The way we managed this successfully was to track all three together. Think about doiung all three over the summer when the family could focus a bit better on tracking all three. Or maybe being in school is a better idea, when routines can easily stick. Whatever the timing, choose a 3 month block of time that you think you can knock these off.
1. Familiarize yourself with the requirements by visiting Meritbadge.org and print out summary sheets for each Merit Badge: Family Life, Personal Fitness, Personal Management
2. Remember to start each Merit Badge with the approval of your Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor (MBC). Get a blue card ready and get the Scoutmaster to sign it and you're ready to let the MBC know you are starting.
3. Get a physical examination from a health-care practitioner. Use the BSA Annual Health and Medical Record Forms. Here's a link: BSA Annual Health and Medical Forms (If your forms are up to date-- you've had a physical in the last 12 months-- then you can just proceed.)
4. Print out this Three Month Merit Badge Tracker. Or make your own.
Adapted from myexcelltemplates.com |
5. Let's started with Family Life. Look over the requirements for Family Life-- specifically #3. Write your chores in the Three Month Merit Badge Tracker under the Family Life section. If you don't have at least 5 daily chores, work with your parents to choose 5 appropriate chores.
6. Now let's look at Personal Fitness. Print out the Personal Fitness MB Tests sheet below and take the fitness tests at the top half of the sheet. Fill in the boxes with your results. Using that information, devise a fitness plan to improve in each area and discuss it with your Personal Fitness MBC and/or parents. Use requirement #8 as a guide. Write the daily exercises in the Don't start on any fitness program until you have gotten approval from your MBC and your parents.
Charts courtesy of Meritbadge.org |
Note that there is a place to record the fitness test information every two weeks. That's a great way to track your progress towards your final fitness goals.
7. Now let's work on Personal Management. Look over the requirements for Personal Management, specifically #2. Print out a Sample Budget Plan sheet or make one up like it.
Courtesy meritbadge.org |
Courtesy Paul Murray of maththings.net |
10. For the next 3 months, do your chores and exercises, and write down your financial transactions. Meanwhile, consider doing the other requirements in these three Merit Badges, so when you finish the trackers, you can receive the badges at once!
11. After all is done, meet with your MBC for evaluation. As with all other Merit Badges, give your signed blue card to the Advancement Leader for awarding.
Armed with this collection of paperwork, you can complete all three of these Merit Badges at the same time with about the same effort as doing one. Boo-yah!