Geology Merit Badge Activity Planner

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Geology is the study of the nonliving things that the Earth is made of. Geology is the study of rocks in the Earth's crust. Some geologists study minerals and the useful substances the rocks contain such as ores and fossil fuels. Geologists also study the history of the Earth.

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'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the Geology Merit Badge

*** Activities for the Youth Lead Patrol ***

Exploring Geology can be a fascinating youth adventure when done right. Here are a few tips to help the patrol leader get started.

  • Scouts may never add or subtract from the actual merit badge requirements
  • This Planner is only a suggestion of different ideas to make working this Merit Badge both fun and easy.
  • While doing the Worksheet is not a requirement for earning this badge, in many cases it can help you learn key concepts and track your progress.
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A. Make Your Plan

Sample Patrol Activity Flyer
  1. Merit Badge Activity Planning Tips - 14 tips for a successful patrol activity. Read carefully before you start your plan!
  2. Share Your Plan - Meet ahead of time with your patrol, scout leaders, parents and especially with the Merit Badge Counselor. Make changes to the plan as needed.
  3. Prepare Activity Flyer - Keep your fellow scouts informed - events, activities, pre-requisites and more.
Patrol Activity GREAT Awesome MB to work as a patrol / Max Size 12 scouts
Virtual Field Trip GREAT See Req 5C - for Virtual Field Trip option
Family Activity FAIR Many Family Vacations cover unique geological features
Service Activity POOR n/a
S.T.E.M. Activity GREAT Outdoor STEM Activity
Field Trip GREAT Outdoor field trip with study activity
Duty-to-God POOR N/A
MB Day GREAT Possible to do with Req 5C or 5D
Overnighter GREAT Outdoor field trip with study activity
Summer Camp GREAT Possible to do with Req 5A, 5C or 5D


Online Resources

B. Introduction Meeting

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Most merit badge activities do best to have a "introduction" meeting where the patrol can discuss how to get started and to plan out their field trips. Send out the activity flyer in advance to use as an meeting agenda. Your scouts will then know what to expect.

Note: The field trip (Req #5) for this badge relies heavily on the resources an experienced geologist. Contact your MBC for guidance before starting.

News Flash

C. Homework / Prerequisites

Assign one or more requirements that the scout can do at home, perhaps as a family activity.

D. Study Hall Patrol Night

While some scouts may be adept at self-study, others may do better in a small group setting and taking notes on worksheets. Make an agenda. You can facilitate discussion by asking them why each of the principles introduced here would be relevant. Schedule one or more patrol meetings to work this merit badge.



Pre-Open Gathering Activity

A gathering activity before the official meeting start is a great way to set a fun theme for the meeting.

MBC Discussion Group

  • Req #1: Discussion - What is Geology?
  • Req #2: Discussion - Mining
  • Req #4: Discussion - Careers in Geology

Discussion Resources:

Geological Map Study Group

  • Contact your MBC - he probably has access to quality geological maps for year area:
  • Google Images Search - Search Geologic Maps of your area.

Req #3: Review a geologic map of your area or an area selected by your counselor and discuss the different rock types and estimated ages of rocks represented. Determine whether the rocks are horizontal, folded, or faulted, and explain how you arrived at your conclusion.

E. Field Trip

Geology Outdoor Field Trip

Requirement #5 lists 4 options - each includes a unique field trip, discussion group and study exercises led by the MBC:

  • Option A: Surface and Sedimentary Processes Option
  • Option B: Energy Resources Option
  • Option C: Mineral Resources Option
  • Option D: Earth History Option

Geology Virtual Field Trip

Req #5C: Mineral Resources Option
1. MBC Discussion - Rocks
2. MBC Discussion - Minerals
3. Scout creates Rock & Mineral Collection
4. MBC Discussion - Road building materials
5b. MBC Discussion - 4 Important Rocks & Minerals

Field Trip Resources

Field Trip Resources:

F. Extra Credit

While none of these are actual requirements for this merit badge - they are terrific opportunities to show Scout Spirit, Do a Good Turn Daily and to have FUN!

  1. Activity Reflection: Use this meeting for scouts to ask questions and to reflect on what they gained personally from this adventure. You can also have a discussion on what future opportunities are here.
  2. Court of Honor Exhibit: Pictures, handiwork and other memorabilia from this adventure will make for a great presentation at the next Scout Troop Court of Honor.

Rockhounding Field Trip

  1. True Stories of the Roadkill Patrol: My Grandfather was a serious Arizona rockhound. Whenever we would visit him he would always taking my brothers and I out into the backcountry for long "rockhounding hikes". Here we watched him use powerful observation skills to spot all sorts of unique and fascinating rocks and minerals lying on the ground.
  2. GatorGirlRocks.com - Rockhounding Resources.
  3. Rockseeker: Ultimate Guide to Rocks in Arizona - RockSeeker.com
  4. Meteor Crater (Barringer Meteorite Crater) formed 50,000 years ago when an asteroid plunged through the Earth’s atmosphere and crashed into what would become central Arizona. Because of the crater’s young age and the dry climate Meteor Crater is the best preserved impact crater on Earth. No humans were living in the region when the impact occurred. The asteroid was small in astronomical terms just a 150 feet (45.7 m) across. Traveling at around 8 miles per second (12.8 kps) the force of the asteroid impact on the ground was tremendous. In just a few seconds millions of tons of rock were flipped over and the great chasm was excavated.

Related Merit Badges

Sometimes it is easier by doing two or more merit badges together as a joint activity:

See Also

  • 9 Things to Know about Merit Badges - BoysLife.org - There are more than 135 merit badges. By earning them, you can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers. Here’s how to get the most out of your merit badge experience.
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