It's been a while since my last involvement with Boy Scouts (1995 Larned,KS.Scout Master)and if there is no merit badge for Landscape design,
Installation or Maintenance there should be. For Scouts 15yrs and older this would help them
understand their personal enviroments (Home,Neiborhood,City etc.)it would help them get a summer job.
I have been teaching boys for years from Family, from Neiborhoods and Youth and Adult corrections.
I teach them Work Ethics,Landscape and Irrigation
Design and Installation and how to maintain it all.
I also teach them how to start their own company.

We need to get some Merit Badges out to them to teach them some trades like our Fathers and Grandfathers tought us!!

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Amen to teaching trades. Especially those that deal with producing food, creating shelter, and developing means of transportation. Scouting should provide more opportunities in each of these areas - and do so with the emphasis on sustainability.
Our boys will need to deal successfully and responsibly with each of these issues before they can support candidates, make good citizenship decisions, and effect needed changes in technology and government.
BSA's focus on love of our natural world already points them in the right direction in their hearts and souls - let's give their minds more tools to support their ideals.

BTW, I have read about some Habitat for Humanity - related Eagle projects. Wow! Outstanding stuff, that.

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Have to agre with above, all of these things we learned growing up from our fathers and grandfathers.. We went out and mowed lawns for a few extra bucks during Summer, and the weekends. Automotive Maintenance is one thing, but Small Engine Maintenance is another. This I learned at the Farm, and in Shop Class at School. Another Like Sewing would be more then helpful, along with how to Iron. I learned these at home, and at School. My mom was big on us boys being independent, and it helped a lot while in the Army to know these things.
For an Eagle Project, if a boy goes on a Trip to Africa to work with an NGO. etc..

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