Carpentry Merit Badge

During summer of 2010, I counseled 12 scouts in our troop on Carpentry.  This was a collection of young and older scouts. Their project was to build a birdhouse from parts I had already cut.  However, the scouts had to handsaw parts to length, plane the face, edge grain and edge of the front, mail and screw parts together and shingle the roof with small cedar shakes.  We covered the other requirements of the badge. I grew up building stuff and was astounded to learn that some of our scouts had never driven a nail or set a wood screw.  None had ever handled a plane, some had never sawn a board.  And obviously, none had ever seen a bevel, chalk line or plumb bob. They did pretty well on the birdhouse with help from older scouts and thought the chalk line was extra cool! Since, even in our technologically advanced society, folks may have to drive a nail or set a screw or even saw something, I'm extremely disappointed that Carpentry was discontinued.Olin Brown Troop 1222, College Stn,TX

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When I was growing up, I built many small projects in my grandfather's garage.  It gave me an appreciation of how to do wood projects correctly, and safely! I'm disappointed that the carpentry badge is no longer available, because scouts should be industrious and creative.  I would like to think that there are builders and remodelers, who would be glad to do a demonstration of today's building techniques with modern equipment!  Please reconsider!

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It's a shame and tragety that this is not part of the current badge menu. Though the requirements above are rather weak for the topic, there seems little reason not to bolster and update the requirements for the purpose of reinstating this worthwhile and pertinent option.  It is easily argued that skill development and experience in this area has as least as much, if not more relavance and application than many other badges currently offered.  

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I agree--This badge should be revived. I can't think why it was discontinued, unless perhaps because of the old-fashioned nature of the requirements. Even as an antique tool hobbyist, I had to ponder the meaning of "clinching" a nail. I would not, however, abandon the introduction of old tools and techniques. Just put them side-by-side with the power tools, and take the opportunity to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each. But by all means bring it back!

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Let me understand this- this and three other historic badges are discontinued, but the "Collections" badge is an option? Boy Scouts has really, really changed......

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My son, Zachary, received this merit badge August 13, 2010. Unfortunately he misplaced his sash. I have all his signed blue cards so was able to replace all his merit badges except for this one. Is it possible to order one once I provide proof that he earned it?  He is about to have his Eagle Court and we would be happy to have this on his sash for his Eagle Court of Honor.
Thank you, Debbie Morris California

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There is one for sale on Ebay for $3.50 right now. These have long been sold out.

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Yes, by all means bring back the Carpentry MB. With all the focus these days on STEM and the urgent need to expose our youth to tactile skills we need more not fewer MB's in this arena. Scouts that can't hammer a nail, crazy! Obsolete skill! ... no way,  go hire a custom work carpenter $$$.
Joe Brincat , Farmington Hills, MI  

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I agree with the other posts, this merit badge should be reinstated with updated requirements. There are plumbing, welding and woodworking (small items) merit badges but not carpentry (larger items).

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Doing away with this merit badge is like doing away with shop classes in high school and has led to young adults that do not know how to use tools or work with their hands. Now it is all coming full circle and we have huge labor shortage and when young adults show up to a trade school they are having to start at an even more basic level because things are not taught in high school or scouts. It is all coming back to haunt us. Please reinstate

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The skills learned in this merit badge are vitally important and should be required for anyone (not just boy scouts) who has a home.  Too many people these days have no idea how to use tools or what is required to do a project.  With so many of the Eagle Scout project I see being construction related, to not have this badge as an Eagle requirement make not sense to me. Please bring back this badge ASAP!

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My son is only 11, but knows that he wants to be a carpenter. Please bring this badge back. Woodcarving he did. Woodwork is next. It only makes sense to offer the next level up. The whole point in BSA isn't necessarily to earn badges (advancement happens naturally in a well run Troop), but to branch out from the mundane and find your own interests while learning to function as a contributing member of society. This is a badge that the boys can be proud of, and one that could lead to not only a hobby, but a career.

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I teach this class to our troop even thought it is not a merit badge.....the scouts need the knowledge for Eagle projects and because their Dads dont teach this to them any more
PLease bring the MB back
Matt

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It is sad to see this merit badge removed. I have made a living in this trade for over 50 years. Scouts NEED TO LEARN trades like this. There is no better learning tool than hands on experience. It offers self- reliance,self-confidence,skill,safety,decision making,and inspires creativity,just to name a few positive features. Yes I am a scout leader,willing to teach a useful merit badge.

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I earned this badge back in 2010, at the Trail to Eagle camp event at D-A Scout Ranch. Know I that I was one of those lucky few to earn this historic badge filled me with pride. I look now at my sash of 49 badges and see this single gold amongst the green and white, and I can’t help but think how others are missing out. The skills for this badge are vital, even today. The new generations need to know. Bring Carpentry back. Please and Thank You.

-James Cundiff. Proud former member of Troop 185, Waterford, MI

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