Okay, it’s not quite that simple, but 2011’s newest badge, Robotics, can involve a lot of LEGO construction (or VEX, or any other components). Build your very own robot – no, not out of cardboard boxes and foil. Kits today bring together sensors, computers, and imagination. And a hefty price tag. Some of the Lego Mindstorm kits can be had for as “little” as a hundred dollars. A decent kit is closer to $500. The good news is that many of the area junior and senior high schools have clubs where local taxpayers have already purchased all the equipment. Students who join their school’s club should easily be able to fulfill the requirements for this badge without any additional hoops.

Robotics *can* be completed on your own. Most competitions are public and open to all, so the visit shouldn’t be a big problem. You can find some competitions here, or call your local high school to ask. The difficult part to doing it on your own will be finding the components and a counselor with the necessary expertise. [If you know of a local one, would you please email me and let me know?]

For those without access or whose schools are headed in other directions, you might try one of the following organizations:

Introduction to LEGO Robotics – A PenMet Summer Camp. For 6th & 7th graders. July 8-12, 1-4pm. Gig Harbor.

Kitsap 4-H Summer Robotics Camp. July 11-15. (Fills up quickly; contact instructor asap.)

The Spruce Goose Museum in McMinnville, OR has three Robotics clubs of their own. Because they have both the equipment and the facilities, they’re now offering Robotics clinics for Scouts. With worksheets completed beforehand (and a notebook done afterward), Scouts can complete the badge in the one-day class. Contact the Scout Coordinator, Cory Fuqua, for more information.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Send us a brief description of YOUR troop. Troops are Seattle Council unless otherwise noted.

Troop 12 (Pacific Harbors) – Does your Scout have physical special needs? Troop 12 offers extra support and modified activities for Scouts with such challenges as Asperger’s, Autism, Cerebral Palsy. Meets Tuesdays at 7pm at Tumwater Middle School, 6335 Littlerock Rd SW. For details call David Richter at (360) 236-9641 or (360) 888-0733.

Troop 212 (Pacific Harbors) – Large, service-oriented Quality unit. Gig Harbor.

Troop 220 (Pacific Harbors) – Service-oriented, active, inclusive troop meeting on the Key Peninsula.

Troop 1492 – Tight-knit, active, high-adventure troop. Sequim.

Troop 1501 – Small, personable, Catholic troop with active Scouts. Bremerton.

Troop 1506 – Tracyton.

Troop 1508 – Christian, outdoorsy, full-uniform, Baden-Powell troop. Manchester.

Troop 1532 – Decidedly Christian, predominantly homeschool troop. Port Orchard.

Troop 1539 – Very large, extremely active and adventure-based troop. Silverdale. (aka “The Black Hats”)

Venture Crew 1042 – Large crew focusing on physical activities. Silverdale.

Venture Crew 1508 – Girls-only Crew, meeting in Manchester.

Tell us about YOUR troop! It helps boys are looking for a Scout troop find the right fit.

See Hike Reports on various places here. Feel free to add your own. Requirement 7 states, “After each of the hikes (or during each hike if on one continuous “trek”) in requirements 5 and 6, write a short report of your experience. Give dates and descriptions of routes covered, the weather, and interesting things you saw. Share this report with your merit badge counselor.” If your counselor agrees, you can use one of the same formats as those posted.

Hiking Resources

Kitsap Volkssporters takes monthly hikes of varying lengths and difficulties. If you’re working on your badge without the rest of your troop, this could be a good alternative.

Contact the volunteer coordinator here.

Be a shipmate for a day on this Vietnam-era destroyer. Eat in the galley, spend the night in the berthing area, and enjoy an experience shared by few outside the Navy. $45pp.

local resources

Earn a badge in one day? No, this is not a merit-badge mill. Angela Perryman, owner of Claywerks Studio in Bremerton offers a Sculpture class specifically for Scouts. She is registered as a Sculpture Merit Badge Counselor, and will tailor the two-day class specifically to the requirements. She offers a *CONSIDERABLE* discount to Scout troops when the class is done with four or more Scouts. 377-2354.