Collections Merit Badge2021

By James Schultz and Eagle Scout Jared Schultz

What you need to do to get the merit badge signed off today.

1. You need to show the counselor your collection2. You need to do all of the required work3. You need to have a signed “blue card”4. You need to answer the questions in the Merit Badge Packet5. You need to show that YOU know the material.6. “Be Prepared”…it is the motto of the Boy Scouts.

Coming today does not guarantee that you will be earning the merit badge today!!

You and only YOU are responsible for your material and understanding…not the teacher or the counselor or the guy sitting next to you. Only YOU!!

Merit Badge Madness Pre-requisites:• Complete 1,2,5 in workbook• Bring pieces of your collection• Research: 3,4,6,7,8…Write notes on what you learned• Be prepared to discuss• Bring a computer/ipad

Your counselors for today are:Christina Bentfield

James Schultz

Hi. My name is Jared. I am an Eagle Scout and have earned the Collections MB. I am here to help you. Just ask!

Hints on how to do a Merit Badge properly.

Read the entire booklet if possible.Read the entire Merit Badge Packet.

Do research so you understand the materialbefore answering the questions

Go on line and google your merit badge. The worksheets are all free. Booklets can be ordered from the scouting office or picked up at a scout store. Ask your troop librarian.

Check out the web (with parent’s permission), look for books, google some of the sites at the end of the merit badge packet, talk to a friend who has done the badge, talk to a professional.

Work with a friend (more fun!), but you will be asked to show your work and understanding on an individual basis. Learn your material. Do the work yourself. Only you are responsible….not your teacher, counselor or friend.

Look for the verbs in the requirements. These tell you what is expected and how you are to answer the questions. Use complete sentences and complete thoughts. No answer is a single word!! Do not use a “shotgun” approach. Be specific in your answers.

Collections Merit BadgeRequirement Actions/Verbs

1. Prepare2. Explain3. Demonstrate

a. Explainb. Explainc. Explain

4. Demonstratea. Howb. Whatc. What

5. Doa. Discussb. Showc. Explaind. Explain e. Listf. Show

6. Discuss7. Discuss8. Find, pick,

discuss, explain

Bring verification that you have done all of the work. Document everything you do. Take pictures!! Be in the picture. Get signatures from your scout master or a professional.

1. Prepare a short written report or outline for your counselor:• giving a detailed description of your collection,*• including a short history, why you enjoy your

collection and what you have learned from collecting • Be sure to include why you chose that particular type

of collection/collecting method

Collections Merit Badge Requirements

Research information on the web, from manuals, books, videos etc. This must be presented in a written form. Type it if possible.

2. Explain the growth and development of your collection.

1. I found a card on the floor at school

2. I got some cards for a birthday and a book on Pokémon

3. I bought my own “tin” and started collecting

4. Started playing with friends and trading cards

5. Bought a folder and display pages for my collection

6. I now have well over 1000 cards in my collection

3. Demonstrate your knowledge of preserving and displaying your collection. a. Explain the precautions you need to take to preserve your collection, including

1. Handling 2. Cleaning 3. Storage

b. Explain how best to display your collection, keeping in mind preserving as discussed above. c. Explain to your counselor the events available for a hobbyist of this collection, including shows, seminars, conventions, contests, and museum programs and exhibits.d. Explain to your counselor how you keep track of yourcollection. Describe your cataloging method.

Handle on the edges

Clean with dry rag

Clean with a tooth brush, Hold by the edges, Store in bin and boxDisplay on shelf

4. Demonstrate your knowledge of collecting and investing. Discuss with your counselor: a. How investing and speculation would apply to your collection b. What you would look for in purchasing other collections similar toyours c. What you would expect in return value if you decided to sell all or part of the collection

This requirement is all about money and doing more research. • Invest: Do you spend money to get more items for your

collection? How much? • Speculation: Pertains to the future value of the collection. Will

the value increase or decrease? Will you be able to get your money out of it if you sell?

• Value: What is it worth? Have you had it appraised or gone on line to see the value of similar collections?

5. Do the following: a. Discuss with your counselor at least 10 terms commonly used to describe your collection and be prepared to discuss the definition of each. b. Show your counselor any two groups from your collection. Explain how you organized your collection and why you chose that method. (Note: if your collection is too large to transport and your counselor is unable to view your collection directly, photographs should be available to share.) c. Explain the monetary value of your collection and where you learned about those values. d. Explain how your collection is graded for value, physical defects, size and age. Show the various classifications or ratings used in your collection. e. List the national, state, or local associations related to or associated with your collection. f. Explain to your counselor the purpose of and the reason for the identification number (if applicable), series, brand name (if any),and any other special identification marks.

6. Discuss with your counselor the plans you have to continue with the collection in the future. Hmm…what should I

do with my collection next? Hmmmm…

How is value determined? This depends on what you are collecting. Below are some general criteria• Condition: Uncirculated, excellent,

good, average, bad• Authenticity: Documented?

Replica?• Age: Older the better?• Scarcity: How many are there?• Provenance: Documented proof of

the history of ownership• Context: Historical? Cultural?

Req. 7 Find out about career opportunities in collecting. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor and explain why this profession might interest you.

I like insects I make a collection I get training I become a...

I like rocks

I like cards.

College or Trade School

College or Trade School

College or Trade School Self Taught

Entomologist

Insecticide specialist

Geologist

Jurassic Park

Trade Shows

Card designer

THE END

There are 18 scouts here today…wonderful!!

Lets go around the room and share our collections. You have only one minute, so talk fast!! Answer these questions.• What are you collecting?• Explain your collection.• How did you get into collecting this item?• Something you have learned by collecting this

item.• What do you enjoy about collecting this item?

You will have the rest of the time to work on your collection merit badge. You may use electronics to obtain information. There will be NO electronic use for anything else!! When you need help seek out one of us. When you want something signed off, ask us to check you out. BE PATIENT!! There are only two counselors and 18 of you.

Pull out your blue merit badge card and fill it in.

Write in the requirements

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We will fill in this part.

You fill in your:• Name• Merit badge (collections)• Your unit number

You fill in:• Name• Address• Troop name, #• District (Crow

River)• Council

(Northern Star)• Card must be

signed by your scout master

When done filling your blue card in…Get started with the merit badge.