I taught at a Merit Badge Clinic this past weekend, and observed in a few other classes. While most Scouts practice what they preach, there were a few who were either oblivious to everyone but themselves, or who had no apparent training in common courtesy. I’m choosing to believe that it is the latter. It is for those Scouts that we present the following:

Merit Badge Manners

First and foremost, remember that those teaching you and counseling you are VOLUNTEERS. They are giving up their valuable time to share their knowledge with you, and to make your life richer. Show them courtesy and respect. That means listening intently, even if you already know the subject matter or the speaker is not the most dynamic you’ve ever heard.

Come Prepared. Read your merit badge book, do the worksheet (if requested), complete your prerequisites, and get a good night’s rest.

Be on time. Kudos to instructors who leave for the field trip at the agreed-upon 9:00 a.m. without the Scout who shows at 9:05. Waiting on late Scouts unfairly penalizes those who show up on time.

Resist the urge to answer every question. It doesn’t matter if you’ve studied this topic for your whole life, you can still learn something from the instructor (and probably from the other Scouts). He has experience and wisdom that come with age. When you jump in for every answer, you’re also taking that opportunity away from other Scouts in the class who may be shyer or quieter than you.

A corollary to the above, do not hijack the class. Especially with a gentler-spirited instructor and a topic you’re well-versed in. Tape your mouth shut if you have to, but let the INSTRUCTOR teach. You’re there to learn. If you want to instruct, contact the instructor beforehand to see if he needs help. If not, remember that your role is student, not teacher. It’s extremely rude to make the assumption that you know as much as the instructor — that’s exactly what you’re doing when you comment on everything he says.

Don’t touch until you have permission to do so. Especially where there are safety concerns, or when you are a guest on a field trip.

If you’re riding in someone else’s vehicle to/from a field trip, ask before assuming it’s okay to eat in their car. And please take your trash with you. Two-day old chocolate milk really smells disgusting when it’s found.

If you have to leave early, let the instructor know beforehand. It can be disheartening for Scouts to not return after a break.

Likewise, if you have a physical or other disability that the instructor should know about, tell him before class. I appreciated the Scout who informed me of his inability to sit still for long periods. He sat in the back of the class, and got up to pace when he felt it necessary. It did not disrupt because the behavior was anticipated.

Finally, if you enjoyed the class, drop your instructor an email or snail mail to let him know!

Manners are not meant to stifle the experience, but to make sure that every Scout has a good time and comes away from the Clinic having learned something. It only takes a few boys who are not properly trained in manners to ruin the experience for the whole class.

How long is a Merit Badge Clinic? It varies, but most clinics are single day sessions. Many of the simpler badges are 3-hour sessions. Moderate-difficulty badges can often be completed in a 6-hour session. Some MBCs span the course of a couple or few days, weeks, or even months.

Which badges are offered? Each clinic offers the badges that they have qualified counselors for.

Which badges can I complete? You can complete any badge offered. However, your Scoutmaster may prefer that certain badges are completed with your own troop.

Can I complete an Eagle-required badge at a clinic? You *can*. However, some Scoutmasters do not recommend this. Scouts should be confident that they have learned the material, whether at a clinic, camp, their troop, or on their own.

Does work that I’ve done before opening the blue card for the clinic, but since I became a Scout, count? The way the official rules read, yes. But remember that final decisions are the counselor’s. They may not be apt to count a field trip from three years ago that is undocumented. If you have something done for the badge, bring documentation (photos are great!).

Will I get a completed blue card? That depends upon you and the counselor. In some cases, there are requirements that cannot be completed at a clinic, or there isn’t time to do it properly. The counselor may issue a “partial”. A partial can be completed through the counselor at another time to be arranged. Or, if your troop has a counselor for that badge, the counselor may choose to accept what you’ve done and finish it with you (or he may choose not to). Additionally, many clinics offer Merit Badge Midways with instructors who are qualified for most badges (generally Scoutmasters) and who will finish the badge with you.

What do I do afterward? Bring your completed Blue Card to the Scoutmaster who will sign it and turn it over to the Advancement Coordinator.

How can I find a Merit Badge Clinic in my area? See the section below. For out-of-area clinics, the best place to look is MeritBadge.info. (It’s also a great place to advertise YOUR clinic.)

Merit Badge Clinics are a great way to earn badges. Just be careful that they’re EARNED.

Merit Badge Clinics in the area

Held annually, unless otherwise noted:

January
Merit Badge Clinic – (Poulsbo) Hosted by Orca District of the Seattle Council.

March
Merit Badge Mania – (Chimakum) Hosted by Mt. Olympus District
Merit Badge Extravaganza – (Fire Mountain) Hosted by Fire Mtn. Scout Camp

May
Spring Merit Badge Jumboree – (Maple Valley) Hosted by the Aquila District of the Seattle Council. Contact Mr. Burrage for more information.

June
28 Merit Badge Clinic – (Sequim) Hosted by Mt. Olympus District

September
Spruce Goose Merit Badge University – (McMinnville, OR) Hosted by the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Yes, it’s a 4-hour drive. It is COMPLETELY WORTH IT. Sign up early, and make a weekend out of it.

October
Fall Merit Badge Jumboree – (Maple Valley) Hosted by the Aquila District of the Seattle Council.

December
Winter Break Merit Badge Clinic – (Bremerton) Hosted by the Bremerton LDS Stake.

Quarterly (scheduled – Jan 24 2009; April 18, 2009) – Merit Badge PowWow – (Lacey) Hosted by the Sasquatch District of PHC