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 Collections 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
- Collections Merit Badge Pamphlet
- Scout uniform
- Supporting documentation or project work pertinent to the Collections 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 Collections 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.
Collections 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.
BRING YOUR COLLECTION WITH YOU AS YOU WILL NEED THIS FOR PARTICIPATION
Stamps and Coin Collecting are excluded from eligibility for this merit badge
1.
Prepare a short written report or outline for your counselor, giving a detailed description of your collection,* including a short history, why you enjoy your collection, and what you have learned from collecting. Be sure to include why you chose that particular type of collection/collecting method.
* Stamp and coin collecting are excluded from eligibility for this merit badge.
Scouts should have this written out to show the counselor that some thought and preparation has gone into this requirement and Scouts should be prepared to discuss their findings. Scouts will not automatically be signed off on this requirement just for attending as the requirement states that they must prepare a short, written report to get credit.
2.
Explain the growth and development of your collection.
Scouts should be prepared to share how they got started collecting what they collect, how long they have been collecting, if they have any specialties or requirements to consider it collectable, how their collection has grown, where they obtain items to add to their collection, etc.
3.
Demonstrate your knowledge of preserving and displaying your collection.
a.
Explain the precautions you need to take to preserve your collection, including
b.
Explain how best to display your collection, keeping in mind preserving as discussed above.
c.
Explain to your counselor the events available for a hobbyist of this collection, including shows, seminars, conventions, contests, and museum programs and exhibits.
d.
Explain to your counselor how you keep track of your collection. Describe your cataloging method.
Scouts will have an opportunity to explain how the proper caring for and displaying of a collection like they have. Scouts should also research if there are any clubs, organizations, events, etc that support or tie in with their collection. Preparation should be easy for this requirement.
4.
Demonstrate your knowledge of collecting and investing. Discuss with your counselor:
a.
How investing and speculation would apply to your collection
b.
What you would look for in purchasing other collections similar to yours
c.
What you would expect in return value if you decided to sell all or part of the collection
Scouts should be prepared for discussion of these items. Every type of collection is different, and most counselors are well-versed in collecting in general. This is an opportunity for the Scout to educate fellow Scouts, as well as the counselor / instructor, about their collection and knowledge.
a.
Discuss with your counselor at least 10 terms commonly used to describe your collection and be prepared to discuss the definition of each.
Scouts should identify 10 terms particular to their type of collection and be ready to share this during the class. Some Scouts may find it more convenient to write this information down, so they are able to more readily share this information during the class..
b.
Show your counselor any two groups from your collection. Explain how you organized your collection and why you chose that method. (Note: If your collection is too large to transport and your counselor is unable to view your collection directly, photographs should be available to share.)
Scouts will need to have their collection or photographs (if it is too large to bring) ready to share with the counselor and other Scouts.
Scouts will need to have their collection or photographs ready to share with the counselor and other Scouts.
c.
Explain the monetary value of your collection and where you learned about those values.
d.
Explain how your collection is graded for value, physical defects, size, and age. Show the various classifications or ratings used in your collection.
e.
List the national, state, or local association(s) related to or associated with your collection.
There is some sort of group or organization for almost anything that people collect. In some cases, the counselor may challenge Scouts that claim there are no resources for their collection, so it is advised that Scouts search the internet for resources to help complete this requirement. Some counselors may not sign off on this requirement if they are easily able to find resources where Scouts claim there are none. Dig deep, there's somewhere or someone that knows something about your collection.
f.
Explain to your counselor the purpose of and reason for the identification number (if applicable), series, brand name (if any), and any other special identification marks.
Most things collected will have some sort of identification marks that make it unique or identifiable, Scouts should come prepared ready to share this information with the class.
6.
Discuss with your counselor the plans you have to continue with the collection in the future.
One of the easiest requirements of any merit badge. Scouts will simply need to share their thoughts and vision for their collections continuation.
7.
Find out about career opportunities in collecting. 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 completion of this requirement.
