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 throughout the Fall months.

+ 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.

+ 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!