Five Hardest Merit Badges

Five Hardest Merit Badges
In the Boy Scouts of America, young boys develop character and self-reliance while training to become responsible citizens and leaders. They participate in outdoor activities, educational programs, and later, career-oriented programs through community service. Merit badges are a way for these boys to advance to Eagle Scout. National Geographic listed five of the hardest merit badges earned and what it takes to earn them. Do you think you can earn one?

Do You Have What it Takes

PERSONAL FITNESS- To earn the Personal Fitness merit badge, a Boy Scout will face three months of fitness challenges. He must prove his dedication to improving his energy, strength, self-confidence and overall abilities. A few examinations will be given, he will take an aerobic fitness and flexibility test and record his performance, follow and log a 12-week physical fitness program. The test will be done at the end of the program to show an improvement in each area.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE- This badge offers an overview of our world. The requirements for this badge are knowing key terms and concepts, like habitats, endangered species, and conservation efforts, and doing an ecology experiment that either illustrates the greenhouse effect or the relationship of living organisms. He also has to complete at least two in-depth outdoor studies.

SCUBA DIVING- This badge was introduced in 2009 and is popular with scouts. This badge requires a significant amount of instruction, time and money to complete. A Scout must first complete several prerequisites – like the Swimming badge and an Open Water Diver Certification – before working towards this merit badge. And all phases of the scuba instruction must be completed by a recognized PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) agency.

LIFESAVING- This badge was designed to teach strategies to help save the life of another, it is also physically demanding. They will learn how to recognize and help those hurt in water accidents, pass a swimming test, now a variety of rescue techniques, and recover a 10-pound weight submerged in 8-10 feet of water.

PERSONAL MANAGEMENT- To earn this badge, the scout will not only learn and be tested in bookkeeping skills but his dedication to learning a new skill. Some requirements can include mapping a life plan that includes setting short-term and long-range goals; something we should all learn. Concepts like money management, charitable giving, emotional shopping, publicly-traded stocks, loans, and investments are analyzed.

Southwest Emblem

These young men work hard to achieve these merit badges. They are a symbol of commitment and knowledge that others will see and respect. At Southwest Emblem we make quality custom patches with a variety of color threads, felt backgrounds, backing options, and much more. Check us out at www.southwestemblem.com to see what other products we can provide.

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