Virtual Fish and Wildlife Merit Badge

What: Through hands on activities and class discussion, this merit badge will provide Scouts with an understanding and appreciation of fish and wildlife conservation. Scouts will learn about skills, conservation groups and projects they can engage in from home to help conserve the fish and wildlife in their community.

 Meet your Counselor -  Kevin Thompson has an Associate’s Degree in Environmental Science. He has also been involved in providing a quality Scouting program at council summer camps since 2009 at Cachalot Scout Reservation, and now at Camp Norse where he serves as the Camp Director. Kevin is also an Eagle Scout out of Troop 48 Carver, and is now a Scoutmaster and Cubmaster working in our 1910 Scoutreach District.

WHO: Open to all Scouts BSA members.

HOW:  This Merit Badge will be taught in a virtual classroom. The class has a capacity of 20 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 2 sessions:

June 8, 2020 5:00PM-6:00PM

June 12, 2020 5:00PM-6:00PM

Scouts must attend all 2 sessions to complete the offered requirements.

After registering, Scouts will receive a link and login information via email the day the class is scheduled. 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:  Req. 7a, b, c, or d.

7. Do ONE of the following:

a. Determine the age of five species of fish from scale samples or identify various age classes of one species in a lake and report the results.

b. Conduct a creel census on a small lake to estimate catch per unit effort.

c. Examine the stomach contents of three fish and record the findings. It is not necessary to catch any fish for this option. You may visit a cleaning station set up for fishermen or find another, similar alternative.

d. Make a freshwater aquarium. Include at least four species of native plants and four species of animal life, such as whirligig beetles, freshwater shrimp, tadpoles, water snails, and golden shiners. After 60 days of observation, discuss with your counselor the life cycles, food chains, and management needs you have recognized. After completing requirement 7d to your counselor’s satisfaction, with your counselor’s assistance, check local laws to determine what you should do with the specimens you have collected.

Suggested supplies/prep-work for students: Notebook and pen in case they want to take notes.