Communication Merit Badge!

Important Information:

• ALL Scouts must bring physical proof of prerequisite completion to all classes.
• Pre-requisites MUST be completed prior to the in-person class: #1a, #3 (write your speech, we will present during the class), #5, #6, #8, #9
• ALL Scouts MUST BRING a SIGNED Blue Card to all classes for our Counselors to sign.
• ALL Scouts must wear their uniform.
• This is a drop-off class. Drive in through the outer gate and drop-off at the main brick building. Parents/leaders are welcome to wait onsite.
• Cancellations requested 2 or more weeks in advance will be refunded at the full price.​ Refunds are not available with less than 2 weeks notice.
• Instructors: Badges are taught by our certified Counselors who have completed the Youth Protection Training. They are certified through the Northern NJ, BSA Council. Our current Counselors are: Lauren Lynch, Nicole Vaccaro, Peter Lundell, Chris Campbell
• Cell phones will be collected at the beginning of each class, to ensure Scouts give their undivided attention to the badge Counselor.

Instructors:

Badges are taught by our certified Counselors who are experienced educators, have completed the Youth Protection Training, and are Wilderness First Aid certified. They are certified through the Northern NJ, BSA Council. Our current Counselors are: Lauren Lynch, Nicole Vaccaro, Peter Lundell, Chris Campbell

Cancellations:

Cancellations requested 2 or more weeks in advance will be refunded at the full price, minus Evenbrite fees. Refunds are not available with less than 2 weeks notice.

Prerequisites for Communication Merit Badge:

Requirement 1a: Keep a log for ONE day describing your communication activities. Keep track of the time and different ways you spend communicating, such as talking person-to-person, listening to teachers, listening to the radio or podcasts, watching television, using social media, reading books and other print media, and using any electronic communication device. Discuss with your counselor what your log reveals about the importance of communication in your life. Think of ways to improve your communication skills.

How to complete this: Scouts need to bring in a physical or written copy of their log. We will discuss what their log reveals about the importance of communication in their life and how to improve their communication skills in the future.

• Methods of Communicating: https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/communication/39941

Requirement 3: Write a five-minute speech. Give it at a meeting of a group.

How to complete this: Scouts must bring in a physical draft of their 5 minute speech. The speech can be on anything of interest to them, but they must present it during class and it must be 5 minutes long. We highly recommend having the scouts time out their own speech before the class to make sure they hit the 5 minute mark without issue.

• How to write a 5 minute speech: https://speakerhub.com/skillcamp/5-minute-speech-and-how-write-one

Requirement 5: Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue. Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Prepare an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor.

How to complete this: Scouts must have attended a public meeting in person or online ahead of time. Scouts must bring in their physical copy or written report on the meeting's content. What issues were brought up? Was there a resolution? Do you feel both parties communicated well? We will discuss the meeting during class.

• We recommend that scouts attend public meetings in their own city/borough/town hall. If you do an internet search of your town's city hall website, on the homepage you should be able to find their calendar of events and can see when the next public meeting will be held.
• Ringwood Town Hall Meetings Link: https://www.ringwoodnj.net/content/2345/2771/default.aspx

Requirement 8: Plan a troop or crew court of honor, campfire program, or interfaith worship service. Have the patrol leaders’ council approve it, then write the script and prepare the program. Serve as master of ceremonies.

How to complete this: Scouts must have a unique individual role and bring in a written or physical copy of their script with them; we’ll discuss it during class.

• How to Plan a Campfire Program: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33696.pdf
• How to Plan a Court of Honor: https://scoutsmarts.com/troop-court-of-honor/

Requirement 9: Find out about three career opportunities in communication. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

How to complete this: Scouts must come to class with their pre written/typed report ahead of time. We will discuss each scout's list and summary during class.

Careers in Communications: https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-can-you-do-with-a-communication-degree