior to camp in order to ensure meeting the preliminary knowledge requirements.

Fish and Wildlife Management - No particular special requirements, but a fairly involved Badge with lots of written reports.

Fishing - Need fishing equipment. Requires a small amount of money for bait ($5/week). Requires catching at least 2 different types of fish, and the cleaning and cooking of at least one of them. If the Scout has caught numerous fish on family or Troop outings, good idea to bring certifications of same (photos?) to camp. [Troop will provide certification of fish caught by Scouts on Troop outings.] Note that I have usually found that catching fish at summer camp is quite easy if the Scout is willing to get up at dawn for at least one morning.

Forestry - Requires a visit to a managed forestry area or a logging operation. Requires a forest improvement project. Both may be incorporated into the camp program (unknown).

Geology - No particular special requirements, but a fairly involved Badge with lots of written reports. Mentally challenging; should not be attempted by Scouts below Eighth Grade level.

Horsemanship - No basis for comments. Suggest you know how to ride a horse, very well!

Indian Lore - On paper, this is a tough badge to complete, when done properly. However, the average summer camp's version of this badge is usually rather easy. Costs about $20 extra to complete.

Insect Study - Tough Badge; again only for Scouts with a least a fair level of knowledge in the field.

Leatherwork - Requires purchase of several items at camp (less than $10 total).

Lifesaving - Requires prior earning of Swimming MB (and again, they cannot be taken concurrently.) Requires 3 hours of CPR instruction (does not have to be CPR Certification); will need to bring documentation of CPR instruction to camp. (Note: May be offered at camp - this is not clear at the present time.) Definitely not for diminutive Scouts - Scouts should be at least 5' 6" tall, weigh at least 125 pounds and be able to swim like a fish; requires (essentially) hand-to-hand combat with large instructors during simulated (but realistic) aquatic rescues. One of the few Badges left in Boy Scouting that actually is just as tough as it looks.

[Special Additional Note: If this sounds unfair, keep in mind that the primary purpose of this Badge is to ensure that, should your son ever need these skills, there'll be one successful rescue instead of two 'successful' drownings. One of the primary reasons why this badge was instituted by the Boy Scouts in the first place was the excessive numbers of untrained Scouts who died trying to save drowning victims.]

Mammal Study - Requires a fair amount of observation hours (including at night) and written reports. A rather easy Badge, but fairly busy. Good idea to visit a local Nature Center prior to camp to complete various observation and sketching requirements.

Nature - Requires numerous observations and collections; again, not a difficult Badge, but fairly involved. Definitely a good idea to visit a local Nature Center prior to camp to complete various observation and (with permission!) collection requirements.

Orienteering - Requires a compass and (recommended clear plastic) ruler; a protractor is also useful. Requires extensive participation in orienteering courses (take part in, set up, officiate, etc.); this latter is difficult/impossible to accomplish at camp, unless the camp actually offers it as part of their instruction (some do.) [Note: There are also several such courses in the Northern Virginia area; if interested, call me.] Requires written followup reports.

Pioneering - Should have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the basic Scout knots and of splicing. Scouts who have completed the F7 Module are well prepared for this badge. Excellent idea to practice knots, lashings and splicings prior to going to camp.

Reptile and Amphibian Study - Requires numerous observations and written reports; again, not a difficult Badge, but fairly involved. Good idea to visit a local Nature Center prior to camp to complete various requirements, particularly sketches.

Rifle Shooting - Not for complete novices; at least some rudimentary familiarity with rifle equipment and some prior shooting experience (and talent) is highly desirable. Very popular, but not an easy Badge! Only about three dozen Troop 111 Scouts have successfully completed this Badge over the last 10 years, even with the recently instituted, considerably easier requirements.

Rowing - Must be able to swim fairly well. Must be physically capable of manhandling a rowboat (with one other Scout).

Sculpture - No basis for comments.

Shotgun Shooting - Not for complete novices; at least some rudimentary familiarity with shotgunning equipment and a significant amount of prior shooting experience is highly desirable. Not for diminutive Scouts; Scouts need to be physically strong enough to repeatedly lift a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun for several 25 shot qualifying rounds. Tender shoulders also need not apply. Scouts attempting this Badge must pay for their shotgun rounds (estimate between $15 and $25 total cost). Does not seem to have scheduled additional practice times, but most camps expect Scouts to show up at "free shoots" in order to practice.

Soil and Water Conservation - No specialized requirements. Not overly difficult, but mentally challenging; probably should not be attempted by Scouts below Eighth Grade level.

Swimming - Must be already able to swim fairly well; this is not a "learn-how-to-swim" program. Need to bring a thick, close-weave long-sleeved shirt and a thick pair of bluejeans in good condition (i.e., without holes in the knees!) for the flotation test. Note that the flotation test is much easier to accomplish if oversized shirts and oversized (long) bluejeans are used.

Weather - Requires keeping a detailed one week long weather log or visiting a weather station and writing a report on same. Requires giving a minimum 5 minute long weather related talk to the Troop (and certification of same).

Wilderness Survival - Requires making a small survival kit (more easily done here vs. in camp). Requires building a fire in 3 different ways without matches (need flint and steel kit and very dry lint, a 9 volt battery and very fine grade steel wool, a large glass magnifying glass and (more) very dry lint). Need a signal mirror. Need an "army" type pair of pants and shirt (or jacket) both with lots of pockets and a large poncho for the wilderness survival overnight. Need other "standard" survival gear for the overnighter (as detailed in the MB pamphlet).

Woodcarving - Also known as "Finger Whittling." Requires purchase of several items at camp (less than $10 total), and a well stocked first aid kit.

Recommendations for First and Second Year Campers: First Year - Select 3 to 5 from Basketry, Canoeing, Fishing, Leatherwork, Mammal Study and Swimming. Second Year - Select from 4 to 5 from Cooking, Fish and Wildlife Management, Reptile and Amphibian Study, Rowing, Weather, Woodcarving and whatever MB's are leftover from the First Year List. Third, Fourth and Fifth year Scouts should concentrate on whichever Eagle required MB's they have not yet completed.

Questions should be directed to Kim S.

Dr. Bob
Scoutmaster, Troop 111

1999 Printing

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14 January 2001