(last updated November 24, 2021)
Since March 23rd, 2020, we have been offering the online and in person Gigglin’ Marlin Boy Scout Merit Badge Academy of Courses. This has been a huge win-win for everyone! Thank you for joining the classes and all the positive feedback! We are enjoying keeping your kids engaged in productive activities! If there is a Merit Badge you are looking for, you can make a suggestion to me and we will try to accommodate you! We also are offering Private Classes too!
Thank you for your business! Tonya
SEE THE FULL LIST OF COURSES OFFERED ON THE BUTTON ABOVE
All Boy Scout Merit Badge class portions are now available ONLINE and IN PERSON through a webinar meeting with the Merit Badge Counselor!
Gigglin’ Marlin is embracing the new normal and offering classes thru Webex.com
SEE THE RULES FOR ONLINE MB CLASSES:
We will create a meeting through webex.com. You will receive an invitation by email inviting you to join: Gigglin Marlin MB Class. Everyone in the class will get the webex link. This will be sent out by the day before. If you want to come in person, please come.
FOR ONLINE COURSES:
1. You will need to use a device (phone, ipad, computer) that has a camera and a microphone.
2. You will need to download the app on your device and log in. Webex is a free app. The sign-in only requests an email, first name, last name and a password. Each student should have their own, not the parent’s name. Siblings are fine to share. This is so the MB Counselor can call them by the name as to who is logged in.
3. Please do this now and not at the beginning of the class.
4. Accept the meeting to show us you will be attending.
5. Print the Merit Badge Workbook from our website (read requirements), any supporting documents and have access the Boy Scout Textbook from our website below. Print out a Blue Card if you do not have one. (also on our website below)
INFO FOR THE BLUE CARD:
Gigglin’ Marlin Dive & Swim, 4502 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77004. 281-445-3483
Omar Aquil, Dean Gordon, Tonya Merritt – MB Counselors
For the Meeting Day:
1. When you sign in to the meeting, we will have a roll call to verify who is signed in with the Merit Badge Counselor as if you were in person.
2. Once you have signed in and spoken with the counselor, PLEASE MUTE YOUR MICROPHONE.
3. During the class you will be able to see the Counselor and we will see you. Please do not create distractions. Act as if you were in person.
4. If you want to answer a question, you can unmute, speak your name and then answer. Then re-mute your microphone when you are finished so we don’t have audio feedback.
5. We are asking children to participate in an adult-type meeting. Please show us you are mature enough to complete training in this fashion. We are confident you will be successful! We are so PROUD of ALL of you!!! AND THANKFUL FOR THE PARENTS of these amazing Scouts!!
6. At the end of the meeting, you will be asked to show the MB Counselor your completed blue card so we can verify you have completed it properly prior to sending it in to me. We will also go over all the pre-reqs to see what you have. If there are supporting documents for other parts of the MB, you can show him those at this time to get a completed MB or email them later.
7. If you have an incomplete MB, please only fill in the dates of the numbers that you completed on the blue card so the MB Counselor can sign the appropriate line items.
After the Meeting:
1. You will need to submit your completed blue card back to the following email address at: swim@gigglinmarlin.com
2. Please submit your blue card and supporting documents promptly after the training is completed.
NEW WAY TO SEND MB CARDS AS A PDF:
Following these instructions from an iphone: Go to NOTES APP, select PEN/PAPER icon on bottom right, click CAMERA icon, choose SCAN DOC, Take Picture, SAVE button, PRESS & HOLD on the document, SHARE, EMAIL to swim@gigglinmarlin.com.
3. Make sure it is LEGIBLE, NON-BLURRY and COMPLETELY FILLED OUT. Otherwise, we cannot accept it. NO EXCEPTIONS. You can send this as a scan (best way) but you can also fax (if anyone still has one! our fax: 713-521-1888) or you can take a picture (SEND IT AS A MEDIUM SIZE PICTURE PLEASE). Verify it looks good prior to sending it please.
4. If you don’t submit it, you will not have your blue card to turn in for credit. If you contact us later, there is a $15 fee for us to research the details of your class, dates, etc.
5. MB Counselor will sign off on the completed portions of the blue cards and we will email them back to you in 1-2 days. Be patient while we verify all supporting documents.
Success is achieved when expectations are set in the beginning. Thank you for being a part of our online world!
Since 2012 Gigglin’ Marlin has taken great pride in the opportunity to train your scout(s) and serve you. Thank you for working with us in this period of transition! We truly hope this is an amazing success for everyone! We see it as a WIN-WIN!
Thank you also for supporting our small business in Houston!!! We truly appreciate it!! Bill & Tonya
PRIVATE OPTION:
Pricing for the Private Rate is double the regular price. To register for this option, please contact Tonya for availability. 281-445-3483
Backpacking Merit Badge
BACKPACKING MERIT BADGE – Cost $60-
Requirements
Bird Study Merit Badge
Chemistry Merit Badge
CHEMISTRY MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Predict what would happen if you placed an iron nail in a copper sulfate solution. …Describe how you would separate sand from water, table salt from water, oil from water, and gasoline from motor oil. Describe the difference between a chemical reaction and a physical change.
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Coin Collecting Merit Bagde
Communications
Cooking
Crime Prevention Merit Badge
CRIME PREVENTION MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Requirements for the Crime Prevention merit badge: Do the following: …
Dentristry
Dog Care
DOG CARE MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Requirements for the Dog Care merit badge: Do the following: …
Describe some common characteristics of the dogs that make up each of the seven major dog groups. Tell some specific characteristics of seven breeds of dogs (one from each major group), OR give a short history of one breed.
Emergency Preparedness
Energy Merit Badge
Environmental Science
Exploration
EXPLORATION MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Requirements for the Exploration merit badge: After learning about the history and importance of exploration, Scouts plan, prepare for and go on an actual expedition. The expedition need not be to Mount Everest or the Marianas Trench. Scouts must plan and take a trip to somewhere of interest to them; it can be close by or far away. It can be a troop activity or a small-scale excursion.
Family Life
First Aid
Gardening Merit Badge
Lifesaving Merit Badge
LIFESAVING MERIT BADGE – Cost $50
No Boy Scout will ignore a plea for help. However, the desire to help is of little use unless one knows how to give the proper aid. The main purpose of the Lifesaving merit badge is to prepare Scouts to assist those involved in water accidents, teaching them the basic knowledge of rescue techniques, the skills to perform them, and the judgment to know when and how to act so that they can be prepared for emergencies.
Requirements
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- Before doing requirements 2 through 15:
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- If the Boy Scout is not at least First Class, we offer these Prerequisites the day of the Merit Badge for an additional $25.
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- Complete Second Class rank requirements 8a through 8c and First Class rank requirements 9a through 9c.
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- Second Class rank requirements 8a through 8c:
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- (8a) Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.
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- (8b) Demonstrate your ability to jump feetfirst into water over your head in depth, level off and swim 25 feet on the surface, stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, then return to your starting place.
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- (8c) Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
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- First Class rank requirements 9a through 9c:
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- (9a) Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.
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- (9b) Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.*
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- (9c) With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. (The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.)
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- Swim continuously for 400 yards using each of the following strokes in a strong manner for at least 50 continuous yards: front crawl, sidestroke, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke.
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- Explain the following:
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- Common drowning situations and how to prevent them.
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- How to identify persons in the water who need assistance.
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- The order of methods in water rescue.
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- How rescue techniques vary depending on the setting and the condition of the person needing assistance.
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- Situations for which in-water rescues should not be undertaken.
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- Explain the following:
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- Demonstrate “reaching” rescues using various items such as arms, legs, towels, shirts, paddles, and poles.
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- Demonstrate “throwing” rescues using various items such as lines, ring buoys, rescue bags, and free-floating supports. Successfully place at least one such aid within reach of a practice victim 25 feet from shore.
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- Show or explain the use of rowboats, canoes, or other small craft in performing rescues.
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- List various items that can be used as rescue aids in a noncontact swimming rescue. Explain why buoyant aids are preferred.
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- Perform the following equipment-based rescues for a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Use a proper entry and a strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject to determine his condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.
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- Present a rescue tube to the subject, release it, and escort the victim to safety.
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- Present a rescue tube to the subject and use it to tow the victim to safety.
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- Present a buoyant aid other than a rescue tube to the subject, release it, and escort the victim to safety.
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- Present a buoyant aid other than a rescue tube to the subject and use it to tow the victim to safety.
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- Remove street clothes in 20 seconds or less and use a nonbuoyant aid, such as a shirt or towel, to tow the subject to safety. Explain when it is appropriate to remove heavy clothing before attempting a swimming rescue.
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- Perform the following equipment-based rescues for a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Use a proper entry and a strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject to determine his condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.
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- Explain the importance of avoiding contact with an active victim and describe lead-and-wait tactics.
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- Perform the following nonequipment rescues for a conscious practice subject 30 feet from shore. Begin in the water from a position near the subject. Speak to the subject to determine his condition and to provide instructions and encouragement.
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- Provide a swim-along assist for a calm, responsive, tired swimmer moving with a weak forward stroke.
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- Perform an armpit tow for a calm, responsive, tired swimmer resting with a back float.
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- Perform a cross-chest carry for an exhausted, passive victim who does not respond to instructions to aid himself.
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- In deep water, show how to escape from a victim’s grasp on your wrist. Repeat for front and rear holds about the head and shoulders.
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- Perform the following rescues for an unconscious practice subject at or near the surface 30 feet from shore. Use a proper entry and strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject and splash water on him to determine his condition before making contact. Remove the victim from the water, with assistance if needed, and position for CPR.
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- Perform an equipment assist using a buoyant aid.
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- Perform a front approach and wrist tow.
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- Perform a rear approach and armpit tow.
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- Perform the following rescues for an unconscious practice subject at or near the surface 30 feet from shore. Use a proper entry and strong approach stroke. Speak to the subject and splash water on him to determine his condition before making contact. Remove the victim from the water, with assistance if needed, and position for CPR.
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- Describe how to respond if a victim submerges before being reached by a rescuer, and do the following:
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- Recover a 10-pound weight in 8 to 10 feet of water using a feetfirst surface dive.
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- Repeat using a headfirst surface dive.
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- Describe how to respond if a victim submerges before being reached by a rescuer, and do the following:
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- Demonstrate knowledge of resuscitation procedures:
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- Describe how to recognize the need for rescue breathing and CPR.
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- Demonstrate proper CPR technique for at least 3 minutes using a mannequin designed to simulate ventilations and compressions.
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- Demonstrate knowledge of resuscitation procedures:
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- Demonstrate management of a spinal injury:
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- Explain the signs and symptoms of a spinal injury.
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- Support a faceup victim in calm, shallow water.
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- Turn a subject from a facedown to a faceup position while maintaining support.
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- Demonstrate management of a spinal injury:
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- Show that you know first aid for other injuries or illnesses that could occur while swimming or boating, including hypothermia, heat reactions, muscle cramps, sunburn, stings, and hyperventilation.
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Medicine
Personal Fitness
Personal Management
Public Health
PUBLIC HEALTH MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Requirements for the Public Health merit bade: Explain the role of your health agency as it relates to the outbreak of diseases. Discuss the kinds of public assistance the agency is able to provide in case of disasters such as floods, storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other acts of destruction. Your discussion can include the cleanup necessary after the disaster.
Radio Merit Badge
RADIO MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Requirements for the Radio merit badge: … The differences between broadcast radio and hobby radio. The differences between broadcasting and two-way communications. Radio call signs and how they are used in broadcast radio and amateur radio. The phonetic alphabet and how it is used to communicate clearly.
Traffic Safety
TRAFFIC SAFETY MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Requirements for the Traffic Safety merit badge: Do the following: …
List five common distractions, explain how driver distractions contribute to traffic accidents, and tell how drivers can minimize distractions. Describe how volunteer drivers can plan to be alert when transporting Scouting participants.
Scuba Merit Badge
SCUBA DIVING MERIT BADGE – Cost $50
Boy Scouts of America Scuba Diving merit badge
Achievement of the Scuba Diving merit badge will result in a PADI Open Water Diver Certification. This is a lifetime certification that is only the first step into an endless world of new experiences, adventure and fun.
Counselors for the Scuba Diving merit badge must be registered with the Boy Scouts of America and be approved by the district/council advancement committee.
Like other merit badges, the Scuba Diving merit badge has been developed to teach and train youth in a manner consistent with the overall goals and values of the Boy Scouts of America.
The merit badge counselor should be fair and consistent when presenting and evaluating the knowledge and skills specified by the requirements. None of the requirements may be modified or omitted.
Scuba industry standards for Open Water Diver Certification require the student to be at least 15 years of age. Students under the minimum age who meet open water scuba performance requirements may qualify for a special certification that allows them to dive with an adult buddy who has, as a minimum, an open water scuba certification. Several of the scuba organizations recognized by the BSA offer “junior” open water certifications for those as young as 10; others have a minimum age of 12. Such junior open water diver certifications satisfy Scuba Diving merit badge requirement 4.
Requirements
Do the following:
Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while scuba diving, including hypothermia, hyperventilation, squeezes, decompression illness, nitrogen narcosis, motion sickness, fatigue, overexertion, heat reactions, dehydration, injuries by aquatic life, and cuts and scrapes.
Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the Swimming merit badge.
Discuss the Scuba Diver’s Code with your merit badge counselor, and explain the importance of each guideline to a scuba diver’s safety.
Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy.
Explain what an ecosystem is, and describe four aquatic ecosystems a diver might experience.
Find out about three career opportunities in the scuba industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
Sports
SPORTS MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Requirements for the Sports merit badge: Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while playing sports, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.
Swimming Merit Badge
SWIM MERIT BADGE – Cost $50
Swimming is a leisure activity, a competitive sport, and a basic survival skill. Scouts who earn this badge will learn about safety when swimming and diving, how swimming can contribute to overall fitness and health, and gain some basic competitive swimming skills.
Requirements
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- If the Boy Scout is not at least First Class, we offer the Prerequisites the day of the Merit Badge for an additional $25.
NOTE: The requirements for the Swimming merit badge have been revised. A Scout who has already started working on the merit badge when the 2014 edition was introduced, may continue to use the same merit badge pamphlet to earn the badge and fulfill the requirements therein. In other words, the Scout need not start over again with the new pamphlet and revised requirements. The revised requirements as presented here become official Jan. 1, 2015, and will appear in the 2015 Boy Scout Requirements book.
Do the following:
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- Explain to your counselor how Scouting’s Safe Swim Defense plan anticipates, helps prevent and mitigate, and provides responses to likely hazards you may encounter during swimming activities.
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- Discuss the prevention and treatment of health concerns that could occur while swimming, including hypothermia, dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, muscle cramps, hyperventilation, spinal injury, stings and bites, and cuts and scrapes.
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- Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
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- Swim continuously for 150 yards using the following strokes in good form and in a strong manner: front crawl or trudgen for 25 yards, back crawl for 25 yards, sidestroke for 25 yards, breaststroke for 25 yards, and elementary backstroke for 50 yards.
Do the following:
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- Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible, and explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.
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- With a helper and a practice victim, show a line rescue both as tender and as rescuer. The practice victim should be approximately 30 feet from shore in deep water.
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Do the following:
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- Float faceup in a resting position for at least one minute.
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- Demonstrate survival floating for at least five minutes.
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- While wearing a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket, demonstrate the HELP and huddle positions. Explain their purposes.
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- Explain why swimming or survival floating will hasten the onset of hypothermia in cold water.
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- In water over your head, but not to exceed 10 feet, do each of the following:
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- Use the feetfirst method of surface diving and bring an object up from the bottom.
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- Do a headfirst surface dive (pike or tuck), and bring the object up again.
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- Do a headfirst surface dive to a depth of at least 5 feet and swim underwater for three strokes. Come to the surface, take a breath, and repeat the sequence twice.
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- Following the guidelines set in the BSA Safe Swim Defense, in water at least 7 feet deep*, show a standing headfirst dive from a dock or pool deck. Show a long shallow dive, also from the dock or pool deck. *If your state, city, or local community requires a water depth greater than 7 feet, it is important to abide by that mandate.
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- Explain the health benefits of regular aerobic exercise, and discuss why swimming is favored as both fitness and therapeutic exercise.
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Veterinary Medicine
VETERINARY MERIT BADGE – Cost $60
Requirements
Requirements for the Veterinary Medicine merit badge: Discuss with your counselor the roles a veterinarian plays in the following:
Companion or small animal medicine, and equine medicine Food animal or large animal medicine Exotic animal medicine Marine animal medicine (mammal and fish) Poultry medicine Wildlife medicine and aquaculture medicine Discuss with your counselor the roles a veterinarian plays in the following: Public health medicine and zoonotic disease surveillance and control The military Food safety and inspection Laboratory animal medicine and research Teaching and government Describe the training required to become a veterinarian.
Genealogy Merit Badge
Insect Study Merit Badge
Music Merit Badge
Pets Merit Badge
Public Speaking Merit Badge
Reading Merit Badge
Robotics Merit Badge
Boy Scout Swim Test
Cost $10 – (Swim Test is included in Aquatic PreReqs)
Swimmer
- Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin swimming.
- Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: side, breast, trudgen, or crawl. Swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
- The 100 yards must be completed without stops and must include at least one sharp turn.
- Rest by floating…Long enough to demonstrate ability to rest when exhausted.
Beginner
- Jump feet first into water over the head, level off, and begin swimming.
- Swim 25 feet on the surface.
- Stop, turn, and resume swimming back to the starting place.
Non-Swimmer
Did not complete either of the swimming tests.
