Flexible Program
The Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation operates merit badge instruction under a class schedule system. This will not impinge upon the scheduling of any in-camp or out-of-camp activities. In most cases badges will be offered both in the morning and the afternoon. Evening activity times will include badge make-up instruction. Flexibility of the staff and the camper will make this system work!

See the merit badge schedules for Camp Buckskin and Camp Waubeeka. A boy should not have any merit badge conflicts! If he does, see the area directors or camp management immediately to resolve the situation.  Schedule cards are available from the Download section of this site.

Merit Badge and Tenderfoot to First Class program signup will be done using our online registration system. 

Registration Procedures

Advancement Registrations
 

First Year Camper Program
The Tenderfoot to First Class program is designed to help the first-year camper “hit the ground running”. Each day your boys will get an exciting introduction to what Scouting is all about. Boys having the option of attending only those instructional sessions that they need for their advancement. Morning and afternoon classes will be identical to accommodate your troop’s activities with evenings always available for make-up as well as Totin’ Chip and Firem’n Chit instruction.

The schedule below is for 2010.

Merit Badge Program
Merit Badges are offered in six program areas around camp: Aquatics, Handicraft, Ecology, Equestrian, Scoutcraft and Field Sports. First Aid Merit Badge will be offered at the Health Lodge or at a location to be announced at Camp. Climbing Merit Badge is offered at Summit Base.  For complete schedules see Camp Buckskin Merit Badge Schedule or Camp Waubeeka Merit Badge Schedule.

Please note that each Scout must bring a signed merit badge application (blue card) to his counselor on the first day of instruction. This card, with a leader's signature, is the staff's assurance that a leader has approved the Scout taking the badge.

To help your Scouts in earning merit badges, we offer the following suggestions:

• Try to avoid letting a boy attempt too many merit badges. We set no limit of badges a boy may work on, but sometimes desires are larger than abilities. An experienced camper usually can successfully complete four badges and should have the opportunity to participate in all camp activities. You know their capabilities; guide them in setting realistic goals.

• Do not let a potential conflict discourage a boy from taking a badge. The staff is in camp to serve the boys and is very flexible.

• See to it that the Scout has reviewed the requirements of his sought-after badge. It is helpful if he has completed time requiring portions of the badge prior to camp.
• Any requirements which are listed as required in advance must be completed before camp in order for the boy to complete his badge.

• A partial completion certificate will be given to Scouts unable to complete the full badge requirements in camp. This partial is valid until the Scout turns 18.

• Proper documentation is required for credit for work completed before a Scout's arrival in Camp.

Merit Badge Requirement Changes for 2010
The merit badge pamphlets for the badges offered at camp are usually available at the camp’s trading posts. However, your scout may wish to buy (or borrow) pamphlets prior to coming to camp. In any event, scouts should obtain read and study the current pamphlet for each merit badge they wish to pursue prior to attending classes.

BSA LIFEGUARD
Age for eligibility increased from 14 to 15 and must be proficient in front crawl or breaststroke and dive and retrieve. Must show evidence of current training in American Red Cross First Aid (valid for three years) and American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (valid for one year) or its equivalent.

FISHING
Changes made to first aid knowledge, explaining importance of Leave No Trace and catch and release expanded. Now only need to catch one fish.

GEOLOGY
Changes in wording, option to identify fossil plants and animals rather than collecting them. Addition of visiting a site with fossils and preparing a display or presentation on the Scout’s state fossil.

Merit Badges by Program Area

Ecology

• Opportunities to learn more about: ecology, animals, conservation and nature.
• Facilities: Ecology area and exhibits, nature trails
• Merit Badge Opportunities:
  • Astronomy: Advance preparation - Requirement 6—weekly observations for four weeks. Weather conditions frequently interfere with the completion of this badge. Requires study and observation during evenings.
  • Bird Study: Advance preparation - requirement #7. Extremely difficult badge, requires extensive time and study.
  • Energy: A study of energy and it’s uses. Advance preparation-requirement #4.
  • Environmental Science: No advance preparation except suggest #4 if in camp only one week. A difficult merit badge that should not be attempted by first year scouts. Plan time for extensive observation and conservation project.
  • Fish & Wildlife Management: Advance preparation - requirements #5 and suggest #6 & 7. A moderately difficult badge, this demands older Scouts with a knowledge or interests in Fish & Wildlife Management.
  • Forestry: Advance preparation - Requirement 5 requires visiting a managed forest. Arrangements are being made to visit a managed forest approximately 15 miles from Camp. Please check the appropriate box on the permission slip.
  • Geology: A detailed study of Earth’s solid surface. This is a fairly difficult badge.
  • Insect Study: Advance preparation - requirements #4 and #7. Intense study in the world of insects and their habitat.
  • Mammal Study: No advance preparation, although requirements #3 and #4 are recommended to be completed before camp.
  • Nature: Advance preparation - requirements #5. Depending on the choices made, #4 may be very difficult to complete at Camp. A broad survey of a variety of types of wildlife.
  • Reptile and Amphibian Study: Advance preparation - requirement #8.
  • Soil & Water Conservation: No advance preparation. Learn about mankind's delicate relationship with his environment.
  • Weather: No advance preparation, although requirement #8 is recommended to be completed before camp, particularly for one week troops.

First Aid

• Facilities: Health Lodge
• Merit Badge Opportunities:
  • First Aid: Advance preparation - Completion of knowledge for requirement 1. Complete requirement 2B (First Aid Kit) and bring to Camp.

Handicraft

• Opportunities to learn more about: Woodcarving, Leatherwork, Basketry and Indian Lore.
• Facilities: Handicraft art, leatherwork equipment, basketry kits and woodcarving materials.
• Merit Badge Opportunities:
  • Basketry: No advance preparation. There is however, a cost for the Scout to purchase materials for making three kits. The cost is about $20.00.
  • Indian Lore: Advance preparation - some options of requirement #2. This merit badge is of moderate difficulty and a Scout should plan his time accordingly.
  • Leatherwork: No advance preparation. There is also a cost of about $12.00 for materials.
  • Painting: No advance preparation
  • Woodcarving: No advance preparation, but a good carving knife is required. The Scout may want to purchase carving kits which cost about $6.00 - $10.00.

Scoutcraft

• Opportunities to learn more about: Traveling by map and compass, knife and axe work, fire building, hiking, cooking, knots and lashings, camp gadgets and outdoor survival.
• Facilities: Model campsite, cooking area, pioneering area and wilderness survival area.
• Merit Badge Opportunities:
  • Camping: Advance preparation - requirement #9. A letter from the Scoutmaster confirming 20 nights of camping should be brought to camp. Scouts must have a backpack with frame.
  • Cooking: Advance preparation - requirements #4 and #7.
  • Emergency Prepareness:  Learn emergency procedures. First Aid merit badge required. Advance preparation - requirements #2(c), #6(c) and #9(a).
  • Orienteering: Advance preparation - knowledge or orienteering basics. This badge requires a great deal of time and serious pre-camp preparation. Older Scouts may have the time to earn this badge while at camp if they arrive properly prepared.
  • Pioneering: No advance preparation, but a knowledge of basic knots is helpful. The pioneering project takes a considerable amount of time.
  • Wilderness Survival: Advance preparation - items for requirement #5. A challenging and difficult badge involving an overnight experience in a survival shelter.

Aquatics

• Water safety, swimming, snorkeling, boating, canoeing, small boat sailing, water games, BSA Lifeguard, Safe Swim Defense Plan, and Safety Afloat. Instructional swim is provided from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Camp Waubeeka and 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Buckskin every day. Please note that BSA Lifeguard is at least six hours per day Monday through Friday. Participants must be at least 15 years of age or completed 8th grade and having swimming ability with various strokes. Prior completion of Lifesaving merit badge is advantageous.
• Facilities: Swimming dock includes learners' area, beginners area, and swimmers area. Boating area includes rowboats, canoes, and on Lake Waubeeka, sailboats.
• Merit Badge Opportunities:
  • Swimming: The Scout must have completed Second Class requirements 7a-7c and First Class requirements 9a-9c. This is a difficult badge. If in the Aquatics Director's judgment, the scout is not a strong enough swimmer, the badge will not be available. He will need a button down shirt, long pants and a belt for requirement #4.
  • Lifesaving: The Scout must be a swimmer on the opening day's swim test. The Scout must have completed Second Class requirements 7a-7c and First Class requirements 9a-9c.
  • Canoeing: The Scout must be a swimmer on the opening day's swim test and some knowledge of strokes is helpful.
  • Rowing: The Scout must be a swimmer on the opening day's swim test. Rowing skills are helpful.
  • Small Boat Sailing: Only offered at Waubeeka. No advance preparation, but sailing knowledge is useful. Recommended for older Scouts and completion is contingent on wind conditions. The Scout must be a swimmer on the opening day's swim test.  A quota/lottery system will be employed in registering for this badge.

Field Sports

• Opportunities to learn more about: Archery, hunter safety, marksmanship and fishing.
• Facilities: Archery range, .22 Rifle Range, and Shotgun Range.
• Merit Badge Opportunities:
  • Archery: No advance preparation, but skill in the use of a bow and arrow is a must.
  • Fishing: No advance preparation, bring fishing equipment to camp.

**The following are only available to Scouts 12 years old and over**

• Rifle Shooting: No advance preparation, but skill with a rifle is a must. For safety class size is limited. A quota/lottery system will be employed.
• Shotgun Shooting: No advance preparation, but skill with a shotgun is a must. Each boy will receive 3 free rounds of ammunition. Additional rounds will be sold at the cost of 2 shots for $1.00. Minimum cost to complete the badge will be $25.00. Scouts are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the requirements. Class size is limited. A quota/lottery system will be employed.

It is difficult to complete Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting merit badges in the same week due to the widely divergent methods used for aiming for each badge.

Equestrian

• Opportunities to learn more about: Care of horses, proper riding techniques, trail rides.
• Facilities: Stables, corral and pasture at New Farmhouse.
• Merit Badge Opportunities:
  • Horsemanship: No advance preparation necessary. General study of merit badge pamphlet is suggested.

    Cost of merit badge is $25 for riding time. Classes are limited to 16 Scouts per session (One per troop/selection).

    See also the Trail Rides.

Summit Base

• Opportunities to learn more about: climbing, belaying, rappelling.
• Facilities: Indoor wall and outdoor rock wall at Summit Base.
• Merit Badge Opportunities:
  • Climbing: No advance preparation necessary. A challenging and popular badge limited to 10 Scouts per session (One per troop/selection).