Check-in starts 1/2 hour prior to the start time of your class. You should bring a blue card filled out properly for this class. If you are not familiar with how to fill out a blue card, you should familiarize yourself with Scoutmaster Bucky's "How To Fill Out A Blue Card" document.  Click here for Scoutmaster Bucky's "How To Fill Out A Blue Card". Remember it is a Scout's responsibility to take care of their own blue card from beginning to end.


Your Scout Uniform is required to be worn for attending this Merit Badge session.   If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners; Scoutmaster Bucky via email or on the phone at 612-483-0665.

Reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending and doing preparation work will insure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities. The merit badge pamphlet is a wealth of information that can make earning a merit badge a lot easier. It contains many of the answers and solutions needed or can at least provide directions as to where one can find the answers.  It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event.

You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Communications Merit Badge Workbook to help get a head start and organize your preparation work. You can download the Scoutmaster Bucky Communications Merit Badge Workbook by clicking here.

It should be noted that this merit badge class is not meant for those who just want to come and see what they can get done. It is possible to complete this merit badge by being properly prepared and having done the preparation work prior to the class. Preparation is a MUST.


Things to remember to bring for this Merit Badge Class:

1. Merit Badge Blue Card properly filled out and signed off by your Scoutmaster
2. Your Registration Receipt
3. Scout Uniform
4. Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook for this merit badge printed out and preparation work filled in
5. Any additional supporting documentation or project work pertinent to this merit badge 
6. A positive Scouting focus and attitude

Following is an outline of the class syllabus to help you prepare.  Also note that Scouts will be signed off only on those requirements that the Merit Badge Counselor determines meets the requirements; no more no less  This Merit Badge should not be expected to be earned without preparation and work.

1. Do ONE of the following:

   1. For one day, keep a log in which you describe your communication activities. Keep track of the time and different ways you spend communicating, such as talking person-to-person, listening to teachers or the radio, watching television, 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 communications skills

   2. For three days, keep a journal of your listening experiences. Identify one example of each of the following, and discuss with your counselor when you have listened to:

   1. Obtain information

   2. A persuasive argument

   3. Appreciate or enjoy something

   4. Understand someone's feelings

   3. In a small-group setting, meet with other scouts or with friends. Have them share personal stories about significant events in their lives that affected them in some way. Take note of how each scout participates in the group discussion and how effectively he communicates his story. Report what you have learned to your counselor about the differences you observed in effective communication

   4. List as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others (face-to-face, by telephone, letter, e-mail, text messages, and so on). For each type of communication discuss with your counselor an instance when that method might not be appropriate or effective

   This requirement will be covered within the class, however, Scouts should familiarize themselves with the requirement and the corresponding section(s) within the Merit Badge Pamphlet so as to have a basic understanding prior to the class. At the discretion of the counselor, Scouts will either do requirement 1c or 1d in the class.

2. Do ONE of the following:

   1. Think of a creative way to describe yourself using, for example, a collage, short story or autobiography, drawing or series of photographs, or a song or skit. Using the aid you created, make a presentation to your counselor about yourself

   2. Choose a concept, product, or service in which you have great confidence. Build a sales plan based on its good points. Try to persuade the counselor to agree with, use, or buy your concept, product or service. After your sales talk, discuss with your counselor how persuasive you were

   Scouts should choose and work on prior to the class one of the requirement options.  Scouts will start off their presenting for the day with one of these two presentations.  Scouts should come prepared to present.

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

   While the selected subject for this requirement can be anything, please remember it must be Scout appropriate. Scout's may want to consider choose a Scouting topic that they have found interesting or useful as their subject matter for this requirement.  Scouts should prepare for presenting this on the day of the class. Scouts will spend over 25% of the class presenting and listening to other Scouts presentations on this requirement.  Be Prepared.

4. Interview someone you know fairly well, like, or respect because of his or her position, talent, career or life experiences. Listen actively to learn as much as you can about the person. Then prepare and deliver to your counselor an introduction of the person as though this person were to be a guest speaker, and include reasons why the audience would want to hear this person speak. Show how you would call to invite this person to speak

   Scouts should prepare for this by interviewing an individual (preferably someone other than a family member if possible) and be prepared to share their work in the class.

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. Present an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor

   Scouts will need to do 1/2 of this requirement prior to the class.  Scouts will need to choose a public meeting to attend and practice listening skills and take good notes to prepare for their presentation which will take place during the class.  Scouts will be given an opportunity to to present their work in the class.

6. With your counselor's approval, develop a plan to teach a skill or inform someone about something. Prepare teaching aids for your plan. Carry out your plan. With your counselor, determine whether the person has learned what you intended

   While the selected subject for this requirement can be anything, please remember it must be Scout appropriate. Scout's may want to consider choose a Scouting skill that they have found interesting or useful as their subject matter for this requirement.  Scouts should prepare for presenting this (with teaching aids - presentation size will be to no more than 12 people) on the day of the class. Scouts will spend over 25% of the class presenting and listening to other Scouts presentations on this requirement.  Be Prepared.

7. Do ONE of the following:

   1. Write to the editor of a magazine or your local newspaper to express your opinion or share information on any subject you choose. Send your message by fax, email, or regular mail.

   2. Create a Web page or blog of special interest to you (for instance, your troop or crew, a hobby, or a sport). Include at least three articles or entries and one photograph or illustration, and one link to some other Web page or blog that would be helpful to someone who visits the Web page or blog you have created. It is not necessary to post your Web page or blog to the Internet, but if you decide to do so, you must first share it with your parents and counselor and get their permission

   3. Use desktop publishing to produce a newsletter, brochure, flier, or other printed material for your or crew, class at school, or other group.  Include at least one article and one photograph or illustration

   Scouts will need to complete this requirement on their own prior to or after the class.  Scouts can bring any work completed prior to the class with them for the counselor to review for possible sign off on this requirement.

8. Plan a troop court of honor, campfire program, or an interfaith worship service. Have the patrol leaders' council approve it, then write the script and prepare the program. Serve as master of ceremonies
   
   This requirement will NOT be covered in the class, however Scouts having completed this requirement prior to the class may bring their proof for review by the counselor. In order to receive credit Scouts must bring a signed sheet (there is one available in the Scoutmaster Bucky Communications Merit Badge Workbook) by the Troop's Senior Patrol Leader verifying approval of the Scout to plan one of the specified Troop activites by the PLC.  If the event has already happened there should also be some sort of confirmation showing that the Scouts served as Master of Ceremony for the event.

9. Find out about three career opportunities in the field of 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
   
   Scouts should review this requirement and its components and be prepared to discuss.  It is strongly recommended that Scouts bring any notes or supporting documents they may have to help show the counselor that they have prepared for discussion of these items.

this page last reviewed and updated - March 2011