A merit badge called Computers would sound just a crazy to a 1910 Boy Scout as a merit badge called Tracking sounds to Scouts today. That’s because the BSA’s list of available merit badges has evolved through the years as the interests of boys have changed.

In honor of the BSA’s 100th Anniversary, though, today’s generation of Scouts will get the unique opportunity to experience some of the activities their predecessors enjoyed. That’s possible thanks to the BSA’s new Historical Merit Badge Program, a set of four discontinued merit badges that today’s Scouts can earn.

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/01/historical-merit-badges-help-boy-scouts-celebrate-scoutings-past.html

The Boy Scouts of America will celebrate 100 years in 2010. As a jump start to festivities nationwide, the organization will broadcast a kickoff rally over the Internet on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.

Organizers hope this will be the largest “virtual gathering in BSA history”.

Presenters for the audiocast include Randall Stephenson, AT&T president, CEO and chairman and 100th Anniversary chairman; John Gottschalk, BSA national president; Tico Perez, BSA national commissioner; and Bob Mazzuca, chief Scout executive.

The public can listen to the event at audiocast.scouting.org and can sign up for a chance at some prizes, or submit a question to the event’s presenters.There is also a seven-minute-long “100 Years of Scouting” video available now on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=As1H19wcjsM

In alliance with the Boy Scouts of America, eKnowledge is offering SAT and ACT test prep programs valued at $200, free to Boy Scout families. The eKnowledge Sponsorship Alliance is made up of educationally focused foundations, as well as a group of professional athletes from the National Football League and Major League Baseball that includes Warrick Dunn and Chipper Jones. The eKnowledge Sponsorship Alliance has provided more than 120,000 SAT/ACT prep programs to families all over the United States.

“I believe in using my gifts and public image to help the community,” said Chipper Jones, six-time All-Star and future Hall of Fame baseball player.

Get the details here

Starting in December I will lead a Wilderness Survival Merit Badge class.  Interested scouts should contact me, via email, at BertBeadle@yahoo.com so I can get an idea of how many will be participating.  Since this merit badge requires spending the night in an improvised shelter, and since winter weather will soon be upon us, it may not be possible to finish this until spring.  But that shouldn't stop us from getting started on it. 

To see what the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge requires, and to find information that will help you in completing it, click here.

- Mr Beadle