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Aviation Merit Badge Information
Here is the official scouting website with an interactive Aviation merit badge pamphlet. The more I go through it, the more I like how it's set up for the scouts:
https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/digital-resource-guides/aviation/
This one is the MB workbook (9 pages long) that each scout will have to print out and bring with them while we're doing the MB:
http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/Aviation.pdf
After reviewing the requirements again, #3 may be best as a prerequisite, or one that is done outside of the mtg. I will discuss this at our first MB mtg.
On 9/25, Requirements 1 and 4.
On 10/02, Requirements 2 and 5.
If we need an additional mtg to finish things up, it could tentatively be 10/16, but we'll see how things go at the first mtg so I can gauge things.
On 10/30:
At this session, we will be putting together our single-engine cockpit instrument panel, using the instruments that you all draw/create. Please do not use AI and do not just print out a picture you found- we want this to be something you make, that we can also use for scouts who want to earn the Aviation MB in the future. You can find examples of the instruments in the Aviation MB pamphlet, and there are countless resources and photos online as well. Reminder- your instruments should be 5" round, or 5"x5" square, preferably on sturdy paper, like construction paper or cardstock. While actual instruments are pretty dull and gray, we will not be upset if you get creative with the colors you use!
Here is the list of scouts and their assigned instruments:
-Sean Costello.....Attitude Indicator (also known as Artifical Horizon)
-Tyler Bergmann.....Heading Indicator
-Gavin Kolibas.....Altimeter
-Andrew Byrne.....Airspeed Indicator
-Michael Obergfell.....Turn and Bank Indicator
-Luke Donatelli.....Compass
-James Salapka.....Tachometer
-Edward Quackenbush.....Oil Pressure Gauge
-Lucas Herkert.....Oil Temperature Gauge
-Collin Quackenbush.....Vertical Speed Indicatoru use!
Hiking Merit Badge
The Hiking Merit Badge challenges Scouts to test their endurance, planning skills, and appreciation for the outdoors. To earn it, Scouts learn the principles of safe hiking, including map and compass use, proper preparation, and the importance of Leave No Trace. They also study how to handle emergencies, select the right gear, and care for themselves and others while on the trail.
Beyond the classroom learning, the badge requires real commitment on the trail. Scouts complete a series of four 10-mile hikes, building up to a demanding 20-mile trek in a single day. These hikes not only strengthen physical stamina but also teach perseverance, leadership, and teamwork. By the end, Scouts don’t just earn a badge—they gain confidence in their ability to meet challenges and a deeper connection to nature.
Citizenship in Society
The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge encourages Scouts to look beyond themselves and better understand the world around them. Through this badge, Scouts explore the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how these principles help build stronger, more respectful communities. By learning to recognize different perspectives, cultures, and experiences, Scouts gain a deeper appreciation for the value each individual brings to society and how working together makes us all better citizens.
A key focus of this merit badge is ethical leadership. Scouts are challenged to research an individual who demonstrated positive leadership while facing a difficult or complex situation. They examine the problem the leader encountered, the options that were available, and the potential consequences of each choice. By analyzing why the leader selected a particular course of action, Scouts learn how values, integrity, and responsibility play a critical role in decision-making.
Finally, Scouts evaluate the outcome of the leader’s decision and its impact on others. This reflection helps Scouts understand that ethical leadership often requires courage, empathy, and a willingness to do what is right—even when it is not easy. Through the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge, Scouts develop the skills to think critically, act ethically, and lead with respect, preparing them to be thoughtful, inclusive leaders in their communities and beyond.
The first session will meet this Thursday, February 5th at 7:00 PM. There are no prerequisites for this meeting, as it will serve as an overview of the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge and outline expectations for the course.
At the following Thursday’s session, Scouts should be prepared by completing the remaining requirements and be ready to actively participate in discussion and activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical leadership.
Please work on requirements 1, 2, 3 and 5 as we will discuss those. Also you can begin working on 6 and 8 as those will be done outside of our sessions.
Merit Badge Workbook: http://usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/citizenship-in-society.pdf
Citizenship in Society Merit Badge: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/citizenship-in-society/
Snow Sports Merit Badge
NOTE: The official merit badge pamphlets are now free and downloadable HERE or can be purchased at the Scout Shop.
1. Do the following:
(a) Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while participating in snow sport activities, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
Resources: How to Ski Safely (video)
How to Prevent Injuries (website)(b) Discuss first aid and prevention for the types of injuries or illnesses that could occur while participating in snow sports, including hypothermia, frostbite, shock, dehydration, sunburn, concussion, fractures, bruises, sprains, and strains. Tell how to apply splints.
Resources: Treating Frostbite and Hypothermia (video)
How to Splint a Broken Bone (video)
2. Do the following:
(a) Explain why every snow sport participant should be prepared to render first aid in the event of an accident.
(b) Explain the procedure used to report an accident to the local ski patrol or local emergency personnel.
Resource: How to Report an Accident to the Ski Patrol (video)
3. Explain the international trail-marking system.
Resource: International Trail Marking System (video)
4. Discuss the importance of strength, endurance, and flexibility in snow sports. Demonstrate exercises and activities you can do to get fit for the option you choose in requirement 7.
Resource: Training to Prevent Snow Sports Injuries (video)
5. Present yourself properly clothed and equipped for the option you choose in requirement 7. Discuss how the clothing you have chosen will help keep you warm and protected.
Resource: How to Dress for Snow Sports (video)
6. Do ALL of the following:
(a) Explain the elements of the Your Responsibility Code that is in effect at the location whehre you will ski, snowboard, or snowshoe. Explain why each person must follow this code.
Resource: Your Responsibility Code (video)(b) Explain the SMART Style safety program. Tell why it is important and how it applies to participants at snow sport venues like terrain parks and pipes.
Resource: SMART Style Safety Program (video)(c) Explain the precautions pertaining to avalanche safety, including the responsibility of individuals regarding avalanche safety.
Resource: How to Reduce Avalanche Risk (video)
7. Do ONE of the following options:
Option A—Downhill (Alpine) Skiing. Do ALL of the following:
Note: Generally, a gentle slope will be a trail designated by a green circle, a slightly steeper slope will be a green circle or blue square trail, and an intermediate slope will be a blue square trail. However, your counselor should determine what type of hill is most suited to your skill level and allows you to demonstrate each of the required skills.(1) Show how to wax and maintain your skis and use/maintain your release bindings. Explain the international DIN standard and what it means to skiers.
Resources: How to Wax Skis (video)
How to Test Ski Bindings (video)
Ski Binding DIN Settings (video)(2) Explain the American Teaching System and a basic snowskiing progression.
Resource: American Teaching System Skill Levels (PDF)(3) Discuss the different types of Alpine skis. Demonstrate two ways to carry skis and poles safely and easily.
Resources: Types of Alpine Skis (video)
How to Carry Skis (video)(4) Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.
Resource: Ski Lifts and How to Ride Them (video)(5) On a gentle slope, demonstrate some of the beginning maneuvers learned in skiing. Include the straight run, gliding wedge, wedge stop, sidestep, and herringbone maneuvers.
Resources: Beginner's Guide - The Gear (video)
Beginner's Guide - Basic Moves (video)
Beginner's Guide - Getting Around (video)(6) On slightly steeper terrain, show linked wedge turns.
Resources: How to Do Linked Wedge Turns (video)
The Wedge Turn (video)(7) On a moderate slope, demonstrate five to 10 christies.
Resource: How to Do Christies (video)(8) Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope.
Resource: Making a Controlled Run (video)(9) Demonstrate the ability to ski in varied conditions, including changes in pitch and snow conditions. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.
Resource: Skiing in Variable Snow Conditions (video)(10) Name the major ski organizations in the United States and explain their functions.
Resources: Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) (video)
U.S. Ski & Snowboard (video)
National Ski Patrol (video)Option B—Cross-Country (Nordic) Skiing. DO ALL of the following:
(1) Show your ability to select, use, and maintain equipment for cross-country skiing in safety and comfort.
Resource: How to Choose Cross-Country Skis (video)(2) Explain the reasons for common rules, including no walking on ski trails, one-way ski direction, no pets, and no skiing on snowmobile trails.
(3) Discuss classic, skating, touring, and telemark skis.
Resource: Types of Cross Country Skis (video)(4) Discuss the basic principles of waxing for cross-country ski touring.
Resource: How to Wax Cross-Country Skis (video)(5) Discuss the differences between cross-country, backcountry/ski touring, ski mountaineering, and downhill/telemark skiing.
Resources: Styles of Cross-Country Skiing (video)
What is Telemark Skiing? (video)(6) List the items you would take on a one-day ski tour.
Resource: Gear Checklist for a Day Tour (video)(7) Demonstrate the proper use of a topographic map and compass.
Resources: How to Read a Topographic Map (video)
How to Use a Compass (video)
How to Use a Topographic Map and Compass (video)(8) On a gentle, packed slope, show some basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the straight run, traverse, side slip, step turn, wedge stop, and wedge turn maneuvers.
Resource: How to Control Speed and Direction (video)(9) On a cross-country trail, demonstrate effective propulsion by showing proper weight transfer form ski to ski, pole timing, rhythm, flow, and glide.
Resource: Basic Moves on Cross-Country Skis (video)(10) Demonstrate your ability, on a 4-mile tour, to cope with an average variety of snow conditions.
Note: Adaptive skiers may complete a 1-mile tour with prior approval from their counselor.
Resource: Skiing on Varied Conditions (video)(11) Demonstrate several methods of dealing with steep hills or difficult conditions. Include traverses and kick turns going uphill and downhill, sidesteps, and pole drag.
Resource: Dealing With Hills (video)Option C—Snowboarding. Do ALL of the following:
Note: Generally, a gentle slope will be a trail designated by a green circle, a slightly steeper slope will be a green circle or blue square trail, and an intermediate slope will be a blue square trail. However, your counselor should determine what type of hill is most suited to your skill level and allows you to demonstrate the required skills.(1) Discuss forward-fall injuries.
Resource: How to Fall on a Snowboard (video)(2) Show your ability to select the correct equipment for snowboarding and to use it for safety and comfort.
Resource: Selecting Snowboard Equipment (video)(3) Show how to use and maintain your own bindings, and explain the use of the different binding methods. Explain the need for leashes.
Resource: How to Adjust Bindings (video)(4) Discuss the four types of snowboards. Demonstrate how to carry a snowboard easily and safely.
Resource: Types of Snowboards (video)(5) Demonstrate how to ride one kind of lift and explain how to ride two others.
Resource: Ski Lifts and How to Ride Them (video)(6) Demonstrate the basic principles of waxing a snowboard.
Resource: How to Wax a Snowboard (video)(7) Do the following:
(a) On a gentle slope, demonstrate beginning snowboarding maneuvers. Show basic ways to control speed and direction. Include the sideslipping maneuver.
Resources: Beginning Snowboard Maneuvers (video)
How to Make Your Board Go Straight (video)(b) On slightly steeper terrain, show traversing.
Resource: Maneuvering Hills & Traversing the Slope (video)(8) On a moderate slope, demonstrate an ollie, a nose-end grab, and a wheelie.
Resources: How to Do an Ollie (video)
How to Do a Nose-End Grab (video)
How to Do a Wheelie (video)(9) Make a controlled run down an intermediate slope.
Resource: Making a Controlled Run (video)(10) Demonstrate your ability to ride in varied conditions, including changes in pitch, snow conditions, and moguls. Maintain your balance and ability to turn.
Resource: Types of Snow Conditions (video)(11) Name the major snowboarding organizations in the United States and explain their functions.
Resource: American Association of Snowboarding Instructors (video)Option D—Snowshoeing. Do ALL of the following:
Resource: How to Choose Snowshoes (video)(1) Name the parts of a snowshoe.
(2) Explain how to choose the correct size of snowshoe.
(3) Describe the different types of snowshoes and their specialized uses. Discuss factors to consider when choosing a snowshoe.
(4) Explain how to properly care for and maintain snowshoes.
Resources: How to Repair Snowshoes (video)
How to Store Snowshoes (video)(5) List the items you would take on a one-day snowshoe hike.
Resources: What to Bring Snowshoeing (video)
What to Wear Snowshoeing (video)(6) Describe areas that are best for snowshoeing. Discuss some advantages and dangers of backcountry snowshoeing.
Resource: Where and How to Snowshoe Safely (video)(7) Discuss the benefits of snowshoeing.
Resource: Benefits of Snowshoeing (video)(8) Demonstrate the most efficient ways to break trail, climb uphill, travel downhill and traverse a slope.
Resources: How to Break Trail (video)
How to Snowshoe on Hills (video)
How to Sidestep (video)(9) Demonstrate your ability, on a 2-mile snowshoe hike, to cope with an average variety of snow conditions.
Resource: How to Travel Cross-Country on Snowshoes (video)(10) Demonstrate the proper use of a topographic map and compass.
Resources: How to Read a Topographic Map (video)
How to Use a Compass (video)
How to Use a Topographic Map and Compass (video)
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