Boy Scout help

[stargazer_tom]

I have volunteered to be an astronomy merit badge counselor for a coworkers scout troop in Parker Co. I have not done this before and know that there are some BSA criteria that I need to complete (training) first. Does anyone out there have experience doing this and can offer advice and possibly materials to help me out? Anything would be helpful.

Thanks
Tom S.

[fillerupmac]

Tom -
It's been a while, but the requirements should be at www.meritbadge.com

I believe you'll also need to register at council as a merit badge counselor, in order for the scouts to receive credit for the badge. Either that, or you teach the class, and someone who is registered as an astronomy counselor approves their work.

Don't worry about qualifications you know way more than the Scouts do! These are BOY scouts and not CUB scouts, correct? I always made a point to make sure the boys actually learned something, and weren't just exposed to the hobby.

Al S.
former Scoutmaster, 10 years Troop 101

[JimW]

Hi Tom,

I am a current Merit Badge Counselor.

There is a council form you need to fill out (for background check, etc).

There is also a new training class that is required. It's done online and you need the cert to proceed. It has to do with Scout/Adult interaction/safety.

Once that is done you're set.

You just need to familiarize yourself with the Astronomy Badge Requirements (which has become even more lax in the most recent revision).

You can find the current requirements here: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Astronomy

There is a worksheet on that site you can download and print for your scouts.

I'm a stickler as a counselor and make sure that the scouts know their stuff and not give them the answers. I tend to take some flak from some parents for not just giving them the answers so that their scout(s) can just fill out the worksheet and get the badge. I had to work hard at earning my badges and so shall they.

As a counselor you will have final say if the scout meets each requirement. If they cannot to your satisfaction, guide them in learning what they need to know and then have them come back at a later date (week, next meeting, etc) and try again.

You, as a counselor, will have authority to sign their "blue card". The Astronomy Merit Badge Blue Card lists the requirements and as each scout completes a requirement you initial that requirement. Once all necessary requirements have been met you then sign/date the card (don't do this first) at which time the card can be submitted to the council for award.

Hope this helps.

-JimW


On Mar 8, 2011, at 8:17 PM, stargazer_tom wrote:

I have volunteered to be an astronomy merit badge counselor for a coworkers scout troop in Parker Co. I have not done this before and know that there are some BSA criteria that I need to complete (training) first. Does anyone out there have experience doing this and can offer advice and possibly materials to help me out? Anything would be helpful.

Thanks
Tom S.

------------------------
Experience is a wonderful thing. It allows you to recognize a mistake when you make it again!

[stargazer_tom]

Boy Scouts, not Cub Scouts. I was told these would only be boys who are interested in the subject, not drug to an event.

I read the badge requirements and they aren't too hard. So my task is to guide and help them understand, not teach like in a class or lecture? If I understand you correctly, they have to "do the work" and figure it out. They ask if they don't understand something and I help them understand it. I would also show them proper procedures with equipment and such. Then I review what they have done and offer suggestions and give approval.

I think I can do that. I thought I was going to have to teach a class or something. Thanks.

Do you have any useful links or materials that I could use?

Thanks
Tom S.

[fillerupmac]

Do you have any useful links or materials that I could use?

Thanks
Tom S.

The website doc file has resources at the end of the list. The PDF has the worksheet, I made the scouts fill this out, after all the work was done.

Rather than "teaching", I would hold "discussions" on pertinent matters. You get some that always respond, some that just sit and hopefully absorb. Most boys love gadgets, they'll get a kick out of the telescopes, then show them something, and they will get immediately interested!

Have fun, make something a challenge - they will enjoy it.

Al