Scouts learn about oral, written, visual, and digital methods of sharing information while working on the Communication merit badge. They share stories and information, participate in an interview, attend a public meeting, and plan a Court of Honor or campfire program. They also explore careers in the field of communication.
The Communication merit badge is required for the rank of Eagle Scout.
Communication Merit Badge Resources
Help with Answers for Communication Merit Badge Requirements
Find specific helps for some of the Communication merit badge requirements listed below. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Scouts to introduce these concepts to new Scouts.
Ask Scouter Mom a question or share your ideas with others
Requirement 1: Communication Methods
Some Ways We Communicate
- talking
- face to face
- video
- phone
- written
- note or letter
- text
- social media
- nonverbal
- facial expression
- body language
- emoji
- photo or drawing
My Story Mystery Game
The My Story Mystery Game is a great way to get to know some “history” about a group of individuals. It provides a method to introduce storytelling styles.
Picture Telephone Game
Picture Telephone game is a visual version of the classic telephone game. This is a way to talk about non-verbal communication and the pitfalls of not understanding what is being communicated.
Requirement 2: Presentation
How to Persuade
Some of the points in this article particularly apply to these requirements:
- Make your words powerful.
- Dress up, but don’t talk down.
- Focus on the future.
- Choose the right medium for your pitch.
- Speak their language.
- Avoid verbal fillers.
- Talk about what you used to believe.
- Repeat what they say.
- Build up to emotions.
Requirement 3: Five Minute Speech
Tips for Public Speaking
- Know your audience
- Include a story or humor
- Be organized
- It is OK to be nervous
- Be yourself
- Practice, practice, practice
- Have an outline
- Try not to just read
- Use hand gestures sparingly
- Start with an attention grabber
- A few props are OK, but not too many
Requirement 4: Interview
Requirement 4 Helps and Answers
Tips for the Interview
- Start with easy questions
- Use open ended questions which don’t allow single word answers
- Record the interview so you don’t miss anything
- Practice active listening by repeating important points back
- Don’t shy away from emotions
Tips for the Introduction
- Greet the audience
- Introduce the “guest” by name
- Tell something special or unusual about the guest which connects them with the audience
How to Talk to Someone about Their Life Story
Toastmasters International
Toastmasters is an organization dedicated to helping individuals improve their public speaking skills.
Requirement 5: Public Meeting
Requirement 5 Helps and Answers
Using the Same Event to Fulfill Two Different Requirements
A reader asks “For Scouts BSA, can the same meeting fulfill both requirements for the communication merit badge and the citizenship in the community?
Active Listening Skills
- Pay attention
- Withhold judgement
- Take notes
- Reflect important ideas back
- Request clarification when needed
- Summarize
- Share
Requirement 6: Teach a Skill
Requirement 6 Helps and Answers
BSA Edge Method
This is a four step method for teaching a skill. It is sometimes called Scouting’s Teaching EDGE.
What to Teach
Teach a skill you are confident about. Here are a few suggestions:
- How to tie a knot
- How to pitch a tent
- A first aid skill
- How to play a simple game
Tent Pitching Competition (Standard or Blindfolded)
Tent pitching competitions are an inter-patrol activity staple. The concept is simple, but I’ve outlined it in this article in case you’ve never seen one.
To make it a blindfolded tent pitching contest, just add blindfolds. If you want, let one team member keep his vision, but he can only participate by giving verbal instructions to the others. This makes a good communications exercise.
Requirement 7: Written Communication
Write to Scout Life Magazine
They are happy to help you fulfill this Communication merit badge requirement. You can send suggestions for stories, thoughts on something in a past issue, or something else. Contact them here.
Requirement 8: Master of Ceremonies
Requirement 8 Helps and Answers
Skits for Campfire Programs and Other Gatherings
Cheers, Run Ons, and Audience Participation
Skits for Campfire Programs and Other Gatherings
Every campfire program should have plenty of skits. They also make a great intermission in a meeting. Sometimes they teach a lesson, sometimes they don’t, but they are always fun.
Songs for Scouts
These songs for Scouts are a fun way to add some fun to a meeting or to get everyone involved in a campfire program.
Cheers, Run Ons, and Audience Participation
Cheers and run ons add fun to meetings and campfire programs. They are usually humorous and silly. Be prepared for groans and laughs!
Stories for Campfire Programs and Meetings
Whether in a meeting or sitting around a campfire, stories bring us together. They connect us with the past also.
Prayers
These can be used to help you plan a Scouts Own interfaith prayer service to meet this Communication merit badge requirement.
Requirement 9: Careers
Careers in Communications
- Journalism
- Public Relations
- Marketing and Advertising
- Writing and Publishing
- Web Design
- Social Media
- Human Resources
- Fundraising
- Sales