Some scouts signed up for merit badge classes at Camp Mach that may be difficult to complete at camp unless they work on some requirements before they leave. If a scout does not complete a merit badge while in camp, a partial completion will be issued stating which requirements were successfully completed. The scout then has 12 months to complete the remaining requirements. A couple of other merit badge classes require you to bring specific supplies to camp. In case you don’t remember what you signed up for, here are the merit badges that may not be able to be completed entirely at camp without advance work:

REQUIRE WORK BEFORE CAMP

Bird Study – Joe R
Bird Study Requirement 5 requires observing 20 different species of birds at camp and may be difficult to complete at camp

Camping – Sam C, Casey C, Peter F, Mitchell H, Karl J, Max M
Camping Requirement 9 requires a scout to have completed 20 days and nights of camping as well as specific activities on those campouts

Cooking – Ryan B, Brady C, Casey C, Christopher G, Brian J, Nick J, Joey J, Max M, Christopher O, Mike R
Cooking Requirements 3 & 4 require that the scout plan a 2-day campout menu and prepare 4 of the meals. Requirement 7 requires that a scout plan and prepare meals at home.

Environmental Science – Alex B, Brady C, Ben C, Sam C, Tyler P, Mike R, Joe R
Environmental Science Requirement 3e requires research on an endangered species found in Illinois. This should be done prior to camp.

Nature – Alex B, Austin M
Nature Requirement 4 requires the study of various facets of nature. Work at home prior to camp can help toward earning the badge at camp.

Orienteering – Casey C, Max D, Mitchell H, Christian K, Max M, Jeff R
Orienteering Requirement 7 requires that the scout take part in 3 orienteering events and write a report on each one. Requirement 8 requires the scout to set up an orienteering course.

Pioneering – Connor C, Karl J, Austin M
Pioneering Requirement 2 requires completion of 1st Class requirement 7a, b, c. Requirement 9 requires design and construction of a pioneering project.

REQUIRE SUPPLIES TO BE BROUGHT TO CAMP

Fishing – Giancarlo V
Bring to camp: fishing gear

Swimming – first year campers, Brian J
Bring to camp: long pants, long-sleeve button-up shirt, socks, old shoes, all of which will go in the water

Wilderness Survival – Ryan B, Connor C, Max D, Christopher G, Christian K, Tyler P, Jeff R, Jason S, Drake Z – Scouts should be aware that this class requires them to build a shelter from natural materials, and spend a night in the shelter.
Bring to camp: Wilderness Survival Requirement 5 requires scouts to make a personal survival kit. An example of a survival kit can be found here: http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/film_can/survival_kit.html

REQUIRE PURCHASE OF KITS AT CAMP (BRING MONEY)

Basketry – Sam C, Abraham O

Leathercraft – Max D, Stuart M, Abraham O, Calvin P

Woodcarving – Michael D, Peter F, Christopher G, Cody L, Giancarlo V

All scouts who will be attending Camp Mach should review the list of Merit Badge classes offered, which can be found on pages 21-24 of the Camp Mach Handbook. The schedule for the Merit Badges is on pages 27-28. It’s Troop 24 policy that First Aid not be completed at camp. The shooting sport merit badges are only available for older scouts. All first year scouts should sign up for “Brownsea” also known as “First Year Camper.” If you have any questions about the merit badge classes, please discuss them with Mr. Ringbloom or Mrs. Gustafson.

Troop 24’s Spring Court of Honor will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 7:00.   Completed “Blue Cards” for merit badge work should be turned in to Mr. Jantze as soon as possible.

If you were planning to sign up for the Merit Badge Academy on March 15, save yourself a trip to LaGrange. The Council reports that all classes are full.

There will be a Boy Scout Merit Badge workshop for Coin Collecting Dec 8th at Park Place located at 6240 Joliet Road, Countryside, IL 60525. (Just West of LaGrange Road on Joliet Road, South side of the street.)

If you want to participate, you need to reserve a spot by contacting Kevin Wassmer at 630-399-9060.

Please note that there will also be a coin show happening at this location during this time. If you already have this merit badge, go to the show and see what you know! (Posted by Ray Rogers)