First Year Program
This spring, Scouts who have recently joined the troop will be focusing on their Scout and Tenderfoot ranks. Scouts who joined last spring will be focusing on completing their First Class rank. The goal of our First Year Program is to help our new Scouts advance through the first four ranks in Scouting during their first year with the troop. For more details on this, see https://www.troop542.com/rank-advancement/.
Merit Badge Program
Older Scouts will be able to choose from the following merit badges choices for the winter. Please note that Scouting for America has made all merit badge pamphlets available digitally for free. Scouts are strongly encouraged to download the pamphlet for the course they will take.
Personal Management – Eagle Required. Personal management is about mapping a plan for your life that will involve setting short-range and long-range goals and investigating different ways to reach those goals. Education, training, and experience all help make your goals become a reality. To achieve your goals, you will choose the best path and make a commitment to it, while remaining flexible enough to deal with changes and new opportunities. https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/personal-management/
First Aid – Eagle Required. First aid—caring for injured or ill persons until they can receive professional medical care—is an important skill for every Scout. With some knowledge of first aid, a Scout can provide immediate care and help to someone who is hurt or who becomes ill. First aid can help prevent infection and serious loss of blood. It could even save a limb or a life. https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/first-aid/
American Indian Culture – Far different from the stereotypes or common images that are portrayed on film, on television, and in many books and stories, American Indians have many different cultures, languages, religions, styles of dress, and ways of life. To learn about these different groups is to take an exciting journey of discovery in which you will meet some of America’s most fascinating peoples. https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/american-indian-culture/
Health Care Professions – Explore the different types of the healthcare fields and professions with the Health Care Professions Merit Badge. Scouts will learn how professionals in different health care fields work together to keep people healthy. The Health Care Professions Merit Badge generates excitement for a possible career in the healthcare industry. https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/health-care-professions/