The Pav YMCA in Berwyn, in conjunction with Des Plaines Valley Council, will be offering programs for both Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges:

Swimming – Sunday, November 16 – noon to 6:00 p.m.
Life Saving – Sunday, November 23 – noon to 6:00 p.m.

The cost is $20. Interested scouts should sign up through the YMCA: www.pavymca.org

Mrs. Lulich will be holding two sessions for the Citizenship in the World Merit Badge on Sunday, September 21, and Sunday, September 28, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Riverside Public Library. This merit badge is recommended for older scouts, as the material is difficult. Things to remember to bring for this Merit Badge Class:

1. A Merit Badge Workbook for this merit badge printed out and preparation work filled in;
2. Any additional supporting documentation or project work pertinent to this merit badge;
3. A positive Scouting focus and attitude.

Following is an outline of the class to help you prepare.

Scouts will be signed off only on those requirements that the Merit Badge Counselor determines meets the requirements; no more, no less. This Merit Badge should not be expected to be earned without preparation and work. If you are not prepared, you will be asked to leave.

To help Mrs. Lulich prepare for the class, we would like scouts to sign up in advance if they plan to attend. Please sign up here: http://troop24riverside.com/2014/09/form-citizenship-in-the-world/

Preparation for Sunday, September 21:

1. Explain what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen.

   Scouts should formulate a written answer for this requirement prior to the class and be ready to share their work as a part of classroom discussion.

2. Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and explain the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizenship. Discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two other countries.

   Scouts should have this written out to show the counselor that some thought and research has gone into this requirement and Scouts should be prepared to discuss their findings. Scouts will not automatically be signed off on this requirement just for attending as the requirement states that they must discuss a number of items and will be required to participate in group and/or individual discussion to obtain credit.

3. Do the following:
   a. Pick a current world event. In relation to this current event, discuss with your counselor how a country’s national interest and its relationship with other countries might affect areas such as its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens.

   b. Select a foreign country and discuss with your counselor how its geography, natural resources, and climate influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries.

   Scouts should be prepared to share their findings with the class and should be prepared with this requirement prior to the class. 1/2 of this requirement is preparation and research, the other 1/2 which will be facilitated in the class in discussion. Scouts cannot complete this requirement by only doing one or the other, both parts must be done for each component. Scouts not coming to class with preparation work will find it difficult, if not impossible, to complete this requirement on the day of the class. Preparation is a MUST for this requirement along with active class participation during the discussion.

4. Do TWO of the following:

   a. Explain international law and how it differs from national law. Explain the role of international law and how international law can be used as a tool for conflict resolution.

   b. Using resources such as major daily newspapers, the Internet (with your parent’s permission), and news magazines, observe a current issue that involves international trade, foreign exchange, balance of payments, tariffs, and free trade. Explain what you have learned. Include in your discussion an explanation of why countries must cooperate in order for world trade and global competition to thrive.

   c. Select TWO of the following organizations and describe their role in the world.

   • The United Nations
   • The World Court
   • World Organization of the Scout Movement
   • The World Health Organization
   • Amnesty International
   • The International Committee of the Red Cross
   • CARE

This class will focus on requirements 4a and 4c. For both requirements, Scouts should formulate a written answer prior to the class and be ready to share their work as a part of the classroom discussions.

Preparation for Sunday, September 28:

5. Do the following:

   a. Discuss the differences between constitutional and nonconstitutional governments.

   b. Name at least five different types of governments currently in power in the world

   c. Show on a world map countries that use each of these five different forms of government.

   For all three of the components of this requirement, scouts should be prepared to explain, discuss, and share their work in the class discussion of this requirement.

6. Do the following:

   a. Explain how a government is represented abroad and how the United States government is accredited to international organizations.

   b. Describe the roles of the following in the conduct of foreign relations

   • Ambassador
   • Consul
   • Bureau of International Information Programs
   • Agency for International Development
   • United States and Foreign Commercial Service

   c. Explain the purpose of a passport and visa for international travel.

   This requirement will be covered within the class, however, Scouts should familiarize themselves with the requirement and the corresponding section(s) within the Merit Badge Pamphlet so as to have a basic understanding prior to the class.

7. Do TWO of the following (with your parent’s permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned:

   a. Visit the website of the U.S. State Department. Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed on this website.

   b. Visit the website of an international news organization or foreign government, OR examine a foreign newspaper available at your local library, bookstore, or newsstand. Find a news story about a human right realized in the United States that is not recognized in another country.

   c. Visit with a student or Scout from another country and discuss the typical values, holidays, ethnic foods, and traditions practiced or enjoyed there.

   d. Attend a world Scout jamboree.

   e. Participate in or attend an international event in your area, such as an ethnic festival, concert, or play.

Merit badge classes are offered at the Field Museum. Registration starts on July 1 for fall classes. More information is available here: Field Museum Merit Badges. The dates and merit badges are:

Oct. 4: Insect Study, Archaeology
Oct. 11: Insect Study, Archaeology
Oct. 18: Mammal Studies, Archaeology
Nov. 8: Geology, Archaeology
Nov. 15: Mammal Studies, Archaeology
Dec. 6: Geology, Archaeology

Scoutmaster Stephanie Lanken will be at the North Riverside Library this Saturday, June 28, from noon until 2:00 for scouts who wish to start a merit badge this summer. Some of the possible merit badges are Personal Management, Reading, Scholarship, Gardening, Genealogy, Traffic Safety, Pets, Dogs. Scouts can also e-mail Mrs. Lanken to set up a different time, or to discuss different merit badges.

For scouts who have been working on the Family Life merit badge, Mr. Andersen will be at the meeting on Thursday, February 6. Scouts should bring their worksheets and any questions they have for Mr. Andersen.

The DesPlaines Valley Council will hold a merit badge academy on Saturday, March 22, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In addition to classes for 21 merit badges, adult training is available as well. For more information, go to http://www.bsa-dpvc.org/boy_scouting/boys_adv_mba.php

Mrs. Lulich will be at the Troop meeting on Thursday, January 16, to work with scouts on the Communications Merit Badge, or to assist scouts who started the Citizenship merit badges with her. This session is only for scouts who have completed requirements and need to discuss those with their counselor. Please bring the merit badge worksheet and blue card (if applicable) to the meeting.

Also on Thursday, scouts will be discussing the upcoming Klondike Derby (February 1) and working on quartermaster duties.

The Morton Arboretum is offering several merit badge classes during their Winter term. More information can be found here:

http://www.mortonarb.org/learn-experience/course-guide?field_course_type_tid=80

RESENDING WITH CORRECT LINKS

Scouts will have the chance to start two merit badges at the meeting this week: Communication & Personal Fitness. Both of these are Eagle-required badges. The following week, Mr. Flaherty & Mr. Andersen will be back to meet with boys who are working on the Family Life (older scouts) and/or Citizenship in the World merit badges.

Please print out the merit badge worksheet and bring it to the meeting:

Communication
Personal Fitness

CORRECTION: Citizenship in the World tonight with JOHN FLAHERTY (not Ingrid)

TONIGHT, October 24, two of our parent merit badge counselors will be at the meeting to begin:

7:10 p.m. – Family Life with Rick Andersen (should be older scouts, 1st Class & above)
7:40 p.m. – Citizenship in the World with John Flaherty

On November 7 scouts can begin:

7:10 p.m. – Communication with Ingrid Lulich
7:40 p.m. – Personal Fitness with Stephanie Lanken

All of these merit badges are required for Eagle rank. Most of the requirements for the merit badge must be completed independently, outside of the meeting. These initial meetings are to introduce the merit badge and explain to interested scouts what is expected. Follow-up meetings will be scheduled later when scouts let us know that they have completed the items. Scouts are expected to be attentive, and should not start a merit badge unless they are committed to working on it.

Scouts who intend to work on these merit badges should print out the worksheets and bring them to the meeting:

Citizenship in the World
Communication
Family Life
Personal Fitness