By David Kline
Stroud Water Research Center educators hosted their second hybrid merit badge program for Scouts BSA this fall using an improved online learning platform. Scouts from 12 troops took advantage of the Fish and Wildlife Management hybrid merit badge program, funded through a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission grant.
Scouts and their families attended a virtual meeting introducing the online learning platform, the hybrid merit badge course, and the requirements for completing the merit badge. Scouts submitted their responses to written requirements online and were able to discuss their work with the instructor and their parents within the online platform.
The in-person portion of the merit badge course took place on Saturday, November 19, at the Oscar Lasko Program Activity and Resource Center (aka PARC), the new home of the Chester County Council BSA in Exton, Pennsylvania. Scouts and chaperones participated in a wildlife observation hike, completed a wildlife habitat improvement project, and determined fish age using their scales.
For the wildlife habitat improvement project, they cut out a large stand of Japanese honeysuckle (an invasive plant species) and created habitat piles from the woody debris. They also planted 20 native trees and shrubs to improve the habitat and provide food and shelter for native wildlife.
The Stroud Center hosts programs for all scouting levels, including Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Scouts BSA. To learn more, please visit the Stroud Center’s Scout Program webpage.
