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 Landscape Architecture Merit Badge Workbook to help get a head start and organize your preparation work. You can download the Scoutmaster Bucky Landscape Architecture 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

1. Go to a completed landscape project that a landscape architect has designed.  Before you visit the site, obtain a plan of the design from the landscape architect if one is available.

   Scouts will complete this requirement in the class.

2. After completing requirement 1, discuss the following with your merit badge counselor:

   1. Tell whether the design had separate spaces, a clear path system, and sun and shade variety

   2. Discuss how the designated seating, eating, or parking areas suited the overall design.

   3. Explain how the design reflected consideration for the comfort, shelter, and security of the users.

   4. Discuss how the choice of trees, shrubs, and ground covers used in the project contributed to its appeal and function

   This requirement will be completed in the class, however it must be noted that in order for Scouts to have an opportunity of completing this requirement, class participation is a must.  The components of this requirement emphasize "tell", "discuss", and "explain" actions for Scouts to perform.  Opportunity will be given for all Scouts to  complete this requirement during the class with active class participation.  Scouts not actively partaking in the class (which includes listening and paying attention) will not necessarily be considered for completion of this requirement.  Scouts should also familiarize themselves with the terms and concepts outlined in each of these components so that they can formulate proper explanations or speaking and discussion points when completing this requirement in class.

3. Identify five shrubs, five trees, and one ground cover, being sure that you select examples of different shapes, sizes, and textures.  With the help of your counselor or a local nursery, choose plants that will grow in your area.  Bring pictures of the different planting materials or, if possible, examples of their branches, leaves, or flowers to a group such as your troop or class at school.  Be prepared to tell how you might use each in the design of a landscape.

   Scouts will need to do some preparation work prior to the class for this requirement.  Read this requirement carefully and make sure you pay attention to all aspects of this requirement.  Come to the class prepared to share you preparation work and findings.

4. Look at and study a place of worship or school grounds to find the place where most people arrive by bus or car. Show you can do the following:

   1. Using a measuring tape, measure and draw the entry and its nearby area using a scale of 1/8 inch equal to 1 foot on an 11-by-17-inch piece of paper. Be sure to include the driveway and the wall and door where people enter the school or place of worship. Indicate any sidewalks, structures, trees, and plants within the study area. Make two copies of this plan to save the original, then do 4b and 4c using the copies.

   2. On one copy, use directional arrows to indicate where the water drains across the site, where ditches occur, and where water stands for a longer period of time.

   3. Decide how you can make the place safer and more comfortable for those using it. Redesign the area on another copy of the plan. You may want to include new walks, covered waiting areas, benches, space-defining plantings of trees and shrubs, and drainage structures

   This requirement will be completed in the class.

5. Find out about three career opportunities in landscape architecture.  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