27
Sep
Adult Merit Badges
For a few years now I’ve had a crazy idea in the back of mind. I don’t know that it’s time to execute the idea yet, but I thought I’d post here and at least get some discussion going on the idea.
My History in the Boy Scouts of America and Activity in the Merit Badge Program
I was very involved in the Boy Scouts of America program from 7th grade through 12th grade (12 to 18 years old). The path to Eagle Scout played a major role in shaping me and preparing me for my future.
One of the things I liked most about scouting was the merit badge program. I think there were 105 available merit badges at the time. I earned 25 merit badges in all including 11 that were required for Eagle. To illustrate the broad range of areas in which merit badges are available, my merit badge sash included badges for: Basketry; Model Design and Building; Firemanship; Rowing; First Aid; Camping; Fishing; Scholarship; Emergency Preparedness; Communications; and Citizenship in the Community, Nation, and World. I believe this broad scope of learning opportunities helped me to develop an interest in all sorts of learning and made me a very well-rounded person by the time I turned 18 years old.
How Does the Boy Scout Merit Badge Program Work?
There are seven ranks in Boy Scouts: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Although any scout may earn any merit badges he wants at any time, a certain number of merit badges are required for the Star, Life, and Eagle awards. This provides motivation to earn them.
Each merit badge has a set of requirements. The requirements for each badge vary greatly but are designed to allow the scout to develop and demonstrate at least a general working knowledge in the area. Merit badges are by no means an indication that the scout is an expert in the area, but rather that he has done enough research and application to have an understanding or working knowledge in the area. For a complete list of merit badges and requirements, visit MeritBadge.org.
Once a scout decides he wants to earn a badge in a particular area he would tell his Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster would then help the scout find a qualified person to serve as a Merit Badge Counselor to help the scout with achieving the requirements for the award. While the scout would do much of the research and work on his own, he still had to meet with the counselor to demonstrate his knowledge and skill.
After the scout completed the requirements to the satisfaction of his counselor, the merit badge would be presented at a Court of Honor–a ceremony to honro scouting achievements. The scout would then add the badge to his merit badge sash–part of his uniform that showed off his accomplishments to his fellow scouts.
Merit Badges Get Replaced in Adult Life
After scouting, there really isn’t a close replacement for merit badges. Sure, we can: read books; take classes; attend seminars; join organizations; earn certifications, licenses, and degrees; and learn as we generally experience life. However, there is nothing for adults that comes close to the fun, excitement, and stress-free opportunity available in the Boy Scout merit badge program.
What I’d Like to See In An Adult Merit Badge Program
- Available Badges – While the Boy Scout program currently only offers 121 different merit badges, I think there could be an unlimited number of merit badges in an Adult program. Here are a few ideas just off the top of my head: Cooking, Barbecuing, Lawncare, Automotive Maintenance, Microsoft Word, Coin Collecting, Podcasting, GTD–Getting Things Done, Online Marketing, Travel, Guitar Playing, Dog Ownership, Astronomy, Local Politics, Cake Decorating, Blogging, Personal Finance, Child Rearing, etc…
- The Requirements – Just as in the Boy Scouts, the requirements shouldn’t be designed to make someone an expert, but rather to ensure that the learner has a good working knowledge in the area. I believe that almost anyone who is an expert in a particular area will likely be quite capable of writing requirements. There should be some sort of review process, possibly by other experts in the field, to insure that there is some consensus that the requirements meet the working-knowledge objective and are also written in a consistent manner and style. The requirements also need to be reviewed regularly to ensure that they keep up with current technologies and social trends.
- Counselors – Unless things have changed in the last 25 years, there are no set requirements for merit badge counselors. When I earned my Computers merit badge, my Algebra teacher was my counselor. When I earned my Leatherwork merit badge, a fellow scout with leatherworking knowledge was my counselor. For many of them, I simply presented my work and demonstrated my skill to one of my scout leaders. I think that in an Adult Merit Badge program, adults should be able to seek out a counselor they feel will be able to properly assist them and answer their questions.
- The Award – The adult merit badge counselor would indicate that a particular candidate had completed all the necessary requirements for a particular award. The learner would receive some sort of certificate or other token to indicate he or she had completed the requirements. Perhaps even an icon or logo that could be put on their own web site.
How Would an Adult Merit Badge Program Be Managed and Administered?
Perhaps the reason nothing like this has been done before is because there is no system to manage and administer such a program. The Boy Scouts of America has a massive network of hundreds of thousands of volunteers to administer the program on a one-on-one level. While many people will serve in this capacity to prepare young people for their future, I’m doubtful that many adults would be likely to volunteer their time to make a similar program successful for other adults.
In this day of technology and the Internet, it might not be a huge task to create a web-based program through which it could be managed and administered. It could be a social networking type of site similar to LinkedIn, FaceBook, and MySpace. Each participant would have their own personal page to display their awards, locate others with similar interests, and to generally form community around their demonstrated skills and knowledge.
Talk with Me People!
So, what do you think? Do you think Merit Badges for Adults would be a good idea? What ideas do you have to execute the idea? How would you see something like this affecting your life? Let me know in the comments!
I came across your blog via an internet search, and just went to the first page and started looking around. I think this is a great idea…I actually had a discussion about this with a friend of mine a couple of months ago. Like you, we were stumped with who would oversee the idea, but I think a program like this would encourage adults to learn from others, motivate them to do research for themselves, and be able to be recognized for their efforts.
November 7th, 2008 at 11:28 amKacy – Thanks for your comments. I think the only way this would work today would be if it was all managed on the Internet. I don’t see adults going to weekly club meetings or anything. However, based on the comments so far, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of interest in this. I’m glad I haven’t invested any time in developing such a program. I personally still think it’s a good idea though.
November 9th, 2008 at 7:36 pmAs a Girl Scout, I actually only completed one badge: it was the group Drama badge: but never did any on my own: I guess too lazy.
As an adult: I have thought about all the subjects in the Scout badges and how interesting it would be to learn about some of them by doing some of the activities: I even thought about just buying the book and unofficially just going through some of the activities for a couple of the badges.
Maybe the Scout movement could create a webpage for adults who want to unofficially do so: there must be other adults who wish they had been more diligent about badges, and the learning opportunities they presented, when they were kids.
I don’t imagine that such a program would have to involve meeting with others: it could be done, as you said, on the Internet.
Laurie
December 26th, 2008 at 1:03 pmLaurie – thanks for stopping by and commenting!
December 26th, 2008 at 1:30 pmI have actually been thinking about this for several years. Initially I thought about picking up general knowledge that I missed from not being a scout as a kid, but then I moved on to even more “academic” subjects like economics, or biology, such as one could learn from open courseware and the like. The trick would be to set up an internet based governing body that could devote the time to badge regulation, appropriate knowledge tests (per subject or skill) and then badge disbursement. I wish I had the time to originate this!
January 30th, 2009 at 7:32 pmTrevor – Maybe one day a group of us can make it happen!
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 pmMy boyfriend and I were talking about this the other day. It would be motivating for me! I’m the kind of person who gets things done simply because I want to cross them off my to-do list. So getting to learn things AND get a reward! I actually searched “adult merit badges” to find this blog…
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 amNo.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:21 pmI’m SO loving this idea!! I found your blog serching just this same idea! I would join if it was web based . BUT I would REALLY like to have it be in a group in “real life” LOL. There is a great book thats called “You can do it” The merit badge book for grown-up girls.
May 5th, 2009 at 12:38 amYes I know its for women BUT its a start. The book even has merit badge stickers.
I ‘m also a girl scout leader and when my girls earn badges I do the requirments right along with them and get myself a badge too. I have been sewing them to a quilt I’m making.
Well thanks for letting me say somthing about this . I hope some one can put somthing together for us adults.
I think this is a GREAT idea!!! I tried Girl Scouts as a kid, but the troops around my home didn’t really do that much. I always really wanted to do the Boy Scout stuff my brother was doing-earning the merit badges, learning practical cool stuff, etc. I would be really interested, especially with an online type of program. I actually looked up current merit badge requirements online and am thinking about unofficially trying for them, but it would be way cooler to do it with other people.
May 10th, 2009 at 12:19 pmYes this is a very good idea to have an adult merit badge program for men and women, and I think it is an excellent one. I am glad that I found you, and someday when the time is right, I will become a Scout all over again with a new positive outlook on my life. Thank you very much.
June 5th, 2009 at 10:51 amValerie Klaassen
Please notify me about my comments that I sent you at 10:51 am June 5th, 2009. I very truly want to become a Scout earning adult merit badges, because I am not qualified to be a leader or assistant leader, knowing that I am mentally handicapped. Will you please return my email, and give me an answer. Since my plate is full, I would love to do this on my spare time through a Scout Mentor, and I don’t really want to be a leader of the Pack or Troop. That is way over my head. Thank you for sending me back your reply and I am looking forward to it. God bless you and America. Let Freedom Ring. Thank you. I love Scouting, and I really don’t want to stay stagnant in Scouting. Adult Merit Badges are and being a Scout is right for me. I am a Pathfinder at the CPC Panthers Pathfinders Club with the Potomac Conference and it is very similar to the Scouts. I earn my Honors and sew them on my black Honor Sash. My Pathfinder Uniform is Black and Khacki.
Cordially,
July 8th, 2009 at 12:52 pmValerie Klaassen
Yes, I find that the Scouting for adult men and women should form and we need a merit badge program for both adult men and women who would like to be a Scout. I am sick and tired of staying stagnant by being the center of attention by doing too many things behind my husband’s back and making too many phone calls to the BSA and the GSUSA. It’s wrong, and every adult men and women should be a Scout. Last week, I just turned 54 on Thursday July 2, 2009. Why don’t you work on forming a Co-ed Scout Program for adult men and women over 21 without an age limit. I think that this is a great idea that you are trying to do in the long run. Let’s just go ahead and do it, since my plate is full. I do not have to worry about getting into big trouble with my husband anymore. I am serious about Scouting. It’s fun and entertaining. It will make a big difference in the United States of America. I live in Northern Virginia in Fairfax County, the Mailing address is Alexandria, Virginia. Thank you again for your time. I will give other a fair chance to write their comments about the adult merit badge and adult co-ed scouting program that will come about soon. God Bless You and Let Freedom Ring.
Cordially,
July 8th, 2009 at 2:35 pmValerie Klaassen
Valerie – At this point this is still just an abstract idea without e lot of people who are greatly interested. There doesn’t seem to be enough interest to make it worthwhile to develop a program like this right now–at least from my perspective as a developer. Maybe one day…
July 9th, 2009 at 1:00 pmThank you Ricky,
One day it will happen down the road from here one day at a time. This is a positive attitude and a peace of mind. Thank you very much. I will be looking forward to hearing some more Scout Stuff and Adult Merit Badges Program whenever it comes true. I really hope that dream comes true and this new Scouting project for adults will come through in God’s time. God is never in no hurry, but he is always on time. God bless you.
Cordially,
July 9th, 2009 at 1:54 pmValerie Klaassen
I do not see why adults cannot earn merit badges either. Why not? Let’s all be Scouts.
Cordially,
August 12th, 2009 at 11:40 amValerie A. Klaassen
I love the idea of adult merit badges and recently spoke to some other people who seemed interested as well. I think that there would be interest if people were presented with the idea. I would like it to be very versatile. Something you could do by yourself or with a group. Just have a central website to get ideas from, order the badges you earn and a forum to share your experiences and post pictures. I dont want to have to go to weekly or monthly meetings, but if people were so inclined to organize that themselves they could.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:00 pmDear Rae Raggs,
Yes, I agree of the idea of adult merit badges and recently loving that Idea. I am glad you recently spoke to some other people who like the idea. I would like it to be very versatile too. It is something you can do by yourself, but I would like to do it with you. We can become Scouts in the United States and Canada. Or we can become American Heritage Girls. You can be my mentor and I can be an American Heritage Girl Mentee. The American Heritage Girl Website is http://www.ahgonline.org, and you can look it up on your browser. Thank you very much.
August 21st, 2009 at 6:57 amCordially,
Valerie Klaassen
Yes, productivity and adult Scouting for men and women and a full-standard Scout Uniform and merit badges for life is a good idea, and I have been giving it so much thoughts. I think that we should have a group and mentoring programs accomplishmed by now. This is the kind of motivation that came across my mind; especially productivity. Scouting, on the whole, means a whole lot to me, and I really miss it. The sad part about the Girl Scout USA is that they did away with the full-standard Girl Scout Uniforms and I find that so depressing to me. It makes me want to do Scouting with you and you might as well start working something out as of right now and get a small group going. Thank you very much.
Scout Valerie Klaassen
August 25th, 2009 at 3:32 pmI have more than loved this idea, but then I’m obsessive compulsive.
BOGUK is the Guides in the UK’s version of adult badges you can earn.
A Girl Scout leader tried to start an adult group and, while she was willing to let others post their patch ideas, she is not leading the group into a strong position. I’m learning a lot of what *not* to do by watching this group. I did try to help, but it was quickly apparent that she was “in charge.”
There is also a book, “You Can Do It” that has badges written for adults.
I propose that as a “governing” body, you look at the strong youth groups and those who volunteer in them so that you can pull information from each…Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Campfire USA, etc. from the US. Then, not only would you have input by all those organizations, you also have a larger base to pull people who are interested in learning more.
My own experiences in Girl Scout adult learning have been dismal. I am a trainer (for adults) and I have offered classes in digital photography, obtaining info on the Internet for program enhancement, and a slew of other things that I can’t get minimums met to hold these trainings in my council. However, I’ve managed to take about 5 hours of engineering training in the next council so I can share that with my girls who are *very* interested in it.
I think by learning more ourselves, we could improve the programs for which we volunteer. By basing ourselves on the Internet, we would have the flexibility to adjust with current trends and interests.
I’m willing to play.
November 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pmDear Laura Rajsic-Lanier,
Thank you for letting me know that you have more than loved this idea, but then your were so obsessive compulsive. I had that same problem myself, and I know how you feel. I agree that learning more ourselves, we can improve programs for which we volunteer. By basing ourselves on the Internet, we would have the flexibility to adjust with current trends and interests as Girl Guiding and earning merit badges and wearing the full-standard Scout-like uniform like we should as adult women. I want to be a Girl Guide too. God bless you. You may go ahead and feel free to email me all you want. You are welcome to do this and we will start with the two of us so that we can start becoming Girl Guides together. The we will go from here. How does this sound to you. Good? I find it sound very good.
Cordially,
December 1st, 2009 at 10:42 pmValerie Klaassen