LOCAL NEWS

+ SSBG STEM NOVA & MERIT BADGE SATURDAYS: Students from the Sea Star Base Galveston Kayaking and Oceanography Merit Badge class collect plankton samples (pictured) in the plankton nets they made out of nylon hose, a piece of wire, line, hose clamp and sample bottle.  They viewed their samples under the microscope while studying the Oceanography Merit Badge. Sign up for more STEM NOVA and Merit Badge opportunities.

+ GET TRAINED: Training of youth and adult leaders is very important to the success of the Boy Scout Program. The national office is now offering some Basic Adult Leader Training and supplemental training online. Adult training begins with Fast Start and Youth Protection Training.

NATIONAL NEWS

+ CAMPOUT REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST & SECOND CLASS HAVE CHANGED:  The number of overnight campouts required for a young man to earn the Second Class and First Class ranks will be reduced under new requirements that take effect Aug. 1, 2017.

+ EAGLE PALM REQUIREMENTS ARE CHANGING: The changes bring Eagle Palm requirements in line with the needs of older Scouts. The National Boy Scouting Subcommittee has eliminated unnecessary obstacles, such as the Eagle Palm board of review, and expanded the definition of active participation. But the biggest change affects young men who haven’t yet earned Eagle. Beginning Aug. 1, all earned Palms may be awarded instantly to new Eagle Scouts at their Eagle court of honor. This abolishes the wait of months or years for these young men to receive all Palms available to them.

After successfully completing your Eagle Scout board of review and being validated as an Eagle Scout by the National Service Center, you will be entitled to receive an Eagle Palm for each additional 5 merit badges you have completed before your Eagle Scout board of review. For these Palms only, it will not be necessary for you to complete any of the requirements stated below.

After becoming an Eagle Scout, you may earn additional Palms by completing the following requirements.

1. Be active in the Boy Scouts of America for at least three months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after the last Palm was earned. **
2. Since earning the Eagle Scout rank or your last Eagle Palm, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.
3. Continue to set a satisfactory example of accepting responsibility or demonstrating leadership ability.
4. Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or last Palm.
5. While an Eagle Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference. (Click the blue link above for more details.)

+ FIND THE LATEST MERIT BADGES HERE: Wondering which merit badges are the newest? Looking for release info on upcoming merit badges? This regularly updated page will keep you and your troop in the know!