Historical Merit Badge Implementation Plan

A goal for this historical merit badge program is to encourage as many Scouts as possible to earn one or more of the four merit badges being offered during the 2010 calendar year.

Responsibilities

The Historical Merit Badge program should be the responsibility of the advancement committees at the council, district, or unit level, depending upon the Scouts being served. The committees should work very closely with other council, district, or unit operating committees. Many of the suggestions below will have direct impact upon the camping, activities, and training committees. Cooperation between committees is critical to assure that Scouts can take advantage of this limited opportunity.

Merit Badge Counselors

Counselors should be recruited and registered by the councils, districts, and units and announced through newsletters and Web sites. While it might be possible to make an appeal to recruit at least some qualified counselors, it might work better for the council advancement committee to recruit specific people who serve as counselors for similar merit badges. Here are some suggestions.

Related Offerings

Historical Merit Badge 

Related Merit Badges  

Other Resources

Carpentry

Woodwork
Home Repairs

Historic and reenactment villages, grandparents, teaching woodshops, school shop classes, carpenters’ unions

Pathfinding 

Emergency Preparedness
American Heritage

Search and rescue specialists, city/county planner, police, emergency medical personnel, fire department officials, local Homeland Security officials, local historical societies

Signaling

Communications
Radio 
Wilderness Survival

Ham radio operators, FEMA/county disaster officials, American Red Cross chapters

Tracking 

Orienteering
Citizenship in the Community

Search and rescue specialists, sheriff’s department, local hunter education experts, local wildlife groups, wildlife/conservation officials

The Historical Merit Badge program will require creativity for Scouts to gain the most from stepping back in time, to learn what a Scout did a hundred years ago, or to learn how a Scout’s world has changed in the last century. This can only be done with quality, qualified counselors. Counselors recruited to serve for these four historical merit badges may turn out to be great resources who can be utilized for years to come. Having the best, most qualified counselors for these badges might be the key to the success of the Historical Merit Badge program in your council.

Historical Merit Badge Delivery Ideas

While any of the four historical merit badges could be earned by a couple of Scouts working with a single counselor, every Scout should have the opportunity to earn one or more of the badges during 2010.  The following are additional suggestions to expand the Historical Merit Badge program to a greater number of Scouts.

  • Work with the local council’s camping committee to encourage the inclusion of the historical merit badges in 2010 resident camp programs. None of the badges requires many resources and will provide new opportunities for older youths who have been attending summer camp for years.
  • Encourage districts to incorporate one or more of the badges in their 2010 camporees. This might provide fresh opportunities for experienced Scouts and could be the camporee theme.
  • Incorporate the Historical Merit Badge program in the council’s 100th Anniversary Celebration events. The historical merit badges are an official part of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. Once again, none of the badges requires significant resources and will give councils an opportunity to enhance their programs for little extra expense.
  • Recruit one or more of the merit badge sponsors/hosts suggested earlier to hold historical merit badge clinics for the badge they sponsor/host. These organizations could provide the training site, materials, and qualified counselors. The local union may be more than willing to open its training facility and provide the tools and guidance needed for a large group of Scouts to earn the badge. Be creative in approaching similar organizations.
  • Approach a local Scouting museum to host one or more “Historical Merit Badge Days.” Use volunteers recruited by the advancement committee to help staff the stations.
  • Incorporate the historical merit badges into merit badge workshops.
  • Encourage troops and crews to support this program, as well. Many troops incorporate troop program features to plan their meetings, and these historical merit badges can complement and supplement several months of program. Troops could publicize the event and invite other troops to participate.  Recognize those troops that serve in such a manner.
  • Offer overall program introduction sessions at council training events such as a University of Scouting, showando, College of Commissioner Science, etc. Take advantage of significant gatherings of Scouts and adult volunteers by providing opportunities for youths to earn one or more badges and learn about this unique opportunity. If Boy Scouts are present at such events, consider making the merit badge patches available.
  • Plan a “Meet Our Pioneers” Event. Use the Historical Merit Badge program as a way to reconnect with some of the community’s older Scout volunteers and citizens. Communities around the country have men who were Scouts in the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. Their memories of Scouting may be jogged by the Historical Merit Badge program. Find opportunities to recognize and involve them through the events held in conjunction with programs such as a camporee, resident camp, University of Scouting, or standalone event at a local library, place of worship, or local council service center. Recognize these valuable alumni and ask for their assistance; get them involved. Allow Scouts to ask them questions about what it was like when they were a Boy Scout and earning advancement.  Ask them to speak at other anniversary advancement events.

Other Considerations

It may not be possible for Scouts to complete all requirements at shorter events. Be sure Scouts have their blue merit badge cards with clear indications on what has been successfully completed, as well as names and contact information for counselors who helped them complete their work.

If the Historical Merit Badge program is being incorporated into a BSA 100th Anniversary Celebration event, find ways to introduce the badges in a historical manner. Have staff members dress in historical garb. Eliminate any and all electronic devices from the area. Find and use canvas tents and dining tarps for shelter. Ballpoint pens and computers did not exist in 1910, so break out the pencils and fountain pens. If food is being served during the event, can staff members do the cooking over an open fire? Have some fun with this, because it’s doubtful that any of us will be around for the BSA’s 200th Anniversary Celebration.

List the dates, times, and locations that workshops are to be offered on your council’s Web site. Link your site to the National Council Web site where the information on the program will be offered:

Visit this site for information on how to conduct a historical merit badge themed camporee, for support for University of Scouting, and resident camp programs.