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Boy Scout Troop 902
(Bear, Delaware)		  
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Scouts BSA Awards

Merit Badge Program

Background and Purposes
As chartered by the Congress of the United States, the Boy Scouts of America is a movement dedicated to supplementing and enlarging the education of youth. The merit badge program, which provides opportunities for youth to explore more than 120 fields of skill and knowledge, plays a key role in the fulfillment of this educational commitment.

A vital part of the BSA's advancement plan, the merit badge program is one of Scouting's basic character-building tools. Through participation in the program (which may begin immediately upon registration in a troop or team), a Scout acquires the kind of self-confidence that comes only from overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal. Instruction is offered in everything from animal science and public speaking to swimming and communications, providing a young man with invaluable career, physical, and interpersonal skills.

Merit Badge Pamphlets
Each merit badge subject is outlined and explained in a pamphlet that contains short introductory information written for Scouts BSA/Varsity Scouts by recognized authorities. More than a million pamphlets are sold yearly, and many are used as approved reference texts in libraries and school curricula.

Counselors
People who are knowledgeable about the various merit badge subjects are selected, approved, and trained by council and district advancement committees to serve as merit badge counselors. For example, a dentist might be asked to serve as a counselor for the Dentistry merit badge. A counselor must not only possess the necessary technical knowledge but also have a solid understanding of the needs, interests, and abilities of Scouts. A counselor must also be a registered adult with the BSA.

Procedure
When a Scout has an interest in earning a particular merit badge, he obtains his Scoutmaster's/Varsity Scout Coach's approval and identifies another Scout with similar interests to become his partner. They are then directed to the appropriate merit badge counselor. The counselor reviews the badge requirements with the young men and decides with them what projects should be undertaken and when they should be completed. After the counselor has certified that the Scouts have qualified for the merit badge, it is presented to them at a troop/team meeting and can be applied toward rank advancement.

Badges for Eagle
To qualify for the Eagle Scout Award, Scouting's highest advancement rank, a Scout must, along with meeting five other requirements, earn a total of 21 merit badges, including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Camping, Hiking OR Cycling OR Swimming, and Family Life.

New Badges
To meet the changing interests of youth, new merit badges are added from time to time. In addition, all merit badges are reviewed and revised periodically. The most recent is Animation in 2015.


Online Resources
A complete list of Merit Badges and additional information can be found online at the Merit Badge page on scouting.org.

Outdoor Awards
Totin' Chip
This certification grants a Scout the right to carry and use woodstools. The Scout must show his Scout leader, or someone designated byhis leader, that he understands his responsibility to do the following:

 
  1. Read and understand woods tools use and safety rules from the Boy Scout Handbook.
  2. Demonstrate proper handling, care, and use of the pocket knife, ax, and saw.
  3. Use knife, ax, and saw as tools, not playthings.
  4. Respect all safety rules to protect others.
  5. Respect property. Cut living and dead trees only with permission and good reason.
  6. Subscribe to the Outdoor Code.

The Scout's "Totin' Rights" can be taken from him if he fails in his responsibility.


Firem'n Chit
This certification grants a Scout the right to carry matches and buildcampfires. The Scout must show his Scout leader, or someone designatedby his leader, that he understands his responsibility to do thefollowing:

 
  1. I have read and understand use and safety rules from the Scouts BSA Handbook.
  2. I will build a campfire only when necessary and when I have the necessary permits (regulations vary by locality).
  3. I will minimize campfire impacts or use existing fire lays consistent with the principles of Leave No Trace. I will check to see that all flammable material is cleared at least 5 feet in all directions from fire (total 10 feet).
  4. I will safely use and store fire-starting materials.
  5. I will see that fire is attended to at all times.
  6. I will make sure that water and/or shovel is readily available. I will promptly report any wildfire to the proper authorities.
  7. I will use the cold-out test to make sure the fire is cold out and will make sure the fire lay is cleaned before I leave it.
  8. I follow the Outdoor Code and the principles of Leave No Trace.

The Scout's "Firem'n Rights" can be taken from him if he fails in his responsibility.


Paul Bunyan Woodsman
Study the Scouts BSA Handbook and the Camping merit badge pamphlet, anddemonstrate to your Scoutmaster or other qualified person the following:

 
  1. Show that you have earned the Totin' Chip.
  2. Help a Scout or patrol earn the Totin' Chip, and demonstrate to him (them) the value of proper woods-tools use on a troop camping trip.
  3. With official approval and supervision, do one of the following:
    • Clear trails or fire lanes for two hours.
    • Trim a downed tree, cut into four-foot lengths, and stack; make a brush with branches.
    • Build a natural retaining wall or irrigation way to aid in a planned conservation effort.

Interpreter Strip

Scouts and adultsmay wear this strip if they show their knowledge of a foreign languageor the sign language for the hearing impaired by:
  1. Carrying on a five-minute conversation in this language.
  2. Translating a two-minute speech or address.
  3. Writing a letter in the language. (Does not apply for sign language.)
  4. Translating 200 words from the written word.

Morse Code Interpreter Strip

Youth and adults may wear this strip if they show their knowledge of Morse code by:

  1. Carrying on a five-minute conversation in Morse code at a speed of at least five words per minute.
  2. Copying correctly a two-minute message sent in Morse code at a minimum of five words per minute. Copying means writing the message down as it is received.
  3. Sending a 25-word written document in Morse code at a minimum of five words per minute.

Religious Emblems

World Conservation Award

Del-Mar-Va Council Frostbite Camper Award
 The purpose of this award is to promote outdoor winter camping at Del-Mar-Va Council camps. All qualifying time must be done on a unit campout. The award will be an embroidered emblem the first time the requirements are completed. Subsequent completions are recognized with an igloo segment of differing colors depending on the number of times the award has been earned.


Requirements

1. Four nights under canvas between December 1 and March 31. The four nights need not be consecutive, and may be accomplished with several camping trips.

2. Two of the four nights must be spent at either Rodney or Henson.

3. During the camping trip for which credit is given, participants must sleep under canvas, and must spend most of their time outdoors.

4. Frostbite camper must prepare or assist with preparation of meals outdoors, over wood, charcoal, or chemical fuel fires.
   
 
 
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