Camp Friedlander Merit Badges

We can help your Scouts advance...

Camp Friedlander offers 50 merit badge programs! Some of the badges are difficult to earn anywhere but at summer camp. Some you wouldn't expect to find at camp. And some are just plain fun or interesting.

Depending on their schedule, Scouts can earn as many as 6 or 7 merit badges during the week. Our trained and knowledgeable Merit Badge Counselors instruct Scouts on requirements and provide the all-important hands-on experience a Scout needs to grasp an understanding in a particular field.

While many merit badges can be completed while at camp, some include requirements that must be met prior to arrival. Merit badges are not given away at camp, but with some pre-work and the guiding hand of the camp staff, we will ensure Scouts feel a sense of achievement as they learn new skills.

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The Camp Friedlander merit badge and program schedule is organized to help Scouts make the most of what is offered. Most classes are hour-long session, however, some of the more involved programs, such as Trailblazer and Cooking merit badge, require 90 minute sessions. Advanced programs such as C.O.P.E. and BSA Lifegaurd are held in three-hour blocks. All classes, unless otherwise noted on the schedule, are scheduled Monday through Friday.

Click here to download a copy of the 2009 Merit Badge and Program Schedule. This document lists all of the times and days of each merit badge class and other scheduled programs. This information should be made available to every Scout so they can plan their merit badge choices practically. If you prefer, and MS Excel-compatible file can be downloaded here (right click and select "Save As" or "Save Target As").

Scouts can plan their daily activities by using the Scout Activity Record. This form will allow them to see how their schedule will look for the week with the classes they have chosen.

Camp Friedlander 2009 Program Schedule

Have a look below at all of the merit badge programs that can be earned at Camp Friedlander. Each badge has a short description, including any pre-requisites that should be met prior to arrival at camp or materials needed to complete requirements. Please consult the respective merit badge book for exact requirements and more information. Badges pictured below with a silver border are Eagle-required badges. Click here to download a printable version of this list.

Merit Badges Offered	Program Area	Description
American Cultures	Native American Village	New for the summer of 2009! A rare merit badge that is great for all Scouts.
Archaeology	Native American Village	Scouts should complete requirement #9 prior to camp.
Archery	Shooting Sports	Arrow kits for requirement #2d can be purchased at the Camp Friedlander Trading Post (approx. $3).
Art (Workshop)	Handicraft	Scouts should complete requirement #4 prior to camp. A great badge for younger Scouts.
Astronomy	Ecology and Conservation	Scouts should complete requirement #6 prior to camp.
Automotive Maintenance	Maintenance	All equipment and vehicles are provided by the camp.
Basketry (Workshop)	Native American Village	Basketry kits can be purchased at the Camp Friedlander Trading Post (approx. $20 - $30 for three kits).
Bird Study	Ecology and Conservation	Scouts should complete requirement #7 prior to camp.
Camping	Outdoor Skills	Scouts should complete requirements #4, 7, 8d, and 9 prior to camp.
Canoeing	Aquatics	Scouts must be classified as a swimmer to take this badge.
Cinematography	Handicraft	The camp will have a video camera for use. Scouts are welcome to bring their own video camera, which can be placed in a lockable storage in the Handicraft area. This is a very popular badge that fills up quickly.
Climbing	COPE and Climbing	A great badge for older Scouts, not recommended for younger Scouts. Must submit an Element of Danger Statement form upon arrival at camp.
Cooking	Outdoor Skills	Cooking cannot be completed at camp, but Scouts can get a great start. Boys should review requirements #3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 and do as many as possible before camp
Disabilities Awareness	Health Lodge	New for the summer of 2009! Scouts should complete requirement #2 and 4a, b, or c prior to camp.
Emergency Preparedness	Outdoor Skills	Scouts should complete requirements #1, 2c, 6c, 8b, 8c prior to camp. This badge is recommended for mature Scouts who have completed the eight grade.
Environmental Science	Ecology/Consevation	We recommeded Scouts complete requirement #4 prior to camp (it can be done at camp, but will be very time-consuming). This badge is not recommeded for young Scouts.
Fingerprinting (Workshop)	Handicraft	A great badge for younger Scouts.
First Aid	Outdoor Skills	Scout should complete requirements #1 and 2d prior to camp.
Fishing	Ecology/Conservation	Outside time may be needed to complete requirements #6 and 7.
Fish and Wildlife Managment	Ecology/Conservation	Extra time may be needed to complete requirement #9.
Fly Fishing	Ecology/Conservation	Extra time may be needed to complete requirement #10.
Forestry	Ecology/Conservation	A great badge to earn at Camp Friedlander because of the variety of trees at camp.
Geology	Ecology/Conservation	This badge rocks!
Indianlore (Workshop)	Native American Village	Instructed and presented by the Ku-ni-eh Lodge, Order of the Arrow. Materials for projects in requirement #2 may be purchased in the Trading Post. Costs vary depending on the project chosen.
Journalism	Handicraft	All equipment will be provided by the camp.
Leatherwork (Workshop)	Native American Village	Leatherworking kits can be purchased at the Camp Friedlander Trading Post (cost $5-$15). A great badge for younger Scouts.
Lifesaving	Aquatics	Scout must be classified as a Swimmer to take this badge. Requirements #1a should be completed prior to camp. Scouts must be able to swim 400 yards without stopping. Lifesaving is recommended for older Scouts only.
Mammal Study	Ecology/Conservation	A great badge for younger Scouts.
Metalwork	Handicraft	Metalwork is recommended for older Scouts.
Motorboating	Aquatics	Scouts must be classified as a swimmer to take this badge.
Nature	Ecology/Conservation	A great badge to earn at Camp Friedlander because of the diversity of natural environments.
Orienteering	Eagle Field	A great badge for all, but a prior knowledge of orienteering is recommended. Camp Friedlander has an orienteering course and GPS units on site.
Personal Fitness	Sports Field	Scouts should complete requirements #1, 7, and 8 prior to camp.
Photography	Handicraft	Bringing a digital camera is recommended, however, the camp will have several cameras for use. Scouts who bring their own camera may place it in a lockable storage unit in the Handicraft area.
Pioneering	Outdoor Skills	Scouts should complete requirements #2a and 6 prior to camp. A working knowledge and skill with knots is useful.
Plumbing	Maintenance	There is a $10 fee for materials that will automatically be charged when you register for this badge.
Pottery (Workshop)	Handicraft	Scouts should complete requirement #7 prior to camp. A great badge for younger Scouts.
Public Health	Health Lodge	Scouts should complete requirement #7 prior to camp.
Pulp and Paper (Workshop)	Handicraft	Scouts should complete requirements #6 and 7 prior to camp.
Reptile and Amphibian Study	Ecology/Conservation	Scouts should complete requirement #8 prior to camp.
Rifle Shooting	Shooting Sports	There is a $10 fee for ammunition that will automatically be charged when you register for this badge. All ammunition for completing the badge are included; extra rounds for recreation can be purchased at a cost of 10 rounds for 50 cents.
Rowing	Aquatics	Scouts must be classified as a swimmer to take this badge.
Sculpture (Workshop)	Handicraft	A great badge for younger Scouts.
Shotgun Shooting	Shooting Sports	There is a $10 fee for ammunition that will automatically be charged when you register for this badge. All ammunition for completing the badge are included; extra rounds for recreation can be purchased at a cost of 5 rounds for $1.50.
Small Boat Sailing	Aquatics	Scouts must be classified as a swimmer to take this badge.
Soil and Water Conservation	Ecology/Conservation	A great badge to earn at Camp Friedlander because of the conservation practices needed to maintain Lake Marge Schott.
Space Exploration	Ecology/Conservation	A great badge for younger Scouts. Cost for purchase of supplies is $10.
Swimming	Aquatics	Scouts must be classified as a swimmer to take this badge. Bring long pants, button-down long-sleeve shirt, shoes, socks, and belt to swim in.
Weather	Ecology/Conservation	A great badge for all Scouts to earn.
Wilderness Survival	Outdoor Skills	Scouts should complete requirement #5 prior to camp. An overnight will be held during the week.
Woodcarving (Workshop)	Handicraft	Scouts must have earned their Totin' Chip to take this badge. Woodcarving kits can be purchased at the Camp Friedlander Trading Post (total cost of approximately $5-$10)

Camp Friedlander offers merit badge workshops in the Handicraft and Native American Village program areas. This method of instructing badges allows Scouts to try their hand at several different areas they are interested in, while letting as many Scouts as possible to enjoy these offerings. Click here to download an informational page about these workshops.

What are Workshops?

Some of the less-involved merit badges, such as basketry and art, can be completed in a couple of days rather than five days like most merit badges. What we found is that after the first couple days of instruction, Scouts either lost interest in the badge or had completed all the requirements of a badge and were left with nothing else to do during that time period for the rest of the week! Feedback from our Scoutmasters was that it would be great to find a way for Scouts to use that time more productively. Our solution is to provide workshops instead of scheduled badge times – that way, if Scouts complete one badge early in the week, they can move right on to another one that interests them.

How will the Merit Badges be Taught?

Once Scouts arrive at the workshop during the time they have scheduled, they will divide into classes for the badges that they choose. Camp staff trained to instruct these badges will teach the Scouts the skills they need and then assist them with their projects. Just like other merit badges, blue cards will be used to track progress, and staff will sign off the cards as requirements are completed. If a Scout finishes a badge, he can begin work on another merit badge if he chooses.

How Do Scouts Register for Workshops?

Scouts will be registered for the workshops just as they are registered for any other merit badge in the Doubleknot online registration system. If a Scout chooses to work on a badge or badges offered in the Handicraft workshop, he should be registered for one of the Handicraft workshop time slots. Similarly, if he chooses to work on badge(s) at the Native American Village, he should be registered for one of the workshop periods available there. For specific times, please see the Merit Badge and Program Schedule.

The troop's Summer Camp Coordinator or Scoutmaster should work with each Scout attending camp to create his merit badge schedule. Scouts should choose badges that fit their advancement needs or they have an interest in. Some badges have a suggested age level -- no Scout will be turned away from a badge because of his age, however, we encourage parents and leaders to use good judgement when signing up Scouts for merit badge classes that may require a higher level of maturity or special skills.

Class times are important consideration for a Scout's merit badge schedule. Some merit badge classes are scheduled for about an hour each day, others are scheduled for an hour and a half, and some are only offered on certain days of camp. Click here to download a copy of the 2009 Merit Badge and Program Schedule.

The locations of classes should also be noted when creating a Scout's schedule. The Summer Camp Coordinator should take a practical look at a Scout's schedule taking into account walking time between classes and other factors (changing time for swimming suits, etc.). Click here to view a map of Camp Friedlander that can assist with location considerations.

When a Scout has selected the merit badges he would like to earn, he should complete the Scout Activity Record and submit to the Summer Camp Coordinator. Once this process is complete, the Summer Camp Coordinator can then begin online merit badge registration.

Camp Friedlander offers online merit badge registration, giving the Summer Camp Coordinator the ability to add, edit, and change each Scout's class schedule. This feature is part of the Doubleknot registration system and will go live at 9:00am sharp on March 23, 2009. Please visit the Registration page for more information about your troop's registration account and directions on how to perform online merit badge registration.

Please note, all merit badge classes are first-come, first-served. Classes that are full will not be available for selection, however, as other troops make changes to their Scouts' schedules, classes may become available as camp approaches. Merit badge registration closes one week prior to your arrival at camp; this is to give the camp and the staff enough time to obtain the materials needed for each class and a chance to prepare.

In order for your Scouts' selected classes to be saved and confirmed, your troop's payments must be met according to the fee schedule. Please visit the Dates and Fees page for information about when payments are due. Troops that have payments due after a payment deadline risk loosing scheduled merit badges classes to troops without a current balance. Priority of merit badge class scheduling will go to troops that have no minimum payment due. To find out how to see your troop's balance or detailed billing, please visit the Registration page.

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