No Metal Detecting Merit Badge

[FelixtheCat]

Last night was my son's annual end of year Blue & Gold ceremony where awards and advancements for both Boy & Cub Scouts. This ceremony was extra special for my son as he crossed over to the big boys (Boy Scouts). I started looking on-line at the different Merit Badges that can be earned as a Boy Scout and I was surprised and dismayed not to see Metal Detecting as one. I did not understand why it wouldn't be there as it encompasses many qualities inherent to Scouting - outdoors, collecting, and science to name a few. I posed this question on-line to a the National Scout site and will await a response. I offered to submit a proposal and do whatever it takes to have it added as a Merit Badge. If any of you have some ideas or suggestions to offer please do.

[billiard rich]

That would be a neat award to get, but this is kind of an expensive hobby to get started in. All scouts would need to have a detector available to them. I guess each troup could share one (or maybe a few groups could share one).

Good Luck.

[Carol K]

but this is kind of an expensive hobby to get started in.

True... initial investment is required, along with all the accessories. lol Then when you're not satisfied with the cheap detector's performance you have to upgrade.

outdoors, collecting, and science to name a few.

and history!

But isn't it true that scouts can pick which Merit badge they want to acquire? According to this list

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/boy-sco...out-awards.asp

they have many awards that would take initial investment, don't they? Scuba... sailboarding... snorkling... Kayaking... etc.

So, I think it's a good idea Felix, metal detecting should be on that list.

[sectshun8]

Originally Posted by Carol K

they have many awards that would take initial investment, don't they? Scuba... sailboarding... snorkling... Kayaking... etc.

So, I think it's a good idea Felix, metal detecting should be on that list.

They do yes, however there are ways around this. When I was in scouting, spending all of my "big boy" days scouting in Hawaii, they have week long summer camps where scouts can earn lots of badges by attending classes and activities offered by the council. Alot of the water ones can be earned in a pool with council supplied equipment. If there is such a thing in your area, and the council offered to supply equipment and only acept a few scouts into the class each year, it could work out well.

If I remember, I was able to pick up Water Survival (?), Weather, and Evironmental Science at thsi camp.

So the scouts themselves don't have to invest in anything, they are supported by the council.

[RickO]

Being an Eagle scout myself, (in my younger days) I would encourage you to proceed with the effort to have a merit badge added for MD'ing. You will likely be asked to submit the outline for qualifications. This would include ethics, permissions, process, law, technique, functionality of detectors (i.e. principle and operation), areas of interest - coins, relics, criminology etc...
with some other areas as well. Great idea... worthy of scouting ... RickO

[~Alan~]

You wouldn't necessarily have to call it a metal detecting badge.
It could come under the heading of History or Archaeology perhaps ?

[FelixtheCat]

Carol - I did go to that site you put that's where I saw MDing was missing. You're right on the history aspect. Also conservation - taking trash out!

Rick - Thanks for the category ideas! That's exactly the kind of stuff I'm sure going to need if I am allowed to submit a proposal.

Also, it doesn't have to be expensive. I myself have 3 detectors and another parent has another 3. We can also have the scouts build a detector like I have seen on some sites.

Thanks all for the responses!

[RickO]

Go for it Felix.... and please feel free to discuss things as plans take shape... would be glad to advise/contribute to the effort. RickO

[TimC]

I would suspect the our hobby would get rejected by the council as a merit badge because they would think it would go against one of the most basic rules of scouting, not the scouting oath or promise but that little scouting rule of "Leave No Trace". As most of the scouts and scouters here know, this is a pretty strict rule. As a Scout Master here in town this rule and my most favorite hobby has to coexist which is often times limits me to the woods and beaches but even then I have to be the example and explain why if seen by boys in the troop, who I'm always preaching to the boys via the Senior Patrol Leader why I'm not leaving a trace.
Leave No Trace means minimal impact. They even have classes and intense programs on the subject. It's that important to them. All that being said, I still like and enjoy my hobby.

[FelixtheCat]

Tim -
When I hunt mulch and sand I Leave No Trace. I would imagine that experienced plug cutters also Leave No Trace. I am not talking wholesale get a shovel and bulldozer type MDing here. I think that any hunt that gets erased with one good rain shower is a Leave No Trace type hunt. I think that you also need to take into consideration the benefits of the garbage that you will be removing.

[RickO]

I agree with Felix... I always cover my 'tracks'.. and, as I just wrote in another thread, when MD'ing grass, I take along a bottle of water with MiracleGrow in it and splash the plug after I replace it. My final gesture when done... is to look back at the lawn/field and see if I can determine where I dug... if so, back to it for repair (rare), if not.. good day. RickO

[TimC]

Hey guys I agree with you that's taking it a bit far, but the Leave Not Trace instructors I know get down and their hands and knees to inspect the ground you are being trained on. I enjoy metal detecting as much as you do, all I'm saying is that it's a shame when worlds collide. I have been and the receiving end of a trainer and they can make you feel like you want to crawl under a rock sometimes especially when you have done everything right. Again, don't get me wrong, I do an exceptional job at covering my hole to where I can't hardly see them. but I don't guess the at good enough. I am leaving for Wood Badge this weekend and they are already warning us about "Leaving No Trace."

[dan]

Originally Posted by TimC

I would suspect the our hobby would get rejected by the council as a merit badge because they would think it would go against one of the most basic rules of scouting, not the scouting oath or promise but that little scouting rule of "Leave No Trace".

And besides that....

Metal detecting is a controversial hobby. Many professional archeologists see us as scavengers, stealing artifacts and thereby stealing history.

I just don't think the Boy Scouts would want to get involved in yet another dispute that could tarnish their reputation.