Simsbury Troop 175

Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge

The next merit badge class for Troop 175 will be the Eagle Required Citizenship in the Community. Here are the requirements for the badge. This class is open to all scouts in the troop who have not yet earned the badge.

Download Citizenship_in_the_Community Workbook

Citizenship in the Community Requirements

Discuss with your counselor what citizenship in the community means and what it takes to be a good citizen in your community. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship, and explain how you can demonstrate good citizenship in your community, Scouting unit, place of worship or school. Do the following: a. On a map of your community, locate and point out the following: 1. Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county courthouse, and public works/services facility 2. Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home 3. Historical or other interesting points b. Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the top offices and tell whether they are elected or appointed. Do the following: a. Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session. b. Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one. Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following: a. Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue. b. With your counselor's and a parent's approval, interview one person from the branch of government you identified in requirement 4a. Ask what is being done about this issue and how young people can help. c. Share what you have learned with your counselor. With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community. List some of the services (such as the library, recreation center, public transportation, and public safety) your community provides that are funded by taxpayers. Tell your counselor why these services are important to your community. Do the following: a. Choose a charitable organization outside of Scouting that interests you and brings people in your community together to work for the good of your community. b. Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization. c. With your counselor's and your parent's approval, contact the organization and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor. Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. Stage your presentation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or a class at school.

Photo Merit Badge Project

As part of the Photography Merit Badge, Scouts from Simsbury Troop 175 have been submitting photo projects to complete their requirements for the badge.

Here are some additional Scout presentations for your enjoyment.

Autumn Photos - Drew Veltrop takes photos to capture this colorful time of the year.
Download Autumn Photos

Historical merit badges help Boy Scouts celebrate Scouting’s past

BSA Announced today, via the Scouting Magazine Blog that in honor of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary, today’s generation of Scouts will get the unique opportunity to experience some of the activities their predecessors enjoyed. That’s possible thanks to the BSA’s new Historical Merit Badge Program, a set of four discontinued merit badges that today’s Scouts can earn.

Boys can earn any or all of these merit badges:

Signaling

• First offered in 1910 (as Signaller merit badge) and discontinued in 1992.

Tracking

• First offered in 1911 (as Stalker merit badge) and discontinued in 1952.

Pathfinding

• First offered in 1911 and discontinued in 1952.

Carpentry

• First offered in 1911 and discontinued in 1952.

The US Scouting Service Project has posted the requirements for these badges and Scouts can start working on them NOW.

The basics of the 2010 Historical Merit Badge program include:

• The merit badges will closely resemble the original designs of the merit badges with the exception of the borders. The borders will be embroidered with a shiny gold thread that will be immediately identifiable as a 2010 Historical Merit Badge.
• The original merit badge requirements will be used wherever possible. Exceptions will be made when current safety or social standards dictate. Adaptations can also be made for special needs Scouts.
• The merit badges will count for towards a boy’s rank advancement.
• Work on the badges is not to commence prior to January 1, 2010 and is to be finished no later than December 31, 2010.
• The Supply Division will not create or reprint pamphlets for the merit badges. Any and all material will be posted to a special section of the 100th Anniversary web site that can be accessed by the interested boys and their merit badge counselors.

First Aid Merit Badge

Scouts with the rank of First Class can participate in the next First Aid merit badge class offered by Mr Adamovich, Mr. Bushey and Ms. Carabillo.

Here are the requirements for the badge:

First Aid Requirements

Satisfy your counselor that you have current knowledge of all first aid requirements for Tenderfoot Rank, Second Class Rank, and First Class Rank. Do the following: a. Explain how you would obtain emergency medical assistance from your home, on a wilderness camping trip, and during an activity on open water. b. Explain the term triage. c. Explain the standard precautions as applied to bloodborne pathogens. d. Prepare a first aid kit for your home. Display and discuss its contents with your counselor. Do the following: a. Explain what action you should take for someone who shows signals of shock, for someone who shows signals of a heart attack, and for someone who shows signals of stroke. b. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Then demonstrate proper technique in performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor. c. Explain the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). d. Show the steps that need to be taken for someone suffering from a severe cut on the leg and on the wrist. Tell the dangers in the use of a tourniquet and the conditions under which its use is justified. e. Explain when a bee sting could be life threatening and what action should be taken for prevention and for first aid. f. Explain the symptoms of heatstroke and what action needs to be taken for first aid and for prevention. Do the following: a. Describe the signals of a broken bone. Show first aid procedures for handling fractures (broken bones), including open (compound) fractures of the forearm, wrist, upper leg, and lower leg using improvised materials. b. Describe the symptoms and possible complications and demonstrate proper procedures for treating suspected injuries to the head, neck, and back. Explain what measures should be taken to reduce the possibility of further complicating these injuries. Describe the symptoms, proper first aid procedures, and possible prevention measures for the following conditions: a. Hypothermia b. Convulsions / seizures c. Frostbite d. Dehydration e. Bruises, strains, sprains f. Burns g. Abdominal pain h. Broken, chipped, or loosened tooth i. Knocked out tooth j. Muscle cramps Do TWO of the following: a. If a sick or injured person must be moved, tell how you would determine the best method. Demonstrate this method. b. With helpers under your supervision, improvise a stretcher and move a presumably unconscious person. c. With your counselor's approval, arrange a visit with your patrol or troop to an emergency medical facility or through an American Red Cross chapter for a demonstration of how an AED is used. Teach another Scout a first-aid skill selected by your counselor.

Understanding Merit Badges

Recently a scout asked "Are the Tenderfoot requirements merit badges or parts of merit badges?" The answer might be of interest to other scouts and their parents as well.

Understanding Merit Badges

Merit badges are separate from rank advancement. Ranks like Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class have requirements that help teach you basic scouting skills and those requirements are found in your handbook and signed off by other scouts above the rank of First Class.

The requirements for the upper level ranks (Star, Life and Eagle) consist mainly of earning merit badges, performing community service and holding leadership positions.

Merit Badges are the second main area of the Boy Scout advancement program. Unlike ranks, there is a degree of choice in the merit badge program. Each merit badge focuses on a specific area and allow you to learn about different subjects. The requirements generally include some study on the topic and practical use of the skills or concepts studied.

Go to  MeritBadge.org for a complete list of merit badges and if you click on the name of the badge you will see the requirements for that badge.

Good badges for a younger scout to work on is Pets (if you have a pet), Reading, Gardening, Stamp collecting or Coin Collecting.   Some of the merit badges that most scouts earn at summer camp are Swimming, Camping, Archery, Fishing, Rifle Shooting, and Nature. The troop will also hold classes from time to time. These badges might be Citizenship, First Aid, Communications and most recently Emergency Preparedness. What ever your interest, you will find a merit badge that can help guide you through the topic and help you advance through Boy Scouts.

Boy Scouts also offer a bunch of special awards that can be earned at
http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Category:Boy_Scout_awards

A scout is helpful....

Helping around the house is expected of all scouts. It's also a great way to earn a merit badge - Home Repair. If you are handy and like to fix things, take a look at the requirements below and see how many you have already done. Maybe by finding things around the house that need a little attention, you will be helping your family and adding one more badge to your sash.

Home Repairs Requirements

Discuss general precautions related to home repairs. Name at least 10 safe practices that every home repairer should exercise. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do FOUR of the following: a. Maintain or recondition a garden tool and show that you know how to clean up and properly store it and other tools. b. Install insulation in an attic, wall, or crawl space. c. Caulk cracks or joints open to the weather. d. Waterproof a basement. e. Repair a break in a concrete or asphalt surface. f. Repair the screen in a window or door. g. Replace a pane of glass. h. Solder a broken wire or metal object. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do THREE of the following: a. Install or build equipment for storing tools. b. Build a workbench c. Repair a piece of furniture. d. Paint or varnish a piece of furniture, a door, or trim on a house. e. Repair a sagging door or gate. f. Repair a loose step. g. Repair a fence. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do TWO of the following: a. Locate a main electrical switch box and know how to replace a fuse or reset a circuit breaker. b. Replace an electrical cord or repair a plug or lamp socket. c. Install a single-pole light switch. d. Replace an electrical wall outlet. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do TWO of the following: a. Clear a clogged drain or trap. b. Repair a leaky water faucet. c. Repair a flush toilet. d. Repair a leaky hose or connector. e. Clean or replace a sprinkler head. Under the supervision of your merit badge counselor, do THREE of the following: a. Paint a wall or ceiling. b. Repair or replace damaged tile or linoleum. c. Install drapery or curtain rods and then hang drapes or curtains. d. Replace window blind cords. e. Repair or replace a window sash cord. f. Reinforce a picture frame. g. Mend an object made of china, glass, or pottery.

Requirements For New Scuba Merit Badge

Scouting News Reports the following as the requirements for the new Scuba Merit Badge. This Badge requires an additional certification in order to receive the badge, this means Scouts have to complete all the training requirements provided by an outside agency as well as paying for the certification and instruction.

Scuba Merit Badge Requirements:

1. Do the following:
a. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while scuba diving, including hypothermia, hyperventilation, squeezes, decompression illness, nitrogen narcosis, motion sickness, fatigue, overexertion, heat reactions, dehydration, injuries by aquatic life, and cuts and scrapes.
b. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
2. Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the Swimming merit badge.
3. Discuss the Scuba Diver’s Code with your merit badge counselor, and explain the importance of each guideline to a scuba diver’s safety.
4. Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy.
5. Explain what an ecosystem is, and describe four aquatic ecosystems a diver might experience.

6. Find out about three career opportunities in the scuba industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

Complete information about this badge can be found here.

Emergency Preparedness Class

Simsbury Troop 175 will be holding a merit badge class for scouts to earn the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge. This badge is one of the Eagle required badges and the class is open to Scouts First Class rank and above.

The class will be held from 6-7pm prior to the regular troop meeting on October 8th and 15th.

Scouts should come prepared to discuss the requirements of the badge and should have printed out the Merit Badge Workbook for the classes. It is expected that a completed workbook will be required to be signed off on the badge.

Click here to go to the Emergency Preparedness Requirements.

Click here to download the Emergency Preparedness Workbook.

The Troop will benefit from this training as October Troop meetings will be dedicated to Emergency Preparedness training and activities. Scouts below First Class will have the opportunity to participate in future classes.

New Merit Badges for 2009 & 2010

According to Scouting News, the National Council has been putting out the word to Councils about some new Merit Badges coming soon! Rumors of the majority of these being in developed starting

surfacing back in March, but now they have been approved.

So far we’ve heard about the following merit badges:

– Robotics merit badge approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected spring 2010.

– GPS/GIS merit badge approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected earl

y 2010.

– Scouting Heritage merit badge has been approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected later this year

– Scuba merit badge has been approved. Requirements under development. Debut expected late this year.

Scout Photos

As part of the Photography Merit Badge, Scouts from Simsbury Troop 175 have been submitting photo projects to complete their requirements for the badge.

Here are some additional Scout presentations for your enjoyment.

Summer Camp - A powerful presentation by Michael Duff showing summer camp from his perspective in a wheelchair.
Download Summer Camp

Flying Bikes - Proof positive from Lee Adamovicz that bikes can fly.
Download Flying Bikes

More Scout Photos

As part of the Photography Merit Badge, Scouts from Simsbury Troop 175 have been submitting photo projects to complete their requirements for the badge.

Here are some additional Scout presentations for your enjoyment.

Bending Light - A fascinating look at light through the camera of Rob Burke
Download Bending light

Skiing at Sundown - Kevin Burke show the wacky snowboarders at Ski Sundown.
Download Skiiing at Sundow

Rainy Day -Eric Barch takes a look at how things look different after a rain storm.
Download Rainy Day

Ski Trip - Here is how Andrew Gutierrez saw the January Troop Ski Trip.
Download Ski Trip

Rock Climbing Commands

Another critical part of rock climbing is communications. Both the climber and the partner holding the rope need to know what the other is doing to maintain a safe climb.

Basic Climbing Voice Commands

Here is a list of basic climbing voice commands. Listed first is the command; second who says the command; and third what the command means.

• “On belay” Belayer to climber: I have you on belay and safe.
• “Off belay” Climber to belayer: I am safe and you can take me off belay.
• ”Belay off” Belayer to climber: I understand that you’re safe and am taking you off belay.
• “Climbing” Climber to belayer: I am climbing up now.
• “Climb on” Belayer to climber: Okay, I’m ready. Go ahead and climb.
• “Slack” Climber to belayer: Give me some slack or loose rope and don’t hold the rope so tight.
• “Up rope” Climber (with a top-rope) to belayer: Pull any slack in the rope up tight.
• “Tension," “Tight rope,” and "Take" Climber to belayer: Pull the rope very tight and hold me.
• “Watch me!” Climber to belayer: Pay attention, get off your cell phone, this is hard and I might fall.
• “Falling!” Climber to belayer: I’m falling off and you need to hold me with your belay.
• ”Ready to lower” Climber to belayer: I’m at the anchors on this sport route and ready to come down.
• “Lowering” Belayer to climber: Okay, I’m going to lower you down now.
• “Clipping” Climber to belayer: I’m getting ready to clip the rope into a carabiner, you’ll need to give me some slack rope.
• “On Rappel” Climber to anyone below: I’m getting ready to rappel down now.
• “Off Rappel” Climber to partner above: I am totally disengaged from the rope and you can rappel now.
• “Rock!” Climber to anyone below: Watch out! A chunk of rock is falling and might hit you.
• ”Rope!” Climber to anyone below: Watch out! I am pulling down or tossing down a rope and it might hit you.

Source: About.com

Rock Climbing Knots

Our May trip will feature some rock climbing on St. John's Ledges. Two climbing instructors from Camp Mattatuck will be in charge of the climbing on Saturday and recommend that anyone climbing do some prep work with knots. 

There is a great website that can show you how to tie the knots used in rock climbing. Everyone participating should try to get a head start if they can. The site is www.animatedknots.com.

History of Required Merit Badges for Eagle Scouts

Want to know the Merit Badges that have been required to earn the Eagle Scout rank since 1912. Please note that 21 total merit badges must have been earned for the Eagle Scout rank, except from 1972-1979, when 24 were needed.

The number of specifically required Merit Badges has varied from 5, (1912-1915) to 16 (1952-1965) including Merit Badges chosen from specific groups as "required".

Visit the History of Required Merit Badges for Eagle Scouts for a complete list by year.

Most Merit Badges

"Eagle Scout John Stanford from Limestone, NY earned the most merit badges ever. The total was 142 and he had a total of 8 silver palms by his 18th birthday."

This accomplishment will never be matched since there are only 121 merit badges now. I had an Eagle Scout in the '90s that earned every Merit Badge that was offered, but that was only 126.

The most ever offered in one year was 127 in 1975 and again in 1987. John Stanford must have joined in 1970 or 1971 or 1972. Those were the only years where a person could earn over 140 badges, and then only if one included twice the ones that were basically name changes like:

• Animal Science / Animal Industry
• Citizenship in the World / World Brotherhood
• Environmental Science / Conservation of Natural Resources
• Fish & Wildlife Management / Wildlife Management
• Personal Management / Personal Finances
• Textile / Textiles
• Traffic Safety / Automotive Safety

Since there was no numbering scheme for merit badges until 1987, earning a merit badge that just had the name changed was OK. Today, one can only do it if the new name has a new number, for example:

Snow Sports (134) is different than Skiing (104) so they both can be earned, but Automotive Maintenance (127) is the same as Auto Mechanics (127), and Water Sports (115) is the same as Waterskiing (115) so they can only be earned once.

Source: "Troop, Crew and Pack 179, Virginia Beach, VA"

Troop 175 Most Merit Badges

According to the Troop database,which goes back to 1997, Eagle scout Jeff Nagy has the record for the most merit badges earned in the troop with 30. He is followed by Gavin Schultz with 29 and Eric Meischeid with 28.

Of the scouts currently active with the Troop, Eagle scout Mike Vallen has 28. 

History of Merit Badges

1910 BSA Handbook (called the Book of Organization) by Chief Scout, Ernest Thompson Seton, had 14 "Badges of Merit". They were:  Ambulance, Clerk, Cycling, Electrician, Fireman, Gardener, Horseman, Marksmanship, Master-of-Arms, Musician, Pioneer, Seamanship, Signaler, and Stalkers.

The 1911 Handbook carried over all the 1910 Badges of Merit except the Master-at-Arms Badge of Merit. The Master-at-Arms Badge involved mastering 3 of the following combat skills: single stick, boxing, ju jitsu, wrestling, quarterstaff and fencing.  The 1911 Handbook changed the term to Merit Badge and changed the names of the other 13 merit badges:

There were a total of 57 merit badges in the 1911 handbook.  These included the 13 above that were carried over and the following which were added:  Agriculture, Angling, Archery, Architecture, Art, Astronomy, Athletics, Automobiling, Aviation, Bee Farming, Blacksmithing, Bugling, Business, Camping, Carpentry, Chemistry, Civics, Conservation, Cooking, Craftsmanship, Dairying, First Aid to Animals, Forestry, Handicraft, Interpreting, Invention, Leather Working, Life Saving, Machinery, Masonry, Mining, Ornithology, Painting, Pathfinding, Personal Health, Photography, Plumbing, Poultry Farming, Printing, Public Health, Scholarship, Sculpture, Surveying, Swimming, and Taxidermy.

Merit badges are designed to emphasize the ability “to do” rather than just knowledge.  They were designed to “introduce a boy to life” including careers , hobbies, and other skills.  Of the 121 current merit badges, 27 remain from the group of 57 original merit badges and 94 have been introduced since then. An additional 88 merit badges were created after 1911 but were subsequently dropped. So, all together, there have been a total of 239 different merit badges.

A director of the Boy Scout division of the BSA stated at a Boy Scout Program conference at Philmont that a merit badge is never officially dropped. They are just omitted from all literature, the cloth badge is not made, and there are no books published. Apparently someone that has the most recent set of requirements can use them. I am not sure how one goes about getting an approved counselor. That could be a problem, however that hasn't stopped some people. A case in point is the Rabbit Raising Merit Badge that was dropped in 1993. BSA records indicate that 49 Rabbit Raising Merit Badges were earned in 2003. Using a realistic approach, my definition for the final year for a merit badge is the last year it appears in BSA literature as a valid merit badge even though it may be earned many years after that.

Most of the very popular merit badges are the Eagle Scout rank required badges. Approximately 50,000 of each of these are earned each year. Other popular merit badges include camp handicrafts such as leatherwork and carving; popular camp activities such as archery, rifle shoting, canoeing, indian lore, and wilderness survival; and others that are frequently done as a troop such as fingerprinting,

In looking at the list some general conclusions can be drawn. Slightly more Scout are into Music than Sports, 15,114 to 10,968. There is a lot of interest in the classic Scouting skills of first aid, swimming, lifesaving, cooking, climbing, and nature study. Nature study accounts for 10 of the more popular merit badges: Environmental Science, Mammal Study, Fishing, Geology, Nature, Weather, Forestry, Soil and Water Conservation, and Reptile Study. Hiking has dropped to the middle of the pack along with Cycling, Scholarship and Reading.

When a new merit badge is adopted, usually the least popular merit badge is in danger of being dropped.

Source: Steven Henning:

Simsbury Police Visit Troop 175

At tonight's troop meeting, a group of scouts were able to meeting with Simsbury Police Officer Kushman to learn about fingerprinting and its use in law enforcement. The scouts were able to even take their own fingerprints at the meeting. While the troop was too large to get all the scouts to attend the class, a second class will be held in the future to allow the newer scouts to earn their fingerprinting merit badge as well.

To lean more about fingerprinting, here is a website discussing the different fingerprint patterns and another that goes into the requirements of the merit badge.

Personal Fitness Merit Badge

One of the Eagle required merit badges that the troop offers as a class is Personal Fitness. Being fit is important not only for being a scout, but also for living a long life. Here are the requirements for the personal fitness badge and a spreadsheet that you can use to help track and report your fitness plan for requirement 7 & 8.

Download Personal fitness log

Download the Personal_Fitness Workbook

Personal Fitness Requirements

If meeting any of the requirements for this merit badge is against the Scout's religious convictions, the requirement does not have to be done if the Scout's parents and the proper religious advisers state in writing that to do so would be against religious convictions. The Scout's parents must also accept full responsibility for anything that might happen because of this exemption. Do the following: a. Before completing requirements 2 through 9, have your health-care practitioner give you a physical examination, using the Scout medical examination form. Describe the examination. Tell what questions the doctor asked about your health. Tell what health or medical recommendations the doctor made and report what you have done in response to the recommendations. Explain the following: 1. Why physical exams are important 2. Why preventative habits are important in maintaining good health. 3. Diseases that can be prevented and how. 4. The seven warning signs of cancer. 5. The youth risk factors that affect cardiovascular fitness in adulthood. b. Have a dental examination. Get a statement saying that your teeth have been checked and cared for. Tell how to care for your teeth. Explain to your merit badge counselor verbally or in writing what personal fitness means to you, including: a. Components of personal fitness b. Reasons for being fit in all components. c. What it means to be mentally healthy d. What it means to be physically healthy and fit. e. What it means to be socially healthy. Discuss your activity in the areas of healthy social fitness. f. What you can do to prevent social, emotional, or mental problems. With your counselor answer and discuss the following questions: a. Are you free from all curable diseases? Are you living in such a way that your risk of preventable diseases is minimized? b. Are you immunized and vaccinated according to the advice of your health-care provider? c. Do you understand the meaning of a nutritious diet and know why it is important for you? Does your diet include foods from all food groups? d. Are your body weight and composition what you would like them to be, and do you know how to modify them safely through exercise, diet, and behavior modification? e. Do you carry out daily activities without noticeable effort? Do you have extra energy for other activities? f. Are you free from habits relating to poor nutrition and the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and other practices that could be harmful to your health? g. Do you participate in a regular exercise program or recreational activities? h. Do you sleep well at night and wake up feeling refreshed and energized for the new day? i. Are you actively involved in the religious organization of your choice, and do you participate in its youth activities? j. Do you spend quality time with your family and friends in social and recreational activities? k. Do you support family activities and efforts to maintain a good home life? Explain the following about physical fitness: a. The components of physical fitness b. Your weakest and strongest component of physical fitness c. The need to have a balance in all four components of physical fitness. d. How the components of personal fitness relate to the Scout Law and Scout Oath. Explain the following about nutrition: a. The importance of good nutrition b. What good nutrition means to you c. How good nutrition is related to the other components of personal fitness d. The three components of a sound weight (fat) control program. Before doing requirements 7 and 8, complete the aerobic fitness, flexibility, muscular strength, and body composition tests as described in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet. Record your results and identify those areas where you feel you need to improve. AEROBIC FITNESS TEST Record your performance on one of the following tests: a. Run/walk as far as you can in nine minutes. b. Run/walk one mile as fast as you can. FLEXIBILITY TEST Using a sit-and-reach box constructed according to specifications in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet, make four repetitions and record the fourth reach. This last reach must be held steady for 15 seconds to qualify. (Remember to keep your knees down.) STRENGTH TESTS Record your performance on all three tests. a. Sit-ups. Record the number of sit-ups done correctly in 60 seconds. The sit-ups must be done in the form explained and illustrated in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet. b. Pull-ups. Record the total number of pull-ups completed correctly in 60 seconds. Be consistent with the procedures presented in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet. c. Push-ups. Record the total number of push-ups completed correctly in 60 seconds. Be consistent with the procedures presented in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet. BODY COMPOSITION TEST Have your parent, counselor, or other adult take and record the following measurements: a. Circumference of the right upper arm, midway between the shoulder and the elbow, with the arm hanging naturally and not flexed. b. Shoulders, with arms hanging by placing the tape two inches below the top of the shoulders around the arms, chest, and back after breath expiration. c. Chest, by placing the tape under the arms and around the chest and back at the nipple line after breath expiration. d. Abdomen circumference at the navel level (relaxed). e. Circumference of the right thigh, midway between the hip and knee, and not flexed. If possible, have the same person take the measurements whenever you are ready to be remeasured to chart your progress. Outline a comprehensive 12-week physical fitness program using the results of your fitness tests. Be sure your program incorporates the endurance, intensity, and warm-up guidelines discussed in the Personal Fitness merit badge pamphlet. Before beginning your exercises, have the program approved by your counselor and parents. Complete the physical fitness program you outlined in requirement 7. Keep a log of your fitness program activity (how long you exercised; how far you ran, swam, or biked; how many exercise repetitions you completed; your exercise heart rate; etc.). Repeat the aerobic fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility tests every two weeks and record your results. After the 12th week, repeat all four tests, record your results, and show improvement in each one. Compare and analyze your preprogram and postprogram body composition measurements. Discuss the meaning and benefit of your experience, and describe your long-term plans regarding your personal fitness. Find out about three career opportunities in personal fitness. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for these professions. Discuss what you learned with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

Understanding Merit Badges

Merit Badges are the second main area of the Boy Scout advancement program. Unlike ranks, there is a degree of choice in the merit badge program. A sub-group of merit badges are known as Eagle required merit badges. These are specific badges that must be earned in order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Boy Scouts may work on merit badges from they time they join a Scout troop until they turn 18 years old. There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18.

Each badge has specific requirements that must be met by the scout. They often include some research on the topic as well as practical experience. You will find a complete set of merit badges and their requirements on MeritBadge.org. The Boy Scouts of America publish handbooks for scouts on each of the badges. They are available from the Scout Store in East Hartford or online from ScoutStuff.com.

Also helpful are merit badge workbooks that are available online that break down the requirements and give the scouts a easy to follow format to follow to meet the requirements.

Once a scout has completed all of the requirements, they can find a merit badge councilor who can sign off on the "blue card" or official BSA form that is submitted to the district. A list of merit badge councilor is available from the troop Google group or my contacting Mr. Rice, the merit badge coordinator.

Summer Camp is a great way to earn merit badges and a list of classes will be provided when it is time to sign up for camp.

Another way scouts earn merit badges is with the troop.  Sometimes special speakers are invited to troop meetings to cover merit badge requirements. Recently we had Channel 30 TV weatherman Bob Maxon teach the weather badge and Hunter Neal, a local professional photographer, taught the photography badge.

Eagle required badges are generally taught as a separate class, usually held prior to the troop meeting. Each badge is taught every few years so all scouts have the opportunity to participate  throughout their scouting experience.

Lists of Merit Badges

Lists of Merit Badges and links to there requirements

American Business American Cultures American Heritage American Labor Animal Science Archaeology Archery Architecture Art Astronomy Athletics Automotive Maintenance Aviation Backpacking Basketry Bird Study Bugling Camping Canoeing Chemistry Cinematography Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Climbing Coin Collecting Collections Communications Composite Materials Computers Cooking Crime Prevention Cycling Dentistry Disabilities Awareness Dog Care Drafting Electricity Electronics Emergency Preparedness Energy Engineering Entrepreneurship Environmental Science Family Life Farm Mechanics Fingerprinting Fire Safety First Aid Fish and Wildlife Management Fishing Fly Fishing Forestry Gardening Genealogy Geology Golf Graphic Arts Hiking Home Repairs Horsemanship Indian Lore Insect Study Journalism Landscape Architecture Law Leatherwork Lifesaving Mammal Study Medicine Metalwork Model Design and Building Motorboating Music Nature Nuclear Science Oceanography Orienteering Painting Personal Fitness Personal Management Pets Photography Pioneering Plant Science Plumbing Pottery Public Health Public Speaking Pulp and Paper Radio Railroading Reading Reptile and Amphibian Study Rifle Shooting Rowing Safety Salesmanship Scholarship Sculpture Shotgun Shooting Skating Small-Boat Sailing Snow Sports Soil and Water Conservation Space Exploration Sports Stamp Collecting Surveying Swimming Textile Theater Traffic Safety Truck Transportation Veterinary Medicine Water Sports Weather Whitewater Wilderness Survival Wood Carving Woodwork

Note: Merit badges displayed in a bold font are Eagle-required merit badges.

Family Life Merit Badge

Scouts in Troop 175 that are interested in earning the Eagle Required Family Life merit badge can do so beginning Thursday night. Mrs. Van Loon will be holding a meeting  at 6:30pm on February 26th (the scout meeting after vacation) at St Mary's prior to the troop meeting.  Scouts interested in earning this important badge and at least one parent should attend.

Family Life Requirements

Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss this with your merit badge counselor. Tell why families are important to individuals and to society. Discuss how the actions of one member can affect other members. List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this with your parents or guardians and with your merit badge counselor. Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores (at least five) and do them for 90 days. Keep a record of how often you do each of them. With the approval of your parents or guardians and your merit badge counselor, decide on and carry out a project that you would do around the home that would benefit your family. Submit a report to your merit badge counselor outlining how the project benefited your family. Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family. After completing the project, discuss the following with your merit badge counselor: a. The objective or goal of the project b. How individual members of your family participated c. The results of the project Do the following: a. Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting. b. After this discussion, plan and carry out a family meeting to include the following subjects: 1. Avoiding substance abuse 2. Understanding the growing-up process and how the body changes, and making responsible decisions dealing with sex 3. Personal and family finances 4. A crisis situation within your family 5. The effect of technology on your family Discussion of each of these subjects will very likely carry over to more than one family meeting. Discuss the following with your counselor: a. Your understanding of what makes an effective father and why, and your thoughts on the father's role in the family b. Your understanding of the responsibilities of a parent.

More Scout Photos

As part of the Photography Merit Badge, Scouts from Simsbury Troop 175 have been submitting photo projects to complete their requirements for the badge.

Here are some additional Scout presentations for your enjoyment.

Baking Cinnamon Swirl Bread - Stephen Banulski uses photos to provide step by step instructions on making this delicious treat.
Download Cinnamon_Swirl_Bread

The Shooting - Nick Zonenberg recreates a western shoot out.
Download The Shooting

Pine Cone Fire Starters - How to start a camp fire photo essay by John Cahill.
Download Pine Cone Fire Starters

Old Orchard Beach - Steve Bushey shares photos from a favorite vacation spot.
Download Old Orchard Beach

Winter Wonderland - Photos of nature after a snow by Matt Zikovick.
Download Winter Wonderland

Entrepreneurship Troop Merit Badge

Troop 175 will be offering all interested scouts the ability to earn the Entrepreneurship merit badge. We will meet prior to our regular troop meetings.

Our goal for this group is also to explore the possibility to create an ongoing scout-run business that can raise funds for the scouts and their scout accounts.

The first meeting will be on Thursday, January 22nd at 6:00 pm in St. Mary's Church Basement.

All scouts who would like to participate need to review the Entrepreneurship badge requirements and come to the first meeting with a list of possible products or services that could be run by the scouts.

Scout Photo Shows

As part of the Photography Merit Badge, Scouts from Simsbury Troop 175 have been submitting photo projects to complete their requirements for the badge.

Here are some of the Scout presentations for your enjoyment.

High Cascade - A photo journal of a week at summer camp by Keegan Rice
Download High Cascade

Wild Animal Kingdom - Zack Zikovick's wildlife photo essay.
Download Wild Animal Kingdom

Wildlife Photos - Issac Peacock's look at nature.
Download Wildlife Photos

Turkey - A day in the life of a turkey by Jack Falkner.
Download Turkey

Stunt Flying - Andrew Fletcher took his camera high above Simsbury for some great photos.
Go to Stunt Flying

A Day In Stratton Brook Park - Karl Spooner's walk through a local state park one winter day.
Download A Day In Stratton Brook Park

Most Popular Merit Badges

Merit Badges are an important part of scouting. They allow scouts to explore different area and help them advance in more than just rank.

Of the current 123 Merit Badges available, current scouts from Troop 175 have earned 60 of them.

The most popular are:
(as of December 1, 2008)

# of Scouts	Badge
31	Space Exploration
27	Environmental Science
24	First Aid
24	Leatherwork
23	Citizenship in the Nation
23	Citizenship in the World
20	Swimming
18	Camping
17	Golf
16	Small-Boat Sailing
16	Wilderness Survival
15	Basketry
14	Citizenship in the Community
14	Snow Sports
13	Wood Carving
12	Fishing
11	Fingerprinting
10	Astronomy
10	Communications

While many are earned during summer camp and as a group, all scouts can earn them individually by completing the merit badge requirements.