Remember: These notes are relevant to working with me as your merit badge counselor. Another counselor may prefer something different!
When emailing your work, make sure you follow the rules in Email Notes, and follow the guidance in Work Format & Templates. It's a good idea to save your work in a way you can easily find it (see Organizing Your Files).
An old edition of the Merit Badge Booklet can be found here. The new requirements can be found here.
Other than the requirements, there aren't many differences between the old and new versions of the Merit Badge Pamphlet. If you absolutely want the latest edition of the merit badge booklet, you can purchase one from the Scout Store, or scoutshop.org.
Some requirements say “Show”, some say “Explain” and others say “Do”, etc. Read each requirement carefully! A “Show” requirement indicates demonstration; a write up will not suffice. An “Explain” requirement can be verbal or written in the sheet. A “Do” requirement is something that you must actually do and document proof of.
The date on your blue card dictates what revision of the requirements you’re eligible to use. If there is a newer revision of the requirements, and the date on your blue card is after that revision has been published, you must use the newer revision of requirements!
Below is a description of what I'm looking for in some of the Hiking requirments (2016 edition). These are the requirements I've noticed most struggle with. Please make sure your work for the requirement includes what I’m looking for!
First Aid
For each of the injuries or illnesses, “showing” that you know first aid should include prevention, recognition and treatment. This does not need to be very detailed! But you must show that you know the definition of the illness or injury, how to prevent the illness or injury, recognize it, and treat it.
Hiking Plans
Read the Merit Badge booklet! Do not try to wing this requirement! The Trip Plan is one of the most frustrating requirements for Scouts to complete, and it's largely because they don't read the booklet to see what information needs to be included.
For these requirements, you must submit a plan and get approval before doing the hike. Your plan must include the information listed in the "Trip Plan" section of the Merit Badge Booklet. There is an excellent example of a Trip Plan in the booklet. Your trip plan must be a stand-alone document, not simply written in the body of an email.
A few hints:
The hikes in Requirement 4 must be done in order.
The written plan should include the information from the example in the Merit Badge Booklet.
Give a specific date and location for your hike, so you can check the weather. Your clothing list is based off this.
"Ten Essentials" isn't an answer - write them out individually!
"Sandwich and snacks" isn't a trail lunch - be specific!
The written plan should be approved before your hike.
Note: As you gain experience with writing plans, I expect them to get better. What I accept for your first hike may not be what I accept for the following.
Hiking Reflections
Make sure to read this requirement carefully! Include all the information listed in the requirement! This is an easy one; don't get it kicked back because you overlooked something!
I highly recommend writing the reflection soon after a hike so the hike is fresh in your memory. If enough time goes by that you can't remember the hike, you'll have to submit a new plan, do another hike and write a reflection for that hike!