You know it is true! You have no less than six kids in your troop who can find a minimum of twenty uses for duct tape. I know in Troop 483, our guys actually held a duct tape fashion show with their duct tape wallets, camel packs, and more. We’ve also seen them make belts, messenger bags, you name it.
A fabulous idea was proposed a few years ago by Greg MacWilliam of Troop 99 in Hilton, NY. To date, his dream hasn’t made it to reality, but I am here to sing his praises and offer my support (and hopefully your’s) to try and move this forward.
After Greg went to college, the concept was adopted by Rick Adams who revised and proposed the requirements for the Duct Tape Merit Badge to National. Sadly, in 2002, the effort was turned down and National declined a motion to debate the decision. However, dtmb.gobot.com remains active, with several troops who supported the effort at that time. It also continues to hold a page on Troop 99′s website.
What can we do? Well, actually, a lot. I encourage you to look into this and let any of your scouts working on their Communications Merit Badge know that there is a noble cause. On the Duct Tape Merit Badge site, there is a link to a letter of support that can be submitted to your district, council, and national. If this is something your scouts excel at, they deserve a chance to earn a non-required badge.
Leave comments, if you would, about the crazy things your scouts have made out of duct tape…. Unless of course, your fingers are taped together.
Special thanks to Troop 99 for encouraging free thinkers!
[...] are still reading it. It was all about trying to revive a scout’s desire to implement a Duct Tape Merit Badge. While this young man has sense earned his Eagle and moved on beyond his quest, it is never too [...]