# of scouts taking a badge

[lifescoutforlife]

What do you think is a good # of scouts to make up a merit badge class at summer camp?

[smtroop168]

Depends on the badge. The SC we went to had class sizes from 9 (Water skiing) to 25 (Rifle Shooting).

[lifescoutforlife]

Traffic Safety

[alex gregory]

The best? 1 on 1 instruction from a qualified instructor.

I've seen 1st Aid classes at summer camp with 30+ scouts. Based on what I saw, of the scouts in our troop who took that class I don't care what their blue card says, they may have earned the merit badge, but they did not learn first aid. I guess that's OK, since merit badges are not about mastery of a subject.

[lifescoutforlife]

I'm asking because some people think there should be no limit, I feel 20 is about the max for any badge and some badges should have less than that.

[Quailman]

I think scout/leader ratio is important. At my council's winter camp, for example, they'll have a huge communications class, but there will be a large contingent of volunteers to go over what the scouts do, time their speeches, etc.

It also depends on the topic. I wouldn't want more than 12 in my Bird Study class, but that's only if I have two adults lined up for when we split up and go into the field looking for birds. Four to one at that point, one or two extras if I have a larger class just maintain order.

[smtroop168]

Traffic Safety

Here's a better question..Why is Traffic Safety a summer Camp MB?

[wagionvigil]

I really wanted to but was sure you would

[lifescoutforlife]

Traffic Safety

Here's a better question..Why is Traffic Safety a summer Camp MB?

Our camp is 100% volunteer staff, we have all the merit badges that other camps do and then we have ones that the counselors specialize in. This class was taught by a police officer a long with him teaching finger printing. Our boys get to fill out surveys of the badges they would like to see at camp and if it is possible to get that badge in a week we find a counselor that is highly skilled at that badge and they come to camp and teach it. We have had counselors come from Georgia, New York and Ohio and give up a week of there vacation to be on our staff.

[wagionvigil]

How does an all volunteer staff meet National Quality requirements for a Summer Camp?

[lifescoutforlife]

Most of the people that work our camp which is only one week long now were the same ones that worked it when they had 3 weeks of camp / 5 total counting set up and tear down. Many of our staff have been to camp schools and are certified in different areas.

[wagionvigil]

But that expires after 5 years Then what?

[lifescoutforlife]

I guess they go back to school, I'm not to sure to tell you the truth. I should be going myself this spring for Scoutcraft.

[wagionvigil]

AT 300.00? a piece that is expensive unles the council is paying for it.

[lifescoutforlife]

They pay but not for the travel.

[lifescoutforlife]

Asked last night about taking camp school every 5 years and people go back to school and retake the course and they( the council) pays for the school but not the travel to and from the school.

[eaglescout92]

Having Served on Camp staff at 7Mtns Boy Scout Camp, in Juanita Valley Council from 1991 Thru 1994 I would have loved to have limits on the number of boys per class. The truth of the matter is though the Scout Masters tend to get "tetchy" if one of their boys can't get into a class since they are only in camp for 1 week normally. So I have taught Canoeing Merit badge with 27 boys in a class and not enough canoes for all of the kids. They same went for Swimming and Rowing as well. I will say that I never passed anyone who couldn't complete all of the requirements though, I always made time in the afternoons even during my break time to insure that everyone got they help they needed in the boats. Ultimately the quality of the instruction all comes down to the staff and the amount of effort they are willing to put into it, while I was there I am proud to say we had a really good staff for the most part.