Seven Ranges offers a wide variety of merit badges for the scouts to choose during their week at camp. The classes typically last 50 minutes or an hour and 20 minutes per day and are Monday through Friday. Scouts need to fill out the Summer Camp merit badge form (under forms – Forms for Scouts) and turn it in to the Troop leadership in mid-April. Their choices are then reviewed and entered into the camp scheduling software. Scouts will not be scheduled for merit badges where they do not meet age or rank requirements. There are no exceptions. Merit badges also may have pre requisites which need to be completed at home prior to camp. Typically these are requirements which the camp does not have the proper equipment or facility or requirements which will take too long to complete at camp. Scouts should also read their merit badge book prior to camp.
Scouts will be given blue cards on Sunday at camp and need to turn these in on Monday to their counselor along with all the pre requisites. During the week the scouts will complete their requirements and they will be signed off as they are completed. Adult leaders will monitor the progress and encourage scouts to catch up if they lag behind. At the end of the week if a scout has completed all their requirements they will have completed the merit badge. If they were unable to complete any of the requirements then they can ask their counselor for a “partial”. The counselor will check off the completed requirements on the card and then the scout may take the card to another counselor to complete the remainder of the requirements.
Scouts have the opportunity to register for up to 4 merit badges during their week at camp. Most scout take 2 or 3 so they will have time to work on their merit badges as well as work on their Pipestone requirements. Choosing 2 -3 merit badges also leaves plenty of time for the scouts to experience the rest of the activities the camp has to offer.
Scouts may also earn the following at camp:
Totin Chit, Chemical Fuel Chit, Fireman Chit, BSA Kayak, BSA Lifeguard, BSA Mile Swim, Leave No Trace, Environmental Interpreter, Hornaday Award, John Burroughs, World Conservation Award, Seven Ranges Survivor (offered biennially)
Patrols may earn the Baden Powell Honor Patrol Award
Scouts need to contact an adult leader for the requirements for the above activities.
Those who are NOT able to swim at least one length on Sunday at check-in will go to lessons during the week at instead of taking a merit badge at the 11 – 11.50 time slot. Even if this means they have to “drop” one of their selected merit badges.