Climbing Merit Badge Activity Planner: Difference between revisions
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While some camps limit the badge to older Scouts, there really is no reason the typical scout patrol can plan and do this as a very fun group activity. | |||
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Outdoor rock climbing combines many essential scouting skills and values into one incredible activity. Help your scouts develop technical skills and athletic ability while undertaking serious responsibility and teamwork roles to complete the Climbing Merit Badge. | |||
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== News Flash == | == News Flash == | ||
* [https://scoutingmagazine.org/2018/08/climbing-merit-badge-faqs/ Tour Your Scouts to New Heights with Climbing] - (Scouting Magazine 2018) | |||
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# '''[[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. | # '''[[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. | ||
# '''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]]. | # '''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]]. | ||
== Profession Climbing Guides == | |||
There are many climbing clubs and facilities that love to teach Climbing Merit Badge to Scouts BSA. | |||
* [https://www.devilslakeclimbingguides.com/trips/scouting/climbing-merit-badge Devils Climbing Guides] -Our two-day curriculum gives Scouts with little to no climbing experience the opportunity to learn essential climbing skills and prove competency with the requirements of the Rock Climbing merit badge. | |||
Revision as of 17:20, 3 May 2020
 While some camps limit the badge to older Scouts, there really is no reason the typical scout patrol can plan and do this as a very fun group activity. |
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'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the Climbing Merit Badge
*** Activities for the Youth Lead Patrol ***
Exploring Climbing 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
- Merit Badge Activity Planning Tips - 14 tips for a successful patrol activity. Read carefully before you start your plan!
- 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.
- 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 | POOR | Requires physical presence in forests |
| Family Activity | GREAT | Great Family Vacation |
| Service Activity | GREAT | Forest Conservation Project |
| S.T.E.M. Activity | GREAT | Outdoor STEM Activity |
| Field Trip | GREAT | Four cool field trip activities |
| Duty-to-God | POOR | N/A |
| MB Day | POOR | Four outdoor field trips req'd |
| Overnighter | GREAT | Outdoor STEM Activity |
| Summer Camp | GREAT | Four cool outdoor activities |
Online Resources
- Climbing Merit Badge Requirements: BoyScoutTrial.com lists all requirements, additional resources, activity worksheet, etc.
- Climbing Merit Badge File Store: Online resources
- Climbing 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.
- Climbing Merit Badge Booklet: Everything thing you need to know about Climbing 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.
- Climbing @ 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.
Outdoor rock climbing combines many essential scouting skills and values into one incredible activity. Help your scouts develop technical skills and athletic ability while undertaking serious responsibility and teamwork roles to complete the Climbing Merit Badge.
News Flash
- Tour Your Scouts to New Heights with Climbing - (Scouting Magazine 2018)
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 - Climbing Safety
- Req #2: Discussion - Leave No Trace and Outdoor Code
- Req #4: Discussion - Location Rules
- Req #5: Discussion - Verbal Signals
Discussion Resources:
Climbers Knot Exercises
- Req #6: Demonstration - Rope Exercise
- Req #7: Demonstration - Climber Knots Test
- Figure eight on a bight
- Figure eight follow-through
- Water knot
- Double fisherman's knot (Grapevine knot)
- Req #12: Demonstration - Storing Rope and Gear
E. Field Trip
There are 13 climbing activities that are usually done in the field (6x belay, 3x climb, 3x rappel, 1x harnessing). Your MBC and/or local scout camp should have information on facilities and outdoor areas available for use. This is best done over several field trips.
Req #8: Harnesses.
- Correctly put on a commercially made climbing harness.
Req #9: Belaying. Do the following:
- Explain the importance of belaying climbers and rappellers and when it is necessary.
- Belay three different climbers ascending a rock face or climbing wall.
- Belay three different rappellers descending a rock face or climbing wall using a top rope.
Req #10: Climbing.
- Show the correct way to tie into a belay rope.
- Climb at least three different routes on a rock face or climbing wall, demonstrating good technique and using verbal signals with belayer.
Req #11: Rappelling.
- Using a carabiner and a rappel device, secure your climbing harness to a rappel rope.
- Tie in to a belay rope set up to protect rappellers.
- Rappel down three different rock faces or three rappel routes on a climbing wall. Use verbal signals to communicate with a belayer, and demonstrate good rappelling technique.
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!
- 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.
- 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.
Profession Climbing Guides
There are many climbing clubs and facilities that love to teach Climbing Merit Badge to Scouts BSA.
- Devils Climbing Guides -Our two-day curriculum gives Scouts with little to no climbing experience the opportunity to learn essential climbing skills and prove competency with the requirements of the Rock Climbing merit badge.
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.