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Step 1: Scouts will attend the online zoom session using a zoom link that will be sent to the email used to sign up 1 hour after signing up. If you don't see it check your junk or spam folder.

 

Step 2: To receive your blue card, Scouts must complete the Online Classroom located here: https://form.jotform.com/242158311560146

 

Merit Badge Prerequisites:

(Prerequisite NEED to be completed Before the Zoom session)

 

Requirement #1d: (Prerequisite)

Bring a list to the Zoom session with as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others (e.g., face-to-face, by telephone, letter, e-mail, text messages, social media, and so on). For each type of communication, think of an instance when that method might not be appropriate or effective.

Submit by: We will complete this during the zoom session.

 

Requirement #2a: (Prerequisite)

Think of a creative way to introduce yourself. You will describe yourself using, for example, a collage, short story or autobiography, drawing or series of photographs, or a song or skit.

 

During the Zoom session, you will use your aid (a collage, short story or autobiography, poem, drawing or series of photographs, or a song or skit) to introduce yourself in 1min or less and must include this information:

• Name

• Location

• Rank

• Troop #

• What is the skill or subject you will teach for Requirement #6?

  Submit by: We will complete this during the zoom session. You will not be able to share your screen. Please print out photos or aid to be shown on camera.

  

Requirement #3 (Prerequisite)

Write a five-minute speech. Give it at a meeting of a group. You will present this five-minute story during the zoom class in front of the other scouts. Please be sure you practice your speech before and be sure it's between 4-5 minutes.

Submit by: We will complete this during the zoom session.

 

Requirement #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.

Submit by: Submit your work to the online classroom.

 

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.

Submit by: Submit your work to the online classroom.

 

Requirement #6: (Prerequisite)

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.

Submit by: We will complete this during the zoom session. Scouts will give a 3-5 minute speech with teaching aids. Also, use the online classroom to submit a copy of your teaching aid and teaching plan.

 

Teaching Aid Examples: 

• Actual objects

• Slides

• Flashcards

• Charts

• Pictures

• Maps

• Discussion boards

• Models

 

Requirement #7:

Do ONE of the following:

a) 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.

b) 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.

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

Submit by: Submit your work to the online classroom.

 

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.

Submit by: Submit your work to the online classroom. You will need to submit a letter or email from your scoutmaster saying you completed one of these programs.

 

Requirement #9: (Prerequisite)

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.

Preparation:
This requirement will be completed during the session. Please be prepared to share your thoughts on the following questions:

• What career in the field of communication did you find the most interesting?

• Why do you find this career interesting?

Reminder:
We expect responses from each of you during the discussion, so take some time to think about these questions in advance. Brief answers are fine but should reflect your understanding and perspective.

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Camera Requirement:

• All participants MUST have their cameras on during online sessions.

• If you are unable to turn your camera on, you will not be allowed to stay in the session and will need to rebook at your parent/guardian's expense.
   

 How to submit completed work:

• Use the Online Classroom: https://form.jotform.com/242158311560146

• The online classroom does not auto-save work. You need to hit the save button to save a draft.

• Saved Drafts are auto-deleted after 2 months so save your work in your own WORD doc or Google Doc and copy and paste into the online classroom.

• Scouts have THREE months after the session to complete this.

 

Blue Cards:

• Upon submitting work in the online classroom and approval from our merit badge counselor, Scouts will be issued a digital blue card signed by our merit badge counselor. This can be done with a digital PDF or signed on Scoutbook.com​

 

​Requirements for the Communication Merit Badge:​​

1. Do ONE of the following:

• (a) 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, 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.

• (b) 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. Be persuaded.

  3. Appreciate or enjoy something.

  4. Understand someone's feelings.

• (c) 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 each Scout communicates their story. Report what you have learned to your counselor about the differences you observed in effective communication.

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

 

2. Do ONE of the following:

• (a) 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.

• (b) 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.

 

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

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.

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.

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.

7. Do ONE of the following:

• (a) 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.

• (b) 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 parent or guardian and counselor and get their permission.

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

 

8. Plan a troop or crew 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.

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.

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NOTE: Always be sure to have proper permission before using the internet. It is strongly advised that Scouts view the Personal Safety Awareness videos before starting work. Find details at www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/scouts-bsa