Summer Merit Badge Series

Location: All classes will be held at the Piedmont Council Office 1222 E. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, NC  28054.

Fish & Wildlife Management Merit Badge - Saturday, June 6th, 2026 - Registration CLOSED!

• Prerequisite: #5 (b): Construct, erect, and check regularly bird feeders and keep written records of the kinds of birds visiting the feeders. Here is a list of the materials we will need for this requirement.
  • Plastic bottles, thin wood sticks, thumb tacks, scissors, and string. 
  • Here is a link for the video to make a simple bird feeder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ComKxjdPfjw . 

Public Speaking Merit Badge  - Saturday, June 13th, 2026 - Registration CLOSED!

• Prerequisites:
  • 1. Scout to prepare a three minute introduction of themselves to merit badge session.  Share name, year in school, favorite school subject, troop position/desired troop position, importance of Scouting in their life, and their goal(s) of their Scouting journey.
  • 2. Prepare a three- to five-minute talk on a topic of your choice that incorporates body language and visual aids, be prepared to present or at minimum discuss why you chose the topic, what steps were taken to prepare, and create the talk.
  • 3. For the impromptu talk, for two minutes or less, scout should be ready to share their favorite story, facts, or event from American history and why it is their favorite.
  • 4. Scout should build an outline based upon structure introduction, body (three main points), and conclusion for their favorite story, facts, or event in American history that would be the basis for the eight-ten minute speech.  Practice and be ready to explain in a conversational way how they created their outline from their chosen topic.  Do they use this in school/everyday life to complete similar efforts? Show you know parliamentary procedure by being prepared to discuss and answer questions on the rules of order. See attached PDF and review Pubic Speaking Merit Badge Pamphlet.

Mining in Society Merit Badge - Saturday, June 27th, 2026 - Registration Open!

Exploration Merit Badge - Saturday, August 1st, 2026 - Registration CLOSED!

• Prerequisites: #4, 5, and 9.  Also discuss #7 with your parents to get an idea of an expedition that you could do; maybe a day trip or somewhere you can plan to explore if going on vacation.  

Genealogy Merit Badge - Saturday, August 15th, 2026 - Registration Open!

• Prerequisites: #3, #4C and D, and #7 (page 43 in the merit badge pamphlet).