American Business Merit Badge Activity Planner

American Business Merit Badge is a fun and easy example for the new patrol leader to learn how to organize meaningful weekly activities for his patrol.

'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the American Business Merit Badge

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

Exploring American Business 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.

A. Make Your Plan

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
Family Activity	FAIR	Possible Interview with a family member about their role in American Business
Service Activity	POOR	n/a
S.T.E.M. Activity	GREAT	See many different uses of Modern Digital Technology
Field Trip	GREAT	Business field trips are easy and fun.
Duty-to-God	POOR	N/A
MB Day	GREAT	Pre-requisites - Req #5&6.
Overnighter	FAIR	Business field trips are easy and fun.
Summer Camp	FAIR

Online Resources

• American Business Merit Badge Requirements: BoyScoutTrial.com lists all requirements, additional resources, activity worksheet, etc.
• Business.pdf American Business Merit Badge File Store: Online resources
• Business.pdf American Business Merit Badge Worksheets: Worksheets are optional - but highly preferred by many MBC. When you find that many requirements say "discuss" - the worksheet can help you gather your thoughts beforehand.
• American Business Merit Badge Booklet: Everything thing you need to know about American Business is right here. Get this study guide from either Amazon or your Troop Library, Merit Badge Counselor or Scoutmaster to Learn More About this Subject.
• American Business @ Simple-Wikipedia: Get the basics quickly.

B. Introduction Meeting

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.

C. Homework / Prerequisites

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

Research Project #5

Req #4: Choose a business and research how it applies each of the primary areas of business (accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and management). Share what you have learned with your counselor.

Research Project #6

Req #5: Do ONE of the following:
5a. Choose one of the primary areas of business and identify three career opportunities. Select one and research the education, training, and experience required for this career. Discuss this with your counselor and explain why this interests you.
5b. Select a business leader and interview this individual to learn more about his or her company and career path. Discuss the role ethics plays in making business decisions. Share what you have learned with your counselor.

Note: the primary areas of business (accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and management).

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.

MBC Discussion Group

• Req #1: Discussion - Free Enterprise
• Req #2: Discussion - Business Finances
• Req #3: Discussion - Business Pratices
• Req #4: Discussion - U.S. Labor Law - See also American Labor Merit Badge Activity Planner.

Discussion Resources:

• American Business Merit Badge - Slideshare Presentation
• American Business Merit Badge - YouTube Presentation
• American Business Merit Badge - PDF Slideshow Presentation

• Read a short explanation of the Free Enteprise System, also known as the Free Market.
• The Industrial Revolution introduced more efficient manufacturing by machines.
• Labor Unions have historically represented works in the U.S. with the AFL-CIO and Change to Win Federation being two key examples.
• Read how three types of financial statements work together to manage a company.
• Insurance is important to protect a company and its assets. Read about Types of Insurance and their uses.
• Minimizing impact of operations on the world environment is a goal of a ustainable Business model.
• There are many pros and cons on both sides of running either a brick-n-mortar or online business model.
• Read about the role of the U.S. Dept of Labor.
• Better Investing
• Council of Better Business Bureaus
• Junior Achievement Student Center
• National Endowment for Financial Education
• YoungBiz
• Young Money

Scout Reports

See Scout Homework projects above:

• Req #5: Research a Business
• Req #6: Research a Career or Leader Interview

E. Field Trip

There is no direct requirement here, but a related field trip with the MBC to tour a place of business will be a great time to do the second half of this merit badge activity. This could either be arranged as a day trip or overnight trip to see a business in operation and/or to interview some business leaders.

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.

Related Merit Badges

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

• American Business
• American Cultures
• American Heritage
• American Labor
• Reading

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.