Description and Support

 

 

 

Weather Merit Badge

You want weather? We've got plenty of weather! There really isn't a better location to study weather than at Acahela or Goose Pond and we have several weather experts who can help you get this great badge.

Support provided:

  • Approved Merit Badge Counselor.
  • Daytime meeting to review pre-reqs and already completed worksheets.
  • Daytime class work if needed.
  • Near to television facilities with forecasters.
  • Terrific forest environment for doing collections.
  • Professional weather forecasters available.

 

This is currently supported at Camp Acahela.

Class size: No restrictions

Advance notice needed: Two weeks is preferred.

Cost to the unit is: $6.00 per participant

Patches for the completed award are available at a cost of $2.29  each and can be purchased at Camp Acahela or at the Scout Service Center's Scout Shop.

Advance notice needed:

Books, cards, patches...

 

THE KEY to the Requirements

Below are the current requirements for this Merit Badge. This color key is designed to help you understand what requirements can be completed at our facilities, what has to be done ahead of time, and what we can't support (or what will require special arrangements). Certain requirements may require additional fees to cover the costs of materials used and will be noted with this symbol set   (*) .

  • Text that is green like this means these are fieldwork requirements we support at our camps and can be completed with our Counselors. In some cases this means that you use our camp to fulfill or host an event.
  • Text that is blue like this means that you can arrange to meet with our Counselors and and review or complete these requirements with them. This usually means you must complete these in advance using a worksheet and /or sit in a class-like meeting to discuss the material or requirement.
  • Text that is in red like this is not supported in our program. If you elect to do this requirement, you must complete these requirements with local Counselors or your Scoutmaster.
  • Text that is in purple like this means this is a Pre-Requisite and needs to be completed ahead of time. (In some cases we also support these Pre-Reqs separately). In some cases this means doing the work at home, recording the results, and bringing the results with you to discuss with your counselor.
  • Text that is pink like this means that this requirement can be done either by our counselors or by some other local counselor but usually requires additional outside work that won't be completed in a single weekend. This usually means special arrangements need to be made, but this can usually be worked out by speaking with us ahead of time.
  • Text in brown like this means that this requirement can be satisfied at a location near one of our camps by either visiting the site, or participating in an activity at that nearby site (such as visiting Steamtown for the Railroading Merit Badge). In this way, you can use Acahela or Goose Pond as basecamps and then travel to the nearby site.

Merit Badge Requirements

  1. Define meteorology. Explain what weather is and what climate is. Discuss how the weather affects farmers, sailors, aviators, and the  outdoor construction industry. Tell why weather forecasts are important to each of these groups.
  2. Name five dangerous weather-related conditions. Give The safety rules for each when outdoors and explain the difference between a severe weather watch and a warning. Discuss the safety rules with your family.
  3. Explain the difference between high and low pressure systems in the atmosphere. Tell which is related to good and to poor weather. Draw cross sections of a cold front and a warm front , showing the location and movements of the cold and warm air, the frontal slope, the location and types of clouds associated with  each type of front, and the location of  precipitation.
  4. Tell what causes wind, why it rains, and how lightning and hail are formed.
  5. Identify and describe clouds in the low, middle, and upper levels of the atmosphere. Relate these to specific types of weather.
  6. Draw a diagram of the water cycle and label its major processes. Explain the water cycle to your counselor.
  7. Define acid rain. Identify which human activities pollute the atmosphere  and the effects such pollution can have on people.
  8. Do ONE of the following:
    1. Make one of the following instruments: wind vane, anemometer, rain gauge, hygrometer. Keep a daily weather log for one week using information from this instrument as well as from other sources such as local radio and television stations or NOAA Weather Radio  , and Internet sources (with your parent's permission). Record the following information  at the same time every day: wind direction and speed, temperature, precipitation, and types of clouds. Be sure to make a note of any morning dew or frost. In the log, also list the weather forecasts from radio or television at the same time each day and show how the weather really turned out.
    2. Visit a National Weather Service office or talk with a local radio or television weathercaster, private meteorologist, local agricultural  extension service  officer, or university meteorology instructor. Find out what type of weather is most dangerous or damaging to your community. Determine how severe weather and flood warnings reach the homes in your community.
  9. Do ONE of the following:
    1. Give a talk of  at least five minutes to a group (such as your unit or a Cub Scout pack) explaining the  outdoor safety rules in the event of lightning, flash floods, and tornadoes. Before your talk,  share your outline  with your counselor for approval.
    2. Read several articles about acid rain and give a prepared talk of  at least five minutes about the articles to a group (such as your unit or a Cub Scout pack). Before your talk,  share your outline  with your counselor for approval.
  10. Find out about a weather-related career opportunity that interests you. Discuss with and explain to your counselor what training and education are required for such a position, and the responsibilities required of such a position.

On-Line and Additional Support

Worksheets and Requirements

Details about this Merit Badge can be found at the US Scout Service Project Website at the following URL:

http://usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/mb116.asp

At the end of the description at that location, you will find copies of worksheets that you can easily save and print out. This will make the task of completing the Merit badge much easier and give your boys a guide to the information they need to know.

Having this done ahead of time can make the difference between leaving our camps with a signed "Blue Card" or not.

 

If you have any questions or need further guidance or help, we're here for you! Contact Ranger Tim Bongard at (570) 335-0283 or e-mail him at tbongard@nepabsa.org .

 

 

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