Virtual Sustainability Merit Badge

WHAT:  Scouts working on the Sustainability merit badge learn to conserve energy at home and think about how their food, housing, and consumption choices impact society at large. They make a plan to use the Earth’s resources more wisely. They also learn how the Scout Law and the Scout Oath promote more sustainable communities.

 Meet your Counselor - Hi, my name is Josh Bautista. I received my eagle scout award in 2014 and worked at Yawgoog Scout Reservation for 6 years I have a degree in Environmental Science and love sharing what I’ve learned about Sustainability with Scouts. 

WHO: Open to all Scouts BSA members

HOW:  This Merit Badge will be taught in a virtual classroom. The class has a capacity of 15 Scouts. Small classroom size provides all students with the opportunity to share and interact with the counselors and other Scouts. Scouts should be prepared to be challenged and to join the conversation ! Participants who do not engage with the class may not receive credit for the badge. Scouts must be prompt for all badge sessions. Late participants may not receive credit for all requirements. Scouts must use a device with video to access this class.

Before beginning work on any merit badge, scouts are to have a discussion with their unit leader regarding the specific badge and counselor.

WHEN: This class will be held virtually over four sessions:

August 19, 2020 5:00PM-6:00PM 

August 20, 2020 5:00PM-6:00PM 

August 26, 2020 5:00PM-6:00PM 

August 27, 2020 5:00PM-6:00PM 

Scouts must attend all four sessions to complete the offered requirements.

After registering, Scouts will receive a link and login information via email the day of class. Scouts will also receive instructor details that can be used to connect to the counselor on Scoutbook. This assures that completed requirements are easily recorded. 

PREREQUISITES: 

-Develop and implement a plan that attempts to reduce your family’s water usage. Examine your family’s water bills reflecting usage for three months (past or current). As a family, choose three ways to help reduce consumption. Implement those ideas for one month. Share what you learn with your counselor, and tell how your plan affected your family’s water usage.

-Develop and implement a plan that attempts to reduce your household food waste. Establish a baseline and then track and record your results for two weeks. Report your results to your family and counselor.

-Develop and implement a plan that attempts to reduce consumption for one of your family’s household utilities. Examine your family’s bills for that utility reflecting usage for three months (past or current). As a family, choose three ways to help reduce consumption and be a better steward of this resource. Implement those ideas for one month. Share what you learn with your counselor, and tell how your plan affected your family’s usage.

-Keep a log of the “stuff” your family purchases (excluding food items) for two weeks. In your log, categorize each purchase as an essential need (such as soap) or a desirable want (such as a DVD). Share what you learn with your counselor.

Suggested supplies/prep-work for students: This badge will require a lot of communication with the parents on power usage, family purchase, etc. The prerequisites must at least be started by the first class. Some of the requirements need 2-3 weeks to complete, so the idea is that they start everything and can bring questions to class. They will wrap up for the final class and discuss their findings.