Boy Scouts of America is a youth organization with more than 4 million current members, including adult members. The BSA says its membership since 1910 tops 110 million. The organization focuses on building character and a sense of community. Boys earn Scout merit badges in specific areas. More than 100 merit badges are available and each has a set of specific requirements to receive the badge. The merit badge that focuses on physical fitness is called the personal fitness merit badge. It takes at least 12 weeks to complete.
Physical Exam
The Scout must get a physical exam from his doctor, who must use the Scout medical examination form. He should also get a dental examination. With all personal fitness merit badge requirements, the Scout must present information to his merit badge counselor, either in writing or orally. After the physical exam, he must document why he feels exams are important and describe the benefits of preventative habits. Other topics he must discuss include the ways tobacco and alcohol impact physical fitness, diseases that can be prevented and warning signs of cancer. He must also explain what physical fitness means to him.
Questions
The Scout must go through an additional list of health questions with his counselor and provide answers. A full list of questions is available on the BSA website. They include questions about whether the Scout is free from all curable diseases, a discussion of his body weight and composition and whether he has extra energy for activities. He must also explain components of physical fitness, his strengths and weaknesses, and the importance of nutrition.
Fitness Tests
There are four fitness tests that a Scout must complete for his merit badge. He should record the results and identify areas that could stand improvement. The tests include an aerobic fitness test, a flexibility test, a strength test and a body composition test that involves measuring his arms, shoulders, chest, abdomen and thighs.
Fitness Plan
The Scout must design and complete a 12-week fitness program that incorporates intensity, endurance and warm-ups. Before he embarks on the program, his merit badge counselor and parents must approve it. The Scout keeps a log for all the activities. At the end of the fitness program, the Scout repeats all four fitness tests and records any improvement in the results. The Scout talks about the meaning of the experience and body changes with his badge counselor.
Career Opportunities
The Scout should identify at least three opportunities for a future career in personal fitness. He picks one and finds out about the training, experience and education needed. He discusses this with his counselor and explains why he might be interested in the career.
Tags: merit badge, Scout must, badge counselor, personal fitness, physical fitness, also explain
