Prerequsitites for the Insect Study Merit Badge

All requirements for the Insert Study merit badge are listed at this link: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Insect_Study. Your prerequisite for this badge is to start the 4th, 5th and 7th requirements. We will be identifying insects are the Farm however, we may not get the total number done.

4. Do the following:

a. Observe 20 different live species of insects in their habitat. In your observations, include at least four orders of insects.

b. Make a scrapbook of the 20 insects you observe in 4a. Include photographs, sketches, illustrations, and articles. Label each insect with its common and scientific names, where possible. Share your scrapbook with your merit badge counselor.

5. Do the following:

a. From your scrapbook collection, identify three species of insects helpful to humans and five species of insects harmful to humans.

b. Describe some general methods of insect control. 

7. Raise an insect through the complete metamorphosis from its larval stage to its adult stage (e.g. raise a butterfly or moth from a caterpillar). * 


* Some insects are endangered species and are protected by federal or state law. Every species is found only in its own special type of habitat. Be sure to check natural resources authorities in advance to be sure that you will not be collecting any species that is known to be protected or endangered, or in any habitat where collecting is prohibited. In most cases, all specimens should be returned at the location of capture after the requirement is met. Check with your merit badge counselor for those instances where the return of these specimens would not be appropriate.

The scrapbook can be a spiral or composition notebook that would be used in school or you can get a true water-proof field notebook (pricy). You should begin your observations of 20 insects in that notebook and bring it to the camp with you. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact Norm Bedwell at chapmantrain@gmail.com or home phone 919 331-8055, office 919 531-1066 or cell 919 285-5864.

Prerequsitites for the Forestry Merit Badge

All requirements for the Forestry merit badge are listed at this link: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Forestry. Your prerequisite for this badge is to start the first requirement and complete as much as possible. We will be identifying several tree species at the Farm but we may not get to all 15 you will need:

1.    Prepare a field notebook, make a collection, and identify 15 species of trees, wild shrubs, or vines in a local forested area. Write a description in which you identify and discuss the following:

• The characteristics of leaf, twig, cone, or fruiting bodies
• The habitat in which these trees, shrubs or vines are found.
• The important ways each tree, shrub, or vine is used by humans or wildlife and whether the species is native or was introduced to the area. If it is not native, explain whether it is considered invasive or potentially invasive.

 

The field notebook can be a spiral or composition notebook that would be used in school or you can get a true water-proof field notebook (pricy). You should begin your collection and identification of 15 tree species in that notebook and bring it to the camp with you. There is a very good description of this requirement in the merit badge workbook at http://meritbadge.org/wiki/images/c/cf/Forestry.pdf. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact Norm Bedwell at chapmantrain@gmail.com or home phone 919 331-8055, office 919 531-1066 or cell 919 285-5864.

Initial Information

Outdoor Merit Badge Experience

Weekend Camping & Outdoor Merit Badge University

You and your troop are invited to an outdoor merit badge experience!
 

October 4-6, 2013

Optimist Farm Property

2904 Optimist Farm Road, Apex, NC 27539

 

Arrival and Registration Friday, October 4, 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM

Leave Sunday, October 6 by 10:00 AM

How this event works:

Your troop will be responsible for your own troop's food, camp set-up, etc.  Arrival registration and camp set up will begin at 4:00 PM Friday. The first Astronomy Merit Badge session will start at 8:00 PM Friday. All sessions will begin after flag raising at 8:00 AM Saturday. Some sessions will have some requirements that need to be completed before arrival at the camp. Those pre-requisites will be released on this blog a month or so before the event. Questions can be directed to the Experience coordinator Norm Bedwell (H 919 331-8055, C 919 285-5864, W 919 531-1066). You can also comment on these blog posts. Feedback is a gift.

 

Merit Badges to be offered:

• Astronomy
• Animal Science
• Camping
• Communication
• Cooking
• First Aid
• Fish & Wildlife Management
• Forestry
• Geocaching
• Insect Study
• Nature
• Pioneering
• Public Speaking
• Soil & Water Conservation
• Veterinary Medicine
• Wilderness Survival

Registration: http://www.crew75.com
Registration Deadline: September 28th

Cost: $20 per Scout, $10 per Scouter (This cost covers the expense of renting the property, bathroom facilities and patches)

 

Sponsored by Venture Crew 75, Fuquay-Varina, NC, http://www.crew75.com

Tentative Schedule

Here is the tentative schedule for the Experience:

Friday 04 October 2013

• 4:00 - 8:00 PM - Arrival, Registration and Camp Setup.
• 8:00 PM - Astronomy--First session
• 9:30 PM - Cracker Barrel
• 11:00 PM - Lights out

Saturday 05 October 2013

• 6:30 AM - Reveille
• 7:30 AM - Flag Raising
• 8:00 AM - Morning Sessions begin
• 11:30 AM - Lunch
• 1:00 PM - Afternoon Sessions begin
• 5:30 PM - Supper
• 8:00 PM - Astronomy--Second session
• 11:00 PM - Lights out

Sunday 06 October 2013

• 6:30 AM - Reveille
• 7:30 AM - Flag Raising/Sunday Service
• 8:00 AM - Check out and Release