Simsbury Troop 175

October is Camping Month

Over the next several troop meetings, the scouts for Simsbury Troop 175 will be working on requirements for the Camping Merit Badge. This Eagle required badge is improtant in a troop such as ours because it teaches many of the basic and advanced skills we use each month on our camp outs.

Camping is one of the best-known methods of the Scouting movement. When he founded the Scouting movement in the early 1900s, Robert Baden-Powell encouraged every Scout to learn the art of living out-of-doors. He believed a young person able to take care of himself while camping would have the confidence to meet life's other challenges, too.

Requirements

1. Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could occur while camping, including hypothermia, frostbite, heat reactions, dehydration, altitude sickness, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.
2. Learn the Leave No Trace principles and the Outdoor Code and explain what they mean. Write a personal and group plan for implementing these principles on your next outing.
3. Make a written plan for an overnight trek and show how to get to your camping spot using a topographical map and compass OR a topographical map and a GPS receiver.
4. Do the following:
   1. Make a duty roster showing how your patrol is organized for an actual overnight campout. List assignments for each member.
   2. Help a Scout patrol or a Webelos Scout unit in your area prepare for an actual campout, including creating the duty roster, menu planning, equipment needs, general planning, and setting up camp.
5. Do the following:
   1. Prepare a list of clothing you would need for overnight campouts in both warm and cold weather. Explain the term "layering."
   2. Discuss footwear for different kinds of weather and how the right footwear is important for protecting your feet.
   3. Explain the proper care and storage of camping equipment (clothing, footwear, bedding).
   4. List the outdoor essentials necessary for any campout, and explain why each item is needed.
   5. Present yourself to your Scoutmaster with your pack for inspection. Be correctly clothed and equipped for an overnight campout.
6. Do the following:
   1. Describe the features of four types of tents, when and where they could be used, and how to care for tents. Working with another Scout, pitch a tent.
   2. Discuss the importance of camp sanitation and tell why water treatment is essential. Then demonstrate two ways to treat water.
   3. Describe the factors to be considered in deciding where to pitch your tent.
   4. Tell the difference between internal- and external-frame packs. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
   5. Discuss the types of sleeping bags and what kind would be suitable for different conditions. Explain the proper care of your sleeping bag and how to keep it dry. Make a comfortable ground bed.
7. Prepare for an overnight campout with your patrol by doing the following:
   1. Make a checklist of personal and patrol gear that will be needed.
   2. Pack your own gear and your share of the patrol equipment and food for proper carrying. Show that your pack is right for quickly getting what is needed first, and that it has been assembled properly for comfort, weight, balance, size, and neatness.
8. Do the following:
   1. Explain the safety procedures for
      1. Using a propane or butane/propane stove
      2. Using a liquid fuel stove
      3. Proper storage of extra fuel
   2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of lightweight cooking stoves.
   3. Prepare a camp menu. Explain how the menu would differ from a menu for a backpacking or float trip. Give recipes and make a food list for your patrol. Plan two breakfasts, three lunches, and two suppers. Discuss how to protect your food against bad weather, animals, and contamination.
   4. Cook at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner for your patrol from the meals you have planned for requirement 8c. At least one of those meals must be a trail meal requiring the use of a lightweight stove.
9. Show experience in camping by doing the following:
   1. Camp a total of at least 20 days and 20 nights. The 20 days and 20 nights must be at a designated Scouting activity or event. Sleep each night under the sky or in a tent you have pitched. You may use a week of long-term camp toward this requirement. If the camp provides a tent that has already been pitched, you need not pitch your own tent.
   2. On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision.
      1. Hike up a mountain, gaining at least 1,000 vertical feet.
      2. Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles.
      3. Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.
      4. Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.
      5. Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience.
      6. Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more.
   3. Perform a conservation project approved by the landowner or land managing agency.
10. Discuss how the things you did to earn this badge have taught you about personal health and safety, survival, public health, conservation, and good citizenship. In your discussion, tell how Scout spirit and the Scout Oath and Law apply to camping and outdoor ethics.

 

Time Is Running Out For The Historical Merit Badge Program

At long last, the Boy Scouts of America has released the details of their long awaited Historic Merit Badge Program first announced back on January 12, 2010.

The program honors Scouting's rich 100-year history by introducing today's Scouts to the merit badges earned by yesterday's youth. To bring the badges into a 21st-century context, the BSA has created supplemental information guides that will accompany scans of the original merit badge pamphlets.

• The badges can be earned beginning today, and requirements must be completed by Dec. 31, 2010.

• Historic merit badges do count toward a Scout's rank advancement.

• Each merit badge emblem features a gold border, which will help identify it as special to the centennial year.

Pamphlets for these badges will not be reprinted. Instead, Scouts and Scouters can go online to find digital scans of the original pamphlets.

Here are the requirements for each of the historic merit badges:

Pathfinding

To obtain a merit badge for Pathfinding, a Scout must:

1. In the country, know every lane, bypath, and short cut for a distance of at least two miles in every direction around the local scout headquarters; or in a city, have a general knowledge of the district within a three-mile radius of the local scout headquarters, so as to be able to guide people at any time, by day or by night.
2. Know the population of the five principal neighboring towns, their general direction from his scout headquarters, and be able to give strangers correct directions how to reach them.
3. If in the country, know in a two mile radius, the approximate number of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs owned on the five neighboring farms; or, in a town, know, in a half-mile radius, the location of livery stables, garages and blacksmith shops.
4. Know the location of the nearest meat markets, bakeries, groceries, and drug stores.
5. Know the location of the the nearest police station, hospital, doctor, fire alarm, fire hydrant, telegraph and telephone offices, and railroad stations.
6. Know something of the history of his place; and know the location of its principal public buildings, such as the town or city hall, post-office, schools and churches.
7. Submit a map not necessarily drawn by himself upon which he personally has indicated as much as possible of the above information.

Here is an Information Guide and original booklet for the merit badge.

Tracking

To obtain a Merit Badge for [Tracking], a Scout must:

1. Demonstrate by means of a [tracking] game or otherwise, ability to [track] skillfully in shelter and wind, etc., showing how to proceed noiselessly and “freeze” when occasion demands.
2. Know and recognize the tracks of ten different kinds of animals or birds in his vicinity, three of which may be domestic.
3. Submit satisfactory evidence that he has trailed two different kinds of wild animals or birds on ordinary ground far enough to determine the direction in which they were going, and their gait or speed. Give the names of animals or birds trailed, their direction of travel, and describe gait and speed; or submit satisfactory evidence that he has trailed six different kinds of wild animal or birds in snow, sand, dust, or mud, far enough to determine the direction they were going and their gait or speed. Give names of animals or birds, their direction of travel, and describe gait and speed.
4. Submit evidence that he has scored at least 30 points from the following groups:
   Group (f) and 4 of the 5 groups (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) must be represented in the score of 30 and at least 7 points must be scored from (a), (b), or (c). Make clear recognizable photographs of
5. (a) Live bird away from nest - 4 points each
6. (b) Live woodchuck or smaller wild animal - 3 points each
7. (c) Live wild animal larger than woodchuck - 4 points each 
8. (d)  Live bird on nest - 3 points each
9. (e)  Tracks of live wild animal or bird - 2 points each
   AND
10. (f) Make satisfactory plaster cast of wild animal or bird tracks with identification imprint on back of cast - 2 points each

Here is an Information Guide and original booklet for the merit badge.

Carpentry

To obtain a Merit Badge for Carpentry, a Scout must:

1. Demonstrate the use of the rule, square, level, plumb-line, mitre, chalk-line and bevel.
2. Demonstrate the proper way to drive, set, and clinch a nail, draw a spike with a claw-hammer, and to join two pieces of wood with screws.
3. Show correct use of the cross-cut saw and of the rip-saw.
4. Show how to plane the edge, end and the broad surface of a board.
5. Demonstrate how to lay shingles.
6. Make a simple article of furniture for practical use in the home or on the home grounds, finished in a workmanlike manner, all work to be done without assistance.

Here is an Information Guide and original booklet for the merit badge.

Signaling

To obtain a Merit Badge for Signaling, a Scout must:

1. Make an electric buzzer outfit, wireless, blinker, or other signaling device.
2. Send and receive in the International Morse Code, by buzzer or other sound device, a complete message of not less than 35 words, at a rate of not less than 35 letters per minute.
3. Demonstrate an ability to send and receive a message in the International Morse Code by wigwag and by blinker or other light signaling device at the rate of not less than 20 letters per minute.
4. Send and receive by Semaphore Code at the rate of not less than 30 letters per minute.
5. Know the proper application of the International Morse and Semaphore Codes; when, where, and how they can be used to best advantage.
6. Discuss briefly various other codes and methods of signaling which are in common use.

Here is an Information Guide and original booklet for the merit badge.

Merit Badge Presentations

Charlie Siegal recently earned his carpentry merit badge and his photography merit badge. Here are two presentations that you might enjoy from those badges.

Download Carpentry from the Past

Download Canoeing and Camping on the Waters of Maine

Playing With Fire

 Simsbury Boy Scout Troop 175 Would like to thank Lt Vince Civitillo and the Simsbury Fire Department for helping them to have a great meeting while fulfilling several requirements for the Fire Safety merit badge.

Under the direction of Eagle scout and Simsbury Firefighter Lee Adamovich, the troop has been working on this important merit badge. After a short time in the classroom, the scouts were treated to some hands on activities including directing a live fire hose, going through the training building, and watching how fast a couch can go out in flames.

Any Scout 15 years old or older can learn about becoming a fire cadet by going to the Simsbury Fire Department Website.

To see photos from the event, go to the Troop Photo Library.

May is "Light My Fire" Month

This month Simsbury Boy Scout troop 175 will be "Light My Fire month". The scouts  will be working on advancement requirements that pertain to fire safety and will also work on the Fire Safety merit badge, led by Troop 175 Eagle scout and Simsbury Fireman Lee Adamovich.

Please review the following requirements before the next troop meeting.

Fire Safety Requirements

Do the following: a. Demonstrate the technique of stop, drop, roll, and cool. Explain how burn injuries can be prevented. b. List the most frequent causes of burn injuries. Explain the chemistry and physics of fire. Name the parts of the fire tetrahedron. Explain why vapors are important to the burning process. Name the products of combustion. Give an example of how fire grows and what happens. Name the most frequent causes of fire in the home and give examples of ways they can be prevented. Include a discussion about fires caused by smoking in the home, cooking, candles, fireplaces, and electrical appliances. Do the following: a. Explain the role of human behavior in the arson problem in this country b. List the actions that cause seasonal fires and explain how these fires can be prevented. List common circumstances that cause holiday-related fires and explain how these fires can be prevented. Conduct a home safety survey with the help of an adult. Then do the following: a. Draw a home fire-escape plan, create a home fire-drill schedule, and conduct a home fire drill. b. Test a smoke alarm and demonstrate regular maintenance of a smoke alarm. c. Explain what to do when you smell gas and when you smell smoke. d. Explain how you would report a fire alarm. e. Explain what fire safety equipment can be found in public buildings. f. Explain who should use fire extinguishers and when these devices can be used. g. Explain how to extinguish a grease pan fire. h. Explain what fire safety precautions you should take when you are in a public building. Do the following: a. Demonstrate lighting a match safely. b. Demonstrate the safe way to start a charcoal fire. c. Demonstrate the safe way to melt wax. Explain the difference between combustible and noncombustible liquids and between combustible and noncombustible fabrics. Do the following: a. Demonstrate the safe way to fuel a lawnmower. b. Demonstrate the safety factors, such as proper ventilation, for auxiliary heating devices and the proper way to fuel those devices. Do the following: a. Explain the cost of outdoor and wildland fires and how to prevent them. b. Demonstrate setting up and putting out a cooking fire. c. Demonstrate using a camp stove and lantern. d. Explain how to set up a campsite safe from fire. Visit a fire station. Identify the types of fire trucks. Find out about the fire prevention activities in your community. Choose a fire safety-related career that interests you and describe the level of education required and responsibilities of a person in that position. Tell why this position interests you.

BSA Announces New Scouting Heritage merit badge

On May 4th, the Boy Scouts of America announced the requirements for its newest merit badge - Scouting Heritage, in honor of the 100th anniversary of scouting in America.

Below are the requirements.

Requirements

1. Discuss with your counselor the life and times of Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell. Explain why he felt a program like Scouting would be good for the young men of his day. Include in your discussion how Scouting was introduced in the United States, and the origins of Boy Scouting and Cub Scouting under Baden-Powell.
2. Do the following:
   
   1. Give a short biographical sketch of any TWO of the following, and tell of their roles in how Scouting developed and grew in the United States prior to 1940.
      
      1. Daniel Carter Beard
      2. William D. Boyce
      3. Waite Phillips
      4. Ernest Thompson Seton
      5. James E. West
   2. Discuss the significance to Scouting of any TWO of the following:
      
      1. Brownsea Island
      2. The First World Scout Jamboree
      3. Boy Scout Handbook
      4. Boys’ Life magazine
3. Discuss with your counselor how Scouting’s programs have developed over time and been adapted to fit different age groups and interests (Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Exploring, Venturing).
4. Do ONE of the following:
   
   1. Attend either a BSA national jamboree, OR world Scout jamboree, OR a national BSA high-adventure base. While there, keep a journal documenting your day-to-day experiences. Upon your return, report to your counselor what you did, saw, and learned. You may include photos, brochures, and other documents in your report.
   2. Write or visit the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas.* Obtain information about this facility. Give a short report on what you think the role of this museum is in the Scouting program.
      • *If you visit the BSA’s national traveling tour, Adventure Base 100, in 2010, you may use this experience to fulfill requirement 4b. Visit www.adventurebase100.org (with your parent’s permission) for the schedule and for more information.
5. Learn about the history of your unit or Scouting in your area. Interview at least two people (one from the past and one from the present) associated with your troop. These individuals could be adult unit leaders, Scouts, troop committee members, or representatives of your troop’s chartered organization. Find out when your unit was originally chartered. Create a report of your findings on the history of your troop, and present it to your patrol or troop or at a court of honor, and then add it to the troop’s library. This presentation could be in the form of an oral/written report, an exhibit, a scrapbook, or a computer presentation such as a slide show.
6. Make a collection of some of your personal patches and other Scouting memorabilia. With their permission, you may include items borrowed from family members or friends who have been in Scouting in the past, or you may include photographs of these items. Show this collection to your counselor, and share what you have learned about items in the collection. (There is no requirement regarding how large or small this collection must be.)
7. Reproduce the equipment for an old-time Scouting game such as those played at Brownsea Island. You may find one on your own (with your counselor’s approval), or pick one from the Scouting Heritage merit badge pamphlet. Teach and play the game with other Scouts.
8. Interview at least three people (different from those you interviewed for requirement 5) over the age of 50 who were Scouts. Find out about their Scouting experiences. Ask about the impact that Scouting has had on their lives. Share what you learned with your counselor.

New Geocaching Merit Badge

According to Scouting Magazine's blog Official Geocaching merit badge requirements released post, the newest merit badge is now available to scouts.

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.

For more information on geocaching, go to www.Geocaching.com - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site

Here is what you need to do to earn this badge:

Geocaching Merit Badge—Revised Requirements 4/9/2010

1. Do the following:

a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in geocaching activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
b. Discuss first aid and prevention for the types of injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in geocaching activities, including cuts, scrapes, snakebite, insect stings, tick bites, exposure to poisonous plants, heat and cold reactions (sunburn, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, hypothermia), and dehydration.
c. Discuss how to properly plan an activity that uses GPS, including using the buddy system, sharing your plan with others, and considering the weather, route, and proper attire.

2. Discuss the following with your counselor:
a. Why you should never bury a cache
b. How to use proper geocaching etiquette when hiding or seeking a cache, and how to properly hide, post, maintain, and dismantle a geocache
c. The principles of Leave No Trace as they apply to geocaching

3. Explain the following terms used in geocaching: waypoint, log, cache, accuracy, difficulty and terrain ratings, attributes, trackable. Choose five additional terms to explain to your counselor.

4. Explain how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works. Then, using Scouting’s Teaching EDGE, demonstrate the use of a GPS unit to your counselor. Include marking and editing a waypoint, changing field functions, and changing the coordinate system in the unit.

5. Do the following:
a. Show you know how to use a map and compass and explain why this is important for geocaching.
b. Explain the similarities and differences between GPS navigation and standard map reading skills and describe the benefits of each.
c. Explain the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) system and how it differs from the latitude/longitude system used for public geocaches.
d. Show how to plot a UTM waypoint on a map. Compare the accuracy to that found with a GPS unit.

6. Describe the four steps to finding your first cache to your counselor. Then mark and edit a waypoint.

7. With your parent’s permission*, go to www.geocaching.com. Type in your zip code to locate public geocaches in your area. Share the posted information about three of those geocaches with your counselor. Then, pick one of the three and find the cache.
*To fulfill this requirement, you will need to set up a free user account with www.geocaching.com. Ask your parent for permission and help before doing so.

8. Do ONE of the following:
a. If a Cache to Eagle series exists in your council, visit at least three of the locations in the series. Describe the projects that each cache you visit highlights, and explain how the Cache to Eagle program helps share our Scouting service with the public.
b. Create a Scouting-related Travel Bug® that promotes one of the values of Scouting. "Release" your Travel Bug into a public geocache and, with your parent’s permission, monitor its progress at www.geocaching.com for 30 days. Keep a log, and share this with your counselor at the end of the 30-day period.
c. Set up and hide a public geocache, following the guidelines in the Geocaching merit badge pamphlet. Before doing so, share with your counselor a six-month maintenance plan for the geocache where you are personally responsible for the first three months. After setting up the geocache, with your parent’s permission, follow the logs online for 30 days and share them with your counselor.
d. Explain what Cache in Trash Out (CITO) means, and describe how you have practiced CITO at public geocaches or at a CITO event. Then, either create CITO containers to leave at public caches, or host a CITO event for your unit or for the public.

9. Plan a geohunt for a youth group such as your troop or a neighboring pack, at school, or your place of worship. Choose a theme, set up a course with at least four waypoints, teach the players how to use a GPS unit, and play the game. Tell your counselor about your experience, and share the materials you used and developed for this event.

It's official: The Historic Merit Badge program begins today

At long last, the Boy Scouts of America has released the details of their long awaited Historic Merit Badge Program first announced back on January 12, 2010.

The program honors Scouting's rich 100-year history by introducing today's Scouts to the merit badges earned by yesterday's youth. To bring the badges into a 21st-century context, the BSA has created supplemental information guides that will accompany scans of the original merit badge pamphlets.

• The badges can be earned beginning today, and requirements must be completed by Dec. 31, 2010.

• Historic merit badges do count toward a Scout's rank advancement.

• Each merit badge emblem features a gold border, which will help identify it as special to the centennial year.

Pamphlets for these badges will not be reprinted. Instead, Scouts and Scouters can go online to find digital scans of the original pamphlets.

Here are the requirements for each of the historic merit badges:

Pathfinding

To obtain a merit badge for Pathfinding, a Scout must:

1. In the country, know every lane, bypath, and short cut for a distance of at least two miles in every direction around the local scout headquarters; or in a city, have a general knowledge of the district within a three-mile radius of the local scout headquarters, so as to be able to guide people at any time, by day or by night.
2. Know the population of the five principal neighboring towns, their general direction from his scout headquarters, and be able to give strangers correct directions how to reach them.
3. If in the country, know in a two mile radius, the approximate number of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs owned on the five neighboring farms; or, in a town, know, in a half-mile radius, the location of livery stables, garages and blacksmith shops.
4. Know the location of the nearest meat markets, bakeries, groceries, and drug stores.
5. Know the location of the the nearest police station, hospital, doctor, fire alarm, fire hydrant, telegraph and telephone offices, and railroad stations.
6. Know something of the history of his place; and know the location of its principal public buildings, such as the town or city hall, post-office, schools and churches.
7. Submit a map not necessarily drawn by himself upon which he personally has indicated as much as possible of the above information.

Here is an Information Guide and original booklet for the merit badge.

Tracking

To obtain a Merit Badge for [Tracking], a Scout must:

1. Demonstrate by means of a [tracking] game or otherwise, ability to [track] skillfully in shelter and wind, etc., showing how to proceed noiselessly and “freeze” when occasion demands.
2. Know and recognize the tracks of ten different kinds of animals or birds in his vicinity, three of which may be domestic.
3. Submit satisfactory evidence that he has trailed two different kinds of wild animals or birds on ordinary ground far enough to determine the direction in which they were going, and their gait or speed. Give the names of animals or birds trailed, their direction of travel, and describe gait and speed; or submit satisfactory evidence that he has trailed six different kinds of wild animal or birds in snow, sand, dust, or mud, far enough to determine the direction they were going and their gait or speed. Give names of animals or birds, their direction of travel, and describe gait and speed.
4. Submit evidence that he has scored at least 30 points from the following groups:
   Group (f) and 4 of the 5 groups (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) must be represented in the score of 30 and at least 7 points must be scored from (a), (b), or (c). Make clear recognizable photographs of
5. (a) Live bird away from nest - 4 points each
6. (b) Live woodchuck or smaller wild animal - 3 points each
7. (c) Live wild animal larger than woodchuck - 4 points each 
8. (d)  Live bird on nest - 3 points each
9. (e)  Tracks of live wild animal or bird - 2 points each
   AND
10. (f) Make satisfactory plaster cast of wild animal or bird tracks with identification imprint on back of cast - 2 points each

Here is an Information Guide and original booklet for the merit badge.

Carpentry

To obtain a Merit Badge for Carpentry, a Scout must:

1. Demonstrate the use of the rule, square, level, plumb-line, mitre, chalk-line and bevel.
2. Demonstrate the proper way to drive, set, and clinch a nail, draw a spike with a claw-hammer, and to join two pieces of wood with screws.
3. Show correct use of the cross-cut saw and of the rip-saw.
4. Show how to plane the edge, end and the broad surface of a board.
5. Demonstrate how to lay shingles.
6. Make a simple article of furniture for practical use in the home or on the home grounds, finished in a workmanlike manner, all work to be done without assistance.

Here is an Information Guide and original booklet for the merit badge.

Signaling

To obtain a Merit Badge for Signaling, a Scout must:

1. Make an electric buzzer outfit, wireless, blinker, or other signaling device.
2. Send and receive in the International Morse Code, by buzzer or other sound device, a complete message of not less than 35 words, at a rate of not less than 35 letters per minute.
3. Demonstrate an ability to send and receive a message in the International Morse Code by wigwag and by blinker or other light signaling device at the rate of not less than 20 letters per minute.
4. Send and receive by Semaphore Code at the rate of not less than 30 letters per minute.
5. Know the proper application of the International Morse and Semaphore Codes; when, where, and how they can be used to best advantage.
6. Discuss briefly various other codes and methods of signaling which are in common use.

Here is an Information Guide and original booklet for the merit badge.

Simsbury Selectmen Come to Troop 175

Recent troop 175 had two special guests join us for a troop meeting. Mr. John K. Hampton, Deputy First Selectman and newly elected Simsbury selectman Ms. Lisa L. Heavner joined the scouts for a discussion of Simsbury's town government and current issues important to all residents.

The visit was part of the Citizenship in the Community merit badge that many of the scouts in Troop 175 are currently working on.

Troop 175 thanks Mr. Hampton and Ms. Heavner for attending our meeting and for all they do for Simsbury.

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: