2020 Summer Merit Badges Round 1




Notes/actions before Troop Meeting on 31 July:
  • Fishing
    From Mr. Chang: Okay Scouts, you can work at your own pace to complete the Fishing MB Workbook, which includes sending me videos and pictures of your knots or fishing activities.  Here are your next steps to complete your MB:
    1. Please add me in Scoutbook as your MB Counselor.
    2. I would like to be sure that you have signed up to access Scoutbook.  It is where you will complete all your Advancement requirements and Merit Badge requirements.  
    3. Please remember -  I do want you to demonstrate your knowledge both in writing and in videos, like tying the arbor knot or how to cast a spinning rod.
    4. When you've completed your Fishing MB Workbook - email it to me.
    5. We'll set up a Zoom call to discuss your answers and your work that you have completed.
    Please remember these 2 important parts:
    ==> Please download the Fishing MB Workbook to fill out.  You can search for a copy on the internet.
    ==>  To help you on some sections of the Workbook, I have set up a Google Doc with interesting Youtube videos that you can watch.  For example, I've posted videos on how to tie the different required knots so you can practice along with the video. Or  check out the video on how bass eat minnows or crawfish - really cool! Check it out here.
  • Photography
    Contact Mrs. G. if you need to submit anything to complete.

  • Architecture
    Scouts should have req. 1, 2, 3c, and 5 completed for Friday for ARCHITECTURE. (1 and 2 were assigned last week but for those who didn't attend, they are still expected to have those completed). 
    Breakout meeting on July 31.

  • Orienteering
    Plan on attending a DVOA Orienteering meet on Sunday 2 August. We will need to arrive at French Creek by 8AM and return home around 4PM.
    Make sure you've completed the following requirements in the WORKBOOK:
    1. Show that you know first aid for the types of injuries that could occur while orienteering, including cuts, scratches, blisters, snakebite, insect stings, tick bites, heat and cold reactions (sunburn, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, hypothermia), and dehydration. Explain to your counselor why you should be able to identify poisonous plants and poisonous animals that are found in your area.
    2. Explain what orienteering is.
    3. Do the following:
      1. (3a) Explain how a compass works. Describe the features of an orienteering compass.

  • Family Life
    Breakout available for discussion/questions/completion as needed.

  • Nature
    • Sign up on Scout Book
    • Requirements 1-3 are complete and you boys need to upload their completed materials on ScoutBook so Mr. Stobie can approve.
    • Have what you have completed For your 5 fields of choice for #4. This includes collections, photos, soil sample, etc.

  • Chess
    • Contact Mr. Williams to confirm you played at home games and recap any outstanding items.  

  • Collections
    • Send requirement #1 to Mr. Barsh.

  • Moviemaking
    • Finish requirements 2a (your story treatment/script), 2b (storyboard), and 2d (your movie) at home. Mr. Whitaker will send you a shared drive to post your finished movie.
    • All other requirements were completed in our breakouts.

  • Geocaching
    • One more outing is needed to complete requirement 9 and will be scheduled as a TBD in the following week.

  • Cycling
    1. Send in photos of your bike and helmet per Adam's email message. 
    2. SIGN UP HERE for an upcoming ride (don't worry, we'll add more but you need to start riding to complete this badge!).

  • Dog Care and/or Pets
    Follow these instructions


Older Notes:

Notes/actions before Troop Meeting on 24 July:
  • Fishing Merit Badge
    Please be sure to continue working on completing Fishing MB requirements #1 through #10.  Friday, July 24th will be our last class together, but I am happy to continue working with you one-on-one to complete your MB

    For the Breakout: Let's talk about Knots - different knots used for Fishing.  Please watch the videos and practice tying with large pieces of rope:
  1. Improved Clinch knot
  2. Palomar knot
  3. Uni knot
  4. Uni to Uni knot
  5. Arbor knot
Can you demonstrate tying one of these for Friday night's meeting?  If so, we'll watch you tie it on Zoom!

From last week: Also read the following two links/documents:
  1. How to Use this Virtual Fishing MB Workbook HOW TO
  2. Fishing MB Workbook - Links to Youtube Videos on specific requirements LINKS
  • Photography
    • Complete the remainder of the requirements and send Mrs. G your photos, etc before Friday if you want.

  • Architecture
    Scouts should have req. 1, 2, 3c, and 5 completed for Friday for ARCHITECTURE. (1 and 2 were assigned last week but for those who didn't attend, they are still expected to have those completed). 
    We'll take one more meeting for this badge (July 31)

  • Orienteering
    We will be working on requirements 4 and 6 during Friday's meeting. If you have another breakout first then go to that one and join Orienteering later.

    Please plan on attending a DVOA Orienteering meet on Sunday 2 August. We will need to arrive at French Creek by 8AM and return home around 4PM.
    Complete the following requirements in the WORKBOOK:
    1. Show that you know first aid for the types of injuries that could occur while orienteering, including cuts, scratches, blisters, snakebite, insect stings, tick bites, heat and cold reactions (sunburn, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, hypothermia), and dehydration. Explain to your counselor why you should be able to identify poisonous plants and poisonous animals that are found in your area.
    2. Explain what orienteering is.
    3. Do the following:
      1. (3a) Explain how a compass works. Describe the features of an orienteering compass.

  • Family Life
    See email message from Mrs. B.

  • Nature
    • Sign up on Scout Book
    • Requirements 1-3 are complete and you boys need to upload their completed materials on ScoutBook so Mr. Stobie can approve.
    • Have what you have completed For your 5 fields of choice for #4. This includes collections, photos, soil sample, etc.
    • I am requesting one more week for us to meet since you only had one week to work on #4. 
    • John C. - Mammals, Fish, Plants, Soil & Rocks, Reptiles and Amphibians
    • Stephen A -Mammals, Fish, Plants, Soil & Rocks, Reptiles and Amphibians
    • Thomas M -Birds, Mammals, Fish, Plants, Soil & Rocks
    • Ryan McI - Needs to make choices of 5 fields for #4

  • Chess
    • Keep playing games as discussed at the last meeting.

  • Collections
    • Send requirement #1 to Mr. Barsh.

  • Moviemaking
    • 2a and 2b: Work on your movie treatment and storyboard to review this coming Friday.
    • We completed requirements 1 and 3a last Friday.  
    • We will cover 2c and 4 at this Friday’s meeting.

  • Geocaching
    • 2a and 2b are complete.
    • Join the meeting tomorrow at 7:30 to review homework from the first meeting (1a, 1b, 3 and 7) and go over 2c (see email message from Mr. Horn)
    • We'll need an additional week since Sunday's outing was postponed due to the heat and limited response from scouts. That is being planned for Sunday 7/26 @ 4:30 and will cover 1c, 5a, 5b and 6.
    • Homework after the outing will be 4 and 8d.
    • One more outing is needed to complete requirement 9 and will be scheduled as a TBD in the following week.

  • Cycling
    1. Send in photos of your bike and helmet per Adam's email message. 
    2. SIGN UP HERE for an upcoming ride (don't worry, we'll add more but you need to start riding to complete this badge!).

  • Dog Care
    Follow these instructions

  • Pets
    Follow these instructions

Notes/actions before Troop Meeting on 17 July:

  • Fishing Merit Badge
    Please be prepared to discuss the following and write all answers in your Workbook
    • Requirements #1a - 1d
    • Requirements #5
    • Requirements #6a, 6b
    Also read the following two links/documents:
    1. How to Use this Virtual Fishing MB Workbook HOW TO
    2. Fishing MB Workbook - Links to Youtube Videos on specific requirements LINKS

  • Photography
    Complete through requirement #6 by Friday.

  • Architecture
    Complete requirements 1 and 2 by this Friday's meeting

  • Orienteering
    We will be working on requirements 4 and 6 during Friday's meeting
    Please plan on attending a DVOA Orienteering meet on Sunday 2 August. We will need to arrive at French Creek by 8AM and return home around 4PM.
    Complete the following requirements in the WORKBOOK:
    1. Show that you know first aid for the types of injuries that could occur while orienteering, including cuts, scratches, blisters, snakebite, insect stings, tick bites, heat and cold reactions (sunburn, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, hypothermia), and dehydration. Explain to your counselor why you should be able to identify poisonous plants and poisonous animals that are found in your area.
    2. Explain what orienteering is.
    3. Do the following:
      1. (3a) Explain how a compass works. Describe the features of an orienteering compass.

  • Family Life
    Useful links:
  • PollEv.com/nicolebothwe388 (for use in meetings)
  • Requirements: http://usscouts.org/mb/mb129.asp
  • Pamphlet (out-dated but best I could find): HERE
  • Fun/useful article/resource for Family Life Merit Badge: https://scoutsmarts.com/family-life-merit-badge-guide

  • Nature
    • Sign up on Scout Book
    • Print off work sheet for Nature MB
    • Do requirements 1-3 before Friday’s meeting
    • Make your five choices for #4.

  • Chess
    • Complete #2 and #3 in the workbook
    • Sign up for a free account at chess.com (make sure this is okay with your parents)
    • Play at least one game of chess with another Scout; keep a record of the final board positions (screen shot, photo, or notation)

  • Collections
    Send requirement #1 to Mr. Barsh.

  • Moviemaking
    Start thinking about what kind of movie you would like to make. If you have an idea start 2a and 2b.

  • Geocaching
    Complete requirements 1a, 1b, 3 & 7.

  • Cycling
    1. Send in photos of your bike and helmet per Adam's email message. 
    2. SIGN UP HERE for an upcoming ride (don't worry, we'll add more but you need to start riding to complete this badge!).

  • Dog Care
    Follow these instructions

  • Pets
    Follow these instructions
Who's taking what:

Family Life (Mrs. Bothwell) - Albert, Andreas, Andrew L, Aviv, Brendan D, EJ, Gavin, Ian, James D, Nate C, Nicholas, Peter, Reynold, Richard, Robert, Rui, Thomas H, Trey, Zach

Chess (Mr. Williams) - Julian, Jacob, Calixte, Andrew, Matthew

Photography (Mrs. Goldberg) - Matt C, Michael W, Srikar

Collections (Mr. Barsh) - Dean, Aviv, Chase

Pets (Mr. Corne) -

Dog Care (Mr. Corne) - 

Moviemaking (Mr. Whitaker) - Derek, Davide, Alex W

Public Health (Mr. Connaghan) - No takers this time

Architecture (Caleb Goldberg & Walter Marcinkowski) -  Chris, Caden, Srikar, Troy

Nature (Mr. Stobie) - Thomas, Ryan McI, Stephen, John

Fishing (Mr. Chang) - Reece, Alec, Gabe, Parker, Spencer

Gardening (Mrs. Whitaker) - No takers this time

Cycling (Adam Pieroni and Will Marcinkowski) - Andreas, Calixte, Connor, Dalton, Matt C, Matthew W, Nate P, Reece, Shane, Thomas M, Zach

Geocaching (Mr. Horn) - Dean, Derek, Andrew P, Stephen, Sean, Michael W, Jacob R, Chase, Felipe, Luke

Orienteering (Mr. Trejo) - John, Ryan C, Chris S, Davide, Thomas H, Ian, Alex W, Robert, Andrew C


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