We’ll complete all but one of the requirements for Family Life merit badge over three weeks. Requirement three spans 90 days, so each scout will finish that task on their own.
Please email any questions or progress to [email protected].
Chore leaders
7 scouts have submitted their 5 chores to track for 90 days, and each scout has an online tracking system where they earn points for completing chores. Point leaders on Thursday, September 16 are Brett F. and Graham H.
Week one
- Prepare an outline on what a family is and discuss this with your merit badge counselor. Tell why families are important to individuals and to society. Discuss how the actions of one member can affect other members.
- List several reasons why you are important to your family and discuss this with your parents or guardians and with your merit badge counselor.
- Prepare a list of your regular home duties or chores (at least five) and do them for 90 days. Keep a record of how often you do each of them.
Prepare for Week Two
Talk with your family about the two projects listed under Week Two. You don’t have to complete this project for next week, but I would like for you to come prepared to talk about the two projects that you will undertake.
One of these projects is something that you will do around your home, outside of your regular chores.
The other project is a family project that reflects your pledge to “help other people at all times.” This project may benefit your family, someone else, or the community. Here are some ideas:
- Create a scrapbook, or video of your family’s history
- Can, preserve, or freeze fruits or vegetables
- Prepare a week’s worth of meals together to freeze for future use
- Plan and conduct a garage sale
- Help out at a food bank by stocking shelves, making deliveries, or conducting food or clothing drives
- Assist at a local animal shelter
- Plan a program for people in long-term-care facilities
Week Two
- With the approval of your parents or guardians and your merit badge counselor, decide on and carry out a project that you would do around the home that would benefit your family. Submit a report to your merit badge counselor outlining how the project benefited your family.
- Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family. After completing the project, discuss the following with your merit badge counselor:
(a) The objective or goal of the project
(b) How individual members of your family participated
(c) The results of the project - Discuss the following with your counselor:
(a) Your understanding of what makes an effective father and why, and your thoughts on the father’s role in the family
(b) Your understanding of the responsibilities of a parent.
Prepare for Week Three
Begin work on your two projects if you have not done so before.
Week Three
- Do the following:
(a) Discuss with your merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting.
(b) After this discussion, plan and carry out a family meeting to include the following subjects:
1. Avoiding substance abuse, including tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, all of which negatively affect your health and well-being
2. Understanding the growing-up process and how the body changes, and making responsible decisions dealing with sex
3. Personal and family finances
4. A crisis situation within your family
5. The effect of technology on your family
6. Good etiquette and manners
Discussion of each of these subjects will very likely carry over to more than one family meeting.