Please be courteous and arrive early for registration and instructions PRIOR to your scheduled class start time. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.
It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky American Business Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.
The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.
If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.
Things to remember to bring for this merit badge class:
- Your BSA ID # (not your Scoutbook ID #)
- If you do not have your BSA ID # (or did not provide it with your online registration) you will need a Merit badge blue card properly filled out and signed off by your Scout Leader
- American Business Merit Badge Pamphlet
- Scout uniform
- Supporting documentation or project work pertinent to the American Business merit badge, which may also include a merit badge workbook for reference with notes
- A positive Scouting focus and attitude
If you are unfamiliar with the Blue Card Process, please read and understand the Scoutmaster Bucky Blue Card Process.
Scoutmaster Bucky Online Class links will be sent out 12 to 24 hours prior to the class start time. Notification will be sent to the email address provided in the registration, so please make sure your email is correctly entered.
Please be courteous and arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled class start time. Ensure that your internet connection, camera, microphone, and broadcasting environment are working and optimal for class participation. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.
It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky American Business Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.
The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.
If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.
American Business Merit Badge
Current Scouts BSA Requirements
as of February 17, 2023
Please make sure you read the top portion of this page for general participation expectations in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge class.
Pay careful attention to the action verbs within the requirements. An example to note:
"Tell", "explain", "describe", and "discuss" are commonly used and will require the Scout to perform these actions during the class. When these action verbs are a part of any requirement, Scouts are expected to be prepared to share. Reading responses is not acceptable since it does not fulfill the requirement of showing the Scout's knowledge and understanding.
a.
Explain four features of the free enterprise system in the United States. Describe the difference between freedom and license. Tell how the Scout Oath and Scout Law apply to business and free enterprise.
b.
Describe the Industrial Revolution and tell about the major developments that marked the start of the modern industrial era in the United States. Discuss three people who had a great influence on business or industry in the United States and describe what each did.
c.
Identify and describe to your counselor the five primary areas of business.
d.
Explain the history of labor unions in the United States and the importance of labor unions and employers working together. Identify two major labor unions currently in existence.
e.
Discuss with your counselor how business impacts the local, national, and global economy.
While the majority of Requirement 1 is verbal exchange with the counselor and other Scouts in the class, Scouts will find it necessary to have done some preparation work along with active participation in the class led discussions to be considered for completion of this requirement at the class. It is strongly recommended that Scouts bring any notes or supporting documents to aid them in their discussion points.
a.
Explain the three basic types of financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows). Discuss with your counselor how each statement can help business leaders make better decisions.
b.
Explain how changes in interest rates, taxes, and government spending affect the flow of money into or out of business and industry.
c.
Explain how a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company gets its capital. Discuss and explain four ways a corporation obtains capital.
d.
Name five kinds of insurance useful to business. Describe their purposes.
Scouts will find it necessary to review the merit badge pamphlet or other sources to prepare for this requirement and its components. Consider utilizing a workbook or notepad to make notes of your research in preparation for the class.
a.
Explain the place of profit in business.
b.
Describe to your counselor green marketing and sustainable business practices.
c.
Explain how ethics plays a role in business decision making.
d.
Discuss the differences between operating a brick-and-mortar business versus an online business.
Scouts must be able to actively and knowledgeably participate in classroom discussion on the components of this requirement. Simply attending does not fulfill the stated actions of Explain, describe, and discuss. Scout not having doen some preparation work for this requirement AND actively participating in the class discussion will find it difficult to complete this requirement in the class.
4.
Describe the role of the U.S. Department of Labor. Discuss two of the following topics with your counselor:
a.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
b.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
c.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
d.
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
Choose two of the four components options for Requirement 4 and be prepared to share your findings within the class. This requirement requires preparation work ahead of time.
5.
Choose a business and research how it applies each of the primary areas of business (accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and management). Share what you have learned with your counselor.
Scouts will need to carefully manage their time and resources when working on this requirement. This is not a requirement that can be done in an hour or two. After selecting the business they want to research, they will need to spend considerable time looking into the numerous different areas of business for the company or corporation. It cannot be emphasized enough that Scouts will spend a lot of time preparing for sharing on this requirement which will require a very extensive and thorough report covering all aspects of the business and the stated items of this requirement shown. This requirement is best completed by Scouts who allot themselves plenty of time to complete and realize this is not just a single afternoon project. Time will be provided within the class for any Scouts interested in sharing their partial or completed progress on this requirement.
6.
Do ONE of the following:
a.
Choose one of the primary areas of business and identify three career opportunities. Select one and research the education, training, and experience required for this career. Discuss this with your counselor and explain why this interests you.
Scouts that choose to do this requirement component will need to select either accounting, finance, economics, marketing, or management as their primary area of business and then identify three careers where someone seeking to work in that area of business might pursue. Find out all that it takes to become prepared, educated, and trained for the highest probability of appeal to a potential employer. Scouts should be ready to share their findings with the counselor and class during the class.
b.
Select a business leader and interview this individual to learn more about his or her company and career path. Discuss the role ethics plays in making business decisions. Share what you have learned with your counselor.
Scouts that choose this requirement component will need to make sure to have proof of their interview and either a very good memory or strong notes to support their findings when sharing what they learned during the class. Be Prepared.
