Reading
Resources
- Reading Class Preparation Page
- Reading Workbook
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Reading Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of April 28, 2025
as of April 28, 2025
1.
Do the following:
a.
Take a tour of a library. Discuss with your counselor how the library
is organized and what resources and/or services are offered in the
library.
b.
Learn how to search a library's card catalog or computerized catalog by
author, title, and subject.
c.
In a library, search the card catalog or computerized catalog for six
books of four different types, such as poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and
biographies.
d.
With the assistance of your counselor or the librarian, see if you can
locate on the shelves the six books you selected.
e.
Explain what is a library card, why it is needed, and how to get one.
2.
Do the following:
a.
Identify a book you have enjoyed. Find out what other books the author
has written.
b.
Look at one or more "best books" lists. These can be based on year,
subject, or even all time. Identify at least one book you would like to
read.
3.
Read four different types of books, such as poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or
biographies. Do one of the following for each book you have read:
a.
Write a review of the book. Include what you liked/didn't like about
the book. Include whether you would recommend this book, and if so, who
might enjoy reading it.
b.
Watch a movie based on the book. What was the same between the book and
movie? What was different? Which did you enjoy more? Discuss this with
your counselor.
c.
Give a "book talk" to your class, troop, or patrol.
4.
Read a nonfiction book or magazine that teaches you how to do something
like cooking, wood-building projects, video game design, science
experiments, knot-tying, etc. With your counselor's and parent or
guardian's permission, complete a project from the book. Share your
experience with your counselor. Reading a merit badge pamphlet will not
count toward completing this requirement.
5.
Read about the world around you from any two sources: books, magazines,
newspapers, the internet (with your parent or guardian's permission),
field manuals, etc. Topics may include Scouting, sports, environmental
problems, politics, social issues, current events, nature, religion, etc.
Discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
6.
With your counselor's and parent or guardian's permission, choose ONE of
the following activities and devote at least four hours of service to that
activity. Discuss your participation with your counselor.
a.
Read to a sick, blind, or homebound person in a hospital or in an
extended-care facility.
b.
Perform volunteer work at your school library or a public library.
c.
Read stories to younger children, in a group or individually.
d.
Organize a book swap in your troop, school, or place of worship.
e.
Organize a book drive to collect books. Donate them to an organization
in need.
