Introducing Astronomy to Boy Scouts

Scout groups often ask Rappahannock Astronomy Club to help them learn astronomy or to complete Scouting awards in astronomy. This Web page is notes about helping Boy Scouts complete Astronomy activities for the First Class rank and the Astronomy merit badge. I also have a some pages specialized for Cub Scout and Girl Scout groups.

This reference is for amateur astronomers who wish to help Boy Scout groups. Most of this material assumes you have some knowledge of astronomy. Boy Scout leaders, please see my notes for Boy Scout leaders. I intend for non-experts to use these pages as a reference. I welcome comments and feedback.

Boy Scouts are boys 11 to 18 years old. Their program offers opportunities for learning astronomy and doing astronomy activities:

• First Class requirement #1: "Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass." The techniques for both day and night use astronomical knowledge.
• The Astronomy merit badge. Working on this badge gives a boy a good introduction to the hobby. It requires at least a month of observing.

In these pages, I have written the following resources:

• Teaching materials for the Boy Scout Astronomy merit badge
• An observing plan for showing Boy Scouts objects in the sky mentioned in their award requirements
• My lesson plan for my Astronomy Merit Badge clinic
• An introduction for Boy Scouts
• An introduction for Boy Scout leaders

See also, from the official Boy Scouts of America Web site:

• Requirements for the Boy Scout Astronomy merit badge
• The First Class requirements

Links to other resources

About the author