The 2015 Guide to Advancement points out in Section Seven, topic 7.0.3.0,
“A small-scale approach in merit badge counseling is encouraged. Teaching a
badge to a Scout and his buddy or a small group affords the counselor coaching
and guidance opportunities not possible in a large group setting.” Mentoring
Scouts requires establishing a relationship with the Scout and his buddy not
likely achievable in an auditorium-sized merit badge fair. The Scouts whom you
mentor may even get more serious about the subject matter in order to gain a
deeper understanding.
Another benefit in conducting small-group sessions is the counselor’s
ability to help Scouts set long-term goals to accomplish not only the required
work, but additional studies if they so desire. Goal setting, of course, helps
Scouts prioritize merit badge tasks that call for more preparation and planning.
But more importantly, the discipline of setting and attaining challenging
objectives may carry-over into adulthood. The biggest challenge to teaching a
merit badge to a large group is monitoring the Scouts’ individual progress. The
larger the group, the more difficult it is to maintain a degree of personal
attention to every participant.
In this situation, more counselors must be involved, or other methods must
be used to ensure every Scout actually and personally fulfills every
requirement. If this challenge cannot be met, then large-group instruction must
be abandoned. Furthermore, awarding merit badges to Scouts on the basis of
sitting in class watching demonstrations or remaining silent during discussions
is totally and completely unacceptable.
Thus, teaching a merit badge to a small group of Scouts like the one
pictured below ensures mentoring opportunities and positive learning experiences
are taking place. For more information, counselors are urged to read the 2015
version of the Guide to Advancement (No. 33088) recently posted in the
Advancement Re-sources web page: www.scouting.org/advancement.
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