2017

Communicatio
ns
Merit Badge
Troop 34
Communications Merit Badge
Designed to be taught in several
sessions

Merit Badge Counselor: Terri Cavender

Required for Eagle Scout

 What is communication?

Communication is the act

of sharing information.
 How do we communicate?
Audio - sound Visually
Verbally
Written language
Talking
Symbols
Symbols (ABCs)
Body Language
Songs Smile
Slouching
What is something else
that we hear but it is What is something else
not spoken? that we see that is
conveying a message?
siren
blinkers on a car
How else do we communicate without words
or sound?
Touch?
Hug/spanking/high five

Behavior?
Stomping feet/ sitting back of class

Manners?
Holding the door open
Chewing with your mouth closed

What kind of information/message are the above

things sending?
Why study communication?

A part of our everyday life

To improve our skills

Make us aware of various communications

Interact better with others

What communication skills might you

need in
the future?Inform/persuade/get attention
 Requirement #1 do one of the following

For one day, keep a log in which you describe your communication
activities.

For three days, keep a journal of your listening experiences

communication.

List as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others and
determine for each method if it is appropriate or no.

In a small-group setting, meet with other Scouts or with friends. Have

them share personal stories about significant events in their lives that
affected them in some way. Take note of how each Scout participates
in the group discussion and how effectively he communicates his story.
 Requirement #1

List as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others

(face-to-face, by telephone, letter, e-mail, text messages, and so on).
For each type of method might not be appropriate or effective.
 Good Listener Good Leader

Listening is one of the most important skills you can

learn.

Scientists estimate that 85% of what we

learn, we learn by listening.

Listening is more than just hearing,

it is receiving a message.
 Why is it important to listen?
Gain information

Persuade you

Hear sounds nature, birds, rain, sirens

Enjoy music
How to listen
Do not interrupt

Pay attention

Be Responsive

Reiterate what you heard

Write important information down

 Good Listener Good Leader

Activity:

Listen to the 15 words, and once they are

all read, write down as many that you can
remember.
How many did you get?
Cupcake
Eleven
Yellow
Square
Shoe
Duck
Ladybug
Soccer
Vermont
Radio
Pillowcase
Fork
Desk
Pencil
Biscuit
Persuasion
What is persuasion?
Attempt to get somebody to do something or think a
certain way.
Example: A sales pitch is a persuasive speech where you
try to get someone to buy something.

When do Boy Scouts use

persuasion?
popcor
n
Requirement #2b
Requires you to develop a sales pitch. Lets do it together.

What do you do when you are trying to sell popcorn?

What are you supposed to wear? Why?

What do you say?

Why is popcorn important?

What do you say when you are done? If they order or

if they do not order?
Requirement 5
Attend a public meeting where several points of view
are given. Practice listening skills and take notes.

City Commission Meeting

Who was speaking? What was his point? What did he

do well? What did he not do so well?
Requirement #3

Requirement 3 requires you to write a 5 minute speech. Why is

this important?

This is something you will need to do at home, and then you can
present it to this group.

When giving a speech, do you

read it?
 Parts of a Speech

Three parts to a speech:

Introduction

Body

Closing
 How to write a good speech

You can prepare your speech on anything, but I would suggest picking a topic you are
familiar with.

Examples:
1. Meaning of the Scout Law or Promise
2. History of Scouts
3. Three career opportunities in communication and then select one that might be
of interest to you and what is required for that
profession (Requirement 9)
 How to write a good speech

To begin your speech you need to capture you audiences attention. You can use an
anecdote, a question or short story.

Make a brief outline of what you want to talk about.

Then write your main points, and some minor points on numbered index cards.
Why is this helpful?
You want your speech to flow naturally, like it is a
conversation with the audience.

Practice your speech in front of a mirror and with

your family.
How to write a good speech

Cartoon
Requirement #4 -Interviewing or Introducing a
Guest Speaker

We will do this as a group when we do the speeches.

Prepare 4 or 5 questions that you can ask the person who is giving the speech so
that you can introduce him.

Examples:
Name
School he attends
What is his speech about
Why might that topic be important?
How is he qualified to give a speech on that topic?
How long has he been a Scout?
What is his rank?
What other questions might be relevant?
Requirement 6
Develop a plan to teach a skill or
inform someone about something.
Include a visual aid.

This group will serve as an

audience. You can pretend that
we are Cub Scouts and you are
going to teach us something we
will need to know as a Boy Scout.

Ideas:
Square Knot
History of Scouting
First Aid
Things to bring Hiking
How does a Patrol work?
What is a visual aid?
Merriam-Webster definition of visual
aid: something you look at that is used to
make something easier to understand.

Is this a visual aid? Do you know

what it is called?
Infographic
Remember, part of communicating is
sending a message. Can you send a
message visually?
Lets review the
Infographic

Preparation

Teaching the Skill

Completing these requirements earns you the
Communications Merit Badge.

Communications is a required
merit badge
towards Eagle Scout.
Additional resources can be found:

http://www.meritbadge.org/wiki/index.
php/Communications#Requirement resour
ces