Scholarship Merit Badge Activity Planner

"Parents who value learning for themselves have children who stay in school longer, have lower rates of crime, and aspire to higher paying jobs. People who seek adult learning opportunities are more socially connected, more involved in their communities and more likely to be politically active." (People First Blog) Help your fellow scouts understand the importance of getting a quality education.

Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the Scholarship Merit Badge

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

Exploring Scholarship 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	All scouts goto school / Max Size 12 scouts
Virtual Field Trip	GREAT	Interview two professionals for Req #2.
Family Activity	GREAT	Requires access to Scholarship Transmitter
Service Activity	POOR	n/a
S.T.E.M. Activity	GREAT	Scholarship is key to learning Technology
Field Trip	GREAT	Visit "Educational Center"
Duty-to-God	GREAT	Many scouts participate in religious learning in their faiths.
MB Day	GREAT	Bring two professionals to interview!
Overnighter	GREAT	Take two professional to the campfire
Summer Camp MB	FAIR	Pre-requisites: Req #1, #3, & #5.

Online Resources

• Scholarship Merit Badge Requirements: BoyScoutTrial.com lists all requirements, additional resources, activity worksheet, etc.
• Scholarship Merit Badge File Store: Online resources
• Scholarship 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.
• Scholarship Merit Badge Booklet: Everything thing you need to know about Scholarship 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.
• Scholarship @ 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.

" its important to be a life long learner - either reading books, watching videos/movies, documentaries, so many ways in this day and age to keep learning. Especially as the world keeps changing."

C. Homework / Prerequisites

File:Scholarship Scout.png

Assign one or more requirements that the scout can do at home:

• Required Reading:
  • Scholarship @ Simple-Wikipedia: Get the basics quickly.

• See Req #1: Bring School Report Cards.
• See Req #3: Note from Principal
• See Req #4: Participate in a Extracurricular Program or Project at your School
• See Req #5: Make a Report on Education.

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.

• Do a Patrol Discussion for help on Req #5 - How to write a report about the value of Scholarship.
• Give each scout the option to share the letter from their principal (Req #3). Watch for how often they reference the value of the student and the value of being a good scholar.
• Plan your "Field Trip": Remember that there are many other ways of pursuing meaningful "Scholarship" besides going to school.
• Library Guide - Southern Illinois University - This guide will help you get started on your research projects as well as identifying, locating, and evaluating sources for you research.

E. Field Trip

A related field trip with the MBC will be a great time to do the second half of this merit badge activity: Meaningful Field Trips will add much to the adventure here. Consider including one or more of the following:

Option 1 : Educational Center Tour

I always like to emphasize that there are many ways of learning and not all "scholarship" happens in school:

Req #2: Do TWO of the following:
2a. Make a list of educational places located where you live (other than schools). Visit one, and report on how you used the place for self-education.
2b. With your counselor's and your parent's approval, interview two professionals (other than teachers or other professionals at your school) with established careers. Find out where they were educated, what training they received, and how their education and training have helped prepare them for the career they have chosen. Find out how they continue to educate themselves. Discuss what you find out with your counselor.

Possible Locations:

• Many communities have a family history center (genealogical libraries) that help people learn about their family history. (See Genealogy Merit Badge Activity Planner)
• Many communities have a historical societies and museums that help educate about the history of the community or a special topic.

Option 2 : Virtual Educational Tour

Using a Virtual Tour setting - interview two professionals and discuss with them Req #2b & #2d:

Req #2: Do TWO of the following:
2b. With your counselor's and your parent's approval, interview two professionals (other than teachers or other professionals at your school) with established careers. Find out where they were educated, what training they received, and how their education and training have helped prepare them for the career they have chosen. Find out how they continue to educate themselves. Discuss what you find out with your counselor.
2d. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of research available to you for school assignments, such as the library, books and periodicals, and the Internet.

Option 3 : Scholarship Campout

Invite two professionals (somebody's parents?) to join your next campfire to discuss Req 2b & 2d.

Option 4 : Personal Management

Successful scholarship relies heavily on good study habits:

1. Req 2c: "Using a daily planner, show your counselor how you keep track of assignments and activities, and discuss how you manage your time." Doesn't this sound a lot like the Personal Management Merit Badge?

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.

Duty to God

Scouts working on this activity may get special credit for earning their Religious Emblems Award. Many religious systems share that Learning about your Duty to God is an important, lifelong journey. Explore books, museums, etc relevant to your own and other faiths.

• Mormon Battalion Historic Site - San Diego CA
• Museum of Jewish History - New York City NY
• Museum of the Bible - Washington D.C.
• Temple Square Educational Tours - Salt Lake City UT
• Mission Tour - A Virtual Tour of California's Historic Missions

University of Scouting

University of Scouting [UOS] is an annual one-day supplemental training event sponsored by your local scout council for volunteer leaders, youth (age 11 and up), and parents at all levels in every Scouting program: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, District, or Council. Get more information from your District Roundtable.

University of Scouting is an action-packed, fun-filled day of power learning where you choose up to six classes from our course catalog. Sessions are led by experienced Youth and Adult Scouters selected for their knowledge, enthusiasm, and great presentation skills.

Don’t miss these exciting UoS features:

• New Scoutcraft skills - Adventure Midway - Prize Giveaways - Q&A with Scouting Experts
• Wilderness Women HAT Training - New!
• The Socratic Method in Scouting - Our most popular course!
• Cub Scout Cooking
• Venturing Youth and Adult Training
• Cub Scout Adventure Program & more
• High Adventure Planning & Packing
• GPS / Geocaching Fun
• ILST and ILSC
• Developing Effective Youth Leaders
• BSA Family Scouting for Packs and Troops - New!
• Tasty Dutch Oven Cooking
• Life to Eagle Resources
• Youth Teaching Youth!

Related Merit Badges

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

• Genealogy
• Reading
• Personal Management

G. 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 Scholarship, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers. Here’s how to get the most out of your merit badge experience.